The 2023 WPIAL football season is nearly upon us! Over the next few weeks we will be previewing all 17 conferences in preparation for kickoff on August 25. We are also thrilled to announce that the WPIAL Blitz Show will be back on the YouTube airwaves this season. Subscribe to the Sports Stream Premium channel with new shows dropping each Tuesday during the season!
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The playoff format in 3A is straightforward. Four teams from each of the three conferences make the playoffs. The WPIAL has claimed six of the seven 3A State titles since the six classification format was instituted. Belle Vernon is the defending WPIAL and state champs and looks primed for a deep run once again. The battle for playoff spots in the rest of the conference should be interesting.
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.
Belle Vernon
The Leopards broke through last season and won the WPIAL and PIAA 3A Championships. Belle Vernon had appeared in the WPIAL 4A title game in two of the prior three seasons, but finally won their first title in school history last year. The Leopards challenged themselves in non-conference play against all 4A opponents, losing one-score games to McKeesport and Penn-Trafford. But once they got into conference play Belle Vernon turned it on. The only WPIAL opponent to come within two scores of the Leopards was Avonworth in the WPIAL Championship Game. Defense was the name of the game against Central Martinsburg’s explosive passing game in the state semifinals then the defense stood tall again with a goal-line stand to clinch the PIAA title over Neumann-Goretti. Star RB and Penn State-commit Quinton Martin headlines the senior class for the Leopards. Martin ran for 1274 yards, added a team-high 415 receiving yards, and scored 30 times last season. Fellow senior Jake Gedekoh ran for 768 yards and 16 TDs, making for a dynamic 1-2 punch out of the backfield. Behind those two, rising juniors Kole Doppelheuer (184 yards, 3 TDs) and Anthony Crews (180 yards, 3 TDs) both also saw some carries last season, with Crews averaging over 8 yards per carry. Senior QB Braden Laux has committed to Eastern Michigan as a tight end, and proved to be a dual threat last year, throwing for 1019 yards and 12 TDs and running for 501 yards and 8 scores. Belle Vernon returns one of the top players in the state in Quinton Martin, along with a supporting cast that won a state title last season. The Leopards should be the favorites not only in the WPIAL but also to make a run at another PIAA title.
Elizabeth Forward
The Warriors ran out to a hot start to the 2022 season, scoring 40+ points in 8 straight games after a 33-0 victory in the opener against Ringgold. But wheels fell off late in the season where they lost the Week 9 game against Belle Vernon with the conference title on the line. In their opening playoff game, the offense once again sputtered and Elizabeth Forward was upset by Shady Side Academy who they beat by 20 earlier in the season. A number of seniors graduated from last year’s team but the Warriors have talent waiting in the wings. Diego Magwood ran for 373 yards and 4 TDs last season and averaged 6 yards per carry. The multi-talented Charlie Nigut will be a key piece of the offense after totaling 336 receiving yards, 248 rushing yards, and scoring 4 times. Elizabeth Forward will be strong in the trenches led by Bucknell-commit Charlie Meehleib and junior Christopher Climes.
Mt Pleasant
The Vikings had an up-and-down season in 2022 that culminated with a loss in the opening round of the playoffs in a thrilling shootout with East Allegheny. Mt. Pleasant looked dominant in their wins, scoring 35+ in all 6 of their victories. However, they were held to 14 points or fewer in 3 of their 5 losses. Only their season-opener against GCC and the aforementioned playoff loss did they score more than 14 in defeat. Cole Charfield (1212 yards, 11 TDs) started at quarterback as a sophomore last season and will be given the reigns of the offense after the top two rushers graduated. Jackson Hutter (476 yards, 6 TDs) and Garrett Eicher (235 yards, 1 TD) are the top returning rushers. Hutter averaged a team-high 9.5 yards per carry and could be in for a big season as he takes on lead back responsibilities. Luke Nicotera (147 yards) is the leading returning receiver after the top three graduated. Mt. Pleasant should be solidly in the playoff mix once again this season but will need to tighten up defensively if they are going to make a run in the postseason.
Southmoreland
The Scotties made the playoffs last season, qualifying for the third time in four years. Even though they are 0-3 in those games, that is quite the feat for a program that went 40 years without a playoff berth. Southmoreland was inconsistent offensively with dynamic 28+ point performances in their 4 victories. On the flip side, they were held under 20 points in 6 of their 7 losses. The Scotties got the two wins they needed over South Allegheny and Greensburg Salem in early October that secured their postseason spot. Their big-time passing game connection of QB Kadin Keefer (1586 yards, 18 TDs) to Ty Keffer (1009 yards, 18 TDs) both return for their senior seasons. Keffer led the WPIAL in receptions last season with 73 and will be right in the mix for for the crown again this year. Second-leading receiver Wyatt Richter (212 yards, 1 TD) also returns for his senior campaign. With their leading rusher graduating, Austin Mough (198 yards, 2 TD) and Cameron Phillips (190 yards, 1 TD) will take on bigger roles this season. Southmoreland should have a dynamic passing attack once again this season and if they can tighten up defensively could chase their first playoff victory in school history this season.
Greensburg Salem
The Lions got off to a strong start in 2022 with a 3-1 record in the early-season. Unfortunately, they weren’t able to sustain that momentum into conference play and dropped 5 games in a row. Greensburg Salem did pull it together and beat South Allegheny in the season finale to end the season on a high note. Rising junior Peyton Chismar got a little time as backup QB last season, throwing for 122 yards and 1 TD. Kai Brunot (534 yards, 8 TDs) is the top returning rusher. The top two receivers graduated, leaving Keegan Young (213 yards, 1 TD) as the top returning receiver. The Lions gave up a conference-leading 38 points per game last season and will need to improve on that side of the ball in order to contend for the playoffs.
South Allegheny
The Gladiators won their season opener over Yough last season and proceeded to lose 9 straight games. They averaged just 9 points per game on the season, losing their last 7 games all by 14 or more. Dynamic junior Cameron Epps returns after running for 179 yards, adding 238 receiving yards, and scoring 3 times. Leading receiver Mike Michalski (303 yards) returns for his senior season. Ryan Cortes figures to take over at quarterback after seeing some time as a backup last year.
