The 2025 WPIAL playoffs began last week with first round games in 1A through 5A. With only four teams qualifying for the 6A playoffs, those teams all had a bye last week leading up to this week’s semifinals. The 6A Championship Game will be held at Pine-Richland high school on Saturday, November 15. The WPIAL 6A Champion enters the statewide bracket in the quarterfinals and will face a team from either District 2, 4, 6 or 10. Since there are only 7 teams in 6A, these teams have already faced each other in the regular season so the playoff games are all rematches. Norwin qualified for the playoffs for the first time since 2017 thanks to their Week 9 victory over Mt. Lebanon.
Check out this week’s edition of the WPIAL Blitz Show where we broke down all of the playoff matchups!
1. Central Catholic (9-1) vs 4. Canon-McMillan (4-6)
at West Mifflin
Central Catholic is the defending WPIAL Champions and has been to the finals in six straight seasons. On the other side, Canon-McMillan is making their 3rd playoff appearance in 4 years but has never been to a WPIAL Championship game. These two teams met in Week 9 with Central Catholic rolling to a 45-10 victory. Central Catholic’s team is built on their line play on both sides of the ball. Western Michigan-commit Angelo Pugliano has been a monster in the middle of the defensive line while Notre Dame-commit James Halter anchors the offensive line. Juniors Jimmy Kalis and Jon Sassic, along with seniors Matt Bowers and Cole Bayer also hold D1 offers. The line has given sophomore QB Owen Herrick (1733 yards, 14 TDs) time to operate, throwing to Aiden Nasiadka (411 yards, 6 TDs) and Navy-commit Maceo Watkins (329 yards, 5 TDs). On the ground, the tandem of Jayden Alexander (609 yards, 7 TDs) and Roman Thompson (531 yards, 18 TDs) have both averaged over 6.5 yards per carry behind the Vikings line. Central has two D1 commits at linebacker in North Carolina-commit Ashton Blatt and Duke-commit Colsen Gatten who also plays tight end (274 yards, 1 TD). Canon-McMillan has had an emotional season after long-time coach Mike Evans had to take a medical sabbatical to fight cancer. Former Bethel Park coach Brian DeLallo stepped in as the interim head coach for the Big Macs. Canon Mac is a pass-heavy offense with 6A’s leading passer Ty Jansma (1749 yards, 13 TDs). He has spread the ball between a trio of receivers – Ethan Campoli (584 yards, 8 TDs), Buffalo-commit TJ Sabatucci (545 yards, 7 TDs), and Roman Cimarolli (373 yards, 1 TD). Mason Calgaro (352 yards, 3 TDs) leads the Big Macs rushing game, running behind D1 recruit Ben Gottschalk.
2. North Allegheny (7-3) vs 3. Norwin (7-3)
at North Allegheny
It is not an understatement to say this is the biggest game in the history of Norwin’s program. The Knights are making just their second ever appearance in a WPIAL semifinal (the other coming in 1999). Norwin made the playoffs for the first time since 2017 and have not won a playoff game since 2007. North Allegheny reached the last three WPIAL Championship games and coming into the season it seemed like a fourth showdown with Central Catholic was a foregone conclusion. But North Allegheny enters the playoffs reeling from a 67-0 loss to Pine-Richland followed by a 21-18 loss to Seneca Valley. Even in their victories, North Allegheny was far from dominant, beating Norwin, Canon-McMillan, Mt. Lebanon, and Woodland Hills all by less than 10 points. North Allegheny has a balanced offensive attack led by QB Brady Brinkley (1502 yards, 13 TDs). The Tigers have four receivers with over 280 yards, led by Monmouth-commit Korry Pitts (327 yards, 5 TDs) who is one of the top cornerbacks in the WPIAL. Ben Kern (325 yards, 2 TDs), Cameron Kushner (286 yards, 3 TDs), and Mason Brown (281 yards, 1 TD) have also been factors in the passing game. Luke Rohan (835 yards, 13 TDs) has been the workhorse back in North Allegheny’s backfield. In the trenches, Pitt-commit Lincoln Hoke (son of former Steeler Chris Hoke) has been a game-wrecker in the middle of the line. Norwin’s offense has been led by dual-threat QB Tristyn Tavares who has thrown for 1018 yards and 12 TDs and run for 720 yards and 12 scores. Joining Tavares in the Knights backfield is leading rusher Giovanni Rothrauff (1424 yards, 9 TDs). Both players average over 6 yards per carry. When Tavares takes to the air, the Knights have four receivers with over 130 yards, led by Potter Brozeski (378 yards, 3 TDs).
