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 once again 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 season 4A saw an influx of new teams that saw success. Six of the eight playoff qualifiers did not make the 4A playoffs the prior year. In the Greater Allegheny Conference, Plum and Hampton both made the playoffs for the first time in the six classification era. Historically, the Greater Allegheny Conference has lived up to the “GACrazy” nickname with wild tiebreakers coming into play. This season, with the WPIAL’s full scheduling and playoff plan back in effect, 13 teams will make the 4A playoffs with the top FIVE teams from the Greater Allegheny Conference qualifying.
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.
Plum
WPIAL ELO Rank (4A): 6
WPIAL ELO Rank (Overall): 24
Twitter: @PlumFootball, @rollstangs
Plum made the most of their move from 5A down to 4A last season, reeling off an undefeated season then topping McKeesport in the playoffs. They ultimately fell to Thomas Jefferson in the semifinals, giving the eventual WPIAL and State Champions all they could handle. Plum boasted the best offense (33 points per game) and defense (12 points against per game) in the conference last season en route to winning their first conference title since 1982. Rising senior Jacob Miller should step into the starting role under center after attempting a handful of passes in backup duty last season and throwing one touchdown. Leading rusher Eryck Moore (796 yards, 11 TDs) was only a sophomore last season and has a bright future ahead. Adding to the Mustangs offensive firepower, second-leading receiver Logan Brooks (383 yards, 5 TDs) will also be back.
Mars
WPIAL ELO Rank (4A): 5
WPIAL ELO Rank (Overall): 23
Twitter: @MarsHSFootball, @FightnPlanets, @studsect123
The Fightin’ Planets have reached the playoffs in 16 straight seasons and once again look like strong contenders in the Greater Allegheny Conference. Their run-heavy offense produced the WPIAL’s leading rusher last season, but with Teddy Ruffner graduating they will need to find a new back to fill the role. In total, their top three rushers all graduated so the spot is wide open. The good news for Mars is that they will have some stability on offense as QB Quinn Fuller (446 yards, 2 TDs) will return for his senior season.
Highlands
WPIAL ELO Rank (4A): 15
WPIAL ELO Rank (Overall): 41
Twitter: @HighlandsAthl, @HHS_Students2
Highlands has not made the playoffs since the move to 6 classifications in 2016, but they were competitive in all of their games last season. Their only loss by more than one score was to conference champion Plum and they came within 5 of Mars and 7 of Hampton. The Golden Rams won their last three games in convincing fashion to build momentum heading into 2021. Chandler Thimons (1316 yards, 16 TDs) won the starting quarterback role as a sophomore last year and didn’t look back. The Rams also return leading rusher Brock White (636 yards, 7 TDs) and second-leading receiver Elijah Coleman (385 yards, 3 TDs). With the core of Thimons, White and Coleman, Highlands should be right in the mix for a playoff spot and could contend for the conference title if they can turn those close losses into victories.
Armstrong
WPIAL ELO Rank (4A): 8
WPIAL ELO Rank (Overall): 34
Twitter: @AHSRIVERHAWKS, @ArmstrongRiverH, @ArmstrongStude2
After a disappointing 1-8 record in 2019, Armstrong installed Cadin Olsen at quarterback and saw a big turnaround to finish in the middle of the pack last season. Olsen led 4A in passing last year as just a sophomore with 2031 yards and 23 TDs. The top four receivers for the Riverhawks all graduated, leaving rising sophomore Isaiah Brown (101 yards, 1 TD) as the top returning wide out. Olsen was so good last year that Armstrong rarely ran the ball, but senior Caleb Retzer figures to take over the lead back role this season.
Hampton
WPIAL ELO Rank (4A): 9
WPIAL ELO Rank (Overall): 35
Twitter: @talbotathletics, @Hampton_Talbots, @HHSstudsect, @TALBOTBOOSTERS
The Talbots were one of the biggest surprises of last season. After not winning more than 2 games in a season since the move to 6 classifications, Hampton put together a 5-2 regular season to earn their first playoff berth since 2015. Matt DeMatteo (588 yards, 3 TDs) returns under center along with leading rusher Jake Premick (501 yards, 4 TDs) to give Hampton stability in the backfield. Christian Liberto (283 yards, 3 TDs) also returns in the backfield. Leading receiver Benny Haselrig (309 yards, 2 TDs) was only a sophomore last season. Returning the offensive core from a team that made the playoffs last year sets up Hampton to contend once again this season.
Indiana
WPIAL ELO Rank (4A): 19
WPIAL ELO Rank (Overall): 47
Twitter: @Indiana_indians
After reaching the quarterfinals in back-to-back seasons in 2013 and 2014, Indiana has not returned to the postseason. The Little Indians got off to a 2-2 start last year but their defense faltered down the stretch, giving up 34+ to Highlands, Hampton, and Mars. Dual-threat QB Devin Flint returns for his senior season after running for nearly 1000 yards and 14 TDs last season. Flint’s backfield counterpart Zach Herrington (717 yards, 4 TDs) also returns and the duo should make for a formidable tandem on the ground.
Greensburg Salem
WPIAL ELO Rank (4A): 17
WPIAL ELO Rank (Overall): 45
Twitter: @GS_SportsUpdate, @GSHSsports, @GSHSSection, @gslionsbooth
Greensburg Salem won just one game last year, but it was a meaningful victory as it was the 700th in school history. The Lions were just the 5th WPIAL school to reach the 700 victory milestone. Only 4 seniors graduated from last year’s team, so Greensburg Salem will have nearly all of their starters back in the fold. QB Hayden Teska threw for 625 yards and 5 TDs and will get his top receivers Ahkeem White (186 yards, 2 TDs) and Donavin Waller (177 yards, 2 TDs) back. Rising junior Rashad Canady (257 yards, 1 TD) should step into the lead back role after averaging nearly 5 yards per carry. Greensburg Salem gave up the most points of any team in the conference last season and the second-most in 4A. To contend for a playoff spot they will need to improve on the defense that allowed nearly 38 points per game.
Knoch
WPIAL ELO Rank (4A): 18
WPIAL ELO Rank (Overall): 46
Twitter: @KnochFootball, @KnochRadio
Knoch went winless last season and extended their playoff drought to 6 seasons. Other than a 1-point loss to Greensburg Salem, the Knights did not have many close games last season. They averaged just 7 points per game, the lowest mark in 4A, and had only two games where they found the end zone more than once. Only 10 seniors graduated from last year’s team so Knoch will have some experience to build upon. Rising senior RBs Keagan Fraser and Gavin McGowan both averaged over 4.5 yards per carry last season. JJ Szebalskie saw some time at quarterback last season and will also return for his senior season.
