We are into the home stretch of the WPIAL football season. With just three weeks remaining this week is the “calm before the storm.” While there are good games on the slate, there are not any massive showdowns with conference title implications. Those games will be coming in Weeks 8 and 9. Five teams enter this week having clinched playoff spots. Central Catholic and Gateway have secured their respective conference titles. North Allegheny, McGuffey, and Clairton has also locked up postseason berths. There are a number of other teams who can clinch playoff spots this week – check out our Playoff Scenarios article for a full breakdown. Additionally, check out this week’s edition of the WPIAL Blitz Show where we interviewed Trinity Head Coach Dan Knause coming off their massive upset of Thomas Jefferson.
This year, our WPIAL coverage is proudly presented by GoMVB Sports and Sports Solutions Marketing. High school athletes should check out GoMVB Sports – SSM for tips on how to beef up their social media presence to attract college coaches and college recruiters. The Sports Solutions network provides pay per view hosting and broadcasting for high school sporting events. More information is available via EasternPAFootball.com.
Our friends at KDKA Radio are now the official flagship station of the WPIAL. You can listen to their Game of the Week on the Audacity App or on the radio at 100.1 FM and 1020 AM. This week’s KDKA Game of the Week is a non-conference showdown between Central Catholic and Penn Hills. Check out the game preview below under the Inter-classification Games of the Week section below.
I will once again be doing a pregame spot on WMBS Radio. You can listen to the show here, starting at 6pm on Friday. This weekend, WMBS will be broadcasting Laurel Highlands taking on Trinity. The Hillers are coming off an upset victory over Thomas Jefferson last week. We interviewed their Head Coach Dan Knause on this week’s edition of the WPIAL Blitz Show. Laurel Highlands’ playoff hopes are not completely dead yet, but the Mustangs need to win out in order to have a chance. Trinity can lock up a playoff spot this week with a win over Laurel Highlands. These two teams have played a number of close and exciting games over the last few seasons so this one should be entertaining.
Be sure to keep tabs on our WPIAL Standings Page for updated standings and follow our WPIAL Twitter account @WPIAL_Blitz and check out our WPIAL Blitz Facebook Page.
There are no head-to-head 6A games this week, so we do not have a 6A Game of the Week to highlight. Check out a preview of the Central Catholic-Penn Hills game in the Inter-Clasification Games of the Week section below.
5A Game of the Week
Bethel Park (2-0, 3-4) at Moon (1-1, 3-4)
Peters Twp has paced the pack in the 5A Allegheny Conference and scored a big win over Moon last week. On the other side, Bethel Park dealt neighboring rivals Upper St Clair the second conference loss of the season last week. With Upper St Clair sitting on 2 conference losses, this is a big game to determine the pecking order for the second playoff spot. A Bethel Park win would set up the Blackhawks to challenge Peters Twp for the conference title in Week 9. A victory by Moon would leave the door open to a 3-way tie scenario atop the conference if Bethel could top Peters. Bethel Park has a balanced offensive attack with veteran QB Tanner Pfeuffer (1055 yards, 10 TDs) at the helm. Joining Pfeuffer in the backfield is the tandem of RBs Ja Vaughn Moore (654 yards, 5 TDs) and David Dennison (334 yards, 6 TDs). Bethel Park will use dynamic playmaker Ryan Petras (425 receiving yards, 207 rushing yards, 7 total TDs) all over the field. On the outside, Mitchell Paschl (319 yards, 2 TDs) leads the receiving corps. Moon’s offense is built around their tunning game. The Tigers will rotate through three different backs that all provide a combination of power, speed, and hard-nosed attitude. The trio of Nazir Brookins (535 yards, 4 TDs), Josh Bladel (440 yards, 5 TDs), and Braeden Stuart (161 yards, 1 TD) have done the lion’s share of work for the Tigers offense. Moon has used a number of quarterbacks due to injuries but seem to have settled on Andrew Cross (201 yards, 2 TDs) over the last few weeks. The winner of this game will set themselves up in strong position to make the playoffs in a tight 5A where only 8 teams get to the postseason.
4A Game of the Week
Armstrong (2-1, 5-2) at Mars (3-0, 5-2)
First place in the Greater Allegheny Conference is on the line. Armstrong is the defending conference champions but were upset by Hampton earlier this season. This game will likely be played in the 40s as both teams feature wide open passing attacks. For Armstrong, Jaydon Oliver (916 yards, 9 TDs) took over at QB after an injury to Colt Sprankle who started the season. Oliver has also added a dual-threat dynamic to the Riverhawks offense, running for 247 yards and 4 TDs. Armstrong’s quarterbacks have benefited from a trio of talented receivers on the outside. Ian Olsen (658 yards, 6 TDs) has led the way with touchdown machine Kyan Kline (494 yards, 9 TDs) and Chase Jablonski (287 yards, 3 TDs) also playing key roles. While the Riverhawks are a pass-first offense, Alex Patton (539 yards, 6 TDs) has run the ball consistently when they do keep it on the ground. For Mars, their evolution from a run-heavy offense to the Eric Kasperowicz passing game has found a quality trigger man in Luke Goodworth (1380 yards 15 TDs). The Fighting Planets boast the WPIAL’s leading receiver Gabe Hein who has the most receptions (43) and yards (774 yards, for 9 TDs) in Western Pennsylvania. In addition to Hein, Aiden Alessio 341 yards, 3 TDs has also been a factor on the outside. Defenses can’t just play safeties deep to take away the passing game because Mars also has one of the top backs in the WPIAL in Evan Wright. On the season, Wright has put up 932 rushing yards, 143 receiving yards, and a WPIAL-leading 21 total TDs. The winner here will have the inside track to the Greater Allegheny Conference title.
3A Game of the Week
Belle Vernon (2-0, 5-1) at Mt. Pleasant (1-1, 5-2)
Mt. Pleasant is coming off a tough battle with Elizabeth Forward. The Vikings stormed back from down 25-3 to tie the game at 25, only to see the Warriors score a go-ahead touchdown then tack on a pick-six in the final 30 seconds of the game. Belle Vernon has rebounded in a big way over the last two weeks since losing to Thomas Jefferson. The Leopards have cruised past their first two conference opponents by a combined score of 110-13. Belle Vernon is the defending 3A State Champs and are led by Penn State-commit Quinton Martin who has put up 374 rushing yards, 255 receiving yards, and 12 total TDs so far this season. The Leopards also have Eastern Michigan-commit Braden Laux at quarterback, who will likely convert to tight end in college. Laux has thrown for 824 yards and 9 TDs, including a school record 330 yards last week. Complementing Martin in the ground game is fellow senior Jake Gedekoh (139 rushing yards, 2 TDs). Belle Vernon will get the ball into the hands of their playmakers at every opportunity. In addition to Martin, both Anthony Crews (249 receiving yards, 112 rushing yards, 5 total TDs) and Kole Doppelheuer (269 rushing yards, 52 receiving yards, 4 total TDs) have been factors in the offense. Mt. Pleasant’s offense is built around their rushing attack. The Vikings have five players who have put up over 175 rushing yards on the season. That includes dual-threat QB Cole Chatfield who has 827 passing yards and 9 TDs, along with 180 rushing yards and another score. Dante Giallonardo (414 rushing yards, 155 receiving yards, 5 TDs) and Jackson Hutter (330 rushing yards, 127 receiving yards, 5 total TDs) have been all-around offensive threats for the Vikings. Garrett Eicher (380 yards, 7 TDs) and Brody Hutter (316 rushing yards, 4 TDs) have done most of their damage on the ground. When Mt Pleasant does take to the air, Luke Nicotera (334 rec yards, 3 TDs) has been the top target in the passing game.
Beaver (1-2, 5-2) at Seton LaSalle (2-2, 5-2)
Both of these teams performed well in non-conference play but have suffered their only defeats against fellow Western Hills foes. Now, these two square off with potential postseason implications. After winning their first four games, Beaver has dropped two of three, falling to West Mifflin and Avonworth. While Beaver does have a victory over playoff contender South Park, a loss to Seton would put Beaver in a precarious tiebreaker position. Seton LaSalle earned marquee non-conference victories over Serra Catholic and Steel Valley then opened conference play by running past Quaker Valley and Hopewell. However, The Rebels have lost consecutive one-score games to South Park and West Mifflin. With a game against Avonworth still looming next week, this game against Beaver is Seton’s last chance to stake their claim to a potential playoff spot. Beaver’s offense mostly revolves around their rushing attack where Quay Cain (684 yards, 10 TDs), Drey Hall (445 yards, 3 TDs), and Brady Mayo (175 yards, 5 TDs). Leading receiver Amari Jackson has put up 507 yards and found the end zone 7 times. While Beaver is certainly a run-first team, Travis Clear has thrown for 554 yards and 6 TD passes when they do take to the air. Seton LaSalle is also a run-first offense that heavily relies of O’Malley Daly (764 yards, 14 TDs) to lead their offense. Additionally, Logan King (201 yards, 1 TD) has complemented Daly in the Rebels rushing attack. Michael Pastirik has found a groove at the helm of the offense, throwing for 733 yards and 7 TDs. Freshman WR Khalil Taylor has been a dynamic playmaker and is a threat to score any time he touches the ball. Taylor already has a handful of college offers and has put up 441 receiving yards, 5 receiving TDs and a kickoff return touchdown that is one of the best you’ll ever see.
2A Game of the Week
Burrell (3-1, 4-3) at Steel Valley (4-0, 5-1)
The top spot in the Allegheny Conference is on the line as Burrell and Steel Valley square off. The Bucs only conference loss came against Imani Christian, whom Steel Valley has a victory over. Burrell did edge out Serra Catholic this season while the Ironmen have a Week 9 date with the Eagles. Both of these teams are run-heavy offenses and this game will be decided in the trenches by which team is able to exert their will on the other. Burrell’s ground game centers around Devin Beattie (889 yards, 6 TDs). Tyler Maglisco (254 yards, 3 TDs) and Cooper Hornack (198 yards, 2 TDs) play complementary roles in the Bucs rushing attack. Burrell’s offense is so run-centric that quarterback Stephen Hasson has more rushing attempts than passing attempts and has put up 167 rush yards and 3 TDs on the ground. Steel Valley similarly has an offense based on a dynamic running back. Before the preseason, the Barksdale brothers received a load of press and Donald has taken the helm as the big play threat in the Ironmen backfield. Donald Barksdale has led the way with 807 yards, 14 total TDs including a game against Ligonier Valley where he ran for 5 TDs in the first half. His brother Da’Ron Barksdale has added 190 yards and 3 TDs. Del Shields has been an all-around threat for a Steel Valley team that doesn’t throw much with 194 rushing yards, 97 receiving yards, and 3 total TDs. Steel Valley has used multiple players at quarterback this season. Jaden Cabbagestalk (194 yards) has thrown for the most yards but last week Tyson Barron started and threw for 51 yards. Both Devin Beattie and Donald Barksdale enter the game in the Top 15 in the WPIAL in rushing yards, so this one should be a ground-and-pound affair determined by who can break off big plays and find the end zone.
1A Game of the Week
Cornell (3-1, 6-1) at Fort Cherry (4-0, 7-0)
The Game of the Week in the entire WPIAL might be this 1A showdown between Cornell and Fort Cherry. Cornell is the only team to beat defending 1A Champs Union this season but is coming off a narrow loss to Bishop Canevin. While Cornell played Canevin to a low-scoring defensive struggle, Fort Cherry topped the Crusaders the week prior in a shootout. The Rangers have been one of the highest-scoring teams in the WPIAL. Both teams have dual-threat QBs that are the focal points of their respective attacks. For Cornell, it is CJ Jackson who has put up 767 passing yards and13 TDs, along with 140 rushing yards and 4 TDs. The Raiders have a quality tandem of running backs joining Jackson in the backfield in Khylil Johnson (696 yards, 6 TDs) and Julian Cordice (299 yards, 6 TDs). On the outside, Jackson’s favorite target has been Mikey Keyes (362 yards, 6 TDs). Fort Cherry’s Matt Seig has been grabbing headlines since last year when he became the first freshman to join the elite 1000/1000 club. He is well on pace to become just the second WPIAL player to join the club twice (Skyy Moore is the other). So far Seig has 858 passing yards and 13 TDs, plus 751 rushing yards and 14 TDs. When Seig does hand the ball off, Ethan Faletto (479 yards, 12 TDs) and Nate Heirendt (267 yards, 6 TDs) have been dangerous runners in their own rights. Seig’s favorite targets in the passing game are Shane Cornali (414 yards, 6 TDs) and Evan Rogers (138 yards, 6 TDs). A Fort Cherry win would put the Rangers in the catbird’s seat to win the conference title for the first time since 2001.
GCC (2-1, 4-3) at Jeannette (3-0, 6-1)
These Westmoreland County rivals can trace their feud back into the four classification era to when they faced off annually in AA. Both moved down to the smallest classification in the mid-2010s and have continued their rivalry. GCC is the defending conference champs but lost to Clairton earlier this year. Jeannette, after a few down years, is off to an unbeaten start in conference play. A Jayhawks win would set up yet another showdown between Jeannette and Clairton for the conference title. A win by GCC does not totally eliminate Jeannette from the title race and would open up a potential 3-way tie scenario. Both teams have dual-threat quarterbacks that are the catalysts for their offensive attacks. For GCC, Tyree Turner has thrown for 1065 yards and 11 TDs and added 361 rushing yards and 9 more scores. In addition to Turner, the premier playmaker for the Centurions has been Samir Crosby who leads the team with 421 receiving yards, has added 270 rushing yards, and scored 8 total TDs. Landon Honick (230 yards, 3 TDs) has also been a factor in the passing game and Nick Dlugos (142 yards, 1 TD) has seen some work on the ground. For Jeannette, their strong start to the season has been keyed by Payton Molter who has thrown for 938 yards and 12 TDs and run for 367 and 6 TDs – including the game-winner last week. Noah Sanders has been a force in the ground game, leading the way with 793 rushing yards. Sanders has added 166 receiving yards and found the end zone 10 times. Complementing Sanders in Jeannette’s rushing attack has been Michael Mason (310 yards, 3 TDs). On the outside, the duo of Kymon’e Brown (275 yards, 8 TDs) and Jeremiah Williamson (204 yards 2 TDs) have been Molter’s big-play threats.
Inter-Classification Games of the Week
Penn Hills (6-1) at Central Catholic (6-1)
This is the game that will have the eye of college recruiters around the region. Both teams feature a slew of athletes who have the talent to play at the next level. Central is coming off an upset loss to Pine-Richland where the Rams went to a wildcat offense and ran the ball right at the Vikings defense. Penn Hills beat Pine-Richland earlier in the season and their only setback came in a defensive struggle against Moon. Penn Hills is led by Pitt-commit Julian Dugger who has thrown for 1064 yards and 11 TDs and run for 296 rushing yards and 6 TDs. Dugger’s legs were a key factor in the Indians win over Pine-Richland earlier this year. Joining Dugger in the backfield is Amir Key (427 yards, 7 TDs) who will see his share of carries. Dugger’s top receivers both have D1 talent. Martel Palmer (315 yards, 5 TDs) has been a big-play target while Cameron Thomas (303 yards, 3 TDs) is also a standout defensive back. Central Catholic has one of the top passers in the WPIAL in Payton Wehner (1683 yards, 23 TDs). The Vikings are loaded with talent on the outside, led by Penn State-commit Peter Gonzalez (580 yards, 8 TDs), along with Jacob Sassic (512 yards, 7 TDs), and Vernon Settles (335 yards, 5 TDs). When teams have backed up the defense to try to take away the passing game, Elijah Faulkner (745 yards, 10 TDs) has flourished in the rushing attack. Faulkner had a massive 4 TD performance to lead the Vikings past North Allegheny a few weeks ago. On the defensive side of the ball, Central might have the best group of linebackers in the WPIAL with Penn State-commit Anthony Speca and Michigan-commit Cole Sullivan.
McKeesport (6-1) at Gateway (4-3)
Another former Quad East rivalry renewed between the Gators and Tigers. In a dramatic contrast of styles, this game pits McKeesport’s triple-option rushing attack against Gateway’s passing game. While McKeesport saw most of their top rushers from last year graduate, the cupboard is never bare for the Tigers. They have an electric talent in Anthony Boyd (609 yards, 10 TDs) and a freshman sensation in Kemon Spell (242 yards, 6 TDs – who is averaging an incredible 17 yards per carry!). Typically McKeesport offenses haven’t thrown the ball much, but the Tigers have found something in Garrett Tarker who (surprisingly for McKeesport) has more passing attempts than rushing attempts. Tarker has thrown for 515 yards and 7 TDs while adding 172 yards and 4 TDs on the ground. The Tigers have a quality trio of receivers who have given Tarker options when he takes to the air, spreading the ball betweek Dominique Cochran (176 yards, 3 TDs), Colton Kotouch (105 yards, 3 TDs), Valdez Stuvaints (105 yards, 2 TDs). After a slow start to the season, Gateway’s offense has exploded over the last few weeks. Since Brad Birch returned from injury, the Gators have put up 30+ points in every game. On the season, Birch has thrown for 1243 yards and 12 TDs, while adding 224 rushing yards and 3 TDs. Jaquon Reynolds joins Birch in the backfield and has been a factor in both the ground game (511 rushing yards), passing game (133 receiving yards), and leads the Gators in scoring (10 total TDs). Gateway also boasts a talented receiving corps, led by Kenny Lewis (477 yards, 4 TDs), Bowling Green-commit Steven Jenkins (466 yards, 4 TDs), and Derek Selby (255 yards, 2 TDs).
