The Farrell school district took the first step in leaving District 10 which encompasses Mercer County, as the Farrell School Board voted 8-1 to join District 7 on Monday, Nov. 13, setting up a potential powerhouse to join the WPIAL. 

Farrell tried once before to move back in 2015, but District 10 and the PIAA rejected the school’s appeal at the time.

“The WPIAL, from my understanding, will take us back, if District 10 releases us,” Farrell Head Coach and Athletic Director Anthony Pegues said. “We tried this in the past and the district didn’t release us. We have legal counsel this time to try to push it further, if they don’t release us, but that would be up to the school board.” 

Farrell wants to join the WPIAL for the 2024-25 school year. 

                        The team located in Mercer County already has storied sports history in the WPIAL, as Farrell is tied with Aliquippa for the most WPIAL boys basketball titles in league history, each having 13, even though Farrell left for District 10 in 2006. The girls volleyball program won a record 20 WPIAL titles and the football team has six. 

“I’m a WPIAL guy, so to speak,” he said. “I feel like going back and playing in the WPIAL, playing in that competition, is what we need.” 

Pegues said a return for the WPIAL would also help with recruiting and getting his athletes to bigger and better schools. This year’s football team finished 10-1 overall with their last win being a 36-7 win over Wilmington. 

The primary concern back when they got out in 2006 of the WPIAL was because of the length of travel. 

He noted that the team traveled to Northeast in week one which is a 90 minute drive for them. He also mentioned, “If we were going to do that we might as well be in the WPIAL. We can make it to Aliquippa in 45 minutes.”