After a pandemic-shortened 2020 high school football season, we are back for a full campaign in 2021. There were a number of changes that the WPIAL had planned to institute from both a scheduling and a playoff format standpoint in 2020 that were delayed until 2021. All of the schedules are now back-loaded with conference game and the WPIAL attempted to schedule intriguing matchups and historical rivalries in the first few weeks before conference play begins.
This year, our WPIAL coverage is sponsored by the Sports Stream Premium Network and PA Mortgage Protection and Life Insurance. The Sports Stream Premium Network enables schools to turn their livestreamed events into pay-per-view events where schools receive 100% of the revenue generated.
What is your favorite conference in the WPIAL and why is it the Tri-County South? The TCS has produced some memorable regular season storylines like West Greene RB Ben Jackson breaking the WPIAL rushing record in 2019 and Avella making it back to the playoffs for just the fourth time since 1977 last season. This year, with the WPIAL’s full scheduling and playoff plan back in effect, 15 teams will make the 1A playoffs. The top FIVE teams in all three 1A conferences will qualify for the playoffs with the top overall seed receiving a first round bye.
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.
West Greene
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West Greene’s loaded senior class of 2019 took the Pioneers to the semifinals. After they graduated, West Greene still had an explosive offense, averaging 31 points per game last season, but finished in the middle of the pack with a 4-3 record. West Greene started the season just 1-3 but closed strong by winning their last two outings plus a forfeit win over Monessen. The good news for the Pioneers is that they only lost three seniors to graduation and the bulk of their starters return. Senior QB Wes Whipkey (637 yards, 8 TDs) threw a bit more than his predecessors and made a formidable tandem with WR Nathan Orndoff (344 yards, 5 TDs). The Pioneers once again boasted a strong ground game, led by a freshman in Colin Brady (823 yards, 11 TDs) who averaged over 9 yards per carry. Corey Wise (403 yards, 6 TDs) also returns to the backfield for his senior season after averaging 10 yards per carry. West Greene has produced two record-setting backs in their school history. With Colin Brady putting up over 800 yards as a freshman, he could be the next in West Greene’s heritage of outstanding rushers.
California
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California has made the playoffs in five straight seasons, winning conference titles in three of them. After an unbeaten regular season fueled by their rushing attack, California lost a hard-fought quarterfinal to Shenango. The Trojans have been one-and-done in the playoffs in four of the last five seasons. Leading rusher Jaeden Zuzak graduated after nearly leading the WPIAL in rushing, and his place as the focal point of the offense will likely be taken by dual-threat QB Damani Stafford. Last season, Stafford rarely threw the ball but wound up with 230 yards and 2 TDs. On the ground, Stafford ran for 497 yards and 5 TDs, averaging nearly 7 yards per carry. Rising juniors Addison Panepinto and Aiden Lowden, along with sophomore Zachary Geletei all saw a handful of carries last season and should see their roles increase this year in California’s run-heavy attack.
Carmichaels
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The Mighty Mikes moved down from 2A to 1A last season and through September looked like one of the teams to beat. But after a 4-0 start Carmichaels missed a week because of a Monessen forfeit then dropped their final two games to California and Avella. The loss to California cost them the conference title and the loss to Avella knocked them out of the playoffs by giving Avella the tiebreaker. Dual-threat QB Trenton Carter returns for his senior season after throwing for 760 yards and 7 TDs and running for 327 yards and 5 TDs. Junior Peyton Schooley should take over as the lead back after averaging 7 yards per carry last year. Leading receiver Michael Stewart (319 yards, 5 TDs) returns for his senior season for a Carmichaels team looking to get back to the playoffs for the first time since 2017.
Avella
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Avella was one of the best stories in the WPIAL last season. After winning just 2 conference games over the prior 3 seasons, Avella emerged from the dregs of the conference to win three one-score contests and earn a playoff spot. That was Avella’s fourth playoff berth in the last eight years. That may not sound like much, but it is an incredible accomplishment for a team that went 36 years without a playoff berth from 1977 to 2013. Dual-threat QB KJ Rush returns for his senior season after throwing for 935 yards and 7 TDs and running for 340 yards and 4 TDs. Second-leading rusher Noah Markle (303 yards, 7 TDs) and Rush’s favorite target Brandon Samol (238 yards) both return for their senior seasons. The question for Avella will be on the offensive line where they had four seniors graduate. The Eagles have one of the smallest rosters in the WPIAL so the margin for error is thin. A lot of their success last season came from timely stops and turnovers on the defensive side of the ball as their offense averaged just 19 points per game, the third-lowest in the conference. If Avella can get a little more out of their offense and continue their strong defensive play, they can compete for a playoff spot once again.
Jefferson-Morgan
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Jefferson-Morgan has not made the playoffs since 2012. The Rockets lost their first two games to Carmichaels and Avella last season, but bounced back to win 3 of their next 4, including a 40-34 shootout with Bentworth. All three of their victories came in one-score games while their four losses bere all by at least three scores. Senior QB Colt Fowler returns after throwing for 678 yards and 5 TDs and adding 154 yards and 4 TDs on the ground. Fowler is the team’s top returning rusher, and junior Dalton Heath (110 yards) figures to step into the starting role in the backfield after averaging 6.5 yards per carry last season. Only one senior graduated from the offensive line, so the Rockets will have some consistency in the trenches. If they can find consistency on offense and shore up a defense that allowed 35 points per game (the most in the conference), the Rockets could compete for a playoff spot.
Mapletown
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Mapletown last made the playoffs in 2016 but finished last season strong, winning 2 of their last 4 games after an 0-3 start. Mapletown didn’t score more than 13 points in any of their losses, but exploded for 30+ points in their victories over Monessen and Bentworth. The Maples were the second-lowest scoring team in the conference at just 17 points per game. Rising junior Landan Stevenson will once again be the focal point of the offense after leading the Maples in rushing (939 yards), receiving (229 yards) and scoring (12 total TDs). Quarterback Max Vanata (601 yards, 4 TDs) returns for his senior campaign. Second-leading rusher AJ Vanata (128 yards, 1 TD) also returns as Mapletown looks to continue building their program and potentially battle for a playoff spot.
Bentworth
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Bentworth is one of three 1A teams that have yet to make the playoffs in the six classification era. The Bearcats did make the playoffs in 2015, and after a strong close to the 2020 season they could be in the mix this year. Bentworth started the year just 1-3 but over their final four games their offense came alive. Bentworth averaged just 9.7 points over their first three games then finished averaging 38 per game over their last four. Senior QB Seth Adams (555 yards, 6 TDs) returns to lead an offense that graduated the top two rushers. Caleb Peternal is the top returning receiver. Rising sophomores Drew Petrisek and Vitali Daniels saw some action and both found the end zone last season and should take on bigger roles for Bentworth this season.
Monessen
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Monessen tried to revamp their program last season but low turnout made for a difficult season. Ultimately, the Greyhounds had to forfeit their final three games. The winless season is a nadir for Monessen football, a proud program that made the playoffs in 26 of 29 years between 1985 and 2013. However, the Greyhounds have reached the postseason just twice in the last seven years. Monessen was the lowest-scoring team in 1A last season, averaging just 8 points per game. The Greyhounds have a new coach this year in Wade Brown who will have to restock a roster that was one of the smallest in the WPIAL last season. Junior Nigier Foster and sophomore Jermere Majors are the only two returning players who found the end zone last season.
