This year’s 5A playoff field has a bit of a different look. For the first time since 1995, Woodland Hills failed to make the playoffs. Their 23-year streak was the third-longest in the WPIAL behind Thomas Jefferson and Aliquippa. The Wolverines had a number of close losses (by 4 to Upper St Clair, by 3 to Baldwin, and by 1 to West Allegheny) that ultimately sealed their fate. The Allegheny Eight Conference was without a doubt the deepest league in the WPIAL this season and both Woodland Hills and West Allegheny (who missed the playoffs for the first time since 2008) will be watching from home. Meanwhile, the bottom half of the Northern Conference saw a number of teams beat each other which ultimately enabled Fox Chapel to nab the Wild Card and six Northern Conference teams to qualify for the playoffs.
Other WPIAL Playoff Primers: 6A, 5A, 4A, 3A, 2A, 1A
The Bracket
The Teams
Allegheny Eight Conference
Moon Tigers
Conference Record: 6-1 Overall Record: 8-2
How they got here: Moon won their first Conference Championship since 2003 thanks to a Week 6 victory over Peters Twp. The Tigers only losses came against Pine-Richland and in overtime to Bethel Park. Moon ended the year on a 4-game winning streak, including a 14-12 victory over rival West Allegheny that kept the Indians out of the playoffs and gave Moon the conference crown.
Recent History: Moon is making their first playoff appearance since 2014. The Tigers have not won a playoff game since 2006. This is just Moon’s third playoff appearance in the last 13 years.
WPIAL Playoff Appearances: 15
All-Time WPIAL Playoff Record: 13-13
Best Playoff Result: Won WPIAL Championship in 1998, defeating Blackhawk in the AAA Championship at Three Rivers Stadium. Lost to Allentown Central Catholic in the 1998 PIAA Championship Game.
Peters Twp Indians
Conference Record: 6-1 Overall Record: 9-1
How they got here: Peters Twp had the best offense in the conference and fourth-best in 5A (32 points per game). The Indians also had the best defense in the classification, allowing just 9 points per game.
Recent History: Peters Twp is making their third consecutive playoff appearance. Last year they got their first playoff victory since 2003, defeating Armstrong 35-7 and Penn-Trafford in the 5A Game of the Year 38-35. The Indians run came to an end in the semifinals with a loss to eventual WPIAL and PIAA Champions Penn Hills.
WPIAL Playoff Appearances: 15
All-Time WPIAL Playoff Record: 4-14
Best Playoff Result: Peters Township reached the semifinals last year, losing to Penn Hills. The Indians also reached the AA semifinals in 1972 and 1976.
Bethel Park Black Hawks
Conference Record: 5-2 Overall Record: 6-3
How they got here: The Black Hawks sat alone in first place in the conference after beating Moon in Week 5 then Peters Twp’s loss in Week 6. But they dropped two straight – an overtime loss to rival Baldwin then a loss to Peters to fall back into the middle of the pack. Bethel Park rebounded to beat Upper St Clair in Week 9 by 1 point to earn a home playoff game.
Recent History: Bethel Park is making their 19th consecutive playoff appearance. In that stretch they have only made it past the quarterfinals twice. Lost to Franklin Regional in the opening round last year.
WPIAL Playoff Appearances: 27
All-Time WPIAL Playoff Record: 19-25
Best Playoff Result: Won WPIAL Championship in 2008. Lost to Liberty in 2008 PIAA Championship Game in overtime.
Upper St Clair Panthers
Conference Record: 4-3 Overall Record: 6-4
How they got here: The “Cardiac Cats” have played 8 games within two scores this season. They had narrow victories over Woodland Hills and Wet Allegheny which set them up well to make the playoffs in Mike Junko’s first year after taking over for Jim Render. The Panthers lost to Bethel Park in Week 9 when they went for a 2-point conversion and the win in the 4th quarter but failed on the attempt.
Recent History: Upper St Clair is making their 20th consecutive playoff appearance. The Panthers lost in the first round to McKeesport last year after making the semifinals in 2017.
WPIAL Playoff Appearances: 38
All-Time WPIAL Playoff Record: 45-30-2
Best Playoff Result: Won WPIAL Championship in 1988, 1989, 1992, 1997, and 2006. Tied for the 1974 (AAA) and 1975 (AAA) WPIAL title (no overtime). Won the PIAA Championship in 1989 and 2006.
Baldwin Highlanders
Conference Record: 4-3 Overall Record: 5-5
How they got here: Two overtime victories got the Highlanders to the playoffs after a 1-3 start. Baldwin topped Woodland Hills 30-27 in Week 4 then Bethel Park 31-28 in Week 7.
Recent History: Baldwin is making their first playoff appearance since 2013. This is just their third playoff appearance in the last 14 seasons.
WPIAL Playoff Appearances: 13
All-Time WPIAL Playoff Record: 1-12
Best Playoff Result: Baldwin has won 1 playoff game in school history, a first round victory over North Hills in 1991.
Big East Conference
Penn-Trafford Warriors
Conference Record: 6-0 Overall Record: 9-1
How they got here: Penn-Trafford’s only loss came against a very good Massillion (OH) team that they scheduled when Albert Gallatin left the WPIAL. The Warriors won 8 of their 9 games against WPIAL opponents by 21+ points. Penn-Trafford was 5A’s highest-scoring team at 38 points per game.
Recent History: This is the 16th playoff appearance in the last 17 years for Penn-Trafford. The Warriors lost at Heinz Field in 2015 (in AAAA) and in 2017 (in 5A). Last year they lost the 5A Game of the Year in the quarterfinals, a back-and-forth game with Peters Twp that ended 38-35.
WPIAL Playoff Appearances: 28
All-Time WPIAL Playoff Record: 18-27
Best Playoff Result: Reached the WPIAL Championship game in 1997, 2015, and 2017. Lost to Upper St Clair 28-27 in the 1997 Championship, lost to Central Catholic 24-17 in 2015, and lost to Gateway 21-16 in 2017. Trafford High School lost to Bridgeville in the 1949 Class B (which became single-A) Championship Game and Penn Joint lost to Albert Gallatin in the 1961 Class A (which became AA) Championship Game.
Gateway Gators
Conference Record: 5-1 Overall Record: 8-2
How they got here: Like Penn-Trafford, Gateway also scheduled a game against Massillion (OH) which they lost. Gateway’s only defeat by a WPIAL opponent came against Penn-Trafford in Week 1. The Gators finished second in 5A in scoring (36 points per game) and third in defense (12 points against per game) and have the best junior in the State of Pennsylvania in RB/S Derrick Davis.
Recent History: Gateway has made the playoffs in 17 of the last 18 years. In 2017 Gateway defeated Penn-Trafford 21-16 in the WPIAL Championship to win their first title since 1986. The Gators made it to the State Championship Game where they lost to Archbishop Wood. Last year after an undefeated regular season, Gateway was upset by West Allegheny in the semifinals.
WPIAL Playoff Appearances: 34
All-Time WPIAL Playoff Record: 48-27-2
Best Playoff Result: Gateway won the WPIAL 5A Championship in 2017 and also won the WPIAL AAA Championship in 1969, 1972, 1974, and 1986. Gateway tied North Hills 0-0 in the 1985 Championship Game before the WPIAL had overtime. The 2017 run to the State title game was their best result in the PIAA playoffs.
McKeesport Tigers
Conference Record: 4-2 Overall Record: 7-3
How they got here: McKeesport’s triple-option attack was the third-highest scoring offense in 5A (34 points per game). The Tigers’ 17-point loss to Penn-Trafford was Penn-Trafford’s closest WPIAL competition this season.
Recent History: McKeesport is making their 22st consecutive playoff appearance. They lost the WPIAL Championship Game in overtime to West Allegheny in 2016. McKeesport has lost to the eventual WPIAL Champions each of the last two years, falling to Gateway in the 2017 semifinals and Penn Hills in the 2018 quarterfinals.
WPIAL Playoff Appearances: 29
All-Time WPIAL Playoff Record: 30-25
Best Playoff Result: Won WPIAL Championship in 1938 (AAA), 1994 and 2005. Won PIAA title in 1994 and 2005.
Franklin Regional Panthers
Conference Record: 3-3 Overall Record: 4-4
How they got here: Franklin Regional played the fewest games of any WPIAL team this season. They did not schedule a Week 0 game and did not schedule a non-WPIAL opponent to replace Albert Gallatin. After a 3-0 start, the Panthers won just 1 of their last 5 games.
Recent History: Franklin Regional is making their 16th consecutive playoff appearance. They have lost in the quarterfinals each of the last three seasons.
WPIAL Playoff Appearances: 20
All-Time WPIAL Playoff Record: 20-18
Best Playoff Result: Won WPIAL Championship in 2005, beating Thomas Jefferson 31-14. Won PIAA Championship in 2005, beating Pottsville 23-13.
Latrobe Wildcats
Conference Record: 2-4 Overall Record: 5-5
How they got here: Latrobe got a win over rival Derry in Week 0 but won just 1 of their next 6 games. But the Wildcats topped Plum 28-20 in a Week 7 Casket Match to earn their second straight trip to the playoffs. They then won non-conference games in the final two weeks to finish the season on a 3-game winning streak.
Recent History: Last year Latrobe reached the playoffs for the first time since 2009. This is their first back-to-back playoff appearance since 2005 and 2006.
WPIAL Playoff Appearances: 11
All-Time WPIAL Playoff Record: 1-9
Best Playoff Result: Latrobe’s lone playoff victory came in the 1968 WPIAL AA (which became AAA) Championship over Kiski.
Northern Conference
Penn Hills Indians
Conference Record: 7-0 Overall Record: 9-1
How they got here: In a Week 0 battle of defending WPIAL Champions, Penn Hills lost to Pine-Richland. The Indians have not lost to a 5A team since moving down in classification last year. They had a few close calls this year with a 7-point win over Mars and a 4-point win over Kiski in consecutive weeks.
Recent History: Penn Hills is making their 6th playoff appearance in the last 7 years and their 20th in the last 22 years. The Indians are the defending 5A WPIAL and PIAA Champions. Penn Hills defeated West Allegheny in the WPIAL Championship and Manheim Central in the PIAA Championship last season.
WPIAL Playoff Appearances: 37
All-Time WPIAL Playoff Record: 38-30-1
Best Playoff Result: Won the WPIAL AAA Championship in 1976 and 1978. Tied Butler for the 1977 WPIAL AAA Championship (no overtime). Defeated Gateway in the 1979 WPIAL Championship Game, which was later vacated by the WPIAL because of an ineligible player. A federal judge overturned the WPIAL’s decision and restored the 1979 title to Penn Hills. Won the 1995 WPIAL AAAA Championship by defeating Upper St Clair 20-13. Defeated Lower Dauphin 35-14 to win the 1995 PIAA AAAA Championship. Defeated West Allegheny 28-18 in the 2018 WPIAL 5A Championship and Manheim Central 36-31 in the PIAA 5A Championship.
North Hills Indians
Conference Record: 5-2 Overall Record: 6-4
How they got here: After a 4-0 start, North Hills hit a rough patch in the middle of their schedule, losing 3 in a row to Peters Twp, Gateway, and Mars. After bouncing back to win 2 in a row they set up a showdown against Penn Hills for the Conference Title in Week 9.
Recent History: North Hills has qualified for the playoffs in 7 of the last 8 years. They have not won a playoff game since 2010.
WPIAL Playoff Appearances: 34
All-Time WPIAL Playoff Record: 37-29-1
Best Playoff Result: Won WPIAL Championship in 1982, 1987, and 1993. Tied for the WPIAL title in 1985 (no overtime). Won PIAA title in 1993.
Kiski Cavaliers
Conference Record: 4-3 Overall Record: 5-5
How they got here: Kiski rebounded from a 1-3 start in conference play to beat Hampton in Week 5. The Cavaliers won their final two outings over Mars and Armstrong to catapult themselves to a third place finish.
Recent History: This is Kiski’s second straight playoff appearance. Kiski reached the playoffs 3 times in a 4-year stretch between 2011 and 2015. The Cavaliers have not won a playoff game since a trip to the AAAA semifinals in 1990.
WPIAL Playoff Appearances: 21
All-Time WPIAL Playoff Record: 6-19
Best Playoff Result: Defeated Thomas Jefferson 16-8 in the 1971 WPIAL AA (which became AAA) Championship. Lost in the WPIAL Championship Games in 1968, 1970, and 1986.
Mars Fighting Planets
Conference Record: 4-3 Overall Record: 6-4
How they got here: Mars featured 5A’s leading rusher in Teddy Ruffner but limped to the finish, losing by 2 to Fox Chapel and by 3 to Kiski. Those two losses cost the Planets a home playoff game.
Recent History: Mars is making their 15th consecutive playoff appearance. After reaching the AAA semifinals in 2015, they have lost in the first round each of the last three seasons.
WPIAL Playoff Appearances: 24
All-Time WPIAL Playoff Record: 18-23
Best Playoff Result: Reached the WPIAL AA Championship Game in 1996 and 2002. Lost 26-16 to Aliquippa in 1996 and 20-6 to Seton-La Salle in 2002.
Shaler Titans
Conference Record: 3-4 Overall Record: 4-6
How they got here: Shaler came from behind to beat Fox Chapel in Week 9, securing the head-to-head tiebreaker for 5th place in the conference.
Recent History: Last year, Shaler broke a 7-year playoff drought. In that time span they have had losing streaks of 34 games (2011-2015) and 24 games (2015-Week 0 2018). Shaler has not won a playoff game since 2000.
WPIAL Playoff Appearances: 14
All-Time WPIAL Playoff Record: 4-13
Best Playoff Result: Shaler lost to Blairsville in the 1947 Class A (which became AA) Championship. Millvale High School, which was later merged into Shaler Area School District, lost to Masontown in the 1940 Class B (which became Single-A) Championship Game and tied Avella in the 1941 Championship Game.
Fox Chapel Foxes
Conference Record: 3-4 Overall Record: 4-6
How they got here: After an 0-4 start, Fox Chapel won 4 of their next 4 games to set themselves up in solid playoff position. However, they lost the season finale to Shaler which dropped them into 6th place but their narrow victories over Hampton and Mars were enough to earn them the Wild Card.
Recent History: This is Fox Chapel’s second playoff appearance in the last three seasons. The Foxes have not won a playoff game since 1997.
WPIAL Playoff Appearances: 12
All-Time WPIAL Playoff Record: 5-11
Best Playoff Result: Fox Chapel has reached the WPIAL semifinals four times, most recently in 1997 (in AAAA). The Foxes also reached the AAA semfinals in 1977, the AAAA semifinals in 1983 and the AAA semifinals in 1984. Aspinwall High School (which was later merged into Fox Chapel in 1962) won the WPIAL Class B (later Single-A) Championship in 1943 over Pitcairn and 1944 over East Pittsburgh. Aspinwall lost in the Class B Championship Games in 1936 and 1950.
Players to Watch
Derrick Davis (RB/S – Gateway) – The best junior in the state of Pennsylvania has dominated this season on both sides of the ball. Offensively, Davis has run for over 1200 yards and led the Gators with nearly 500 receiving yards and scored 25 TDs.
Ethan Dahlem (QB – Upper St Clair) – Dahlem was the catalyst for the Panthers offense. He led 5A in passing with 2077 yards and 16 TDs and led his team in rushing with 762 yards and 11 TDs.
David Pantelis (WR – Upper St Clair) – The WPIAL’s leading receiver racked up 1135 yards and 9 TDs.
Teddy Ruffner (RB – Mars) – Ruffner led 5A in rushing and finished third overall in the WPIAL with 1847 yards and 25 TDs.
Gabe Dunlap (QB – Penn-Trafford) – With injuries to the Warriors top running backs, Dunlap took the helm of the offense and threw for 1426 yards and 14 TDs and ran for 804 yards and 10 TDs.
Aakeem Snell & Anthony Grimes (DB – Penn Hills) – Penn Hills was not as offensively explosive this season as their PIAA-Championship team last year, but their defense continued the run of excellence, anchored by these two D1 talents in the secondary.
Devari Robinson (QB – McKeesport) – Robinson has led McKeesport’s triple-option attack and run for over 1100 yards and 26 TDs this season. The Tigers don’t throw much but have a D1 talent on the outside in Deamontae Diggs.
Mason Stahl (QB – Baldwin) – The dual-threat QB led the Highlanders to the playoffs for the first time since 2013. Stahl threw for 918 yards and 7 TDs and ran for 754 yards and 11 TDs.
