The WPIAL regular season concludes this weekend! On Saturday evening the playoff brackets will be announced and we will be on our way towards crowning this year’s champions. There are seven conference titles and 12 guaranteed playoff spots left to be decided this week. Check out my WPIAL Playoff Scenarios breakdown for an analysis of what every team still in the running needs to do this week to get in. Additionally, I looked at the 16 Wild Card spots that will be awarded by the Selection Committee and analyzed the teams in the running.
On this week’s edition of the WPIAL Blitz Show, we recapped all of the Week 8 action, ran through all of the conference standings and discussed this week’s WPIAL Blitz Statewide Rankings. Our WPIAL Blitz Show Player of the Week from Week 8 was Imani Christian QB Gabe Jenkins. In the Saints victory over Burrell, Jenkins had over 380 yards of total offense and 6 total touchdowns. We’ll be back on Monday night at 9:30 this week for another great show! Tune in on the SSP Network on YouTube.
BIG NEWS – I will be on the KDKA Radio Postgame Show on Friday night alongside the WPIAL Insider to break down all of the results live as they happen. Tune in on the Audacy app around 9:30pm! You can also check out my guest spot on the PA Today Sports podcast from earlier this week (starting around the 1:06:00 mark).
As playoff races wind down, keep an eye on my WPIAL Standings Page. Without further ado, here are the Week 9 Games of the Week!
6A Game of the Week
Mt. Lebanon (2-3, 2-7) at Norwin (3-2, 6-3)
The winner of this game clinches a playoff spot in 6A and potentially gets the #3 seed, avoiding a first round matchup with Central Catholic. Norwin would lock up the #3 seed with a win and could also get into the playoffs with a loss and a Canon-Mac loss (in which case they would be the #4 seed). Mt. Lebanon has to win to get in. Lebo would be the #3 seed with a win and Canon-Mac loss or the #4 seed with a win and a Canon-Mac win. Mt. Lebanon rebounded from an 0-5 start to the season to win 2 conference games and put themselves in position to have a shot at the playoffs. The Blue Devils rely almost exclusively on dual-threat QB Patrick Smith who last week became the 24th player in WPIAL history to join the 1000/1000 club. Smith has thrown for 1034 yards and 4 TDs and run for 1170 yards and 13 TDs. He has five receivers with over 100 yards, led by Maxton Siegel (281 yards, 1 TD), Colin Kramer (169 yards), and Jaxson Driscoll (148 yards, 1 TD). Mt. Lebanon is the lowest-scoring team in 6A, averaging just 15 points per game while Norwin has the second-stingiest defense. If Mt. Lebanon is going to pull the upset they are going to need to either find an offensive rhythm or win a low-scoring affair. Norwin’s offense is also led by a dual-threat QB Trystan Tavares who has thrown for 890 yards and 11 TDs and run for 705 yards and 11 scores. Tavares has just three receivers with over 100 yards, led by Potter Brozeski (313 yards, 3 TDs) and Jake Knight (168 yards, 3 TDs). Giovanni Rothrauff (1159 yards, 9 TDs) has been the workhorse for the Knights offense.
Other Big Games: Central Catholic has the top seed locked down, but has an important game against Canon-McMillan. If Canon Mac were to win, the Big Macs would be in the playoffs and the Mt. Lebanon-Norwin loser would be out. If Canon-Mac loses, then Norwin still gets into the playoffs if they lose to Mt. Lebanon. Canon Mac can still get into the playoffs with a loss to Central if Norwin beats Lebo.
5A Game of the Week
Penn Hills (2-2, 3-6) at Plum (1-3, 4-5)
This is a huge game for determining the last few playoff spots in 5A. With Shaler facing defending champions Pine-Richland, Penn Hills needs a win to force a 3-way tie for second place in the Northeast Conference. The tie between Shaler, North Hills, and Penn Hills would be settled by tiebreaker points. If Shaler loses by 3 points or more (which is likely), then a Penn Hills win would put the Indians into the playoffs. If Penn Hills wins by 9 or more, then Penn Hills would finish 2nd and Shaler 3rd. If Penn Hills wins by 8 or fewer, then North Hills would finish 2nd and Penn Hills 3rd. On the flip side, while Plum has languished outside the playoff picture for most of the season, the Mustangs can elevate themselves to 4th in the conference with a win (knocking Penn Hills out). A Plum victory would make the Mustangs 5-5 overall with non-conference wins over fellow wild card contenders Kiski and Gateway, which could be enough to earn the final wild card spot in 5A. Devin Harris started the year at quarterback for Penn Hills but after a midseason injury, Jayson Taylor (442 yards, 4 TDs) stepped in. The Indians have been a factory for talented WR/DBs and this year is no different with Richard Littlejohn (352 yards, 5 TDs) and Carter Bonner (173 yards, 3 TDs) on the outside. Doryan Peay (759 yards, 5 TDs) is the feature back in Penn Hills rushing attack. Plum has a balanced offensive attack led by junior QB John Nonnenberg (1196 passing yards, 11 TDs; 222 rushing yards, 3 TDs). He has spread the ball around to four different receivers who already have over 100 yards each. Niko Signor (439 yards, 3 TDs) and Sloan Humphries (359 yards, 3 TDs) and lead the way on the outside with Semaj Robinson (193 yards 4 TDs) and Brendan Marston (164 yards, 2 TDs) also factoring into the passing game. Out of the backfield, CJ Hart (457 yards, 7 TDs) has been the big play threat, averaging over 8 yards per carry while Elijah Jackson (530 yards, 4 TDs) has ground out tough yards.
Other Big Games: Kiski gets into the playoffs with a win over Woodland Hills. If the Cavaliers lose, they need Armstrong to beat Franklin Regional to force a three-way tie (which Kiski would win and therefore get into the playoffs). If both Kiski and Armstrong lose, then Gateway gets in. The Pine-Richland/Shaler winner earns the conference title in the Northeast. If Shaler loses and Penn Hills wins, then those two and North Hills will finish in a three-way tie. Second place would be decided by tiebreaker points and third place by head-to-head results.
4A Game of the Week
Montour (3-1, 6-3) at West Allegheny (3-1, 4-4)
Three teams currently sit tied atop the Parkway Conference with only two guaranteed playoff spots available. New Castle will get one of those spots except in the unlikely scenario where New Castle, West Allegheny, and Aliquippa all lose. The other guaranteed spot goes to the winner of this game. Montour has likely done enough to earn a wild card if they lose. However, West Allegheny has losses to both Chartiers Valley and Aliquippa, which would put the Indians on very precarious footing if they lose. Last year, Montour came into this game riding high after beating Aliquippa but was upset by West A in overtime, forcing a 3-way tie atop the conference. Montour is coming off another big win over Aliquippa where they blew the doors open in the second half. The Spartans have a balanced offensive attack. Brandon Bennett has thrown for 1324 yards and 13 TDs while RB Caden Halajcio has run for 1005 yards and 13 TDs. Bennett’s favorite target has been Zander Stern (675 yards, 10 TDs). Montour also has an offensive Swiss Army Knife in Archie Collins who they will use in a variety of roles. Collins has 251 receiving yards, 242 rushing yards and scored 6 times. West Allegheny relies heavily on their backfield to produce offense. Brodie Cornell leads the team in rushing (583 yards), receiving (190 yards), and scoring (14 total TDs). Complementary back Roman Perella (196 yards, 3 TDs) averages nearly 10 yards per carry. Donovan O’Conner hasn’t thrown much this year, averaging just 10 pass attempts per game, and has thrown for 489 yards and 6 TDs. Teagan Tomei (164 yards, 6 TDs) is the top target on the outside when West A takes to the air and doesn’t throw it to Cornell out of the backfield.
Other Big Games: Chartiers Valley is in the running for a wild card, but needs to beat Ringgold so as not to end the season with three straight losses. Aliquippa needs a convincing victory over last place Ambridge to state their case for a wild card.
3A Games of the Week
Freeport (4-1, 7-2) at Imani Christian (5-0, 9-0)
This game is for the Allegheny Seven Conference title. Freeport’s overtime loss a few weeks ago to Highlands prevented this from being a battle of teams unbeaten in conference play. However, with Highlands playing Valley then a Freeport win forces a 3-way tie at the top of the conference. Freeport needs to beat Imani by 6 points or more in order to win the tiebreaker for the conference title. Imani just needs a win or a loss by 5 points or fewer to win the conference title. Freeport’s attack is led by the dynamic duo of Drew Ross and Amos Glenn, both of whom have made plays in all three phases of the game. Glenn is a threat to score any time he gets his hands on the ball and is the WPIAL’s second-leading scorer with 28 total touchdowns this season in combination of offense and special teams. Glenn is the feature back and has run for 935 yards with 161 receiving yards. Senior QB Drew Ross is a dual-threat who has thrown for 606 yards and 9 TDs and run for 209 yards and 6 scores. When the Yellow Jackets aren’t feeding the ball to Glenn, Ross tends to target WR Owen Neistein (244 yards 4 TDs) on the outside. Imani’s team is loaded with D1 talent, starting with a pair of former Penn State-commits. Gabe Jenkins has thrown for 1318 yards and 24 TDs while running for 898 yards and 8 scores. David Davis, whose future is likely at defensive back, plays the slot back role on offense and has 389 receiving yards, 244 rushing yards, and 11 total TDs. Imani has five players with over 200 rushing yards this season. In addition to Jenkins and Davis, Anthony Portis (442 yards, 3 TDs), Tyvon Sewell (398 yards, 6 TDs) and Daniels Stevens (219 rushing yards, 124 receiving yards, 6 total TDs) are used in the Saints rushing attack. On the outside, Robert Torres-Johnson (325 yards, 6 TDs) leads the receiving corps. On the defensive side of the ball, Imani has one of the best pair of EDGE rushers in the entire WPIAL in Youngstown State-commit Will Gorman and junior Da’Juan Craighead (who has offers from WVU and Duke).
North Catholic (3-2, 6-3) at Hopewell (2-3, 6-3)
The battle for the last guaranteed playoff spot in the Western Hills Conference comes down to these two teams. North Catholic can earn it outright with a win over Hopewell. With Beaver playing Avonworth, a Hopewell win would force a 3-way tie. Hopewell would get the guaranteed spot with a win by 6 points or more and North Catholic would get the guaranteed spot with a loss by 5 points or fewer. Regardless of who finishes 3rd, I think all three will get into the playoffs with the other two getting wild cards. This game has all the makings of a shootout. Both teams average over 38 points per game. North Catholic boasts the WPIAL’s leading passer Joey Felitsky, who has thrown for 2098 yards and 29 TDs this year. Running back Logan Schade has been an all-around star with 715 rushing yards, 115 receiving yards, and 15 total TDs. Nate Swisher (329 yards, 4 TDs) is used in a complementary role out of the backfield. Felitsky has a plethora of talented receivers to throw to, led by Preston Simko (634 yards, 14 TDs), Will Waskiewicz (589 yards, 9 TDs), Ryker Kennedy (497 yards, 3 TDs), and Tom Arth (208 yards, 5 TDs). Hopewell’s resurgence has been led by dual-threat QB James Armstrong who has thrown for 1885 yards and 19 TDs and run for 611 yards and 13 TDs. Armstrong has been playing through injury the last few weeks, which opened up opportunities for explosive RB Nasir Wade (1005 rushing yards, 353 receiving yards, 11 total TDs) to shoulder the load of the offense. Overall, Hopewell’s top four rushers all average over 7 yards per carry, a credit to the talent on their offensive line. On the outside, Armstrong has 5 receivers with over 200 yards, led by Tre Cameron (522 yards, 5 TDs), Avery Bokor (386 yards, 5 TDs), and Logan Triscilla (351 yards, 3 TDs).
Other Big Games: Derry clinches a playoff spot with a win over last place Yough or if Mt Pleasant loses to Elizabeth Forward. Mt. Pleasant, given their head-to-head loss to Burrell, likely needs both of those results inverted in order to make the playoffs. Burrell just needs to avoid an upset by Deer Lakes to feel good about their wild card chances against Mt. Pleasant.
2A Games of the Week
Washington (5-0, 8-1) at Seton LaSalle (5-0, 8-1)
The Game of the Week in the WPIAL is the outright battle for the Century Conference title. Seton’s only loss was in Week 0 against North Catholic and Washington’s only defeat was to Steel Valley. The winner earns the conference title and a first round bye in the playoffs. On paper these teams are very similar, both averaging over 42 points per game and holding opponents under 11 points per game. The catalyst for Washington’s offense is dual-threat QB Tristan Reed (1042 passing yards, 8 TDs; 358 rushing yards, 12 TDs). The Prexies have 9 players with over 100 rushing yards led by Reed, Jamarie Walker (383 yards, 7 TDs) and Jahvon Woods (255 yards, 9 TDs). On the outside, Reed’s best receivers have been Caleb Patten (354 yards, 2 TDs) and Blaise Naraskivitch (240 yards, 4 TDs). Ameer Nelson is a swiss army knife that will pop up all over the offense with 290 rushing yards, 234 receiving yards, and 5 total TDs. Seton started the year with Jack Meade (307 yards, 5 TDs) playing quarterback but have slowly transitioned to Kia Jones Jr (642 passing yards, 5 TDs; 422 rushing yards, 4 TDs). Both will likely see time at quarterback this week. Jones and leading rusher Kymarr Freeman (1064 rushing yards, 142 receiving yards, 19 total TDs) average over 10 yards per carry behind Seton’s stout offensive line. Deondre Hill (456 yards, 5 TDs) will also see some work in the backfield. The Rebels ground game has been so good this year they are only averaging about 12 pass attempts per game. When they do take to the air, Matthew Brodzinski (278 yards, 3 TDs) has been the top target. Seton’s stout defense is led by a pair of FCS-commits at linebacker – Will Martin (Duquesne) and Aaron Loritts (Monmouth).
Steel Valley (4-1, 6-3) at South Allegheny (5-0, 9-0)
South Allegheny can clinch their first outright conference title since 1986 with a win over Steel Valley. As the only undefeated team in 2A, South Allegheny has the inside track to the #1 overall seed with a win. A Steel Valley victory would force a three-way tie atop the conference. South Allegheny wins the tiebreaker if they lose by 6 points or less. Steel Valley would need a win by 7 points or more to win the tiebreaker for the conference title. Steel Valley’s offense runs through Pitt-commit Da’Ron Barksdale. The Ironmen have used him all over the field and he has put up 1329 rushing yards, 87 receiving yards, and 21 total TDs. Barksdale has even played some quarterback this year, throwing for 211 yards and 2 TDs. In Week 3, Steel Valley brought in Tyson Barron (468 yards, 5 TDs) at quarterback to split time with Barksdale. While Steel Valley is a run-heavy squad, when they do take to the air Tyrell Breland (433 yards, 3 TDs) has been the top target. South Allegheny has a D1 talent on the outside in WR Drew Cook (719 yards, 18 total TDs). To throw him the ball, the Gladiators plugged in Alijah Cook (1148 yards, 22 TDs) this season with tremendous success. The most impressive aspect of South Allegheny’s team is their offensive line play with their top three backs all averaging over 7 yards per carry. Joey Gamert (712 yards, 13 TDs) is the feature back with Hakim Harrell (387 yards, 4 TDs) and home run hitter Austin Schane (202 yards, 5 TDs) playing complementary roles.
Other Big Games: In the Midwestern Conference, there are two games to decide guaranteed playoff spots. The Ellwood City-Beaver Falls winner is in. Riverside is in with a win over Mohawk. Mohawk needs a win over Riverside AND a Beaver Falls loss in order to get in. The two losing teams will likely have chances at Wild Cards, though a Mohawk loss puts them in danger of falling behind New Brighton in the standings. OLSH should be in good position for a wild card and can improve their seeding with a win over Keystone Oaks. Defending champions South Park need to beat Shady Side Academy to have any hope of getting a wild card.
1A Game of the Week
Neshannock (4-1, 7-2) at Laurel (5-0, 8-1)
This Lawrence County showdown will decide the Big Seven Conference title. Laurel just needs a win or a loss by less than 10 points to earn the crown. A Neshannock win likely forces a three-way tie with South Side Beaver. South Side faces Rochester who they will likely boatrace. If Neshannock wins by 10 points or more, then there will be a perfect three-way tie at the top with all of the tiebreakers being exactly even. Neshannock is a run-first team but will balance their offensive attack through dual-threat QB Jino Mozzocio (883 passing yards, 9 TDs; 409 rushing yards, 10 TDs). Complementing Mozzocio in the backfield are leading rusher Anthony Eakin (745 yards, 14 TDs) and Justin Edworthy (339 yards, 5 TDs). Overall, the Lancers have four players with over 100 rushing yards and four players with over 150 receiving yards on the season. On the outside, Mozzocio has relied on the big-play tandem of Brady Frasso (190 yards, 2 TDs) and Ryan Cameron (182 yards, 2 TDs) who both average over 20 yards per reception. Laurel is averaging over 43 points per game and is one of just three 1A squads (Clairton and Fort Cherry are the other) holding opponents under 10 points per game. The Spartans offense is led by Luca Santini (1038 yards, 18 TDs) who broke the school’s career passing record this season. Laurel will do everything they can to get the ball in the hands of dynamic playmaker Kolton Carlson (469 receiving yds, 499 rushing yds, 15 total TDs). Laurel does have a strong running game in addition to Carlson with Nathan Hill (470 yards, 14 TDs) and Jack Jones (227 yards, 2 TDs) seeing their share of carries. Santini’s favorite target has been Jack Miles (182 yards, 7 TDs).
Other Big Games: California can lock up the Tri-County South title with a win over Jefferson-Morgan. However, if Jefferson-Morgan beats Cal and Bentworth beats Avella, then Bentworth would win the three-way tie at the top on tiebreaker points. The Cornell-Monessen winner likely gets a wild card. Frazier has put together a great second half to the season and just needs to beat winless Springdale to put themselves in solid position for a Wild Card. The three teams below Frazier in the Eastern Conference (Brentwood, Riverview, and GCC) play the top teams in the conference (Clairton, Jeannette, and Leechburg respectively). Any one of those three that could pull an upset would dramatically improve their Wild Card standing. Avella has 6 wins, which is more than anyone else in the Wild Card race but has a tough game against Bentworth and played a bad non-conference schedule. The final two wild cards will be decided between six teams – the Cornell/Monessen loser, the three from the Eastern Conference, Shenango, or Avella.
