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 5A was the deepest and most exciting classification in the WPIAL. Penn-Trafford and Gateway saw their head-to-head matchup cancelled due to COVID and both went unbeaten in conference play and therefore shared the conference title. They also both reached the WPIAL semifinals. The other success story was Woodland Hills returning to the playoffs after their 23-year postseason streak was broken in 2019. This season, with the WPIAL’s full scheduling and playoff plan back in effect, the top four teams from each conference will qualify for the 12-team playoffs with the three conference champions and one second-place team receiving first-round byes.
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.
Gateway
WPIAL ELO Rank (5A): 2
WPIAL ELO Rank (Overall): 3
Twitter: @GatewayGatorsFB, @GHS_Gators, @GatewayGators21
Since the move to six classification in 2016, Gateway has been one of the most successful 5A teams. The Gators have reached the semifinals in all five seasons and won WPIAL titles in 2017 and 2019. Last year they shared the conference title with Penn-Trafford after their head-to-head game was cancelled due to COVID and fell to Peters Twp in the semis in a rematch of the 2019 WPIAL Championship. After 17 seniors graduated, Gateway got a huge boost when the Birch brothers announced a transfer from Jeannette. After initially being ruled inelligible, the PIAA ruled them eligible to play. Quarterback Brad Birch burst onto the scene last year as a freshman, throwing for 1643 yards and 30 TDs en route to a WPIAL title and trip to the State Finals. His older brother Brett Birch, a wide receiver with a Central Michigan offer, was on the receiving end for 659 yards and 10 TDs for the Jayhawks. Brad Birch, who already has a scholarship offer from Oregon after his freshman campaign, will likely supplant Carsen Engleka (1081 yards, 12 TDs) as the starting quarterback. In addition to his brother Brett, Birch will also have Cincinnati-commit Patrick Body (176 yards, 2 TDs) on the outside. Gateway had the best defense in 5A last season, holding opponents to just 12 points per game, and should once again be considered a threat to contend for the 5A title.
Penn-Trafford
WPIAL ELO Rank (5A): 4
WPIAL ELO Rank (Overall): 7
Twitter: @PTWarriors, @PTWarriorFB, @PennBoosters
The Warriors are coming off back-to-back trips to the semifinals and return the top running back in the entire WPIAL. Wisconsin-commit Cade Yacamelli ran for 670 yards and 9 TDs last season and is the #2-ranked running back in the state. Paving the way for Yacamelli will be Declan Ochendowski who has FCS offers. Penn-Trafford and Gateway have been going back and forth for the conference crown over the last four seasons including sharing the title last year. The Warriors are good enough to be right ni the mix once again for both the conference title and with a talent like Yacamelli could make a run at their first WPIAL title in school history.
Woodland Hills
WPIAL ELO Rank (5A): 9
WPIAL ELO Rank (Overall): 15
Twitter: @WoodyHigh, @whfootball, @WHFootballNet, @woodyhigh_ad
Woody High returned to the playoffs last season after their 23-year streak was snapped in 2019. The Wolverines will be a threat to make a deep playoff run and contend for the conference title this season. Two-way star Deontae Williams returns after throwing for 1032 yards and 14 TDs and rushing for 406 yards and 4 TDs. He is also a standout safety with offers from a number of MAC schools. Leading rusher Eris Seibles (409 yards, 3 TDs) also returns to make a formidable tandem with Williams in the backfield.
Franklin Regional
WPIAL ELO Rank (5A): 12
WPIAL ELO Rank (Overall): 18
Twitter: @FRPantherSports, @FRGameday
Franklin Regional finished in the middle of the pack with a 4-3 record last year, but with only 8 teams qualifying for the playoffs they saw their 16-year postseason streak end. The Panthers should be right back in the mix this season but will have to work in nearly an entirely new group of starters after 15 seniors graduated.
Latrobe
WPIAL ELO Rank (5A): 14
WPIAL ELO Rank (Overall): 26
Twitter: @LATROBEFOOTBALL, @GLCATAthletics, @GLSDupdates, @GDen2020
After two years of reaching the postseason, Latrobe missed out last season. The Wildcats will look to get back into the mix this season as they break in new skill position players across the board on offense. Bobby Fetter attempted a handful of passes as a backup last season and also scored twice on the ground. He could develop into a dual-threat quarterback if he wins the job. Drake Clayton figures to take over the starting running back role after averaging 6.5 yards per carry and scoring once in backup duty last season. If Latrobe is going to contend for a playoff spot, they will need to shore up a defense that allowed 32 points per game last season, the fourth highest in 5A.
Connellsville
WPIAL ELO Rank (5A): 18
WPIAL ELO Rank (Overall): 42
Twitter: @ConnellsvilleFB, @CASD_Athletics, @cville_crazies
The Falcons have not made the playoffs since 2014 and are the only team in 5A that have not reached the postseason in the six classification alignment. Last year’s team was decent offensively but they struggled to stop anyone on defense, allowing 48 points per game (the most in 5A). The Falcons went winless last season and have not defeated a WPIAL team since Week 0 of 2019 (they beat football independent Albert Gallatin in Week 9 of 2019). Connellsville did come close a few times last year with a 1-point loss to Kiski in a thrilling game and a 3-point loss to Latrobe. Leading receiver Jason McBride (270 yards, 2 TDs) and Josh Marietta (136 yards, 1 TD) both return on the outside. Connellsville will have a new starting crew in the backfield after their quarterback and running back graduated, but the stability on the outside should help with the transition.
