Home WPIAL 2017 WPIAL 6A/5A/4A/3A Playoff Primer

2017 WPIAL 6A/5A/4A/3A Playoff Primer

by Ian

The WPIAL regular season is in the books. The 64 teams that will take part in the WPIAL playoffs have been decided and the brackets have been announced. I had to split this year’s Playoff Primer into two posts. This post contains Classes 6A, 5A, 4A,  and 3A. The Primer for Classes 2A and 1A can be found here.

In 6A, 5A, and 4A, there are only 2 conferences so the top 4 teams from each conference reached the postseason with the top 2 from each conference hosting first round playoff games. In 3A, there are 3 conferences and only 8 playoff teams so the top 2 from each conference made the playoffs along with 2 “Wild Card” teams (the 3rd place teams with the best records). The 3A conference champions and one of the three second place teams will get home playoff games. In Classes 2A and 1A, there are 3 conferences and 16 teams make the playoffs so the top 5 teams plus one “Wild Card” team (the 6th place team with the best record) qualified for the postseason. The top two teams from each conference plus two of the three third place teams get home playoff games. For fully detailed standings, check out my WPIAL Standings Page.

For now, here is a quick look at the teams that reached the 2017 postseason and their notable playoff history. For reference, there were only 3 classifications of WPIAL football prior to 1980 and the PIAA Championship was not instituted until 1988. Classifications in the 6-classification model that started in 2016 are labeled with numbers (i.e. “4A”) while prior to 2016 they are labeled with just letters (i.e. “AAAA”).

Class 6A

Northern Seven Conference

Pine-Richland Rams
Conference Record: 6-0 Overall Record: 10-0
How they got here: Pine-Richland dominated every game this season, averaging 50 points per game on offense and an average margin of victory of 38 points. They went undefeated in conference play and defeated the top 3 teams from the Southeastern Conference in non-conference play.
Recent History: Pine-Richland is making their 5th consecutive playoff appearance. The Rams won the WPIAL title in 2014 and lost in the semi-finals each of the last two seasons.
Best Playoff Result: Won WPIAL Championship in 2003 (AAA) and 2014. Richland High School won the WPIAL title in 1969 and 1970. Lost in PIAA Championship Game in both 2003 (AAA) and 2014.

Central Catholic Vikings
Conference Record: 5-1 Overall Record: 8-2
How they got here: The Vikings rode a stifling defense to a second place finish in the Northern Seven Conference. In their 8 wins, no one scored more than 20 points against Central’s defense.
Recent History: Central Catholic is making their 15th consecutive playoff appearance. The Vikings have reached Heinz Field each of the last 4 seasons, have won 4 of the last 4 WPIAL titles, and are the two-time defending WPIAL Champions.
Best Playoff Result: Won WPIAL Championship in 2003, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015, and 2016. Won PIAA title in 1988, 2004, 2007, and 2015.

North Allegheny Tigers:
Conference Record: 4-2 Overall Record: 7-3
How they got here: North Allegheny boasts the second-best offense in 6A, averaging 36 points per game. They rebounded from an 0-2 start to WPIAL play to win 6 in a row before losing to Pine-Richland in the season finale.
Recent History: North Allegheny is making their 14th consecutive playoff appearance. They have not lost in the first round of the playoffs since 2005.
Best Playoff Result: Won WPIAL Championship in 1990, 2010, 2011 and 2012. Won PIAA title in 1990, 2010 and 2012.

Penn Hills Indians
Conference Record: 3-3 Overall Record: 7-3
How they got here: Defeated Seneca Valley in Week 5 in a decisive game in the Northern Seven playoff race. The Indians had an explosive offense, averaging 39 points per game in their wins but were held under 20 in each of their 3 losses.
Recent History: Missed the playoffs last year but before that had made the postseason in 19 of the 21 previous seasons. The Indians have not won a playoff game since 2009.
Best Playoff Result: Won the WPIAL AAA Championship in 1976 and 1978. Tied Butler for the 1977 WPIAL AAA Championship (no overtime). Defeated Gateway in the 1979 WPIAL Championship Game, which was later vacated by the WPIAL because of an ineligible player. A federal judge overturned the WPIAL’s decision and restored the 1979 title to Penn Hills. Won the 1995 WPIAL AAAA Championship by defeating Upper St Clair 20-13. Defeated Lower Dauphin 35-14 to win the 1995 PIAA AAAA Championship.

Southeastern Conference

Bethel Park Black Hawks
Conference Record: 6-0 Overall Record: 8-1
How they got here: Defeated Mt Lebanon in Week 9 to win the Southeastern Conference title. Bethel Park features a run-heavy offense that has averaged 35 points per game.
Recent History: Bethel Park is making their 17th consecutive playoff appearance. In that stretch they have only made it past the quarterfinals twice.
Best Playoff Result: Won WPIAL Championship in 2008. Lost to Liberty in 2008 PIAA Championship Game in overtime.

Mt Lebanon Blue Devils
Conference Record: 5-1 Overall Record: 6-4
How they got here: Before their Week 9 loss to Bethel Park, all of Mt. Lebanon’s losses had come against playoff teams from the Northern Seven Conference (Pine-Richland, North Allegheny, Penn Hills). Have allowed the most points (27 per game) of any 6A playoff team. WR Aidan Cain broke the WPIAL regular season receptions record () and the single-season receiving yards record () this season.
Recent History: Mt Lebanon is making their 17th playoff appearance in the last 20 years. They have not reached the semi-finals since 2005.
Best Playoff Result: Won WPIAL Championship in 1966 (AAA), 1970 (AAA), 1980, 1981, 1983, 1984, and 2000. Lost to Erie Prep in the PIAA semifinals in 2000.

Peters Twp Indians
Conference Record: 4-2 Overall Record: 7-3
How they got here: The Indians finished 3rd in the Southeastern Conference thanks to a quality defense that held every opponent except Pine-Richland and Bethel Park under 20 points. Peters Twp won a number of low-scoring games this season.
Recent History: Peters Twp missed the playoffs each of the last 3 seasons. This is their 5th playoff appearance in the last 14 years. Their last playoff win was in 2003 when they played in AAA.
Best Playoff Result: Since 1980, Peters Twp has never reached the WPIAL semifinals. They reached the quarterfinals in 2003. In 1993 and 1994 they lost in the quarterfinals, which was the first round of the playoffs.

Norwin Knights
Conference Record: 3-3 Overall Record: 5-5
How they got here: Defeated Canon-McMillan in Week 4 in what wound up being the decisive game in the Southeastern Conference playoff race. Norwin rode the second-best defense in 6A (15 points allowed per game) to the playoffs. The Knights have the lowest-scoring offense (16 points per game) of any 6A playoff team.
Recent History: Norwin made the playoffs for the fourth straight season. This is only their 8th playoff appearance since 2000. The Knights are 1-7 in the playoffs in that span.
Best Playoff Result: Reached the semi-finals in 1999, losing to McKeesport.

Class 5A

Allegheny Nine Conference

Upper St Clair Panthers
Conference Record: 7-1 Overall Record: 7-3
How they got here: Defeated West Allegheny in overtime in Week 6 by stopping a two-point conversion. Lost the season finale to Woodland Hills in a low-scoring affair.
Recent History: Upper St Clair is making their 19th consecutive playoff appearance. The Panthers have lost in the first round each of the last three seasons.
Best Playoff Result: Won WPIAL Championship in 1988, 1989, 1992, 1997, and 2006. Tied for the 1974 (AAA) and 1975 (AAA) WPIAL title (no overtime). Won the PIAA Championship in 1989 and 2006.

West Allegheny Indians
Conference Record: 6-2 Overall Record: 7-2
How they got here: Lost to Upper St Clair in one of the best games of the year so far then defeated Woodland Hills in Week 8 to secure a home playoff game. Have battled through a number of injuries in the second half of the season.
Recent History: West Allegheny is making their 9th consecutive playoff appearance and 20th in the last 21 years. They had reached Heinz Field in 4 of the last 5 years and are the defending WPIAL 5A Champions.
Best Playoff Result: Coach Bob Palko has won more WPIAL titles than any other coach. West Allegheny won the WPIAL Championship in 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2009, 2012, 2013, and 2016. Won the 2001 PIAA Championship 28-13 over Strath Haven (who had beaten them in the PIAA title game the prior two seasons).

Woodland Hills Wolverines
Conference Record: 6-2 Overall Record: 6-4
How they got here: Rebounded from a 1-3 start to win 5 of their last 6 games. Woodland Hills has the best defense in the Allegheny Nine Conference and allowed just 11 points per game in conference play. Allowed just 14 points total over the last two weeks to West Allegheny and Upper St Clair.
Recent History: Woodland Hills is making their 22nd consecutive playoff appearance. They reached the semi-finals in 6 of the last 8 years, making it to Heinz Field 4 times. The Wolverines have lost in the semi-finals to eventual WPIAL champions in each of the last two seasons.
Best Playoff Result: Won WPIAL Championship in 1996, 1999, 2001, 2002, and 2009. Lost in PIAA Championship Game in 1996, 2001 and 2002.

Fox Chapel Foxes
Conference Record: 5-3 Overall Record: 6-4
How they got here: Despite a 1-4 start, finished the season on a 5-game winning streak. Defeated Woodland Hills in Week 2 and Moon in Week 5, which were the decisive victories in their playoff quest.
Recent History: Fox Chapel missed the playoffs each of the last two seasons and this is just their 5th playoff appearance in the last 20 years.
Best Playoff Result: Reached the semifinals in 1983, 1984 and 1997.  Lost to Penn-Trafford 21-19 in the 1997 semifinals.

Big East Conference

Penn-Trafford Warriors
Conference Record: 7-1 Overall Record: 9-1
How they got here: Penn-Trafford has the top defense in 5A (9 points against per game) and the third-best offense (35 points per game). The Warriors shut out Gateway (the highest-scoring 5A team) in Week 5 to earn the head-to-head tiebreaker which game them the conference title. Lost in Week 9 to McKeesport.
Recent History: Missed the playoffs last year after reaching the postseason for 13 straight years previously. Have reached at least the semifinals in their three previous playoff trips.
Best Playoff Result: Reached the WPIAL Championship game in 1997 and 2015. Lost to Upper St Clair 28-27 in the 1997 Championship and lost to Central Catholic 24-17 in 2015.

Gateway Gators
Conference Record: 7-1 Overall Record: 9-1
How they got here: The Gators have the highest-scoring offense in 5A and the WPIAL’s leading passer in Brady Walker (). The only blemish on their record was a Week 5 loss to Penn-Trafford. They closed the season strong with a 21-18 victory over rival McKeesport (where they intercepted a pass in the end zone at the end of the game) and a 33-17 win over Franklin Regional to secure a home playoff game.
Recent History: Gateway missed the playoffs in 2015 for the first time since 2001. During their 13-year run of playoff appearances, the Gators reached Heinz Field 4 times but did not win a WPIAL title. Gateway lost to McKeesport on a hook-and-ladder hail mary in the semi-finals last year.
Best Playoff Result: Gateway won the WPIAL AAA Championship in 1969, 1972, 1974, and 1986. Gateway tied North Hills 0-0 in the 1985 Championship Game before the WPIAL had overtime.

McKeesport Tigers
Conference Record: 6-2 Overall Record: 7-2
How they got here: McKeesport’s triple-option rushing attack put up video game-esque numbers this season. McKeesport had the second-highest scoring offense (35 points per game) and second-best defense (13 points against per game) in 5A. Both of McKeesport’s losses were punctuated by untimely turnovers. In Week 1 against Franklin Regional, they fumbled at their own 10 with a minute left that led to Franklin Regional’s game-winning score. In Week 8 against Gateway they threw an interception in the end zone in the final minute.
Recent History: McKeesport is making their 20th consecutive playoff appearance. They lost the WPIAL Championship Game in overtime to West Allegheny last year.
Best Playoff Result: Won WPIAL Championship in 1938 (AAA), 1994 and 2005. Won PIAA title in 1994 and 2005.

Franklin Regional Panthers
Conference Record: 5-3 Overall Record: 6-3
How they got here: Franklin Regional won games with defense this season. They allowed just 18 points per game this season. The Panthers have the lowest-scoring offense of any 5A playoff team, averaging just 19 points per game.
Recent History: Franklin Regional is making their 14th consecutive playoff appearance. They have reached the semifinals in 3 of the last 6 years.
Best Playoff Result: Won WPIAL Championship in 2005, beating Thomas Jefferson 31-14. Won PIAA Championship in 2005, beating Pottsville 23-13.

Class 4A

Big Nine Conference

Belle Vernon Leopards
Conference Record: 8-0 Overall Record: 9-0
How they got here: Belle Vernon defeated Thomas Jefferson 21-17 in Week 7 to secure the conference title. The Leopards played a number of close games this year with one-possession wins over Ringgold, Trinity, and Thomas Jefferson. Belle Vernon had the second-best defense in 4A, allowing just 9 points per game.
Recent History: Belle Vernon is making their 9th consecutive playoff appearance. Since reaching the WPIAL semifinals in 2000, Belle Vernon has won just 1 playoff game in 13 appearanaces.
Best Playoff Result: Won WPIAL Championship in 1995, beating Franklin Regional 22-6. That year, they lost to Sharon in overtime in the PIAA semifinals.

Thomas Jefferson Jaguars
Conference Record: 7-1 Overall Record: 8-1
How they got here: Thomas Jefferson is the two-time defending WPIAL champions and had not lost to a WPIAL opponent since Week 2 of 2015 until Belle Vernon beat the Jaguars in Week 7. TJ has the second-best offense in 4A (44 points per game) and the best statistical defense (5 points allowed per game). The Jaguars pitched 4 shutouts and Belle Vernon was the only team to score more than 7 against them this season.
Recent History: Thomas Jefferson is making their 23rd consecutive playoff appearance, tied with Aliquippa for the longest active streak. They have reached the semifinals in 18 of the last 19 years and are the two-time defending WPIAL Champions. They lost to Erie Cathedral Prep in the PIAA Quarterfinals each of the last two years.
Best Playoff Result: Won WPIAL Championship in 1980, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2015, and 2016. Won PIAA Championship in 2004, 2007, and 2008.

Trinity Hillers
Conference Record: 5-3 Overall Record: 6-3
How they got here: The Hillers bounced back from an 0-2 start to the season to win 6 of their last 7. The only loss in that span was a 7-point defeat by conference Champion Belle Vernon.
Recent History: Trinity is making their first playoff appearance since 2012 and they have not won a playoff game since 2007.
Best Playoff Result: Tied for the WPIAL AA Championship in 1948 in a 0-0 game against Crafton (no overtime).

West Mifflin Titans
Conference Record: 4-4 Overall Record: 5-4
How they got here: West Mifflin had a strange run through conference play where they lost by 1-point to Albert Gallatin and by 4 points to Laurel Highlands, both of whom missed the playoffs. However, their head-to-head victories over Trinity, Greensburg Salem, and Ringgold were enough to get the Titans to the postseason.
Recent History: West Mifflin is making their 8th consecutive playoff appearance. They reached Heinz Field in 2012.
Best Playoff Result: West Mifflin North won the WPIAL Championship in 1963, beating Butler 12-6. West Mifflin lost in WPIAL Championship Games in 2000, 2004, and 2012.

Northwest Nine Conference

South Fayette Lions
Conference Record: 8-0 Overall Record: 10-0
How they got here: South Fayette completed their 5th consecutive undefeated regular season. The Lions have not lost in conference play since 2011.
Recent History: South Fayette is making their 9th consecutive playoff appearance. The Lions have won 3 of the last 8 WPIAL titles and have been to Heinz Field in 3 of the last 4 seasons. South Fayette was upset by New Castle in the first round last year.
Best Playoff Result: Won WPIAL Class A Championship in 1936. Awarded WPIAL Class A Championship based on Gardner Points in 1964 (no Championship Game played). Won WPIAL AA Championship in 2010, 2013 and 2014. Won PIAA Championship in 2013 and 2014.

Montour Spartans
Conference Record: 6-2 Overall Record: 7-2
How they got here: The Spartans lost to South Fayette in a Week 9 game for the Conference Title. They earned a home playoff game based on a head-to-head victory over New Castle.
Recent History: Montour is making their 11th consecutive playoff appearance. They have reached Heinz Field 3 times in that span but lost in the first round each of the last 4 years.
Best Playoff Result: Won WPIAL Championship in 1958 (A), 1963 (AA), 1964 (AA), and 2011. Lost 41-32 to Bishop McDevitt in the 2011 PIAA semifinals.

New Castle Red Hurricanes
Conference Record: 6-2 Overall Record: 7-3
How they got here: New Castle lost to Montour head-to-head early in the season, which cost them a home playoff game. The Red Hurricanes played South Fayette closer than any other conference opponent this season.
Recent History: New Castle is making their 5th consecutive playoff appearance. They reached the WPIAL Championship last season where they fell to Thomas Jefferson.
Best Playoff Result: Beat Charleroi in 1924 AAA WPIAL Championship Game. Tied Jeannette and McKeesport for 1932 WPIAL AAA Championship (no Championship Game played). Awarded 1933 and 1934 WPIAL AAA Championship based on Gardner Points (no Championship Game played). Won WPIAL AAA Championship in 1942, 1948, 1949, 1967, and 1973. Tied Upper St Clair 0-0 for the 1975 WPIAL Championship (no overtime). Won 1998 WPIAL Quad-A Championship. Lost 56-7 to Central Bucks West in the 1998 PIAA Quad-A Championship Game.

Mars Fighting Planets
Conference Record: 5-3 Overall Record: 6-4
How they got here: Mars had a chance to force a 3-way tie for second place, but lost to Knoch in Week 9 which dropped them to 4th in the conference.
Recent History: Mars is making their 13th consecutive playoff appearance and 21st in the last 25 years. They lost to Ringgold in a first round shootout last year.
Best Playoff Result: Reached the WPIAL AA Championship Game in 1996 and 2002. Lost 26-16 to Aliquippa in 1996 and 20-6 to Seton-La Salle in 2002.

 

Class 3A

Beaver Valley Conference

Aliquippa Quips
Conference Record: 6-0 Overall Record: 10-0
How they got here: 2017 was the year of the Aliquippa revenge tour. They started by avenging their loss in last year’s title game with a 36-0 stomping of Beaver Falls.  They topped Beaver (who broke their regular season winning streak last year) 30-10 and won the rematch against Clairton 28-0. The Quips defense was outstanding, only allowing 23 points all season and only giving up one touchdown to an opposing offense.
Recent History: Aliquippa is making their 23rd consecutive playoff appearance, tied with Thomas Jefferson for the longest active streak. The Quips have reached Heinz Field in each of the last 9 seasons. Aliquippa lost to Beaver Falls in the WPIAL Championship Game last season.
Best Playoff Result: Won the most WPIAL Championships of any school (16). Won WPIAL AAA Championship in 1952, 1955, 1964, 1984, 1985, 1987, 1988, and 1989. Won WPIAL AA Championship in 1991, 1996, 2000, 2003, 2008, 2011, 2012, and 2015. Won 1991 and 2003 PIAA AA Championships.

Quaker Valley Quakers
Conference Record: 5-1 Overall Record: 9-1
How they got here: This has been the best season in Quaker Valley history with their only loss coming against Aliquippa. Dual-threat QB Ricky Guss accounted for over 2400 yards (1630 passing, 785 rushing) and 39 TDs (19 passing, 20 rushing) this season.
Recent History: This is Quaker Valley’s second playoff appearance since 2000. In their previous trip in 2013 they lost in the AA quarterfinals.
Best Playoff Result: Quaker Valley’s best result was reaching the WPIAL semifinals in 1983. Leetsdale lost the 1942 Class A Championship Game to Bridgeville. Sewickley High School lost the 1939 Class A Championship Game to Masontown. Sewickley tied Glassport for the 1938 Class A Championship (no overtime), defeated McDonald to win the 1953 Class A Championship and defeated Beaver to win the 1960 Class AA Championship.

Beaver Bobcats
Conference Record: 4-2 Overall Record: 8-2
How they got here: Last year, Beaver missed the playoffs because of a goal-line stand by Central Valley, which cost them the head-to-head tiebreaker. This year, Beaver reached the postseason by exorcising that demon with a last-second field goal to beat Central Valley. Their only losses were to Aliquippa and Quaker Valley and they have the highest-scoring offense in 3A (41 points per game).
Recent History: Beaver is making their 10th playoff appearance in the last 11 seasons. They have only lost in the first round once in their last 4 postseason appearances and reached the semifinals in 2013.
Best Playoff Result: Beaver won the WPIAL AA Championship in 1972, the WPIAL AAA Championship in 1981, and the WPIAL AA Championship in 1982.

Allegheny Conference

Seton La Salle Rebels
Conference Record: 7-0 Overall Record: 8-1
How they got here: Seton La Salle went unbeaten in conference play, beating Freeport in Week 7 to secure the conference title. The Rebels have the WPIAL’s second-leading rusher in Lionel Deanes (1778 yards, 22 TDs).
Recent History: Seton La Salle is making their 7th playoff appearance in the last 8 years. They have not lost in the first round during that span and reached the semifinals twice.
Best Playoff Result: Won the 1979 and 1980 WPIAL AA Championships. Won the 1990 WPIAL AAA Championship. Won the 2002 and 2004 WPIAL AA Championships. Lost twice in PIAA Championship games in 1990 (AAA) and 2002 (AA).

Freeport Yellow Jackets
Conference Record: 6-1 Overall Record: 7-2
How they got here: Freeport rebounded from both of their losses to win important games in the playoff race. After losing to Aliquippa they beat Shady Side Academy and after losing to Seton La Salle they beat Keystone Oaks to secure a playoff spot.
Recent History: This is Freeport’s second playoff appearance in the last 5 years. They reached the AA semifinals in 2015.
Best Playoff Result: Freeport reached the WPIAL AA Championship game 7 times but has never won. They lost to Montour in 1963, Burrell in 1967 and 1968, Beaver in 1972, Albert Gallatin in 1974, Jeannette in 1981, and Steel Valley in 1989.

Interstate Conference

Elizabeth Forward Warriors
Conference Record: 6-1 Overall Record: 7-2
How they got here: The Warriors Week 1 win over Derry set them off to a brilliant run through conference play which ended in Week 8 when they lost to South Park 18-14, creating a 3-way tie atop the Interstate. Elizabeth Forward won the tiebreaker with Derry and South Park based on Tiebreaker Points.
Recent History: This is only Elizabeth Forward’s 4th playoff appearance since 2001. The Warriors have not won a playoff game since 2000.
Best Playoff Result: Elizabeth Forward reached the WPIAL AAA semifinals in 1985, 1990, and 1999 but has never reached a WPIAL Championship game.

Derry Trojans
Conference Record: 6-1 Overall Record: 9-1
How they got here: Derry rebounded from a Week 1 loss to Elizabeth Foward to score at least 41 points in all but one of their remaining games and finish on an 8-game winning streak.
Recent History: Derry is making their 2nd consecutive playoff appearance. Last year they won their first playoff game since 1995.
Best Playoff Result: Derry Township was awarded the 1930 WPIAL A Championship based on Gardner Points. Derry lost in the 1945 AA Championship Game to Dormont 30-19.

South Park Eagles
Conference Record: 6-1 Overall Record: 6-3
How they got here: The Eagles lost 3 in a row at the end of September, though only one was a conference loss (to Derry). They bounced back to sweep the month of October and win their last 4 games, including a win over Elizabeth Forward that forced a 3-way tie atop the conference and earned South Park a Wild Card spot for the second straight year.
Recent History: This is their 4th playoff appearance in the last 5 years. South Park lost in the first round to Aliquippa in 2013 and 2016 and in the quarterfinals to South Fayette in 2014.
Best Playoff Result: Won the WPIAL AA Championship in 1997 and 2005. Also won the PIAA AA Championship in both of those seasons. Won the 1955 Class A Championship as Snowden Township High School, before the name of the Township was changed to South Park in 1966.

Don’t forget to check out the Class 2A & 1A Primer!

 

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