Class 6A was dominated by the top three teams this season. Central Catholic, Pine-Richland, and North Allegheny swept the rest of the classification and split their head-to-head games. The three-way tie at the top of the conference was won by Central Catholic on tiebreaker points, as their only loss was by 1 point to North Allegheny. Pine-Richland earned the other first round bye due to their head-to-head win over rival North Allegheny in Week 9. The top 3 teams all averaged over 33 points per game and all held opponents under 14 per game. The bottom half of the classification struggled this season with five teams finishing below .500.
Other WPIAL Playoff Primers: 6A, 5A, 4A, 3A, 2A, 1A
The Bracket
The Teams
Central Catholic Vikings
Conference Record: 7-1 Overall Record: 9-1
How they got here: Central Catholic had the best defense in 6A this season, holding opponents to just 9 points per game. Their only loss came in Week 2 against North Allegheny when NA returned a punt for a touchdown then went for 2 and the win with just a minute to go. The Vikings enter the playoffs on a 7-game winning streak, including a 28-14 victory over Pine-Richland.
Recent History: Central Catholic is making their 17th consecutive playoff appearance. Last year’s first round loss to Seneca Valley was the first time since 2012 that Central Catholic did not reach Heinz Field. The Vikings have won 3 of the last 6 WPIAL titles.
WPIAL Playoff Appearances: 26
All-Time WPIAL Playoff Record: 45-19
Best Playoff Result: Won WPIAL Championship in 2003, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015, and 2016. Won PIAA title in 1988, 2004, 2007, and 2015.
Pine-Richland Rams
Conference Record: 7-1 Overall Record: 9-1
How they got here: The Rams topped rival North Allegheny in Week 9 to force a 3-way tie for first place and earn a first round bye. Pine-Richland has the highest-scoring offense in 6A at 40 points per game and has 6A’s leading passer in Cole Spencer (2490 yards, 29 TDs).
Recent History: Pine-Richland is the two-time defending WPIAL 6A Champions and is making their 7th consecutive playoff appearance. The Rams also won the WPIAL title in 2014. Pine-Richland has reached at least the semifinals in five straight seasons.
WPIAL Playoff Appearances: 20
All-Time WPIAL Playoff Record: 27-13
Best Playoff Result: Won the WPIAL Championship last year but lost to St Joe’s Prep in the PIAA semifinals. Won both the WPIAL and PIAA Championships in 2017. Also won the WPIAL Championship in 2003 (AAA) and 2014 (AAAA). Richland High School won the WPIAL title in 1969 and 1970.
North Allegheny Tigers:
Conference Record: 7-1 Overall Record: 9-1
How they got here: North Allegheny was off to a perfect 9-0 start before losing to Pine-Richland in Week 9. They lost the three-way tie and did not get a first round bye, but will take on Canon-McMillan in the first round who they beat 42-6 earlier this year.
Recent History: North Allegheny is making their 16th consecutive playoff appearance. The Tigers have lost in the semifinals each of the last three seasons. Last year they were the #1 overall seed and were upset by Seneca Valley in the semifinals.
WPIAL Playoff Appearances: 33
All-Time WPIAL Playoff Record: 47-28
Best Playoff Result: Won WPIAL Championship in 1990, 2010, 2011 and 2012. Won PIAA title in 1990, 2010 and 2012.
Mt Lebanon Blue Devils
Conference Record: 5-3 Overall Record: 6-4
How they got here: It has been an emotional season for Mt. Lebanon. Under new coach Bob Palko (who has won more WPIAL titles than any other coach), the Blue Devils are also playing for high school principal Brian McFeeley who is battling cancer. Both Mt. Lebanon and opposing teams and student sections have donned green “McFeeley Strong” shirts this season.
Recent History: Mt Lebanon is making their 18th playoff appearance in the last 21 years. Last year they reached the semifinals for the first time since 2005.
WPIAL Playoff Appearances: 39
All-Time WPIAL Playoff Record: 39-31-0
Best Playoff Result: Won WPIAL Championship in 1966 (AAA), 1970 (AAA), 1980, 1981, 1983, 1984, and 2000. Lost to Erie Prep in the PIAA semifinals in 2000.
Seneca Valley Raiders
Conference Record: 4-4 Overall Record: 4-6
How they got here: Seneca Valley was a middle-of-the-pack team in every respect. Their 4 wins all came by at least 20 points but they also had 4 losses by 14 or more. Their closest games were a 6-point loss to Mt. Lebanon and a 3-point loss to Central Catholic.
Recent History: Seneca Valley is making their 7th playoff appearance in the last 9 years. They have reached the WPIAL Championship Game in two of the last three seasons, losing to Central Catholic in 2016 and Pine-Richland in 2018.
WPIAL Playoff Appearances: 14
All-Time WPIAL Playoff Record: 13-14
Best Playoff Result: Have reached the WPIAL Championship Game three times. In 1989 they lost to Aliquippa in the AAA Championship Game 17-9 and in 2016 they lost to Central Catholic in the inaugural 6A Championship Game 42-7. Last year the Raiders fell to Pine-Richland in the WPIAL Championship 34-7.
Canon-McMillan Big Macs
Conference Record: 3-5 Overall Record: 3-7
How they got here: Canon-Mac had the third-worst offense in 6A, averaging just 16 points per game. Their 21-12 Week 4 victory over Hempfield and their Week 7 win over Norwin was enough to get the Big Macs back to the playoffs.
Recent History: This is Canon-McMillan second straight playoff appearance. Last year the Big Macs made the playoffs for the first time since 2008.
WPIAL Playoff Appearances: 11
All-Time WPIAL Playoff Record: 1-9-1
Best Playoff Result: Canon-McMillan’s lone playoff win came in 2004 when they beat Belle Vernon in the first round of the AAA playoffs. Canonsburg High School tied New Brighton in the 1950 Class A (which became AA) Championship Game.
Players to Watch
Cole Spencer (QB – Pine-Richland) – Spencer led 6A in passing with 2490 yards and 29 TDs.
Eddy Tillman (RB – Central Catholic) – Tillman led 6A in rushing with 1546 yard and 22 TDs.
Eli Jochem (WR – Pine-Richland) – 6A’s leading receiver with 967 yards and 13 TDs
AJ Beatty (DE – Central Catholic) – The North Carolina-commit has been an absolute force as the anchor of Central’s defense.
Jake Lugg (OT – North Allegheny) – The Tigers dominant rushing attack has a Harvard-commit anchoring the line to plow the way.
Josh Kaltenberger & Kevin Meeder (OL/DL – Seneca Valley) – The Raiders have one of the top lines in 6A, with these two two-way linemen leading the way.
Evan Jones (Mt. Lebanon) – Jones has done a little bit of everything for the Blue Devils this season, with 665 yards of total offense between rushing and receiving plus he has thrown for over 130 yards. All told, Jones has accounted for 11 total TDs.
