The 2025 WPIAL season is now in the final third with just three games to go before the playoffs. Only 8 teams remain undefeated heading into Week 7 after Freeport lost to Highlands in overtime. On the flip side, Ligonier Valley and Franklin Regional earned their first wins of the season in Week 6, leaving just 9 winless teams. Pine-Richland became the first WPIAL team to clinch a playoff spot with their dominant victory over Penn Hills.
On this week’s edition of the WPIAL Blitz Show, we interviewed Norwin senior captain Josh Lenart to discuss the Knights win over Westmoreland County rivals Hempfield and how their program has turned around over the last few seasons. We also recapped all of the Week 6 action, ran through all of the conference standings and discussed this week’s WPIAL Blitz Statewide Rankings. Our WPIAL Blitz Show Player of the Week from Week 6 was New Castle QB Marino Graham. In the Red Hurricanes victory over conference foe Montour, Graham accounted for five total touchdowns (1 through the air and 4 on the ground) and had 165 passing yards and 107 rushing yards. We’ll be back on Monday night at 9:30 this week for another great show! Tune in on the SSP Network on YouTube.
As playoff races start to heat up, be sure to check my WPIAL Playoff Scenarios breakdown and WPIAL Standings Page. Without further ado, here are the Week 7 Games of the Week!
6A Game of the Week
Norwin (2-1, 5-2) at Central Catholic (3-0, 6-1)
Central Catholic and North Allegheny have set themselves apart in the 6A playoff race, leaving the final two spots to be decided amongst five teams. Norwin got a big win over Hempfield last week and has put themselves in position to make the playoffs for the first time since 2017. Norwin’s offense is led by dual-threat QB Trystan Tavares who has thrown for 674 yards and 10 TDs and run for 546 yards and 9 scores. Tavares has just three receivers with over 100 yards, led by Potter Brozeski (227 yards, 3 TDs) and Jake Knight (159 yards, 3 TDs). Giovanni Rothrauff (986 yards, 8 TDs) has been the workhorse for the Knights offense. In last week’s win over Hempfield, Rothrauff ran for 175 yards and 2 TDs. Central Catholic’s offense has rounded into form this season on the backs of running backs Roman Thompson (513 yards, 16 TDs) and Jayden Alexander (326 yards, 4 TDs). Sophomore QB Owen Herrick (1164 yards, 8 TDs) has had success throwing to WRs Aiden Nasiadka (276 yards, 3 TDs) and Navy-commit Maceo Watkins (196 yards, 4 TDs). Defensively, the Vikings are loaded with Western Michigan-commit Angelo Pugliano up front and linebackers Ashton Blatt (a UNC-commit) and Colsen Gatten (a Duke-commit).
Other Games to Watch: Seneca Valley (0-3) takes on Hempfield (1-3) in a battle of teams on the outside of the playoff race looking in. The winner will stay in contention for a playoff spot. Hempfield does have a win over Canon-McMillan so a victory over Seneca Valley keeps the Spartans in the race.
5A Game of the Week
Bethel Park (1-1, 5-2) at Upper St Clair (1-1, 6-1)
Both of these teams are vying for playoff position, not just in the Allegheny Six Conference, but in the eyes of the WPIAL selection committee. Last year, the Allegheny Six earned two wild cards and looks on pace to repeat that feat. However, the difference between the three guaranteed playoff spots and the wild cards will come down to seeding. Conference play has followed a similar pattern for these two teams. They both lost close games (to Moon and Peters Twp, respectively) in Week 5 then blew out their Week 6 opponents. Upper St Clair beat South Fayette 50-14 while Bethel Park throttled rival Baldwin 75-14. Both of these teams average over 40 points per game. Bethel Park’s balanced offensive attack runs through do-it-all back David Dennison (990 rushing yards, 264 receiving yards, 15 total TDs). Quarterback Evan Devine (1403 yards, 17 TDs) is coming off a 7 touchdown performance against Baldwin. The Black Hawks have a talented duo on the outside in William Sabatos (388 yards, 6 TDs) and Santino Nowozeniuk (370 yards, 4 TDs). In combination with Dennison catching the ball out of the backfield, Devine has numerous options in the passing game. Upper St Clair’s strong-armed QB Ethan Hellmann (1784 yards, 23 TDs) is coming off a 200-yard 3 TD game against South Fayette. Hellmann’s go-to receivers are speedster Bryce Jones (478 yards, 4 TDs) and Brown-commit Nico D’Orazio (411 yards, 8 TDs). When the Panthers keep it on the ground,Dante Coury (391 yards, 7 TDs) has been the featured back. Keep an eye out for Swiss Army Knife Josh Snyder (148 receiving yards, 141 rushing yards, 5 total TDs) who will get the ball in a variety of ways in USC’s offensive attack.
Other Games to Watch: Peters Twp (7-0) takes on South Fayette (5-2) in another big Allegheny Six conference battle. In the Big East Conference, the winner of the Armstrong-Kiski game will put themselves in solid position for the playoffs while conference leader Woodland Hills takes on rival Gateway. As odd as it may sound, the game between North Hills (2-5) and Shaler (1-6) will likely decide the final playoff qualifier from the Northeast Conference.
4A Games of the Week
Chartiers Valley (2-0, 6-1) at Trinity (2-0, 3-4)
Who would have thought the Week 7 game between Chartiers Valley and Trinity would be for the outright lead in the Big Six Conference? Trinity is coming off their second win over Thomas Jefferson in three seasons. Char Valley topped Belle Vernon in a shootout where the Colts prevailed thanks to a two-point conversion in the closing moments. Colts QB Luke Miranda has led the way with 525 yards and 8 TDs this year. He has established a strong connection with leading receivers Julius Best (279 yards, 6 total TDs) and Damien Holloway (173 yards, 3 TDs). When Char Valley keeps it on the ground, Tayshaun Lewis (258 yards, 3 TDs) has been the featured back. Trinity’s balanced offensive attack runs through Harvard-commit Jonah Williamson who has thrown for 1095 passing yards and 15 TDs and run for 632 yards and 10 TDs. Williamson is joined in the Hillers backfield by Owen Gardner (648 yards, 4 TDs). Both players are averaging nearly 7 yards per carry and have about and equal split of work in the ground game. On the outside, Williamson has spread the ball around between four different receivers who all have over 100 receiving yards. Leading the way is Ayvari Chandler (286 yards, 2 TDs) and Braden Berdar (277 yards, 6 TDs).
Mars (2-0, 6-1) at McKeesport (2-0, 4-3)
The Greater Allegheny Conference title is on the line between Mars and McKeesport. These two teams met twice last season, including in the semifinals, with McKeesport prevailing both times. McKeesport has lost in the WPIAL finals each of the last two seasons while Mars is hoping that Coach Kasper can deliver the first title in school history. This game is not only important for the conference crown but also for playoff seeding in a limited 4A field. Both of these teams are designed around run-heavy offenses but do it in different ways. While Mars has a power rushing attack, McKeesport runs the triple option out of the flexbone. Mars’ ground game centers around Ayden Yocum (1216 yards, 11 TDs) who has put up four touchdowns each of the last two weeks. Sophomore QB Colin Yurisinec (661 yards, 6 TDs) has thrown all of his TD passes to Sacred Heart-commit Gabe Hein (396 yards 6 TDs). On the other side, McKeesport’s star RB Kemon Spell (587 yards, 10 TDs), a Penn State-commit, missed some time earlier this year with injury but returned in a big way for conference play. In his absence, the Tigers used a committee of backs and have five players with over 100 rushing yards. McKeesport has thrown the ball a little more than usual this year with QB Matthew Miller (419 pass yards, 3 TDs, 4 rush TDs) at the helm of the offense. The Tigers have a bona fide star at receiver in junior Javien Robinson (185 yards, 3 TDs) who has numerous offers from power conference schools.
Other Games to Watch: In the Parkway Conference, New Castle sits alone atop the standings and takes on West Allegheny. Aliquippa’s stingy defense takes on a high-scoring Blackhawk team. Thomas Jefferson, after losing to Trinity, now has to face an upstart Ringgold team who has the second-highest scoring offense in the conference.
3A Game of the Week
Southmoreland (2-0, 7-0) at Mount Pleasant (2-0, 4-3)
The Interstate Conference has separated after two weeks of conference play with Southmoreland, Elizabeth Forward, and Mount Pleasant sitting at 2-0. The other three squads (Derry, Greensburg Salem, and Yough) all sit at 0-2 and have work to do to get back into the playoff picture. Over the last three weeks of the season the top teams will play each other and sort out the conference champion, starting this week as Westmoreland County rivals collide. Southmoreland is one of nine remaining undefeated teams in the WPIAL while Mt. Pleasant bounced back from a 1-2 start and is riding a 4-game winning streak. Southmoreland junior QB Dawson Wolfe (841 yards, 11 TDs; 269 rush yards, 7 TDs) has been the catalyst of the offense, both with his arm and his legs. The Scotties split the workload in the ground game three ways between Wolfe, Averyon Darnell (406 yards, 4 TDs), and Jackson Mickens (388 yards, 10 total TDs). The later two are only sophomores and Mickens leads the team in scoring, including a punt return TD and a pick-six. Wolfe has spread the ball between a trio of receivers – Makel Darnell (245 yards, 3 TDs), Stanley Betters (218 yards, 1 TD), and Ty Whoric (195 yards, 3 TDs). The combination of power rushing and a plethora of receiving options has made the Scotties offense one of the most explosive in the WPIAL. On the other side, Mount Pleasant has always been a run-first ream out of the triple option. The Vikings have five players with over 100 rushing yards. Stephen Predajna (444 yards, 8 TDs), Richard Shawley 384 yards, 3 TDs), and Kaden Hudec (257 yards, 4 TDs) all see time in the backfield. Mt. Pleasant has been so good running the ball that QB Dane Firmstone (445 passing yards, 3 TDs; 159 rushing yards, 6 TDs) has only needed to throw about nine times per game.
Other Games to Watch: Freeport is coming off a tough overtime loss to Highlands and now has a strong non-conference opponent in Hopewell. This is a big game for the Vikings wild card hopes while Freeport is looking to avoid a two-game skid after a 6-0 start. North Catholic has dropped two in a row after a 5-0 start and is looking to bounce back against Beaver. The Trojans and Bobcats are currently tied in the Western Hills standings for the third and final guaranteed playoff spot.
Freeport
2A Game of the Week
Apollo-Ridge (3-0, 5-2) at South Allegheny (4-0, 7-0)
The top spot in the Allegheny Conference is on the line. Apollo-Ridge used a last-minute touchdown to upset Steel Valley last week and has earned a showdown with undefeated South Allegheny. The Gladiators have a high-flying offense and are the second-highest scoring team in the entire WPIAL (49 points per game). Apollo-Ridge does have a solid defense and was able to hold Steel Valley to just 14 points last week. Apollo-Ridge has a number of multi-talented players on offense, starting with dual-threat QB Alex Clawson who has thrown for 885 yards and 6 TDs and run for 240 yards and 2 TDs. The Vikings primary offensive playmaker is Jaden McCray who leads the team with 512 receiving yards, has run for 151 yards, and scored a team-high 11 total TDs. Complementing Clawson and McCray in Apollo-Ridge’s rushing attack is the tandem of Zac Myers (271 yards, 2 TDs) and Preston Clemens (227 yards 2 TDs). South Allegheny has a D1 talent on the outside in WR Drew Cook (519 yards, 15 total TDs). Cook is coming off a 4 TD performance against Shady Side Academy that included 3 receiving TDs and a pick-six. To throw him the ball, the Gladiators plugged in Alijah Cook (898 yards, 18 TDs) this season with tremendous success. The most impressive aspect of South Allegheny’s team is their offensive line play with their top three backs all averaging over 7 yards per carry. Joey Gamert (605 yards, 10 TDs) is the feature back with Hakim Harrell (239 yards 2 TDs) and home run hitter Austin Schane (193 yards, 5 TDs) playing complementary roles.
Other Games to Watch: Keystone Oaks started conference play with 3 wins but were blown out by Washington last week. Their game against Waynesburg will likely decide the third and final guaranteed playoff team from the Century Conference. Two big rivalry games take place in the Midwestern Conference. The Riv-Ell Rivalry between Riverside (3-1, 4-3) and Ellwood City (2-2, 3-4) and the Battle for the Jug between Beaver Falls (3-1, 3-4) and New Brighton (2-2, 5-2). All four of those teams are in the race for the final two guaranteed playoff spots in the conference.
1A Game of the Week
Bishop Canevin (3-0, 5-2) at Fort Cherry (4-0, 7-0)
The Steelers Showcase Game of the Week features two-time defending WPIAL Champions Fort Cherry against conference foes Bishop Canevin. While the Rangers have been the favorites in 1A all season, the Crusaders have flown a bit under the radar. Canevin lost their first two games – one to Clarkson North (from Canada) and the other to 2A Seton LaSalle. But they turned things around with a win over Steel Valley and are 4-0 against 1A opponents, averaging 44 points per game. Fort Cherry has won 35 straight games against WPIAL opponents and 21 consecutive conference games, both the longest active streaks in the WPIAL. Canevin has a balanced offensive attack. Senior WR Demar Olds (456 yards, 8 TDs) has a few offers from MAC schools. He has a talented passer throwing him the ball in junior Brady Wagner (609 yards 10 TDs). Fellow junior Myontae Mott (598 yards 10 TDs) continues to lead the Crusaders backfield, with Alex Kirk (252 yards, 3 TDs) and freshman Neuval Bone (238 yards, 3 TDs) also contributing. For a 1A school, Canevin has a number of D1 recruits including Kirk (a Liberty offer), Bone (a Florida State offer) and defensive end Minikon Johnson (a West Virginia-commit). Fort Cherry’s offense runs through Penn State-commit Matt Sieg who is a two-time member of the 1000/1000 club. This season, the Rangers have relied on their running game to take some of the pressure off Sieg, but he has still been impactful to the tune of throwing for 403 yards and 8 TDs and running for 710 yards and scoring 14 total TDs. Fort Cherry’s running game has been so strong that Sieg has only averaged 3 pass attempts per game. In addition to Sieg in the backfield, Eli Salvani (391 yards 10 TDs) and Ryan Huey (314 yards 7 TDs) have been part of the rotation. In the rare instances Sieg does take to the air, Evan Rogers (240 yards 4 TDs) has been the primary target.
Leechburg (4-0, 6-1) at Clairton (4-0, 6-1)
The top two teams in the Eastern Conference collide with first place on the line. Both teams suffered their only losses in Week 0 against higher classification opponents. Leechburg fell to neighboring rival Apollo-Ridge 20-16 while Clairton lost to 3A powerhouse Imani Christian 19-12. Both teams have cruised through their 1A competition with Clairton not allowing a single point since their loss to Imani. The Bears have both the best offense (52.3 points per game) and defense (19 total points) in the WPIAL. Incredibly, Clairton’s has four defensive touchdowns which means the Bears defense has scored more points than they have allowed. Last year, Leechburg was the first team to put points on the board against Clairton. Leechburg’s offense has centered almost entirely around Senior RB Tim Andrasy who is among the top rushers in the WPIAL with 1130 yards and 19 TDs. With Andrasy as the focal point of the offense, junior QB Jaxson Vargo (242 passing yards, 2 TDs; 186 rushing yards, 3 TDs) has averaged less than 6 pass attempts per game. Junior Nick Hilty (227 yards, 6 TDs) has spelled Andrasy when the Blue Devils decide to give the ball to someone else. Leechbur has a strong offensive line with some big dudes in the trenches, led by senior Jayden Rosenberger. They will have their work cut out for them against Clairton’s defensive front which averages 6 TFLs and 2 sacks per game. Senior lineman Tahvaz Armstrong (8 TFLs, 6 sacks, 3 forced fumbles) is the game-wrecker up front for the Bears defense. Offensively, Clairton is a pass-first team with Jeff Thompson (1173 yards, 20 TDs) at the helm. He has spread the ball around with senior WR Taris Wooding (341 yards, 6 TDs) leading the way. Sophomore Brandon Murphy (who has numerous D1 offers as DE) has contributed with 328 receiving yards and 6 TDs. Senior Donte Wright (who has offers from MAC schools) has been a jack-of-all-trades with 325 receiving yds, 114 rushing yds, 10 total TDs, and 2 interceptions on defense. When Clairton does run the ball, Deon Lovelace-Pompey (251 rush yds, 6 TDs) is the lead back, but he also impacts the game defensively with 5 TFLs and is among the Bears leading tacklers. Michael Ruffin (155 rushing yds, 178 receiving yds, 5 total TDs) will also get mixed in to the Bears offensive attack while anchoring the back end of the defense.
South Side (3-0, 6-1) at Neshannock (3-0, 6-1)
Three teams sit tied atop the Big Seven Conference with 3-0 conference records and 6-1 overall records. In addition to South Side and Neshannock, Laurel has put together a strong campaign. The stretch run will sort out playoff seeding and finishing in the top two is essential for a potential home playoff game. Both of these teams average over 5 TDs per game with South Side averaging 36 points per game and Neshannock at 38 per contest. South Side is a run-heavy offense that will employ the triple option and a slew of different backs. The Rams have six players with over 100 rushing yards this season, speaking to the quality of their line play and the depth of talent in their backfield. Amare Moman (548 yards, 7 TDs) and Andrew Corfield (532 yards, 10 total TDs) lead the way with Corfield also holding the title of the team’s leading receiver with 94 yards. Will Morgan 286 yards, 3 TDs will also be a factor in South Side’s running game. The Rams don’t throw much with Todd Matjevich (193 yards, 1 TD) averaging just 6 pass attempts per game. On the other side, Neshannock is also a run-first team but will balance their offensive attack through dual-threat QB Jino Mozzocio (562 passing yards, 7 TDs; 311 rushing yards, 7 TDs). Complementing Mozzocio in the backfield are leading rusher Anthony Eakin (590 yards, 12 TDs) and Justin Edworthy (270 yards, 4 TDs). Overall, the Lancers have four players with over 100 rushing yards on the season. On the outside, Mozzocio has relied on the big-play tandem of Brady Frasso (137 yards, 2 TDs) and Ryan Cameron (133 yards, 2 TDs) who both average over 26 yards per reception.
