The 2025 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 22. 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 and watch our live broadcasts on Monday nights or on replay any time.
Only eight teams qualify for the 4A playoffs. The top two teams from each of the three conferences are guaranteed playoff spots. The final two wild card spots are decided by the WPIAL selection committee, rather than by a formula as was the case in prior cycles. McKeesport has reached the WPIAL finals in each of the last two seasons but have not won a title in 20 years. With Penn State-commit Kemon Spell as the focal point of the triple option, can the Tigers break the streak this year? Mars has had a tremendous turnaround under Eric Kasperowicz and reached the semifinals each of the last two seasons. The Planets return their quarterback and leading receivers. Watch out for West Mifflin who returns a strong young core of players. 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.
McKeesport
2024 Result: 6-4, Greater Allegheny Conference Champions, lost to Thomas Jefferson Championship Game
All-Time: 726-421-48 (6th in wins, 16th in win%)
Championship Pedigree: 4 WPIAL Championships (1932, 1938, 1994, 2005), 2 State Championships (1994, 2005)
The WPIAL moved McKeesport to the Greater Allegheny Conference last year as part of realignment and gave them a brutally tough schedule with the likes of Thomas Jefferson, Belle Vernon, and two 5A semifinalists in non-conference play. The Tigers rebounded from an 0-3 start to the season that included two overtime losses. Once McKeesport hit conference play they put the pedal down, averaging 44 points per game en route to the conference title and making a run to the WPIAL finals for the second straight season. McKeesport has two rising juniors with D1 talent, led by electric Penn State-commit Kemon Spell (1617 rushing yards, 169 receiving yards, 24 total TDs). Javien Robinson, a two-way DB/WR has offers from Pitt, Wisconsin, Syracuse, and some MAC schools. McKeesport doesn’t throw the ball much, but Robinson was their second-leading receiver (174 yards, 2 TDs). The Tigers should have one of the best defenses in 4A with DL Kaedyn Daniels, LB Michael Wright, and DB Taier Swindle. McKeesport will have to navigate their brutal non-conference schedule but should emerge battle tested and once again primed to make a run at the 4A title.
Mars
2024 Result: 5-5, lost to McKeesport semifinals
All-Time: 448-541-31 (40th in wins, 84th in win%)
Championship Pedigree: Never won a WPIAL Championship
Mars has burst back onto the scene as a contender under Eric Kasperowicz. The Fighting Planets have reached the semifinals in consecutive seasons and are looking to take the next step forward. Last year’s run was highlighted by an upset over #2 seed Montour in the opening round. Mars battled through adversity last season when their starting quarterback was injured a few weeks into the season, but freshman Nathan Walker stepped in, throwing for 1081 yards and 5 TDs. Mars returns a number of contributors from last year’s squad, including leading receiver Gabe Hein (939 yards, 7 TDs) and second-leading rusher Ayden Yocum (331 yards, 4 TDs). Hein was also used in the ground game, racking up 259 yards and 3 TDs and has committed to Sacred Heart. Senior lineman Sean Franklin has an offer from Miami (OH) and some FCS schools. As Mars continues to build their aerial attack around the young Walker, they will look to take the next step and challenge for a WPIAL title.
West Mifflin
2024 Result: 5-5, missed playoffs
All-Time: 316-317-12 (86th in wins, 59th in win%)
Championship Pedigree: Never won a WPIAL Championship
The Titans moved up from 3A to 4A last season after consecutive trips to the 3A quarterfinals. A 5-5 season put them in contention to be considered for a wild card spot, but ultimately the WPIAL did not select the Titans for the playoffs. West Mifflin has one of the top running backs in the WPIAL in junior Armand Hill, who has already committed to West Virginia. Hill followed his 1500-yard freshman season but running for 1693 yards and 23 TDs last year. The Titans have a strong young core between Hill, sophomore QB Zahir Ismaeli (619 passing yards, 4 TDs; 200 rushing yards, 5 TDs) and junior WR Sincere Degree (349 yards, 4 TDs). Sophomore RB Jerralle Mason (380 yards, 5 TDs) backed up Hill last year and comes into this season with offers from Syracuse and Akron. West Mifflin will have their work cut out for them in this conference, but the Titans have the young core of talent to be a contender.
Hampton
2024 Result: 3-7, missed playoffs
All-Time: 339-402-21 (78th in wins, 83rd in win%)
Championship Pedigree: Never won a WPIAL Championship
Hampton struggled offensively at times last season, being held under 14 points in 6 games. The good news for the Talbots is they have a strong class of rising seniors. Offensive talisman Willy Haselrig was Hampton’s leading receiver (322 yards), second-leading rusher (149 yards) and found the end zone three times. The Talbots will work to get the ball in his hands any way they can. At quarterback, Jack Saunessey started a few games as a sophomore and saw time as a backup last year. Sophomore Andrew Reschoff also got a handful of snaps as a freshman. Leading rusher Evan McAneny (829 yards, 10 TDs) returns for his senior season. Tight end Ryan Scully (317 yards, 2 TDs) also returns for his senior season.
Knoch
2024 Result: 3-6, missed playoffs
All-Time: 318-335-13 (85th in wins, 65th in win%)
Championship Pedigree: 1978 WPIAL Champions
In one of the most impressive turnarounds in WPIAL history, Knoch went from 1-9 in 2022 to 8-2 in 2023. Knoch moved up to 4A last season and had an up-and-down campaign. Colt Sprankle transferred to Knoch last year after having success at Armstrong. He served mostly in a rotational role for the Knights, throwing for 489 yards and 2 TDs. He should take the reigns of the offense this season. Junior WR Ethan Rouleau (248 yards, 3 TDs) is the top returning skill position player. Knoch will need to work in new starters across the board this season as TJ Wiley takes over the head coaching role. One of the biggest challenges for Knoch this season may be filling out the roster as the team finished last year with under 30 players.
Indiana
2024 Result: 1-9, missed playoffs
All-Time: 454-457-36 (39th in wins, 61st in win%)
Championship Pedigree: Never won a WPIAL Championship
Indiana was the lowest-scoring team in 4A last season, averaging just 6 points per game. Their only win was a 1-point overtime victory over Ringgold. Rising junior Danny Trevorrow (120 yards) and sophomore Jason Strack (104 yards) both saw some snaps at quarterback last season. Leading rusher Elijah Thomas (368 yards, 4 TDs) returns for his senior season. Four of Indiana’s top five receivers graduated, leaving just Trevon Joseph as the only returning starter. The Little Indians were shut out four times last year and allowed 43 points per game to conference opponents. They have a long road to rebuild the roster to be competitive this season.
