High school wrestling teams will be on the mat a little less this season.

The PIAA has adopted a winter sports schedule that begins one week later, due in part to the length of the fall sports season.

In response to the change, the PIAA Wrestling Steering Committee cut two competition points from its schedule. That means schools have only 22 scheduling points for dual meets and tournaments.

The WPIAL Wrestling Steering Committee kept its section alignment, but cut the number of section matches by dividing each section into two sub-sections.

Derry's move up in classification has forced a couple changes to the alignment in Sections 1-AAA and 2-AAA.

Derry has been placed in sub-section B of Section 1, along with Latrobe, Indiana, Penn-Trafford, and Plum. The five teams in sub-section A are: Franklin Regional, Gateway, Kiski Area, Penn Hills, and Woodland Hills.

Norwin has moved to Section 2 and is now in sub-section B, along with Elizabeth Forward, Greensburg Salem, Hempfield, and McKeesport. The teams in sub-section A are Albert Gallatin, Belle Vernon, Connellsville, Laurel Highlands, and Uniontown.

"We were in Class AA for six years, but have wrestled a Class AAA schedule," Derry coach Mike Wood said. "We have one of the toughest schedules in the WPIAL, so I don't see the move up in classification as huge problem for us."

Derry (16-3) won the Section 2-AA title last year and advanced to the WPIAL semifinals before losing to runner-up Shady Side Academy. The Trojans enter the 2008-09 season at No. 9 in the WPIAL Class AAA preseason rankings.

"We will find out in the first two weeks how good we are," Wood said. "We are in the Solon [Ohio] Tournament this weekend, then host the Derry Duals next Saturday. The teams we will face [at the Derry Duals] are North Allegheny, Shady Side Academy, Latrobe, Burgettstown and Fort LeBoeuf."

Derry also has section matches scheduled with Plum (Dec. 10) and Penn-Trafford (Dec. 17) during the two-week stretch.

"We will be facing both No. 1 teams in five days," said Wood, referring to the fact that Penn-Trafford is No. 1 in Class AAA, while Shady Side Academy is No. 1 in Class AA.

Penn-Trafford (16-5) has made three consecutive appearances in the WPIAL title match. The Warriors have 12 starters returning, including six who had 20 or more wins, and a pair of PIAA place-winners. Shane Young (44-0 at 112) has won back-to-back WPIAL and PIAA titles and opens the season with a 90-match winning streak. Ryan Bohince (31-14 at 103) finished eighth in the state.

"Talent-wise, this could be the best team the school has ever had," Penn-Trafford coach Larry Hohman said. "But we have to prove it on the mat. If we can stay healthy, stay focussed and not become complacent, we have the talent required to win another WPIAL title."

Derry has 13 starters back, including four who had 30 or more wins: Dante DeCario (31-11 at 119), Travis Shaffer (42-8 at 125), Eric Kemp (31-14 at 140) and Nick Sofranko (32-12 at 160). Shaffer placed fifth in the state last season.

"Penn-Trafford is a step above everybody right now," Hempfield coach Vince DeAugustine said.

Hempfield (20-1) is No. 3 in the WPIAL rankings. With 12 starters returning, the Spartans are expected to be the top team in Section 2-AAA. Seven of the returning starters recorded 20 or more wins last season, and two were PIAA place-winners. Jake Kemerer (46-1 at 160) is a three-time WPIAL finalist and one-time WPIAL and PIAA champion. Jack Bachman (42-8 at 135) placed seventh at Hershey.

Latrobe (7-8) has 11 starters back, including a pair of PIAA qualifiers: Nathan Pennesi (35-7 at 119) and Joey Walters (28-9 at 130).

The Eastern Area Invitational boasts its biggest field, as 21 teams are entered in the two-day tournament which begins tomorrow at Gateway High School.

"I didn't know how we would be affected by the PIAA's scheduling changes," Gateway coach R.J. Santilli said. "Fortunately, several teams decided to add another tournament and picked us."

Defending champion Penn-Trafford is joined in the 21-team field by Belle Vernon, Bethel Park, Central Cambria, Chartiers Valley, Erie McDowell, Kiski Area, Laurel Highlands, McKeesport, Mount Pleasant, Norwin, Pine-Richland, Plum, Seneca Valley, Shaler, South Fayette, South Park, Trinity, Woodland Hills and the host school.