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. 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. More information is available via EasternPAFootball.com.
Once again this cycle, the 6A Classification in the WPIAL will have just one conference. Central Catholic is the two-time defending WPIAL Champions. Last season, Central Catholic lost two early regular season games to North Allegheny and Mt. Lebanon but got their revenge by defeating both in the playoffs en route to their second straight WPIAL title.
The playoff format in 6A will feature the top five teams. The fourth and fifth place teams will face off in the first round with the winner facing the regular season champion in the semifinals. 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
Twitter: @PCC_Football, @centralvikings, @studsect, @CCHSVikings1927
Central Catholic won their second straight WPIAL title by staging a come-from-behind victory over North Allegheny. However, their hopes of a showdown with St Joe’s Prep for the state title were cut short due to COVID. This season, the Vikings once again boast a strong offensive line and one of the best secondaries in the WPIAL. Brandon Pezzelle started a few games last season at quarterback, throwing for 5 TDs but will likely face a strong challenge from sophomore Payton Wehner who also saw time as a dual-threat QB last season. Rising seniors Gannon Carothers and Antonio Pitts figure to take over the primary backfield responsibilities in Central’s run-heavy offense. Central will once again be loaded on defense with a secondary featuring D1 recruits JD Younger, Devon Barren, and Bo Waddell. Up front, 2-way lineman Donovan Hinish is following in his brother’s footsteps and committing to Notre Dame while Matthew Aulicino also has D1 offers. The X factor for the Vikings is Brandon Jackson who has blazing speed and is a threat to score any time he touches the ball on offense or as a kick returner.
Mt. Lebanon
WPIAL ELO Rank (6A): 3
WPIAL ELO Rank (Overall): 10
Twitter: @mtlebofootball, @MtLebanonSports, @Lebo_SS21
Mt. Lebanon turned some heads last season by coming from behind to beat Central Catholic then topping Seneca Valley in a thrilling regular season finale to clinch a playoff spot. The Blue Devils have reached the semifinals in three straight seasons but have not been to a WPIAL final since 2000. However, Mt. Lebanon returns the most starting skill position players of any 6A team and could be poised to take that next step. Joey Daniels returns under center after throwing for 913 yards and 14 TDs last season. Leading rusher Alex Tecza (465 yards, 10 TDs) also returns with a number of offers from FCS schools and military academies. Offensive talisman Eli Heidenreich (303 receiving yards, 117 rushing yards, 7 TDs), a Navy commit, returns for his senior season along with WR Mike Beiersdorf (137 yards, 1 TD) to give Daniels a quality duo of targets on the outside.
North Allegheny
WPIAL ELO Rank (6A): 2
WPIAL ELO Rank (Overall): 6
Twitter: @nafootball_tfl, @NATigerAthletic, @NorthAllegheny
North Allegheny won the regular season title last season and made it to the WPIAL final for the first time since the Ross Morgan Rager. However, after jumping out to an early lead, the Tigers came up short in their quest for a title. The Tigers graduated 25 seniors from last year’s team and will likely have to find new starters across the board. Seniors Tanner Potts and Ryan Treser both saw a handful of snaps in relief duty at quarterback last season. Leading rusher JR Burton (296 yards, 5 TDs) will return for his senior season. Look for Kolin Dinkins to also step into a significant offensive role. Defensive end Jacob Porter may follow in his father Joey’s footsteps with a Colorado State offer in his pocket.
Seneca Valley
WPIAL ELO Rank (6A): 4
WPIAL ELO Rank (Overall): 14
Twitter: @SVRaiderFB, @SV_Sports, @SvStudntSection
Changes are afoot at Seneca Valley as the school district opted to drop the Native American imagery previously associated with their “Raiders” nickname but to keep the name for now. The Raiders lost in overtime to Mt. Lebanon in the final week of the regular season then dropped a hard-fought semifinal to North Allegheny. Seneca Valley returns leading rusher Nolan Dworek (449 yards, 5 TDs) and quarterback Brian Olan (454 yards, 4 TDs). Olan took over the starting role midway through the season and will enter his senior season with solid experience under his belt. Seneca Valley may also be the beneficiary of Pine-Richland’s coaching upheaval as they hired former Rams offensive coordinator Ryan Lehmeier and offensive line coach Tim Sasson. Seneca Valley had been a run-heavy offense for years but with Lehmeier’s addition to the staff look for them to open up the passing attack this season.
Canon-McMillan
WPIAL ELO Rank (6A): 5
WPIAL ELO Rank (Overall): 21
Twitter: @BigMacsFootball, @CANON_CRAZIES
The Big Macs scored a massive victory over Mt. Lebanon early last season that nearly carried them to the playoffs but they came up one game short. Leading rusher Ryan Angott (672 yards, 7 TDs) returns for his senior season and will once again be the focal point of Canon-Mac’s offense. Quarterback Lamont Lyons (389 yards, 3 TDs) also returns along with leading receivers Chris Davis (114 yards, 2 TDs) and Anthony Finney (110 yards). Canon-Mac has the most experienced group of offensive skill position players in 6A and should be in the hunt for a playoff spot this season.
Baldwin
WPIAL ELO Rank (6A): 6
WPIAL ELO Rank (Overall): 25
Twitter: @bw_highlander, @BHS1Athletics1, @Baldwin_FHSN
The Highlanders played just five games last season, having three games cancelled due to COVID. In their first year of moving up to 6A, Baldwin won just one conference game and saw most of their offensive skill position players graduate. Running back Kam Allen (193 yards, 3 TDs) was Baldwin’s second-leading rusher last season and should take over the lead role this season.
Hempfield
WPIAL ELO Rank (6A): 7
WPIAL ELO Rank (Overall): 27
Twitter: @HempfieldAreaFB, @HASDathletics, @hasd_district
The Spartans won their first game of 2020 then dropped their next four games before seeing their final two outings cancelled due to COVID. Junior Jake Phillips saw some time as the backup QB last season, throwing for 174 yards and 2 TDs. He will take over the starting role this season but will return just one of the top 3 rushers and receivers. Fellow rising junior Ian Tuffs (242 yards, 2 TDs) is the only returning skill position player other than Phillips that saw significant time last season. Two-way lineman Daniel Sierk has received offers from FCS schools. Hempfield will need to improve defensively this season in order to contend for a playoff spot after allowing 37 points per game last year – the highest mark in 6A.
Norwin
WPIAL ELO Rank (6A): 8
WPIAL ELO Rank (Overall): 28
Twitter: @NKnightsFball, @norwinathletics, @NorwinFBallNtwk
Norwin was the only 6A team that did not have a game cancelled last season, but the Knights went just 1-6 with their only win coming over Baldwin. Norwin was 6A’s lowest-scoring team last year at just 15 points per game. The Knights had 11 seniors graduate, including all of their offensive skill position starters.
