After a pandemic-shortened 2020 high school football season, we are back for a full campaign in 2021. There were a number of changes that the WPIAL had planned to institute from both a scheduling and a playoff format standpoint in 2020 that were delayed until 2021. All of the schedules are now back-loaded with conference game and the WPIAL attempted to schedule intriguing matchups and historical rivalries in the first few weeks before conference play begins.
This year, our WPIAL coverage is sponsored by the Sports Stream Premium Network and PA Mortgage Protection and Life Insurance. The Sports Stream Premium Network enables schools to turn their livestreamed events into pay-per-view events where schools receive 100% of the revenue generated.
Last year the Big Seven Conference produced two semifinalists in Rochester and Shenango. In fact, it was the third straight season that the Big Seven had produced two semifinalists (Sto-Rox and Cornell in 2019, OLSH and Rochester in 2018). This season, with the WPIAL’s full scheduling and playoff plan back in effect, 15 teams will make the 1A playoffs. The top FIVE teams in all three 1A conferences will qualify for the playoffs with the top overall seed receiving a first round bye.
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.
Rochester
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After missing the playoffs in 2019, Rochester rebounded to win the conference title and reach the semifinals for the third time in five seasons. The Rams have reached at least the semifinals in 9 of the last 16 seasons but have not won a WPIAL title since 2004. Rochester’s run-heavy offensive attack returns two of their top three backs this season, which should put them in prime position to once again challenge for the conference title and make a deep playoff run. Denny Robinson (914 yards, 12 TDs) and Sal Laure (568 yards, 10 TDs) both return for a Rochester team that graduated only six seniors. Unfortunately, four of those six were on the offensive line so the Rams will need some production out of a young group that features two rising juniors who are pushing 300 pounds. Rochester doesn’t throw much, but QB Parker Lyons (299 yards, 4 TDs) and leading receiver Jerome Mullins (205 yards, 4 TDs) will both be juniors this season. All in all, if Rochester can find a combination that works up front, they have the talent at running back to contend for the WPIAL title. If Robinson and Laure stay healthy, they could be one of the most dangerous backfield tandems in the WPIAL and both could break the 1000-yard mark this season.
OLSH
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OLSH had never made the playoffs before the six classification era, but has qualified for the postseason in all five years since 2016. The Chargers zenith was winning the WPIAL title in 2018 but they have been one-and-done since then. Last season their offense put up great numbers but they also allowed 28 points per game defensively. Starting QB Nehemiah Azeem (1112 yards, 6 TDs) took the reigns as a sophomore last season. Second-leading rusher Stephen Greer (520 yards, 1 TD) also returns for OLSH. The only place the Chargers are lacking in returning talent is on the outside where their receivers both graduated. OLSH has the offensive firepower to contend for the conference title this season.
Fort Cherry
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Fort Cherry entered 2020 riding an 18-game losing streak which dated back to Week 1 of 2018. The Rangers snapped that streak in Week 4 against Northgate then followed it up by upsetting eventual conference champion Rochester. All told, Fort Cherry won three of their last four games with the only loss coming by one point to Union. The Rangers have built momentum heading into 2021 and with just seven seniors graduating, have the returning talent to contend for a playoff spot. Dual-threat QB Maddox Truschel threw for 904 yards and 4 TDs and ran for 484 yards and 7 TDs. Truschel and his leading receiver Dylan Rogers (525 yards, 4 TDs) both return for their senior seasons. Tight end Anthony D’Allesandro (243 yards, 1 TD) is also a rising senior.
Union
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Union flew a bit under the radar last season. After losing their first two games to Shenango and Rochester, they quietly won 4 of their last 5 to finish just outside the playoff picture. Union won two thrilling games – a 2-point victory over Cornell and a 1-point win over Fort Cherry – to keep themselves in the hunt. The Scotties have made the playoffs three times in the last decade, most recently in 2017. Tyler Staub returns for his senior season after throwing for 1276 yards and 11 TDs and adding 4 more scores on the ground. Leading rusher Jackson Clark (502 yards, 6 TDs) also returns for his senior year. The top two receivers graduated for the Scotties but with the backfield duo of Staub and Clark returning, they should be right in the mix for a playoff spot once again.
Shenango
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Shenango moved down from 2A to 1A last season and found success, qualifying for the playoffs for the first time since 2016 and reaching the semifinals for the first time since 1987 after topping California in the first round. The Wildcats led the conference offensively, averaging 37 points per game. Leading rusher and defensive tone-setter Reis Watkins graduated, but quarterback Tino Campoli returns for his senior season after throwing for 746 yards and 8 TDs. Offensive playmaker CJ Miller figures to be the focal point of the offense after being second on the team in rushing (291 yards), receiving (190 yards) and scoring (6 total TDs) last season. Rising junior Hunter Lively (163 yards, 2 TDs) should take on a bigger role in the rushing game after averaging 8.6 yards per carry last season.
Burgettstown
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Burgettstown moved down from 2A to 1A last season after winning two straight conference titles. The Blue Devils got off to a slow start, winning just one of their first four outings but closed strong, winning two of their last three. Senior QB Jackson LaRocka threw for 281 yards and 2 TDs in Burgettstown’s run-heavy offense last season. The Blue Devils lost their top two rushers to graduation and will have to work in a new set of skill position players around LaRocka if they are going to contend for the playoffs this season.
Cornell
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Cornell won their first playoff game in school history in 2019, topping California in the quarterfinals. Last season the group endured some growing pains, winning just one game as young players stepped into starting roles. EJ Dawson took over the quarterback role as a sophomore and threw for 126 yards and 1 TD while only attempting a few passes per game. On the ground, leading rushers Amere Hibbler (281 yards, 4 TDs) and Tim Henderson (160 yards, 8 TDs) will both return. Henderson and Hibbler were also the team’s top receivers. With only 5 seniors graduating. the experience of last season should benefit the Raiders this year. If Cornell is going to challenge for a playoff spot, they will need to improve a defense that allowed over 33 points per game last season, the second-most in the conference.
Northgate
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Northgate has fallen on hard times. The Flames enter the 2021 campaign on a 32-game losing streak, dating back to a 2017 Week 4 victory over Sto-Rox. With Uniontown opting to play an independent schedule, Northgate now holds the claim to the longest losing streak in the WPIAL (Uniontown’s streak is the longest in the state at 34 games). Northgate was the second-lowest scoring team in 1A last season, being held under 10 points per game. On the other side their defense allowed the third-most points in the classification, giving up nearly 38 per game. The Flames did manage to avoid being shut out, but also did not come closer than 20 points to any of their opponents. Rising senior Davonte Christie (323 passing yards, 3 TDs, 178 rushing yards, 4 TDs) and Austin Mitchell (306 passing yards, 4 TDs; 132 rushing yards, 1 TD) split time at quarterback with the freshman Mitchell seeing more time in the second half of the season. Leading receiver Lewis “Manny” Clark (174 yards, 4 TDs) returns for his senior season along with RB Delvin Mitchel (149 yards, 1 TD).
