The final week of the WPIAL regular season is upon us and the playoff brackets will be revealed during the Selection Show on Saturday afternoon. The new playoff format with the inclusion of the Wild Cards has added drama to the final week of the season. Not counting the 20 Wild Cards that won’t be revealed until Saturday, 14 of the 49 guaranteed playoff spots are still up for grabs. Additionally, 6 of the 17 conference titles will be decided this week. The conference titles in 6A, 5A, and 2A are already decided. In 4A, only the Parkway title is not clinched and it will be decided by the Montour-West Allegheny game. All three of the conference titles in 3A will be decided by games this week. Interestingly, all three games (highlighted in the 3A Games of the Week section) are between a team unbeaten in conference play and a team with one loss who is hoping to force a 3-way tie. There are two head-to-head games in 1A between teams tied atop the conference with the title on the line.
On this week’s edition of the WPIAL Blitz Show, we ran through all the conference standings and discussed the outlook for the playoffs in each classification. Earlier this week, I broke down the playoff clinching scenarios across the WPIAL. Additionally, I did some speculation on the Wild Card races. In 6A, with the top four teams making the playoffs, the race is between three teams for the final two spots. In 4A, only the top two teams in each conference automatically qualify, making the races even tighter and the margin for error razor thin. The other four classifications will see the top three teams in each conference qualify, and the WPIAL will select Wild Card teams in every classification except 6A.
With playoff races coming to a close, our 2024 WPIAL Standings Page has been fully updated with all the relevant tiebreakers.
Some BIG PERSONAL NEWS – I will be on the KDKA Radio Post-game show tonight to break down the final scores and playoff qualifiers. Check out their broadcast of the Bethel Park-Peters Twp game (previewed below) and stay tuned after the game for the Paround 9:30pm.
6A Game of the Week
Seneca Valley (3-2, 4-4) at North Allegheny (4-1, 8-1)
The #2 seed in the 6A playoffs is on the line between North Allegheny and Seneca Valley. These two teams have a history of close games in Week 9, though they have recently ended in heartbreak for Seneca Valley. This year, the Raiders enter with an opportunity to get a home playoff game with a win or they could miss the playoffs entirely with a loss. The later scenario seems unlikely as it would also take wins by Canon-McMillan (over Central Catholic) AND Mt. Lebanon (over Norwin). North Allegheny can finish no worse than 3rd and a loss this week would mean a rematch against Seneca Valley next week. Seneca Valley’s offense is built around their rushing attack. Cayden Parker (514 yards, 3 TDs) and Chase Mazanek (463 yards, 2 TDs) lead the way out of the backfield. Dual-threat QB Andrew Loebig (580 passing yards, 6 TDs; 232 rushing yards, 3 TDs) has more rushing attempts than passing attempts this season. When the Raiders do take to the air, Brayden Wise (208 yards, 2 TDs) has been Loebig’s top target. North Allegheny also has a dual-threat QB in Brady Brinkley (969 passing yards, 7 TDs; 414 rushing yards, 7 TDs) who was our WPIAL Blitz Player of the Week after putting up 4 total TDs in the Tigers win over rivals Pine-Richland. The Tigers have put up a ton of yards this season and have 4 receivers over 100 yards and 4 rushers over 200 yards. In addition to Brinkley, Luke Rohan (522 yards, 6 TDs), Dylan Brokos (300 yards, 4 TDs), and Liam Flaherty (224 yards, 4 TDs) have all seen their share of work in the ground game. On the outside, Brinkley has spread the ball around between James Donaldson (453 yards, 5 TDs), Colman Craft (259 yards, 3 TDs), Dylan Langdon (120 yards, 2 TDs), and Carter Melzer (116 yards).
Other Meaningful Games
Despite a 1-7 start to the season, Mt. Lebanon has the opportunity to finish as the #3 seed with a victory over Norwin and a Seneca Valley loss. The Blue Devils have been playing better football of late, including a 7-point loss to North Allegheny and victories over Seneca Valley and Hempfield. Canon-McMillan needs to beat conference champs Central Catholic in order to have a chance to make the playoffs. If Canon-Mac loses, both Mt. Lebanon and Seneca Valley will make the playoffs, regardless of their results.
5A Games of the Week
Bethel Park (3-1, 8-1) at Peters Twp (3-1, 8-1)
This game is for second place in the Allegheny Six Conference behind champion Upper St Clair. This year’s 5A playoff bracket features 4 byes. With the 3 conference champions almost certain to earn byes, the winner of this game with only a loss to Upper St Clair, should be in line for a bye. This will be the KDKA Radio featured broadcast of the week and is a matchup of strength-on-strength. Bethel Park has the highest-scoring offense in 5A (44.6 points per game) while Peters Twp has the stingiest defense (8.4 points against per game). The other side of the ball is no slouch for either squad. Peters’ offense is 4th in 5A (33.5 points per game) while Bethel’s defense is also 4th (13.8 points against per game). This game features two of the top four passers in the WPIAL. Bethel Park’s Tanner Pfeuffer (2059 yards, 27 TDs) has taken over the top spot, which was held by Peters Twp’s Nolan DiLucia (1960 yards, 17 TDs) earlier in the season. Bethel Park will do what they can to get the ball in the hands of electric playmaker JaVaughn Moore who has run for 1477 yards, added 282 receiving yards, and found the end zone 22 times. The Black Hawks has a slew of talented receivers, led by Mitchell Paschl (590 yards, 12 TDs) and Jack Bruckner (432 yards, 5 TDs). The X-factor in this game may be slot receiver Ryan Petras who returned two weeks ago from an injury that held him out from the first 7 games and has already put up 246 yards and 2 TDs. Peters Twp has used a rotation in the backfield with DiLucia (who has run for 340 yards and 3 TDs). Nick Courie (382 yards, 12 TDs), Cole Neupaver (326 yards, 3 TDs), and Darius McMillon (112 yards, 2 TDs) have all contributed to the Indians rushing attack. Nick McCullough (772 yards, 11 TDs) leads the Indians receiving corps. In addition to McCullough, DiLucia has spread the ball around to Eli Prado (241 yards, 2 TDs), Jeremy Poletti (224 yards, 1 TD), and Lucas Rost (197 yards, 2 TDs).
Plum (2-2, 3-6) at Penn Hills (3-1, 5-4)
This game will determine the final two guaranteed playoff spots in 5A, both coming out of the Northeast Conference. Pine-Richland has clinched the conference title and North Hills plays a non-conference game. If Penn Hills wins this game or loses by 8 points or fewer, then Penn Hills and North Hills will make the playoffs. The only way Penn Hills does not get a guaranteed playoff spot is if they lose by exactly 9 points, wherein Plum and North Hills would make the playoffs. If Plum wins by 10 or more, then Plum and Penn Hills would get the guaranteed playoff spots. All that said, if Plum wins this game by 9 or more and Penn Hills or North Hills would fall out of the guaranteed playoff spots, they would almost certainly get a wild card berth. Penn Hills started the season with Devin Harris (868 yards, 3 TDs) at quarterback but he gave way in Week 6 to Jay’mere Ellis (584 passing yards, 8 TDs; 153 rushing yards, 2 TDs). Their strong receiving corps have enabled both quarterbacks to find success. Martel Palmer (560 yards, 7 TDs), Carter Bonner (350 yards, 4 TDs), and Derek Selby (299 yards, 1 TD) will stress Plum’s secondary. On the ground, Naytel Mitchell (968 yards, 12 TDs) has led the way for the Indians, averaging 6 yards per carry. The star of Plum’s offense is Darian Nelson who has compiled 391 receiving yards, 248 rushing yards, and found the end zone 7 times. Plum has gone through multiple quarterbacks this season and seems to have settled on John Nonnenberg (520 yards, 6 TDs). TJ Futules started the year at QB but moved to RB (166 rushing yards, 1 TD) where he complements Nicky Odom (724 yards, 4 TDs). Sloan Humphries (480 yards, 4 TDs) has bookended Nelson at receiver and is coming off a 100-yard game against Kiski.
Other Meaningful Games
The Moon-South Fayette game is a play-in game for a Wild Card. The loser of that game will still be in the running for a Wild Card but might have a harder time earning a spot. In the Big East Conference, the potential exists for a 3-way tie between Latrobe, Gateway, and Kiski for 4th place. The WPIAL Committee won’t be able to take all 3 for Wild Cards, so at least one if not two of them will be left out. Kiski and Latrobe have opportunities for good showings against the top teams in the conference this week to bolster their playoff resumes. Latrobe, Gateway, and Kiski all have head-to-head wins over Plum, so the Mustangs likely need to beat Penn Hills by 9 or more in order to get one of the guaranteed playoff spots.
4A Game of the Week
Belle Vernon (3-1, 4-3) at Trinity (3-1, 4-5)
In years past, this would have been known as a “casket match” where the winner makes the playoffs and the loser is out. However, with the introduction of the wild cards to the playoff format this season, the loser of this game will not be definitively out of contention. The winner will clinch the second guaranteed playoff spot in the Big Six Conference. The loser will have to sweat it out until Saturday afternoon to see if the WPIAL Committee selected them. You can check out a rundown of their resumes in my WPIAL Wild Card Breakdown. Belle Vernon’s offense got off to a slow start to the season but have turned on recently, putting up 47+ in each of the last three weeks. Dual-threat QB Curtis Wade (841 passing yards, 11 TDs; 241 rushing yards, 3 TDs) has taken control of the offense. The Leopards will work the ball into the hands of seniors Kole Doppelheuer and Anthony Crews. Doppelheuer leads the team in rushing (553 yards), receiving (318 yards), and scoring (11 total TDs). Crews has big-play potential any time he touches the ball and has racked up 241 rushing yards, 261 receiving yards, and 7 total TDs. Trinity’s offense runs through dual-threat QB Jonah Williamson (808 passing yards, 3 TDs; 597 rushing yards, 10 TDs). This year, Williamson has two explosive backs joining him in the Hillers rushing attack. Nico Mauro (712 yards, 6 TDs) and Owen Gardner (317 yards, 3 TDs) both average over 7 yards per carry. On the outside, Williamson has been able to spread the ball around between Chase Kostelnik (274 yards, 2TDs), Anthony Giorgi (176 yards, 1 TD), and Braden Berdar (167 yards).
West Allegheny (3-1, 3-3) at Montour (4-0, 8-0)
Montour is coming off a huge victory over Aliquippa that puts the Spartans in line for not only the Parkway Conference title but also the top seed in the playoffs. Mathematically, none of the Parkway spots are clinched heading into the final week of the season but if by some odd scenario Montour or Aliquippa would fall out of the Top 2 guaranteed spots, they would certainly get a wild card. A Montour victory clinches the conference title for the Spartans and puts Aliquippa into the playoffs. If West Allegheny wins and Aliquippa beats Ambridge, then there would be a 3-way tie for first. Aliquippa would get the top spot if both games do not finish as 1-point victories. Montour boasts one of the top passers in the WPIAL in Trey Hopper (2047 yards, 22 TDs). He has four receivers with over 200 yards, led by AJ Alston (619 yards, 8 TDs) and Daniel Batch (539 yards, 10 TDs). James Bundridge (457 yards, 6 TDs) and Marcus Battles (235 yards, 4 TDs) have also been factors in the Spartans passing attack. On the ground, Caden Halajcio (731 yards, 4 TDs) has been the workhorse back while short-yardage pounder Kaleb Platz has scored 7 times and is an absolute force on defense at middle linebacker. West Allegheny’s offense is largely built around the Cornell brothers in the running game. Brock Cornell leads the way with 780 yards and 7 TDs while Brodie Cornell has run for 248 yards and 2 scores. Additionally, Roman Police has put up 568 yards and 5 TDs on the ground. The Indians top three backs all average over 7.5 yards per carry, a credit to the guys up front in the trenches. When the Indians do take to the air, Brody Malatak has thrown for 343 yards and 3 TDs.
Other Meaningful Games
West Mifflin is not completely out of the running for a wild card and could get some consideration as the 3rd place team in the Greater Allegheny Conference. The Titans need a convincing win over Hampton to put themselves in the conversation. Aliquippa‘s playoff spot is not in doubt, but a win over rival Ambridge keeps the Quips alive for a conference title if West A can knock off Montour.
3A Games of the Week
Imani Christian (5-0, 9-0) at Freeport (4-1, 7-2)
Imani Christian has been the dominant force in 3A this season and is in line for the #1 overall seed in the playoffs. All that stands between the Saints and a conference title is Freeport. The Yellow Jackets did lose to Deer Lakes earlier this season, so the final outcome of the conference standings could also hinge on Deer Lakes’ game against Burrell. If Deer Lakes were to lose, this game would decide the conference title outright. If Deer Lakes wins, then Freeport would need to win by 5 points or more to claim the conference. Any other result would give Imani Christian the title. Imani tops 3A in both offense (45 points per game) and defense (8.6 points against per game). Imani’s offense is loaded with playmakers and the Saints will rotate players through various positions. Quarterback Stephen Vandiver (1360 passing yards, 20 TDs; 254 rushing yards, 5 TDs) is the catalyst that makes everything go. Joining him in the backfield are the explosive Gabe Jenkins (871 yards, 16 TDs) and David Davis (247 rushing yards, 183 receiving yards, 8 total TDs) who is a D1 recruit at cornerback. Incredibly, both Jenkins and Davis average over 11 yards per carry. On the outside, Dayshaun Burnett (355 yards, 8 TDs) has been Vandiver’s favorite target with Robert Torres-Johnson (260 yards, 3 TDs) and Markus Williams (248 yards, 4 TDs) also getting a share of looks. After a 2-2 start to the season, Freeport has rattled off 5 straight victories. The Jackets have the second best defense in 3A, holding opponents to just 15 points per game. Freeport’s offense also runs through their dual-threat QB Drew Ross (821 passing yards, 7 TDs; 369 rushing yards, 11 TDs). Ross is joined in the backfield by Amos Glenn (951 yards, 15 TDs) and both players average over 6 yards per rush. When Ross takes to the air, he has spread the ball around between big-play target Sean Selinger (290 yards, 3 TDs), Madden Wisniewski (174 yards, 3 TDs), and Danny King (149 yards, 2 TDs).
Elizabeth Forward (4-0, 6-3) at Mt Pleasant (3-1, 5-4)
Mt. Pleasant has the widest variability of any team in the WPIAL in potential results heading into Week 9. The Vikings could claim the conference title with a win AND a Southmoreland loss. However, they could also fall out of the guaranteed playoff spots with a loss to Elizabeth Forward and a Southmoreland loss by 9 points or more. After a shaky start to non-conference play, Elizabeth Forward blew the doors off Southmoreland last week to put themselves in position to claim the conference title. Elizabeth Forward is the third-highest scoring team in 3A, averaging nearly 39 points per game. The Warriors offensive attack is built around the talent in their backfield. Dual-threat QB Ryan Messina has thrown for 1698 yards and 20 TDs and run for 397 yards and 9 scores. The multi-talented Charlie Nigut leads the Warriors in rushing (978 yards), receiving (441 yards), and scoring (22 total TDs). On the outside, Connor Stokes (441 yards, 6 TDs) and AJ Grese (389 yards, 5 TDs) have done the most damage in EF’s passing attack. By contrast, Mt. Pleasant has traditionally been a run-heavy offense. This year is no different as the Vikings have 5 players with over 100 rushing yards. Brody Hutter (438 yards, 8 TDs), Jarrett Garn (377 rushing yards, 258 receiving yards, 7 total TDs), and Steven Predejna (305 yards, 4 TDs) lead the way. Dual-threat QB Cole Chatfield has thrown for 748 yards and 4 TDs and contributed to the rushing attack withr 214 yards and 2 scores.
Avonworth (5-0, 7-2) at Beaver (4-1, 7-2)
The Western Hills Conference title is also on the line, though Beaver does not have a path to the title even in a three-way tie. Avonworth will win the conference title with either a win or a loss by 6 points or fewer. If Beaver wins by 7 points or more, then Central Valley will claim the conference title. Avonworth has a balanced offensive attack and has blown out so many teams this year that their underclassmen have also seen significant playing time. The offense revolves around QB Carson Bellinger (837 yards, 9 TDs). His favorite target in the passing game is Luca Neal (412 yards, 4 TDs). On the ground, the Lopes backfield relies on the tandem of Dimitri Velsaris (299 yards, 5 TDs) and Bryce Metz (208 yards, 9 TDs). Beaver also has a balanced offensive attack that revolves around their backfield stars. Travis Clear has thrown for 1155 yards and 11 TDs. Leading rusher Quanlan Cain has put up 1130 yards and 16 TDs while averaging an insane 13 yards per carry. Multi-talented athletes Amari Jackson (486 rushing yards, 639 receiving yards, 18 total TDs), Drey Hall (406 rushing yards, 85 receiving yards, 4 total TDs), and Brady Mayo (230 yards of total offense, 4 TDs) will all present matchup challenges for Avonworth’s defense. Both of these teams are skilled all over the field and can win in a variety of ways, which should make for an excellent matchup.
Other Meaningful Games
Highlands should be in line for one of the Wild Card spots and needs to beat their rivals Valley in the Battle for the Bridge to solidify their position. Highlands QB Menage Lucas joined the elite 1000/1000 club of dual-threat quarterbacks this year. The Greensburg Salem-Southmoreland game will decide the final guaranteed playoff spots in the Interstate Conference. Both teams will finish with winning records, regardless of the result, so the loser should still be in line for a wild card. Finally, the North Catholic-Hopewell game looks like a play-in game for the final wild card. North Catholic has one of the top QB-WR tandems in Joey Felitsky (2058 passing yards) and Ryker Kennedy (76 catches for 941 yards). Hopewell’s dual-threat freshman QB James Armstrong has 10 passing and 10 rushing TDs this season and helped lift the Vikings into postseason contention.
2A Game of the Week
OLSH (3-3, 4-4) at Keystone Oaks (4-2, 4-4)
This is a big game for the 2A Wild Card race. Keystone Oaks, despite getting blown out in the Battle for McNeilly Road last week, still clinched a playoff spot after Carlynton topped Washington. OLSH is locked in to the 4th place spot in the Allegheny Conference and is pinning their playoff hopes on one of the four Wild Card spots. With the craziness in the Century Conference, OLSH having a head-to-head victory over KO (likely the 2nd place finisher in the Century) will go a long way for their playoff chances. An OLSH loss would drop them into Wild Card consideration against the teams in the middle of the Century pack. OLSH’s star QB Vann Kavals has a future at the next level as a defensive end and plays both ways for the Chargers. Offensively, Kavals has thrown for 1288 yards and 11 TDs and run for 483 yards and 7 TDs. The Chargers have solid talents on the outside in Iseia Fields-Schulz (580 yards, 4 TDs) and Ethan Davis (334 yards, 5 TDs). Joining Kavals in the backfield, TyTy Hawkins has 146 rushing yards, 202 receiving yards, and scored once. Keystone Oaks relies heavily on their rushing attack to get the offense moving. Dual-threat QB Brenden Quarles (434 passing yards, 3 TDs; 318 rushing yards, 4 TDs) has as many rushing attempts as passing attempts this season. The star on the ground is Billy Bricker (732 yards, 9 TDs) who averages nearly 7 yards per carry. When Quarles does take to the air, Jack Hrivnak (198 yards, 1 TD) has been his favorite target.
Other Meaningful Games
In the Midwestern Conference, the winner of Mohawk-Riverside will clinch the final guaranteed playoff spot. The loser will still have 5 victories and a winning record from Weeks 1-9, which should earn a Wild Card spot. Both teams are likely in the playoffs. If the Committee decides to give 2 Wild Cards to the Midwestern Conference, New Brighton could garner consideration if they beat Union. In the Century Conference, the Seton LaSalle-Washington game will decide the final guaranteed playoff spot. Seton has already clinched the conference title and a Rebel win would give Waynesburg the final guaranteed playoff spot. Waynesburg QB Jacob Stephenson is on the verge of joining the 1000/1000 club if he can put up 94 rushing yards against Sto-Rox. Washington needs to win to be guaranteed a postseason berth. Carlynton has the longest playoff drought in the WPIAL (22 years) dating back to 2001, but their victory over Wash High last week has put them in position to earn a wild card, provided they beat Charleroi.
1A Games of the Week
Laurel (5-0, 5-4) at Neshannock (5-0, 8-1)
Laurel has been one of the best bounce-back stories in the WPIAL this year. After an 0-4 start to the season, the Spartans have rattled off five straight victories to set up a showdown with Lawrence County rivals Neshannock for the conference title. Laurel has reinvented themselves from a traditionally run-heavy team to rely more on their passing attack. Luca Santini has spurred this transition with 1444 yards and 11 TDs. The Spartans have five receivers with over 100 yards, led by Kolton Carlson (527 receiving yards, 132 rushing yards, 8 total TDs) and Jack Miles (413 yards, 3 TDs). Leading rusher Jackson Sauders (489 yards) has also contributed to the passing game (127 yards) and found the end zone 6 times. Sauders was the key to Laurel’s win over South Side last week with over 100 yards on the ground. Neshannock’s offense runs through their dual-threat QB Jino Mozzocio (1266 passing yards, 11 TDs; 592 rushing yards, 13 TDs). Joining him in the Lancers backfield is the dangerous tandem of Anthony Eakin (629 yards, 9 TDs) and change-of-pace back Justin Edgeworthy (345 yards, 5 TDs). On the outside, Mozzoccio’s favorite targets have been Dom Cubellis (417 yards, 6 TDs) and Ethan Beaman (237 yards, 4 TDs). This game will ultimately be won in the trenches where Neshannock has traditionally thrived.
Jefferson-Morgan (6-0, 9-0) at California (6-0, 7-2)
The Tri-County South Conference title comes down to a clash between the Rockets and Trojans. California has been the perennial powerhouse in the TCS during the six classification era. Jefferson-Morgan snapped a decade-long playoff drought last year and has run through their first nine opponents. Both teams are averaging over 41 points per game and have been on a collision course since the start of the season. Jefferson-Morgan’s dual-threat QB Houston Guesman is the 18th player in WPIAL history to have a 1000/1000 season. Guesman has put up 1391 yards and 21 TDs through the air plus 1036 yards and 13 scores on the ground. Guesman’s top target is Deakyn Dehoet (795 yards, 16 TDs) who leads 1A in receiving touchdowns. The Rockets will work the ball into the hands of John Gilbert (267 rushing yards, 121 receiving yards, 8 total TDs) any way they can. In addition to Guesman, John Woodward (592 yards, 9 TDs) has seen his share of carries as the Rockets lead back. Defensively, Jefferson-Morgan will have their work cut out for them as California boasts the WPIAL’s leading rusher Lee Qualk. Last week, Qualk had over 260 yards and 5 TDs in the first half. On the season, Qualk has run for 1852 yards and 32 TDs, putting him 260 yards and 5 TDs ahead of the next closest in those respective categories. California has always been a run-heavy team that is strong in the trenches. Not only does Qualk average 10 yards per carry, but Malachi Peak (405 yards, 6 TDs) and Adiu Keyes (211 rushing yards, 104 receiving yards, 5 total TDs) both average in double-digits per touch as well. Trojans QB Logan Hartley has only attempted 40 passes all season, but has put up a respectable 375 yards and 5 TDs. Overall, if California can control the game on the ground then they can win with their tried and true formula. Jefferson-Morgan has the passing game to come back from a deficit and the Rockets path to victory likely involves jumping out early and forcing California to get away from their rushing attack.
Other Meaningful Games
While the two highlighted games are head-to-head matchups for conference titles, there are two other games in 1A that will directly decide playoff spots. The winner of South Side-Rochester gets the final guaranteed spot in the Big Seven Conference while the Monessen-Cornell game decides the final guaranteed spot in the Black Hills. South Side, Monessen, and Cornell should all be safely in the playoff field, even if they were to fall into the wild card race. In the Eastern Conference, the Leechburg-GCC game will decide second place and a likely home playoff game. The Tri-County South has the potential to see a three-way tie between Carmichaels, Bentworth, and West Greene for the third and final guaranteed playoff spot. Bentworth, with a +7 point differential, has the inside track if all three teams win. The Bearcats have not been to the playoffs since 2014, the 5th longest streak in the WPIAL.
