The 2025 WPIAL season is off to a roaring start and already a third of the way in the books. With football starting in mid-August this year, we have teams playing their fourth games in early September. This week, conference play kicks off in nearly every section throughout the WPIAL. The headliner matchup is a non-conference showdown between two defending WPIAL Champions, the second of its kind we’ve had this season after 6A Champions Central Catholic played 5A Champions Pine-Richland in Week 1. Last week’s slate featured a number of thrilling finishes with 8 games being decided in the final minute. This week starts the march to the playoffs as conference standings determine the teams who get guaranteed playoff spots.
On this week’s edition of the WPIAL Blitz Show, we recapped all of the Week 2 action, discussed our first set of Rankings and previewed Week 3. Our WPIAL Blitz Show Player of the Week from Week 2 was Upper St Clair QB Ethan Hellmann who threw for over 300 yards and 5 TDs in the first half of their win over Franklin Regional. Check out his highlights on Hudl. Also, we discussed some teams who were off to slow starts and whether or not they should hit the panic button or were on thin ice. We’ll be back on Monday night at 9:30 this week for another great show! Tune in on the SSP Network on YouTube.
I had to do some back end re-coding of my WPIAL Standings Page here on the site, so be sure to bookmark the NEW LINK for the page, which replaced the one I had published previously. Without further ado, here are the Week 3 Games of the Week!
Battle of Champions
Thomas Jefferson (3-0) vs Avonworth (3-0)
The Defending 4A WPIAL Champions take on the Defending 3A WPIAL Champions in a blockbuster matchup. Both Thomas Jefferson and Avonworth returned a majority of starters from their title-winning squads and are off to strong starts this season. TJ is coming off a hard-fought win in a Championship Game rematch with McKeesport where the Jaguars scored two touchdowns in the final minute to prevail. Avonworth scored an impressive victory, traveling to Heinz Field and beating Aliquippa on their home turf. TJ’s offensive attack is built around their running game and junior workhorse Tyler Eber (348 yards, 8 TDs). The Jags are strong in the trenches and will present a formidable matchup for the Lopes line. Harrison Kolling (213 yards, 2 TDs) has averaged just 9 pass attempts per game thanks to TJ’s strong ground game. Avonworth has a balanced offensive attack with QB Carson Bellinger (556 yards, 6 TDs) at the helm. With a fully healthy roster, the Lopes have moved Luca Neal to a receiving role where he has excelled with 364 yards and 5 TDs. Out of the backfield, Dimitri Velisaris (454 yards, 7 TDs) has averaged 6.8 yards per carry as the primary ballcarrier.
6A Game of the Week
Hempfield (3-0) at North Allegheny (3-0)
The only two remaining undefeated teams in 6A face off at the start of conference play. Both teams are averaging around 34 points per game so far in non-conference play. Hempfield has been buoyed by rallying around QB Dom Detruf whose father tragically passed away over the summer (the family has a fundraiser for those interested). On the field, Detruf has thrown for 622 yards and 8 TDs and run for 158 yards. His top targets have been Jack Kopas (153 yards, 5 TDs) and Henry Mutschler (141 yards) while RB Aidan Stinebiser has put up 265 yards on the ground, 104 receiving yards, and scored 5 times. North Allegheny is coming off back-to-back shutout victories over Gateway and Penn Hills after narrowly beating Woodland Hills in the Kickoff Classic. The Tigers offense is built around their ground game and workhorse back Luke Rohan who leads the team in three offensive categories (271 rushing yards, 101 receiving yards, 7 total TDs). When Rohan isn’t running the ball, dual-threat QB Brady Brinkley has been efficient, throwing for 453 yards and 6 TDs and also running for 2 scores. North A has strength in the trenches with Pitt-commit Lincoln Hoke (son of former Steeler Chris Hoke). On the outside, Korry Pitts who is a Monmouth-commit at corner but will also play wide receiver where he has 2 TDs this year.
5A Game of the Week
Penn-Trafford (3-0) at Woodland Hills (1-2)
Last year these were the top two squads in the Big East Conference, and they look the part again this year. It may seem odd to say that the conference title will be decided with the first game of section play, but considering that Penn-Trafford is the only Big East team with a winning record through three games, it is a likely scenario. Woodland Hills has faced a tough schedule, coming up just short of beating North Allegheny in Week 0 and losing to Central Catholic in the Hall of Fame Showcase last weekend. In their one game against 5A competition, Woody High routed Penn Hills. Penn-Trafford has been able to replace the numerous starters that graduated from last year’s team and boasts a strong trio of backs. Ben Grabowski (202 yards, 1 TD) leads the way with Cody Yacamelli (127 yards, 3 TDs) and Landon Stikkel (101 yards, 2 TDs) serving in complementary roles. Nate Desmond (560 yards, 4 TDs) has stepped in at quarterback and established a good connection with Nick Ponko (242 yards, 2 TDs). Woodland Hills brought back most of their roster from the Big East Conference Championship squad, led by Miami (OH)-commit Scoop Smith. Scoop is a multi-sport star and one of the fastest athletes in the WPIAL. He has put up 150 receiving yards, 89 rushing yards, and scored 4 times. The Wolverines offense runs through senior QB Cam Walter (460 yards, 6 TDs) who has the distinction of being the school’s all-time leading passer. Taylor Reed (106 yards, 2 TDs) and Ziggy Moore (53 yards, 2 TDs) have been the primary backs when Woody High keeps it on the ground while Landon Akins (102 yards, 1 TD) has emerged as a complement to Scoop Smith on the outside.
4A Game of the Week
Aliquippa (1-1) at Mars (3-0)
This non-conference matchup features two teams that reached the 4A semifinals last year. Aliquippa has Mike Warfield back on the sidelines this year and opened the season with a solid win at Belle Vernon. Last week’s return home against Avonworth did not go so well as the Quips turned the ball over a number of times and couldn’t find a rhythm offensively. Mars has won two defensive struggles against 5A opponents, beating Bethel Park and North Hills by a total of 7 points over the last two weeks. Both games came down to the final minute. The Quips offense has gone the way of QB Marques Council (421 passing yards, 4 TDs; 120 rushing yards, 1 TD). In the opener against Belle Vernon, Council threw for 280 yards and 3 TDs and ran for another. Last week against Avonworth Council had 3 interceptions. He will look to bounce back this week with the help of a talented receiving corps including Josh Lay (139 yards, 1 TD) and Qa’lil Goode (107 yards, 1 TD). Aliquippa has yet to find their feature back and have rotated between Joseph Work, Cameron Cannon, and Cleaster Longmire. Cannon is the only one of that group to have found the end zone while Work is averaging 6.2 yards per carry. On the other side, Mars has plugged in sophomore Colin Yurisinec (327 yards, 5 TDs) at quarterback, who had a massive Week 0 with 4 TD passes in their win over Beaver. All 5 of his TD passes have gone to Gabe Hein (235 yards, 5 TDs). Hein against the Quips secondary will be the must-see matchup of the night. Mars has been able to win two low-scoring grinds by relying on their rushing attack of Ayden Yocum (392 yards) and Hunter Schroder (108 yards, 2 TDs).
3A Game of the Week
Beaver (1-2) at Hopewell (3-0)
A Beaver County showdown to open play in the Western Hills Conference. Beaver was part of a three-way tie for the conference title last year while Hopewell narrowly missed the playoffs, losing to North Catholic (who earned a wild card) in the season finale. Hopewell has started this season with a bang, outscoring their opponents by an aggregate total of 136-8. On the other side, Beaver saw most of their starters graduate and have gotten off to a rocky start with blowout losses to Mars and Imani Christian. The Bobcats are looking to get back on track and reassert themselves in the playoff hunt while reemergent Hopewell has their eyes set on being a contender. Beaver has a balanced offensive attack, led by their only returning skill position starter QB Travis Clear (408 yards, 1 TD). He has spread the ball between Philip Marino Jr (240 yards, 1 TD) and Micah Pupi (109 yards). On the ground, the Bobcats have relied on Jonah Justice (290 yards, 5 TDs) to shoulder the load. Hopewell sophomore QB James “BooBoo” Armstrong not only has a great quarterback name (can’t get better than “Armstrong”) but is also a dynamic talent. He has thrown for 496 yards and 5 TDs and run for 232 yards and a team-high 6 scores. Aliquippa transfer RB Nasir Wade (288 rushing yards, 99 receiving yars, 4 total TDs) has created a formidable tandem with Armstrong in the backfield. When those two aren’t running the ball, Hopewell has three receivers with over 100 yards in Logan Triscila (138 yards, 1 TD), Tre Cameron (111 yards, 2 TDs), and Avery Bokor (108 yards).
2A Game of the Week
Washington (2-1) at Waynesburg (2-1)
Old school rivals collide in the battle of County Seats. It’s the Whiskey Rebellion vs Rain Day. Wash High dominated the rivalry for most of this century but with Waynesburg’s reemergence the last few years things have heated up again. The Raiders won last year’s meeting and enter this year’s showdown as one of the highest-scoring teams in 2A (35.6 points per game). Meanwhile, Washington boasts one of the stingiest defenses in the classification, holding opponents to just 11.3 points per game. The winner of this game will set themselves up at the top challenger to Seton LaSalle for the conference title. Wash High’s offense runs through dual-threat QB Tristan Reed who has thrown for 331 yards and 1 TD and run for 183 yards and 2 scores. The Prexies have a number of playmakers around Reed, including Ameer Nelson who is second on the team in rushing (130 yards), receiving (118 yards) and is tied for the team lead with 3 TDs (with Jahvon Woods). Leading receiver Caleb Patton has put up 143 yards while Jamarie Walker (123 yards, 1 TD) averages over 7 yars per carry as a complement in the ground game. Waynesburg also has a dual-threat QB in Teagen Crouse who has thrown for 662 yards and 5 TDs and run for 172 yards and 6 scores. Crouse is coming off an outstanding performance against California where he played a part in all 4 of the Raiders touchdowns. Ross Tennant (83 yards, 3 TDs) complements Crouse in the backfield. On the outside, the trio of Jack Ricciuti (272 yards, 2 TDs), Jeffrey Blair (165 yards, 1 TD), and Zachery Jiblits (126 yards) all have big-play ability, averaging over 20 yards per catch.
1A Games of the Week
Clairton (2-1) at GCC (2-1)
Clairton and GCC have been the teams to beat in the Eastern Conference over the last five years (though Jeannette will factor heavily into the picture this season). Both teams lost Week 0 games against higher classification opponents. Clairton lost to 3A Imani Christian while GCC lost a close game to Shady Side Academy. GCC bounced back with resounding wins over Mount Pleasant and Apollo-Ridge while Clairton dominated a shorthanded Serra team then earned a forfeit victory because Shady Side was afraid to play them. Clairton has balanced their offensive attack between the arm of Jeff Thompson (445 yards, 9 TDs) and a plethora of backs on the ground. Taris Wooding leads the receiving corps (157 yards, 4 TDs) is also a star in the defensive backfield. Michael Ruffin (94 yards, 2 TDs) is the Bears leading rusher though expect to see both Deon Lovelace-Pomphey (53 yards) and Donte Wright (145 yards of total offense, 2 TDs) get their hands on the ball. The X-factor in this game is Clairton’s defense where senior Tahvaz Armstrong has 4 TFLs and 3 sacks while sophomore sensation Brandon Murphy Jr has 2 TFLs and 1 sack. GCC moved their star Samir Crosby into a slot back role this year where he has excelled, leading the team in rushing (252 yards), receiving (196 yards), and scoring (6 total TDs). The Centurions have slotted in Bobby Smithnosky (410 yards, 6 TDs) at quarterback where Crosby played last season.
Bentworth (2-1) at California (2-1)
California has been the team to beat over the last decade in the Tri-County South. The Trojans got a huge win over Cornell two weeks ago, a fellow 1A quarterfinalist from last year, but lost to Greene County rival Waynesburg last week. Bentworth is coming off their first playoff appearance since 2014 and looking to assert themselves as a challenger in the TCS. The Bearcats rebounded from a loss to Burgettstown by dominating Charleroi last week. Bentworth has a dynamic talent in the backfield in senior RB Ben Hays (596 yards, 9 TDs). As the focal point of their offensive attack, Hays averages over 11 yards per carry and also has been a contributor on defense and special teams. Preston Jaquay (143 yards, 1 TD) will spell Hays when needed to keep the offense going. Bentworth hasn’t had to throw much, but when they do Ty Watson (157 yards, 2 TDs) have had success throwing to Kaden Ayres (104 yards) and Matt Behanna (53 yards, 2 TDs). Expect this game to come down to the play in the trenches as California is also a traditional ground-and-pound squad. The tandem of Malachi Peak (474 yards, 4 TDs) and Landon Abercrombie (105 yards, 1 TD) have led the Trojans offense. Dual-threat QB Logan Hartley has thrown for 120 yards and 2 TDs and run for 2 more scores. This game is a big one for Bentworth who are trying to elevate themselves from playoff contender last season to conference title-contender this year.
