The 2022 WPIAL football season is nearly upon us! Over the last few weeks we have been working our way through previewing all 17 conferences in preparation for kickoff on August 26. We are also thrilled to announce that the WPIAL Blitz Show will be back on the YouTube airwaves this season. Follow the Sports Stream Premium channel with new shows dropping each Tuesday during the season!
This year, our WPIAL coverage is proudly presented by Sports Solutions Marketing. The Sports Solutions network provides pay per view hosting and broadcasting for high school sporting events. More information is available via EasternPAFootball.com.
The 2022 season is a realignment year in Pennsylvania. New classification and conference alignments were announced back in the spring. Class 1A was the only one in the WPIAL to increase in size. In total, six teams were added to bring the total to 30 1A teams. With that many teams, it also meant the addition of a fourth conference to the alignment. This cycle, 16 teams will make the 1A playoffs with four from each conference qualifying. The eventual WPIAL Champions will enter the state playoffs at the semifinals.
The Tri-County South got swept out of the first round of the playoffs each of the last two years. The last TCS team to win a playoff game was West Greene in their run to the semifinals in 2019. This year, the only change in the conference alignment is the addition of Beth-Center who drops down from 2A. Beth-Center had a lot of success in the Tri-County South prior to the six-classification era. To make room for Beth-Center, Avella was realigned into the Black Hills Conference. The top four teams from this eight-team league will make the playoffs.
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.
California
WPIAL ELO Rank (1A): 13
WPIAL ELO Rank (Overall): 99
2021 Results: 7-3, lost to Leechburg in the first round
The Trojans have been one of the most consistent programs in the highly volatile Tri-County South. They have made the playoffs in 6 straight seasons – one of only 3 programs in 1A that has made the postseason in every year of the six-classification era. Only 6 seniors graduated from last year’s team, giving the Trojans a roster capable of making a run for the conference title. For California, it all starts up front on the offensive line where four starters return. Junior Jacob Layhue figures to step in at quarterback after seeing some backup duty last year and racking up 100 yards on the ground in the Week 9 win over Bentworth. The top two rushers graduated but juniors Zachary Geletei (184 yards, 3 TDs) and Addison Panepinto (182 yards, 4 TDs) both averaged over 5 yards per carry last year and should step into bigger roles nicely. California doesn’t throw the ball much, but does have a big play threat in WR Caden Powell (345 yards, 5 TDs) who averaged over 30 yards per catch. With all of the returning talent, California looks primed for a run at the conference title and maybe a deep playoff push.
West Greene
WPIAL ELO Rank (1A): 12
WPIAL ELO Rank (Overall): 98
2021 Results: 8-3, lost to Springdale in the first round
The Pioneers made the playoffs for the fourth time in five years, winning the conference title. West Greene stormed through the conference, winning all of their games by at least two scores. West Greene lost 10 seniors to graduation, including the majority of their offensive line. The good news for the Pioneers is the majority of their skill position players were freshmen and sophomores, including leading rusher Colin Brady (1444 yards, 20 TDs). Brady is the next in a line of successful West Greene running backs, averaging 9.2 yards per carry. He may step in at quarterback this year as well. Leading receiver TE Nathan Orndoff (354 yards, 5 TDs) also returns as a weapon in the passing game. Keep an eye out for sophomore Hunter Hamilton who racked up 281 rushing yards, 143 receiving yards, and 4 TDs as a freshman. All in all, this is a young West Greene team with a dynamic running back. If they can find an offensive line they can set themselves up for a playoff run this year while also building for the future.
Mapletown
WPIAL ELO Rank (1A): 26
WPIAL ELO Rank (Overall): 115
2021 Results: 6-5, lost to Rochester in the first round
The Maples made the playoffs last year for the first time since 2016. They had a streaky season – winning 2, losing 3, winning 4, then losing their final 2 including the playoff opener against Rochester. Landan Stevenson is the unquestioned leader of the Maples offense and has run for over 3600 yards since he stepped in as a freshman starter. Last year, he nearly doubled his career total with 1725 rushing yards, 247 receiving yards, and 27 total TDs. Junior AJ Vanata and senior Brody Evans will likely split time under center. Last year Vanata ran for 349 yards, had 124 receiving yards, and scored 4 times. Evans spent more time at receiver with 177 yards, added 77 rushing yards, and scored 7 times. With the trio of Stevenson, Vanata and Evans returning – Mapletown’s top three scorers from last season – the Maples look primed to make a run at the conference title.
Carmichaels
WPIAL ELO Rank (1A): 15
WPIAL ELO Rank (Overall): 101
2021 Results: 8-3, lost to Shenango in the first round
The Mighty Mikes returned to the playoffs for the first time since 2017 last season but fell in the opening round to Shenango. In the regular season, they cruised through conference play with their only setback coming against West Greene. Other than that, Carmichaels topped all of their conference competition by at least two scores. The biggest task this offseason will be replacing QB Trenton Carter who joined the elite 1000/1000 club last season. Senior Alec Anderson will step in at quarterback after being used all over the offense last year. Anderson had 156 rushing yards, 187 receiving yards, and scored 3 times. Fellow senior Peyton Schooley ran for 434 yards and 3 TDs while battling injuries and figures to take over the lead back role. Both Anderson and Schooley averaged over 6 yards per carry last year and should make for a quality tandem in the backfield. Tyler Richmond will lead the receiving corps after putting up 351 yards and 6 TDs.
Beth-Center
WPIAL ELO Rank (1A): 11
WPIAL ELO Rank (Overall): 97
2021 Results: 2-7, lost to Steel Valley in the first round of the 2A playoffs
The Bulldogs drop down from 2A to 1A and should be competitive in the TCS. After an 0-5 start to 2021, they rebounded to win 2 of their last 3 games, including a casket match with Waynesburg to get into the playoffs. That was Beth-Center’s 17th playoff appearance in the last 19 seasons, but they have not won a playoff game since 2010. They are hoping that the move down to 1A can change those fortunes. Senior QB Dominic Revi returns after throwing for 457 yards and 5 TDs. Beth-Center is a ground-and-pound team that returns leading rusher Ethan Varesko (576 yards, 6 TDs). If Beth-Center is going to compete for a playoff spot, they will need to improve a defense that allowed 30 points per game in 2A last season.
Monessen
WPIAL ELO Rank (1A): 24
WPIAL ELO Rank (Overall): 113
2021 Results: 4-7, lost to Cornell in the first round
The Greyhounds had a rollercoaster 2021 season that saw them lose 2 then win 3 then lose 4 to put their playoff hopes on the brink. But they found a way to get past Avella in Week 9 and made the playoffs for the first time in three years. Monessen had one of the smallest rosters in the WPIAL but graduated only two seniors, so they return a ton of experience. Four starters on the offensive line return, along with leading rusher Daevon Burke. Daniel Dozier and Lorenzo Gardner will likely split time at quarterback for the young Greyhounds team. If Monessen is going to get back to the playoffs, they will need to improve an offense that scored just 14 points per game, the third-lowest in the TCS last year.
Bentworth
WPIAL ELO Rank (1A): 25
WPIAL ELO Rank (Overall): 114
2021 Results: 2-7
The Bearcats are coming off a 2-win season where they allowed 47 points per game, the most of any 1A squad. Their lone conference win came in a 49-48 shootout with Jefferson-Morgan. Bentworth has not been to the playoffs since 2015, one of just three 1A squads that has yet to make the postseason in the six classification era. Vitali Daniels will step into the quarterback role this season after playing all over the field last year. He was second on the team in receiving (430 yards), rushing (166 yards), and scoring (5 TDs) while also taking a few snaps as the backup quarterback. Bentworth’s roster has just two rising seniors, but a number of underclassmen saw playing time last year and will be heavily relied upon this year. Bentworth may take their lumps as the young players come along, but the development should prove beneficial in the long run as Bentworth builds towards being a competitor in future years.
Jefferson-Morgan
WPIAL ELO Rank (1A): 27
WPIAL ELO Rank (Overall): 116
2021 Results: 1-9
The Rockets are one of three 1A teams that has not made the playoffs during the six classification era. In fact, they have not been to the postseason since 2012. Last year they won just one game (over Avella) and allowed all but two of their opponents to score 40+ points. Only 5 seniors graduated so there are some building blocks in place. Dual-threat QB Cole Jones threw for 1212 yards and 10 TDs and ran for 243 yards and 2 TDs last season as a junior. Johnny Gilbert (137 yards, 1 TD) saw significant playing time at running back as a freshman and also played some quarterback, as did fellow freshman Brenton Barnhart. On the outside, Collin Bisceglia (156 yards, 1TD) and Ryan Baker (101 receiving yards) both return. The biggest question mark for the Rockets will be their depth as they have one of the smallest rosters in the TCS.
