The start of the “official” 9-week regular season was a bit disjointed last week as a number of games were impacted by weather. Several games were suspended due to lightning strikes and may ultimately go down as “no contest” games. Schools can choose to count individual player statistics from the partial games if they so choose. This could be impactful for players like Aliquippa’s Tikey Hayes who could be just the 5th player in WPIAL history to surpass 7000 yards. Two noteworthy results from last week saw Fox Chapel end a 22-game losing streak with a win over Baldwin and Char-Houston end an 11-game losing streak with a win over Springdale. One of the biggest changes this year is that the WPIAL Committee will select the last few wild card spots in each classification (except 6A). The Committee has said they will consider performance in non-conference games as part of their analysis for Wild Card selection, so these Week 2 games could potentially have a significant impact on playoff qualification.
On this week’s edition of the WPIAL Blitz Show, we talked with New Castle Head Coach Fred Mozzocio and South Allegheny Head Coach Brian Hanson. Both schools went 2-18 over the last two year cycle but have turned things around for a 2-0 start to this season. Our Week 1 Player of the Week was Highlands QB Menage Lucas who led a triple-overtime victory over Elizabeth Forward. Lucas finished with 130 passing yards, 1 passing TD, 170 rushing yards, 3 rushing TDs, and the game-winning 2-point conversion in the third overtime. This performance came on the heels of Highlands’ Week 0 loss to Armstrong in OT where Lucas came up just shy of the goal line on a two-point try. The Rams have been one of the most exciting teams in the WPIAL through two weeks and now take on the resurgent New Castle team.
5A Game of the Week
Franklin Regional (2-0) at Upper St Clair (2-0)
Both teams are off to a strong start to the season averaging over 40 points per game. Franklin Regional raced past former Big East Conference foes Plum and Hempfield in the opening weeks. Meanwhile, Upper St Clair got big wins over two 6A opponents – Route 19 rival Mt. Lebanon and Canon-McMillan. Through two games Franklin Regional has shown off a balanced offensive attack. Chase Lemke has thrown for 319 yards and 5 TDs, primarily to Macallister Bresnahan (119 yards, 1 TD). Kyle Dupill has run for 286 yards and 5 TDs with three coming last week against Hempfield. Upper St Clair has been able to lean on their running game through two games with Julian Dahlem (208 yards, 4 TDs) and Dante Coury (165 yards, 3 TDs) carrying the load. Dahlem stepped in at quarterback last week for starter Ethan Hellmann.
4A Game of the Week
McKeesport (0-2) at Thomas Jefferson (2-0)
These former Big Seven Conference rivals are no longer section foes as McKeesport was moved to the Greater Allegheny Conference this cycle. Nevertheless, these are two contenders not only for their respective conference crowns but also to challenge Aliquippa for the 4A title. McKeesport is looking to rebound after a Week 0 double-OT loss to Lake (OH) and a decisive loss to Defending 5A Champs Peters Twp last week. Thomas Jefferson pounded fellow Route 51 foe Baldwin in Week 0 then beat Central Valley last week. McKeesport’s triple-option attack has two quality backs in speedster Kemon Spell (104 yards, 3 TDs) and power back Anthony Boyd (89 yards, 1 TD). Anthony Cromerdie has also been a factor in the Tigers attack with 85 yards of total offense between rushing and receiving. Thomas Jefferson’s offense starts with their strength and power in the trenches. The Jaguars line has paved the way for their top four backs to all average over 7 yards per carry. Tyler Eber (216 rushing yards, 81 receiving yards, 2 total TDs) is the primary weapon on offense. Quarterback Luke Kosko (215 yards, 3 TDs) has a quality ouyside tandem in Gavin Miller (2 TDs) and Kane Eggerton (1 TD). Complementing Eber in the backfield, Matthew Martinis has scored 3 times.
3A Game of the Week
Beaver (2-0) at Imani Christian (2-0)
Two of the top contenders for the 3A title square off in the WPIAL TeamBuilder Game of the Week. Beaver beat two-time 2A State Runners Up Westinghouse in Week 0 in the KDKA kickoff classic. They followed it up with a resounding victory over Beaver County rivals Blackhawk last week. Imani is voluntarily playing up in 3A this season and defeated Philadelphia West Catholic in the York Rose Bowl Classic in Week 0. Last week, the Saints shut out defending 2A Champs Beaver Falls. Beaver can beat teams in a number of different ways through their power running game led by Quay Cain and Brady Mayo or with the arm of QB Travis Clear. On the outside, Amari Jackson is a dynamic receiving threat who can take it to the house from anywhere on the field. Imani Christian’s roster is stacked with D1 talent and the Saints have athletes all over the field. Quarterback Steve Vandiver (364 yards, 4 TDs) is the field general of an offense that will move skill position players around to create mismatches. David Davis leads the team with 3 TDs and is also a lockdown defensive back. Dayshawn Burnett, Markus Williams, and Gabriel Jenkins also factor heavily in to Imani’s offensive attack in both the run game and pass game. This should be one of the best games of the weekend between two teams with their eyes set on challenging for the 3A title.
2A Game of the Week
Carlynton (2-0) at South Allegheny (2-0)
Two of the best stories in the WPIAL converge in Week 2. Carlynton and South Allegheny both went 2-18 over the last two-year cycle and are now off to 2-0 starts. Carlynton beat City League independent Carrick in Week 0 and former 1A conference foe Avella last week. South Allegheny beat 4A Ringgold in Week 0 to extend the Rams WPIAL-leading losing streak then put up 50 on Brentwood last week. Carlynton’s 2-0 start has been led by dual-threat QB Devonte Dean who has thrown for 306 yards and 4 TDs and run for 133 yards and 3 TDs. His primary target has been Damien Holloway (168 yards, 1 TD) and Dean has a formidable backfield counterpart in John Sciuilli (294 yards, 1 TD). Through two games, South A’s Ryan Cortes has been one of the top passers in the WPIAL with 543 yards and 4 TDs. Cam Epps (310 yards, 2 TDs) has led the way on the ground while Drew Cook (313 yards, 2 TDs) has been the star on the outside at receiver. Camden Lewis has done a little bit of everything for the Gladiators with over 200 yards of total offense and 3 total TDs.
1A Game of the Week
Cornell (2-0) at Riverview (1-0)
Saturday
A good ol’ Raiders vs Raiders showdown on the banks of the Allegheny River on Saturday afternoon in Oakmont. Cornell has built their program into a strong contender over the last five years. They have reached the 1A semis twice in that span and have been right in the mix for the playoffs the last two years. Cornell has one of the top defenses in 1A and has allowed just 3 points this season in their wins over City League Brashear and California. Riverview narrowly missed the playoffs last year and has been rebuilding their program over the last 7 seasons to contend for the postseason this year. Riverview started their season with a 2-point win over AK Valley foe Valley. Both of these teams like to run the football. Cornell’s backfield features the tandem of Walter Clarett (183 yards, 2 TDs) and Khylil Johnson (130 yards, 5 TDs). Clarett is averaging an incredible 13 yards per carry while Johnson and the rest of Cornell’s backfield are all over 7 yards per tote. When Cornell has taken to the air, they have found a successful connection between QB Mark Stuckey (192 yards, 4 TDs) and WR Mikey Keyes (113 yards, 2 TDs). Riverview has run a triple-option offense in recent years but last week displayed more of a well-rounded approach in their win over Valley. Riverview used a dual-QB offense with both Connor Kmetz (123 yards, 3 TDs) and Rio Stotts (98 yards, 2 TDs) throwing touchdown passes. Stotts also added a receiving touchdown and had a few yards on the ground. Alex Schultheis (115 yards, 1 TD) led the receiving corps. Out of the backfield, John Bertucci (94 yards) led the way but Riverview cycled in a number of players, getting 7 different backs to carry the ball.
Inter-Classification Games of the Week
Latrobe (2-0) at Norwin (2-0)
Both of these teams moved up in classification this season and are off to strong starts. Latrobe moved up from 4A to 5A and has already scored victories over Connellsville and Plum. Norwin moved up from 5A to 6A after a 3-win season and beat rival Penn-Trafford as well as Kiski (who also moved up from 4A to 5A like Latrobe). Latrobe has a backfield led by two D1 commits. Dual-threat QB John Wetzel (a Marshall-commit) has thrown for 172 yards and 1 TD and run for 169 yards and 3 scores. Joining him in the backfield is Penn State-commit Alex Tatsch, one of the top linebacker prospects in the nation. Tatsch has also run for 227 yards and scored 5 TDs on the year. Norwin also has a dual-threat QB in Tristyn Tavares who has thrown for 319 yards and 1 TD and run for 129 yards and 2 TDs. Joining Tavares in the backfield is Jake Sincak who has put up 158 rushing yards and 2 scores and added 75 receiving yards. On the outside, Norwin’s big playmaker has been Jake Knight (114 yards, 1 TD).
Central Catholic (0-2) at Woodland Hills (1-1)
This game features two teams with their eyes on contending for their respective WPIAL titles. Central and Woody High have also met in multiple WPIAL Championship Games over the last 35 years. Central Catholic has reached five straight 6A title games but is off to an 0-2 start after falling to the All-Star team from Maryland in the KDKA kickoff and losing to Pine-Richland last week. Woodland Hills also lost in the KDKA kickoff against Erie McDowell but rebounded last week to top rivals Penn Hills by 20. Jy’Aire Walls has taken over at quarterback for Central and thrown for 447 yards and 3 TDs, primarily to D1 recruits Bradley Gompers (Duke-commit at LB) and Xxavier Thomas (Penn State-commit at DB). Gompers has 221 receiving yards and Thomas has 121 and both have found the end zone once. Out of the backfield, Elijah Faulkner is back after leading 6A in rushing last year and has put up 154 yards this season. Woodland Hills has one of the most dangerous QB-WR tandems in the WPIAL. Cam Walter (434 yards, 3 TDs) broke the Woody High school passing record earlier this season. Leading receiver Scoop Smith (224 yards, 3 TDs) is one of the fastest players in the WPIAL and should have a great showdown against speedy Central DB Xxavier Thomas. Elijah Nesby (133 yards, 2 TDs) leads a Wolverines backfield where the top three rushers all average over 6 yards per carry.
Aliquippa (0-0) at Avonworth (1-0)
Aliquippa has won three straight WPIAL 4A titles and reached the state title game in all of those years. The Quips won the state title in 2021 and 2023. Last week’s “Clash of Champions” game against Belle Vernon was cut short by lightning with the Quips ahead 12-0 in the second quarter. The game was declared “suspended” but is unlikely to be made up though they could meet again in the 4A playoffs. Avonworth has reached the 3A Championship Game each of the last two years but lost to Belle Vernon both times. With Belle Vernon moving back up to 4A, the Lopes have their sights set on a run at the WPIAL title. After beating Burrell in Week 0, Avonworth’s game against West Mifflin last week was also cut short by lightning. Aliquippa is led by Penn State-commit Tikey Hayes who looks to cap off a stellar high school career with yet another run at a state title. Hayes has racked up over 5800 yards and 79 TDs in his career and could become the 5th WPIAL player to ever top 7000 rushing yards. Marques Council will step in at quarterback. Aliquippa’s defense is loaded with talent including DBs Arison Walker, Sa’Nir Brooks, and Larry Moon III. In Avonworth’s opener, QB Carson Bellinger led the way. He has thrown for 199 yards and 2 TDs on the year, adding in another 53 yards on the ground. The Lopes backfield is led by Nico Neal (102 yards, 1 TD) and change-of-pace back Bryce Metz (81 yards, 3 TDs). Luca Neal (104 yards) is Avonworth’s top wideout but Noah Goetz (86 yards, 2 TDs) has been on the receiving end of both Bellinger TD passes.
Central Valley (0-2) at Belle Vernon (0-0)
These two teams have run on opposite paths over the last five years. Central Valley won three straight WPIAL 3A titles from 2019-2021 then moved up to 4A the last two years. Belle Vernon fell to Aliquippa in the 2021 4A Championship then moved down to 3A the last cycle and won back-to-back WPIAL and state titles. This cycle, the schools have flipped classifications once again with Belle Vernon moving back up to 4A and Central Valley moving back down to 3A. Central Valley has one of the toughest non-conference schedules in the WPIAL with 4A title contenders Montour and TJ the first two weeks. Belle Vernon’s game against Aliquippa last week ended early due to lightning. Central Valley has a quality quarterback in Steven Rutherford (182 yards) and a talented group of receivers. Jance Henry has shouldered the load out of the backfield with 236 yards and 4 TDs, scoring all of the Warriors points this season. Belle Vernon lost a lot of key starters to graduation and will need big plays out of Anthony Crews (who had over 800 yards of total offense and 11 TDs last year) and Kole Doppelheuer (1000 yards of total offense, 14 total TDs) as they step into bigger offensive roles.
