Stretch in Glutes?

In the front split series, a lot of times especially when the knees are locked and when my ankle is dorsiflexed, I feel the stretch in the glutes.  What does that usually mean?

Tight glutes?

Perhaps fascial involvement? Piriformis, IT area and lateral leg seem to be connected, sensitive, and affected by ankle position. Plantar flexion and inversion creates quite a sensation for me when I'm tight and the hips are bent to 90.