We are nearly halfway into the WPIAL football season and conference play is under way. Last week’s games saw a record number of blowouts. In Week 3, the average margin of victory was 30.17 points which was the second-highest weekly margin of victory in the last 6 years. Only Week 4 of 2018 was higher. Interestingly, Week 1 of the 2022 season had the lowest margin of victory (18.98 points) over the last six seasons. This is proof that the WPIAL did a great job scheduling non-conference opponents of similar quality, but the conference slate may see more disparity. On this week’s edition of the WPIAL Blitz Show, we interviewed first-year Highlands Head Coach Matt Bonislawski to talk about the Rams 4-0 start and win over North Catholic which ended the Trojans’ 25-game conference winning streak.

One under-the-radar game this week is Ringgold taking on Connellsville. Ringgold has the longest conference losing streak in the WPIAL (29 games) and Connellsville has lost 16 straight conference games (the third-longest streak in the WPIAL). With Connellsville moving down from 5A to 4A, these two are now conference opponents and with Friday night’s game one of the streaks will come to an end!

This year, our WPIAL coverage is proudly presented by Sports Solutions Marketing. The Sports Solutions network provides pay per view hosting and broadcasting for high school sporting events. More information is available via EasternPAFootball.com.

I will once again be doing a pregame spot on WMBS Radio. You can listen to the show here, starting at 6pm on Friday. This weekend, WMBS will be broadcasting Laurel Highlands taking on Latrobe. Check out the full game preview below and my recap of my trip to Laurel Highlands last week.

Be sure to keep tabs on our WPIAL Standings Page for updated standings and playoff clinchings and follow our WPIAL Twitter account @WPIAL_Blitz and check out our WPIAL Blitz Facebook Page.

6A Games of the Week

North Allegheny (1-0, 4-0) at Central Catholic (2-2, 0-1)

North Allegheny is the only 6A team off to an unbeaten start. The Tigers are the highest-scoring team in 6A, averaging nearly 40 points per game. Their only conference game has been a win over Canon-Mac. On the other hand, Central Catholic has had an inconsistent season, starting the year against schools from Ohio and Philadelphia before needing a 4th quarter pick-six to get past Bethel Park. Last week, the Vikings opened conference play with a loss to Mt. Lebanon, blowing a 16-point lead in the fourth quarter. Both of these teams were traditionally run-heavy schools who have seen a proliferation of their passing attacks this season. North Allegheny QB Logan Kushner has thrown for 723 yards and 9 TDs, primarily to Khiryn Boyd (445 yards, 4 TDs). On the ground, Andrew Gavlik (309 yards, 3 TDs) and Tyree Alualu (143 yards, 3 TDs) are both averaging over 6 yards per carry. Central Catholic’s offense runs through QB Payton Wehner (683 yards, 5 TDs). His primary receivers are the talented tandem of Vernon Settles (189 yards) and Peter Gonzalez (116 yards, 2 TDs). On the ground, Amari Shields (337 yards, 1 TD) has been the top back. Central is loaded on defense with a number of D1 prospects, led by LB Anthony Speca who is one of the best linebackers in the WPIAL.

Seneca Valley (0-1, 2-2) at Mt. Lebanon (1-0, 2-2)

This is a matchup of teams who have had up-and-down starts to the season. Seneca Valley held off Penn Hills in the season opener thanks to a missed field goal then lost to Peters Twp the following week on a last-second field goal. The Raiders opened conference play with a loss to Canon-Mac but bounced back last week to win a defensive struggle with Pine-Richland. Mt. Lebanon has improved as the season has gone on. The Blue Devils had to replace nearly all of their starters from the State title-winning team. They lost their first two outings to Gateway and Bethel Park but bounced back to beat Moon and stage a 17-point 4th quarter comeback against Central Catholic last week. Seneca Valley’s offense is built around their passing game and QB Graham Hancox (813 yards, 7 TDs). The Raiders have a slew of good receivers in Navy-commit Luke Lawson (215 yards, 2 TDs), Amari Henson (211 yards, 1 TD), and big-play machine Jackson Wetzel (188 yards, 3 TDs). Wyatt Craver has run for 314 yards and 1 TD, though Hancox has been a factor at the goal line scoring 3 rushing TDs. Toledo-commit Chris D’Appolonia has been a force on defense at outside linebacker. Mt. Lebanon has had to overcome an injury at quarterback and the reins have been handed to sophomore QB David Shields (451 yards, 5 TDs). Last week the star was Mike Beiersdorf who had a receiving touchdown and a pick-six in the fourth quarter to bring Lebo back against Central Catholic. Beiersdorf has 4 total TDs this year and is joined on the outside by Garrett Pavlick (254 yards, 1 TD) and JP Walters (100 yards, 2 TDs). On the ground, Nathan Sala (156 yards, 1 TD) and Beckham Dee (125 yards, 1 TD) have shared the workload for the Blue Devils.

5A Games of the Week

Peters Twp (1-0, 4-0) at Upper St Clair (1-0, 4-0)

This matchup of undefeated teams in the Allegheny Six Conference is one of the headliners of the weekend. Both teams are averaging over 40 points per game, two of the three highest-scoring teams in 5A. Defensively, both have been stout, holding opponents under 20 points per game. Peters Twp boasts the WPIAL’s leading passer Chris Cibrone (1167 yards, 12 TDs) and leading receiver Brendan McCullough (600 yards, 5 TDs). Carter Shanafelt (177 yards, 4 TDs) has also been a factor in the passing game. Richie Woods has been an all-around threat with 505 rushing yards, 101 receiving yards, and 7 total TDs. On the other side, Upper St Clair has a balanced offensive attack led by dual-threat QB Julian Dahlem who has thrown for 460 yards and 10 TDs and run for 166 yards and 3 scores. His favorite targets have been Aidan Besselman (247 yards, 5 TDs) and Jacob Hufnagel (112 yards, 2 TDs). The Panthers ground game has been very good this season with the explosive Jamaal Brown (515 yards, 4 TDs) averaging over 12 yards per carry.

Penn-Trafford (0-0, 3-1) at Hempfield (0-0, 4-0)

Both of these teams have had successful starts to non-conference play and now kick off their conference slate by renewing an old rivalry. Penn-Trafford is the defending 5A WPIAL and PIAA Champions. They have restocked their roster and the only setback came against a talented McKeesport squad. Hempfield is one of the best turnaround stories of the young season. The Spartans moved down from 6A to 5A and are off to their first 4-0 start since 1971, and scored 49 points in their first three games before being held to a mere 48 last week. This is Hempfield’s first conference game and it comes against the defending 5A Champs. Penn-Trafford installed Conlan Greene (a Temple-commit as a DE) at quarterback this year and he has thrown for 647 yards and 4 TDs and leads the Warriors in rushing (272 yards, 5 TDs). Daniel Tarabella (325 yards, 2 TDs), Jacob Otto (155 yards, 2 TDs), and Tommy Kalkstein (130 yards, 1 TD) are the Warriors top receivers. Joining Greene in the backfield is Tasso Whipple (214 yards, 2 TDs) who averages over 7 yards per carry. Hempfield has a talented dual-threat quarterback of their own in Jake Phillips who is coming off a game where he combined for 7 total TDs. On the season, Phillips has thrown for 1007 yards and 9 TDs and run for 222 yards and 5 scores. Gino Caesar (447 yards, 11 TDs) leads the way in the rushing attack. On the outside, Phillips has spread the ball around to 5 different receivers who all have over 100 yards. Ian Tuffs (372 yards, 1 TD) and Daniel Katonka (124 yards, 4 TDs) are the top targets. Keep an eye out for do-it-all two-way player Eli Binakonsky who is a solid contributor on both offense and defense for the Spartans.

4A Games of the Week

West Allegheny (1-0, 4-0) at Aliquippa (1-0, 3-0)

Aliquippa is the defending 4A WPIAL and PIAA Champions. The Quips are off to an outstanding start to the season and have held their last two opponents to a combined -54 yards of offense. West Allegheny moved down from 5A to 4A this season and are one of the highest-scoring teams in the classification so far. This game is a matchup of strength-on-strength as West Allegheny’s rushing game goes up against Aliquippa’s defense. West A’s ground attack is led by Brock Cornell (293 yards, 5 TDs) and Nodin Tracy (189 yards, 8 TDs). Gage Upton (374 yards, 6 TDs) has attempted just 8 passes per game so far, mainly throwing to Nick Longo (86 yards, 3 TDs) and Brennan McClafferty (69 yards). For Aliquippa, it all starts up front with the “Trench Dawgs” that have dominated the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball. Offensively, they clear the way for sophomore stud Tiqwai Hayes (486 yards, 7 TDs). Quentin Goode has complemented Hayes through the air, throwing for 405 yards and 2 TDs. The Quips are absolutely loaded on defense behind their line with Nate Lindsey, Cam Lindsey, and Donovan Walker who is one of the best safeties in the WPIAL.

Laurel Highlands (0-1, 2-2)  at Latrobe (0-1, 2-2)

Both teams lost their conference opener to the presumptive favorites (McKeesport and Thomas Jefferson). This is an important game in the Big Seven Conference playoff race as the winner will have an inside track to one of the top four spots. Both teams have gamebreaking stars on the offensive side of the ball capable of putting up big numbers but have had some struggles defensively. Laurel Highlands is led by West Virginia-commit Rodney Gallagher who started the year at WR then moved back to the dual-threat QB role he played last year. Gallagher has thrown for 476 yards and 5 TDs and run for 126 yards and has scored 7 times between rushing, receiving, and on defense. Complementing Gallagher in the Mustangs offensive attack is WR Keondre DeShields (327 yards, 3 TDs) and RB Antwan Black (128 yards, 3 TDs). Latrobe’s offense has almost entirely run through RB Robert Fulton whose 685 yards and 11 TDs are among the tops in the WPIAL. The Wildcats have a dual-threat QB in John Wetzel who has thrown for 158 yards and 1 TD and run for 145 yards and 1 TD. Wetzel has attempted about 7 passes and 7 runs per game while Fulton has averaged 18 carries per game. These are two of the highest-scoring teams in the conference, both averaging over 26 points per game, but they have also struggled defensively, with Laurel Highlands allowing 21 points per game and Latrobe 28 per game.

3A Games of the Week

Mt Pleasant (3-1) at Freeport (3-1)

Only one conference in 3A is playing conference games this week, but there are some juicy head-to-head matchups between the teams from the Allegheny Six and Interstate Conferences. Both of these teams reached the quarterfinals last season. Mt. Pleasant is one of the highest-scoring teams in 3A, averaging 40 points per game, while Freeport is renowned for their defensive toughness. Mt. Pleasant’s offense is built around their backfield. Robbie Labuda leads the team in rushing (756 yards), receiving (160 yards), and scoring (12 total TDs). He is joined in the backfield by Lane Golkosky (293 yards, 4 TDs) and Garrett Eicher (127 yards, 1 TD) who all average over 10 yards per carry. Quarterback Cole Chatfield hasn’t had to throw much, but has put up 508 yards and 5 TDs. Other than Labuda, the top receiver in the Vikings passing attack has been Tyler Reese (133 yards, 1 TD). Freeport also has an all-around offensive leader in Ben Lane (301 rushing yards, 73 receiving yards, 8 total TDs). Lane has also been a stalwart on the defensive side of the ball for the Yellow Jackets. Quarterback Gavin Croney has proven to be a dual-threat, throwing for 267 yards and 5 TDs and running for 132 yards and 2 TDs. Freeport has used a number of different players at the offensive skill positions. Nine different players have caught passes and 11 have run the ball this season. Zach Clark (119 rushing yards) is the team’s second-leading scorer with 3 TDs.

East Allegheny (3-1) at Greensburg Salem (3-1)

Another matchup of 3-1 teams between the Allegheny and Interstate Conferences. East Allegheny’s hot start has been keyed by the play of QB Michael Cahill (421 yards, 5 TDs) who has also contributed 100 yards on the ground.  On the ground, Lorenzo Fancher (119 yards, 2 TDs) has been the Wildcats top back. Last year, Greensburg Salem QB Hayden Teska finished in the top five in passing and WR Cody Rubrecht led the WPIAL in receiving. This year, Rubrecht has been moved to quarterback and has excelled. He has thrown for 446 yards and 1 TD and run for a team-leading 507 yards and 10 TDs.  Joining Rubrecht in the Lions backfield is Kai Brunot (250 yards, 2 TDs). The only other player to find the end zone this year has been WR Christian Hostetler (184 yards, 1 TD) who is Rubrecht’s top receiver.

2A Games of the Week

Beaver Falls (1-0, 3-1) at Neshannock (1-0, 4-0)

It’s only Week 4 and we have a game on the slate that will likely decide the conference title. Neshannock dispatched Western Beaver last week to move to 4-0. Beaver Falls’ only loss this season came against 3A rival Beaver. Beaver Falls’ offense centers around dual-threat QB Jaren Brickner. Last year he was one of the top passers in the WPIAL but has expanded his abilities as a runner this year, running for 269 yards and 5 TDs and throwing for 392 yards and 2 TDs. Drey Hall (203 yards, 3 TDs), Michael Blackshear (134 yards, 1 TD), and Brixx Rawl (132 yards, 2 TDs) have all factored into the Tigers rushing attack. On the outside, Da’Sean Anderson (163 yards, 1 TD) and Isaiah Aeschbacher (107 yards, 1 TD) have been the top receivers for Brickner when he takes to the air. Neshannock has the highest-scoring offense in 2A (43.5 points per game). The Lancers have a dual-threat quarterback of their own in Jonny Huff who has thrown for 362 yards and 2 TDs and run for 724 yards and 9 TDs. With Peyton Weaver lost for the season with an injury, Matt Ionilli (209 yards, 7 TDs) has taken on a bigger role in the rushing attack. Luciano Delillo (108 yards, 2 TDs) is the Lancers top receiver. The biggest difference between these teams is defensively. Beaver Falls has the best defense in 2A, holding opponents to just 8 points per game. Meanwhile, Neshannock has seemingly been in a shootout every game and is giving up 29 per game, the third-highest mark in the conference.

Steel Valley (1-0, 3-0) at Ligonier Valley (1-0, 3-1)

Both teams have gotten off to strong starts and will likely be in the playoff hunt as the season progresses. This is an important game in the conference title race. Steel Valley won the Allegheny Conference title last season while second-place Serra Catholic went on to win the WPIAL title. Serra is a championship contender once again and the winner here will have the inside track to contend with Serra for this year’s conference crown. Steel Valley’s strength is in their line, which dominated both sides of the ball against Sto-Rox a few weeks ago. Cruce Brookins, who has D1 offers as a safety, has more rushing attempts than passing attempts this season. Brookins has keyed the Ironmen offense, running for 450 yards and 11 TDs and throwing for 131 yards and 1 TD. Along with Brookins, Steel Valley has three other backs who all average over 11 yards per carry. Quaron Pierce (250 yards, 1 TD), Donald Barksdale (174 yards, 5 TDs), and Jesean Wright (167 yards, 1 TD) have all been solid contributors for Steel Valley this year in their quest to repeat as conference champions. Ligonier Valley’s offense also revolves around their running game. Haden Sierocky leads the Rams in rushing (463 yards), receiving (193 yards), and scoring (10 total TDs). John Jablunovsky (351 yards, 5 TDs), Duncan Foust (157 yards, 1 TD), and Nick Lonas (120 yards) have also contributed in the ground game. Like Steel Valley, Ligonier Valley rarely throws the ball with QB Broderick Schreyer (321 yards, 3 TDs) averaging just 9 attempts per game.

1A Games of the Week

Leechburg (1-0, 3-1) at Clairton (1-0, 1-3)

Last season, Leechburg snapped a 32-year playoff appearance drought and won their first playoff game since 1978. The Blue Devils return a loaded roster this season and are the highest-scoring team in the entire WPIAL at 57.5 points per game. Clairton has long been the stalwarts of the Eastern Conference and has won or shared the conference title in 17 of the last 19 years. Clairton has dominated Leechburg for so long that it would not be hyperbole to say this is Leechburg’s biggest game since the 1978 WPIAL semifinals. All-time, Clairton is 27-0-1 against Leechburg. But this year’s Blue Devils team has a bona fide D1 talent in Pitt-commit Braylan Lovelace who has run for 559 yards and 11 TDs. Dual-threat QB Jayden Floyd (485 passing yards, 4 TDs, 157 rushing yards, 4 TDs) complements Lovelace in the backfield. His favorite targets have been Tyler Foley (216 yards, 5 total TDs) and Logan Kline (126 yards, 1 TD). Leechburg’s ground game has been so good that in addition to Lovelace’s 12.7 yards per carry, Brandin Gilmer (197 yards, 2 TDs) and Tim Andrasy (104 yards, 2 TDs) are also averaging over 8 yards per tote. Clairton’s rocky start has mostly come against teams from higher classifications, losing to Westinghouse and Washington (both 2A schools). The Bears fell to OLSH in a rematch of last year’s quarterfinal then ponded Riverview to get back on the winning side. Quarterback Capone Jones (262 yards, 2 TDs) is the only returning skill position starter from last year. The Bears have been working in a number of new, young players on offense. Drahcir Jones (142 yards, 1 TD), Donte Wright (137 yards, 2 TDs), and Michael Ruffing (97 yards, 2 TDs) have split the workload in the ground game. Jones’ top targets on the outside has been Martin Lawrence (130 yards, 2 TDs). All in all, this is a young Bears squad that will continue to get better as they build experience throughout the season, but they will need to grow up fast to defend their conference title against hard-charging Leechburg.

Fort Cherry (1-0, 3-1) at OLSH (1-0, 4-0)

OLSH reached the WPIAL Championship Game last year and look the part of a team poised to make a deep playoff run again this season. Fort Cherry has the highest-scoring offense in the Black Hills Conference and is coming off a win over Chartiers-Houston that gave the Rangers a leg up in the playoff race. Fort Cherry’s dual-threat QB Matt Sieg has been one of the most exciting players in the WPIAL in this young season. Sieg has thrown for 582 yards and 5 TDs and run for 521 yards and 11 TDs. Fort Cherry’s explosive offense has averaged 46 points per game with Sieg throwing to Shane Cornali (258 yards, 1 TD) and Braydon Cook (223 yards, 3 TDs). On the ground, Sieg has been complemented by Nate Heirendt (328 yards, 4 TDs) and Ethan Faletto (232 yards, 5 TDs) who both average over 6 yards per carry. OLSH has one of the leading passers in the entire WPIAL in Nehemiah Azeem (1100 yards, 14 TDs). The Chargers have a wide open passing attack and Azeem has spread the ball around between Dereon Greer (597 yards, 8 TDs), Dorrien Tate (257 yards, 5 TDs), and Ziggy McIntosh (118 yards). The Chargers don’t run the ball much, but Brandon Brazell (142 yards, 1 TD) has found some success when they do.

Inter-Classification Games of the Week

Belle Vernon (1-2) at Thomas Jefferson (3-1)

Former Big Eight Conference rivals collide in the premier inter-classification game of the week. Belle Vernon moved down from 4A to 3A this season but their non-conference slate was stacked with former conference rivals including Laurel Highlands, McKeesport, and Thomas Jefferson. We talked about Belle Vernon’s tough schedule on this week’s WPIAL Blitz Show. While Belle Vernon has taken on the role of favorites in 3A, Thomas Jefferson is still one of the perennial favorites in 4A. These teams have built a strong rivalry over the last two decades and it’s great to see that continue in non-conference play. Belle Vernon boasts one of the top juniors in the entire state in RB/S Quinton Martin (166 yards, 4 TDs). Martin and fellow junior Jake Gedekoh (111 yards, 1 TD) have made for a quality tandem in the Leopards backfield. Braden Laux has taken over the quarterback role and thrown for 265 yards, run for 97 yards, and scored twice. Laux’s primary target has been Chase Ruokonen (195 yards, 1 TD). Thomas Jefferson has also restocked their starting lineup, built around a returning running back. Elias Lippincott (320 yards, 4 TDs) is the center-point of the Jaguars offense, complemented by Aidan Whalen (148 yards, 2 TDs). Brody Evans (616 yards, 7 TDs) has taken over at quarterback and has a solid tandem on the outside in Sean Sullivan (255 yards, 3 TDs) and Ryan Lawry (162 yards, 2 TDs). Watch out for DE Jordan Mayer, a Wisconsin-commit, who will have to play a key role in keeping Quinton Martin in check.