We have reached the penultimate week of the WPIAL football season! Playoff races are in full swing and a number of teams have already secured their spots in the postseason. So far, Central Catholic and Gateway have been the only teams to clinch conference titles, which means there are 15 more to be decided over the next two weeks. Additionally, every conference still has playoff spots up for grabs. You can check out our Playoff Scenarios article for a full breakdown of what is in play for this week. Additionally, check out this week’s edition of the WPIAL Blitz Show where we discussed all of the conference standings and playoff races.
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 features Pine-Richland travelling to the historic Wolvarena to take on Woodland Hills. This game has massive playoff implications in the 5A Northeast Conference. Check out the game preview under the 5A 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 Ringgold. Both teams have been eliminated from playoff contention and are looking to close out the season on a high note. Laurel Highlands has yet to beat a WPIAL team with their only win coming against Fayette County rivals and football independent Uniontown. Ringgold has the longest losing streak in the WPIAL at 22 games as well as the longest conference losing streak in the WPIAL at 38 games.
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.
6A Games of the Week
Seneca Valley (0-2, 3-5) at Central Catholic (3-0, 7-1)
This is the only conference game in 6A this week, but it has massive postseason implications. Central Catholic has already clinched the conference title. In order to make the playoffs, Seneca Valley would need to beat both Central Catholic and rivals North Allegheny. If Seneca Valley loses this week, North Allegheny would clinch the #2 seed and a home playoff game AND both Mt. Lebanon and Canon-McMillan would clinch playoff spots. Seneca Valley enters this game on a 3-game winning streak after a slow start to the season. The Raiders resurgence has been led by dual-threat QB Sean O’Shea who has thrown for 866 yards and 5 TDs and run for 395 yards and 6 TDs. Kai West leads the team in both rushing (521 yards), receiving (176 yards), and scoring (8 total TDs). Kyler Matson (435 yards, 2 TDs) has been a change-of-pace back in the rushing attack, averaging over 11 yards per carry. Central Catholic has one of the top passers in the WPIAL in Payton Wehner (1968 yards, 26 TDs). He has spread the ball around between Penn State-commit Peter Gonzalez (635 yards, 9 TDs), Jacob Sassic (513 yards, 7 TDs), and Vernon Settles (429 yards, 5 TDs). When teams have backed up to take away Central’s passing game, Elijah Faulkner (888 yards, 13 TDs) has flourished on the ground. The Vikings boast the best linebacking corps in the WPIAL with Penn State-commit Anthony Speca and Michigan-commit Cole Sullivan who has also been used on offense with 240 receiving yards and 4 TDs.
5A Games of the Week
Moon (2-1, 4-4) at Upper St Clair (1-2, 6-2)
This game has massive playoff implications in the Allegheny Six Conference. Moon won a shootout over Bethel Park last week to put themselves in position to make a run at the postseason. Moon still has an outside shot at sharing the conference title. Upper St Clair was the WPIAL runners-up last season but have already lost to Peters Twp and Bethel Park. The Panthers can not afford another loss if they hope to make the playoffs. Moon has used a number of quarterbacks this season due to injuries. Andrew Cross has been the most successful, throwing for 3 TDs. Due to the rotation of quarterbacks, the Tigers have leaned heavily on their running game. The trip of Josh Bladel (648 yards, 7 TDs), Nazir Brookins (611 yards, 4 TDs), and Braeden Stuart (208 yards, 2 TDs) has accounted for most of Moon’s offense. Upper St Clair has a balanced offensive attack led by QB Ethan Hellmann (884 yards, 9 TDs). He has utilized offensive weapon Julian Dahlem who has racked up 255 rushing yards, 245 receiving yards, and 6 total TDs. In addition to Dahlem, Charlie Bywalski (201 yards, 3 TDs) and Bryce Jones (191 yards, 3 TDs) have been factors on the outside. Mason Chambers (657 yards, 9 TDs) had a dominant rushing performance against rivals Mt. Lebanon where he ran for over 200 yards and 4 TDs.
Pine-Richland (2-1, 5-3) at Woodland Hills (3-0, 6-2)
Pine-Richland is the defending WPIAL and State Champions and are coming off a confidence-boosting win over 6A Central Catholic and a thumping of Shaler. Woodland Hills lost to Central early in the season but enters this game on a 5-game winning streak and has aspirations to win the conference title (they would need to beat rival Penn Hills next week). Pine-Richland needs a victory to keep pace in the playoff hunt in the tight Northeast Conference. In their upset over Central Catholic, Pine-Richland put RB Ethan Pillar (1048 yards, 13 TDs) in the wildcat and pounded the Vikings defense into oblivion. Kanan Huffman (429 yards, 3 TDs) has been the primary quarterback while dynamic freshman Aaron Strader (216 passing yards, 2 TDs, 431 rushing yards, 2 TDs) has added a dual-threat option under center. The Rams are very solid in the trenches and 4 of their top 5 rushers average over 8 yards per carry including Strader and Talan Hill-Ressler (317 yards, 3 TDs). When they take to the air, Bryce O’Brien (263 yards, 2 TDs) and Vasilios Balouris (234 yards, 1 TD) have been the top targets. The Rams will get one of their toughest tests of the season against Woody High who has one of the best group of linemen in 5A led by seniors Pierce Cannon, Antonio Nash, and Marcus Williams who have all received collegiate offers. They have paved the way for the trio of Zykir Moore (483 yards, 10 TDs), Elijah Nesby (292 yards, 1 TD), and Brandon Jones (217 yards). The Wolverines also boast one of the WPIAL’s leading receivers in Scoop Smith (807 yards, 15 TDs). Smith has a strong connection with fellow sophomore, QB Cam Walter (1520 yards, 18 TDs). With the size on the line and young talent at skill positions, Woodland Hills is poised to make noise this year and in years to come.
4A Games of the Week
Latrobe (4-1, 6-2) at McKeesport (4-0, 7-1)
The top spot in the Big Seven Conference is on the line. McKeesport currently sits first in the conference and has a date next week with Thomas Jefferson. However, if TJ were to lose to Connellsville this week, then the winner of this game would be the conference champion regardless of next week’s results. This is one of the biggest regular season games in Latrobe’s history. Last year they won their first playoff game since 1968 and have not won a conference title since 1968. Latrobe is led by dual-threat QB John Wetzel who has thrown for 1073 yards and 14 TDs and run for 525 yards and 10 scores. Wetzel has benefitted from having an electric talent at receiver in Ja’Tawn Williams (673 yards, 13 total TDs). Williams has also made plays on defense and in the return game. Joining Wetzel in the backfield is the tandem of Brady Prohavic (454 yards, 2 TDs) and touchdown machine Alex Tatsch (263 yards, 6 TDs) who has garnered D1 attention, including a recent offer from Pitt. McKeesport’s triple option has run the Tigers to within striking distance of the conference title, but they have found another element this year with QB Garrett Tarker’s ability to throw the ball. Tarker has thrown for 571 yards and 7 TDs while running for 178 yards and 5 scores. In McKeesport’s triple-option, it has been historically rare for the quarterback to have more passing yards than rushing yards, but having a talent like Dominique Cochran (222 yards, 3 TDs) on the outside has also made a difference. That said, the Tigers have a stable of talented backs and can turn to any one at any given time. Anthony Boyd (741 yards, 11 TDs) leads the way with dynamic freshman Kemon Spell (257 yards, 7 TDs) averaging 14 yards per carry. Last week, it was senior Keith Spell (220 yards, 2 TDs) who was the bulldozer that Gateway was unable to stop.
Central Valley (4-1, 6-2) at West Allegheny (4-1, 6-2)
These teams have been solid rivals since Central Valley was formed in 2010 and joined the AAA Parkway Conference. They have met in multiple WPIAL Championship Games. Both have clinched playoff spots and are fighting to stay in the mix for a home playoff game. Central Valley needs a win this week to set up a showdown with Aliquippa for the conference title next week. West Allegheny has a date with Montour next week which could determine who gets a home playoff game. Dual-threat QB Steven Rutherford (1050 passing yards, 8 TDs, 313 rushing yards, 7 TDs) has been the catalyst for Central Valley’s offense. The Warriors have a trio of talented backs that all average around 7 yards per carry, a testament to their talent and the line in front of them. Jance Henry (653 yards, 10 TDs) has the most yards while T. Mason Dixon (628 yards, 11 TDs) is the leading scorer. Brandon Singleton (455 yards, 4 TDs) has gotten his fair share of work as well. On the outside, Kole Hiltz (202 yards), Quinn Connolly (198 yards, 2 TDs), and Ethan Shearer (175 yards, 1 TD) have been the top targets in the passing game. West Allegheny’s offense is built around the talent of Brock Cornell who leads the team in rushing (781 yards), receiving (140 yards), scoring (14 total TDs) and has spent time at quarterback, throwing for 156 yards and 2 TDs. In addition to Cornell, Brody Malatak (248 yards, 1 TD) has also spent time at QB. West Allegheny relies heavily on their running game. In addition to Cornell, Doman Police (415 yards, 10 TDs) has also averaged over 6 yards per carry. The Indians have played some close games this season, nearly beating conference leaders Aliquippa earlier in the year but also narrowly sliding past winless Blackhawk last week.
3A Game of the Week
East Allegheny (3-0, 6-2) at Knoch (3-0, 7-1)
The Knoch Knights are an incredible turnaround story. They went from 1-9 last year to 7-1 this year and clinched their first playoff berth since 2014. Now, they can clinch their first conference title since 2011 with a win over East Allegheny. On the other side, East Allegheny would need a win and a Shady Side Academy loss to secure the conference crown, which would be their first since 2000. East Allegheny’s offense runs through QB Michael Cahill (801 yards, 7 TDs) and his connection with leading receiver Brennan Rutledge (6 TDs). On the ground, Amir Rollins leads the way with 3 scores. Knoch’s offense has undergone a reinvention in the last two years, shifting from a run-heavy approach to a passing attack led by Codi Mullen (1258 passing yards, 12 TDs). Mullen is also the team’s leading rusher with 266 yards and 4 TDs. On the outside, the tandem of Kaden Spencer (497 yards, 6 TDs) and Jackson Bauman (441 yards, 4 TDs) has enabled the Knights passing game to flourish. Bauman was the star last week, putting up 2 TDs in the opening minute of the second half to lead Knoch to victory over Freeport to claim the Pike Trophy.
2A Game of the Week
Western Beaver (4-1, 5-3) at Mohawk (5-0, 7-1)
Two of the best quarterbacks in the WPIAL will square off in Lawrence County on Friday night. This game also has implications in the conference title race as both Mohawk and Neshannock sit at 5-0 in Midwestern Conference play. Those two will face off next week. Western Beaver has already lost to Neshannock and would need to beat Mohawk then have Mohawk beat Neshannock to force a three-way tie atop the conference. Western Beaver freshman Jaivin Peel (2119 yards, 25 TDs) leads the WPIAL in passing and just broke the WPIAL’s all-time freshman passing record. On the other side, Mohawk’s Jay Wrona (1714 yards, 28 TDs) enters the game fourth in the WPIAL in passing yards but with the most passing touchdowns. Peel has benefitted from the explosive tandem of Mikey Crawford (683 yards, 9 TDs) and Dorian McGhee (793 yards, 10 TDs) who is averaging and incredible 35 yards per reception. Additionally, Dontay Green (265 yards, 4 TDs) and Chris Kirkland (238 yards, 1 TD) have supplemented the Golden Beavers passing game. When Peel isn’t slinging the rock, Tyson Florence (838 yards, 12 TDs) has shouldered the load in the backfield, averaging over 8 yards per carry. For Mohawk, Wrona’s top targets have been Bobby Fadden (599 yards, 13 TDs), Dante Retort (413 yards, 6 TDs), and Blake Logan (291 yards, 5 TDs). The Warriors rushing attack relies heavily on Justin Boston (572 yards, 5 TDs).
1A Game of the Week
South Side Beaver (4-0, 8-0) at Union (4-0, 7-1)
This might be the Game of the Week across the entire WPIAL. South Side Beaver is one of seven remaining undefeated teams in the WPIAL. Meanwhile, Union’s only loss came in non-conference play to Cornell. They have both rolled through conference play and now will face off with the winner claiming the Big Seven title. Union is the defending WPIAL Champions but fell to South Side last year by a 35-8 margin and will be looking to avenge that defeat. This will be a historic result for either team as South Side has not won a conference title since 1999 and Union has not claimed one since 1979. Both schools have dual-threat quarterbacks at the helm of their respective offenses. For South Side, Brody Almashy has thrown for 670 yards and 11 TDs and run for 520 yards and a team-leading 13 TDs. Joining Almashy in the backfield is leading rusher Ryan Navarra (843 yards, 13 TDs). The dynamic AC Corfield leads the Rams in receiving (241 yards), is second in rushing (659 yards) with the highest yards per carry on the team of over 13, and has scored 10 times. As a credit to South Side’s line, Navarra, Corfield, and Almashy all average over 10 yards per carry. From their WPIAL title-winning squad, Union returned the 1A Player of the Year Braylon Thomas. This year, Thomas is in the running to join the elite 1000/1000 club with 1370 passing yards and 21 TDs and 874 rushing yards and 12 TDs. Mike Gunn has been used in both the run game (351 yards) and passing attack (283 yards) and scored 7 times. Dayne Johnke (609 yards, 11 TDs) leads the Scotties receiving corps that also features Andrew Gettings (300 yards, 5 TDs) and Grayson Blakley (245 yards, 5 TDs).
