This will be a completely different season of high school football than anyone has ever experienced. Recently, in response to the Governor’s recommendation, the PIAA decided to push back the start of the season by two weeks to engage in further discussions regarding a safe return to play for fall sports. Even though there is uncertainty about this season of high school football, there are many coaches and players who have worked their tails off to get ready for this season, and we felt their efforts deserved to be highlighted. Therefore, we are rolling ahead with our 2020 WPIAL Season Previews. This year, our WPIAL coverage is sponsored by the Small Player Big Play App, which provides schools the opportunity to fundraise by live-streaming their games and events. Check out their Twitter page and get the app for free on Apple or Andriod devices.
Once again this cycle, the 6A Classification in the WPIAL will have just one conference. Pine-Richland, who had reached Heinz Field in each of the last 3 seasons, has moved down to 5A. Last year the Rams tied with Central Catholic and North Allegheny for the conference title. Those three teams were the dominant forces in 6A over the last four years. The other departure from the group was Butler, who left the WPIAL altogether for District 10, after back to back winless seasons. The newcomer to the group is Baldwin, who broke a 5-year playoff drought last year while competing in 5A.
The playoff format in 6A will feature only the top four teams. This will be the same regardless of whether or not the PIAA hosts a state tournament. No WPIAL Championships will be at Heinz Field this year and the title game locations will be announced at a later date. Be sure to keep tabs on our WPIAL Standings Page throughout the season and follow our WPIAL Twitter account @WPIAL_Blitz. Teams are listed in their predicted order of finish.
Central Catholic
WPIAL ELO Rank (6A): 1
WPIAL ELO Rank (Overall): 2
Twiter: @PCC_Football, @centralvikings, @studsect, @CCHSVikings1927
The Vikings are the defending WPIAL Champions and return an absolutely stacked roster. Central Catholic rebounded from (arguably) their worst season in two decades in 2018 to top Pine-Richland last year to claim their 6th WPIAL crown. Last year marked a return to traditional Central Catholic football of running the ball and playing strong defense. The Vikings have one of the top recruits in the WPIAL on their defensive line in Pitt-commit Elliot Donald, who is Aaron Donald’s nephew. Central’s defensive line is rife with talent alongside Donald with Adam Kozera and Bralen Henderson anchoring the trenches. Leading rusher Eddy Tillman (2047 yards, 26 TDs) returns for his senior season along with rising junior RBs Antonio Pitts (402 yards, 1 TD) and JD Younger (233 yards, 2 TDs). All three backs averaged over 7 yards per carry. Leading receivers Anderson Cynkar (365 yards, 5 TDs) and Gannon Carothers (235 yards, 3 TDs) also return for the Vikings, who will need to find a QB to replace Dom Pieto. Central has the talent to compete for another WPIAL title this season and potentially challenge for the State crown.
North Allegheny
WPIAL ELO Rank (6A): 2
WPIAL ELO Rank (Overall): 7
Twiter: @nafootball_tfl, @NATigerAthletic, @NorthAllegheny
North Allegheny won three straight WPIAL titles from 2010-2012 but has not been back to the Championship Game since the Ross Morgan Rager. The Tigers have fallen in the semifinals each of the last four seasons. Last year, NA topped eventual WPIAL Champion Central Catholic in the regular season and carried an unbeaten record into a Week 9 showdown with rival Pine-Richland. The Rams proved to have their number, and beat North Allegheny in Week 9 then two weeks later in the semifinals. With Pine-Richland moving down to 5A, North Allegheny has to be considered one of the top contenders in 6A. Wide Receiver Khalil Dinkins is the top returning skill position player after posting 399 yards and 6 TDs last season. Dinkins has offers from a number of ACC and Big Ten schools including Penn State, Michigan State, Virginia Tech, Maryland, and West Virginia. On defense, Dinkins plays linebacker alongside Nate Hoke, son of former Steelers nose tackle Chris Hoke who also has a number of D1 offers from MAC schools and military academies. Beyond those two, most of the Tigers top skill position players graduated. Rising seniors Greg Phillips and Peter Varzdel both attempted a handful of passes last season. Junior RBs Kolin Dinkins (201 yards, 3 TDs) and JR Burton (195 yards, 1 TD) are the top returning rushers, both averaging over 6.5 yards per carry.
Mt. Lebanon
WPIAL ELO Rank (6A): 3
WPIAL ELO Rank (Overall): 11
Twiter: @mtlebofootball, @MtLebanonSports, @Lebo_SS21
Mt. Lebanon’s first season with Bob Palko at the helm ended with a semifinals loss to Central Catholic. The Blue Devils were an up and down team last year. Other than a 6-point victory over Seneca Valley, all 6 of their victories came by at least 14 points and all 5 of their losses came by at least 17 points. That said, Mt. Lebanon laid the groundwork for future success. Joey Daniels took the helm at QB as a sophomore and threw for 1307 yards and 16 TDs. Most of his supporting cast graduated, including the top four receivers and four of the top five rushers. Vishawn Pennix is the leading returning rusher after running for 493 yards and 3 TDs last season. Mt. Lebanon has fallen in the semifinals each of the last two seasons, and Bob Palko certainly knows how to win WPIAL titles.
Seneca Valley
WPIAL ELO Rank (6A): 4
WPIAL ELO Rank (Overall): 13
Twiter: @SVRaiderFB, @SV_Sports, @SvStudntSection
Since the WPIAL moved to 6 classifications in 2016, the Raiders have made the WPIAL final in 2 of the last 4 seasons. Ethan West was an all-around star for Seneca Valley last season with 516 rushing yards, 256 receiving yards and 5 TDs. West led the team in both rushing and receiving and has offers from a number of FCS schools. Most of Seneca Valley’s other top skill position players graduated, but they figure to be strong in the trenches once again with the tandem of Don Kreisberg and Jimmy Royal. Dustin Horn figures to take over at quarterback after seeing some spot duty as a reserve last season. Seneca Valley should be solidly in the playoff hunt once again this season.
Baldwin
WPIAL ELO Rank (6A): 6
WPIAL ELO Rank (Overall): 22
Twiter: @bw_highlander, @BHS1Athletics1, @Baldwin_FHSN
The Highlanders made the playoffs in 5A last year for the first time since 2013. Baldwin nearly pulled an upset over McKeesport in the first round of the playoffs, which would have been their first playoff victory since 1991. This year, Baldwin moves up to 6A but returns a number of talented players from last year’s team. Two-way lineman Dorien Ford has a number of offers from Big Ten and ACC schools along with Kentucky, Arkansas, and WVU. Colton Brain figures to take over the starting QB role after seeing some spot duty last season. Connor Lavelle (252 yards, 1 TD) and CJ Robbins are both explosive talents who play both WR and DB. Lavelle has offers from a number of FCS schools along with Navy and Air Force. Luke Loeffert is the top returning rusher after averaging 6.5 yards per carry as a junior.
Canon-McMillan
WPIAL ELO Rank (6A): 5
WPIAL ELO Rank (Overall): 21
Twiter: @BigMacsFootball, @CanonMacSports, @CANON_CRAZIES
After a 9-year playoff drought, the Big Macs have made the playoffs each of the last two seasons. Canon-Mac has not won a playoff game since 2004 and will need to improve offensively after they were the second-lowest scoring team in 6A last season (15.1 points per game). Both rising sophomore Ben Urso (297 yards, 2 TDs) and junior Deuce Lyons (258 yards, 1 TD) started a handful of games at QB after injuries to starter Jon Quinque. Leading rusher Ryan Angott (896 yards, 8 TDs) was only a sophomore last year and should be the bellcow of the offense once again this year. In a great story, Connor McMahon committed to Navy on Memorial Day. He played TE and DE last year but may slide in to OT this season to plow the way for Angott and the Big Macs ground game.
Norwin
WPIAL ELO Rank (6A): 7
WPIAL ELO Rank (Overall): 23
Twiter: @NKnightsFball, @norwinathletics, @NorwinFBallNtwk
Norwin’s only conference victory last year came over Butler, who is now in District 10. The Knights will be strong up front with Western Kentucky-commit Anthony Giansante anchoring the offensive line. He will plow the way for Hayden O’Bryon who led Norwin in rushing last season and junior Dom Barca. Nick Fleming threw a handful of passes as a backup last year and figures to step into the starting role in Norwin’s pass-heavy attack. Last year’s most reliable target TE Tanner Krevokuch (32 rec, 288 yards, 1 TD) returns for his senior year with an offer from Central Michigan. On the outside, Connor Chrisman (472 yards, 1 TD) and Ty Billinsky (310 yards, 2 TDs) also return to boost the aerial attack.
Hempfield
WPIAL ELO Rank (6A): 8
WPIAL ELO Rank (Overall): 24
Twiter:@HempfieldAreaFB, @HASDathletics, @hasd_district
The Spartans got off to a strong start in 2019, winning 2 of their first 3 games over rival Greensburg Salem and Norwin. However, the season went off the rails and Hempfield lost their next 5 games, knocking them out of playoff contention. Hempfield did win their last two games to build some momentum heading into 2020. Last year’s squad was laden with seniors and after 22 players graduated, Hempfield will have to replace most of their starters. Second-leading rusher Mario Perkins (248 yards, 2 TDs) returns for his senior season, along with second-leading receiver Roman Pellis (456 yards, 7 TDs). Hempfield had the fourth-best offense in 6A last season (29.3 points per game) but struggled defensively, giving up 30+ points 5 times.
