The 2026 WPIAL football season is nearly upon us! Over the next few weeks we will be previewing all 18 conferences in preparation for kickoff on August 28. We are also thrilled to announce that the WPIAL Blitz Show will be back on the YouTube airwaves this season. Subscribe to the Sports Stream Premium channel and watch our live broadcasts on Monday nights or on replay any time. This year’s WPIAL content is sponsored by Get Recruited Consulting. Find them on Twitter and check out their offer to schedule a free film review.
This cycle did not see a ton of movement in 1A. Three teams moved up to 2A and three teams moved down to 1A. Most notably, Washington (a 2A semifinalist last year) moved down to 1A. As with previous cycles, 16 teams will make the WPIAL playoffs. The top three teams from each conference along with four Wild Card teams will qualify for the postseason. The WPIAL Champion enters the state bracket in the semifinals. Clairton is the defending WPIAL and State Champions.
Fort Cherry has been the dominant force in the Black Hills Conference the last three seasons. The Rangers won their first WPIAL title in school history in 2023 and successfully defended the title in 2024. But a new challenger has entered the fray this cycle. With Bishop Canevin moving up to 2A, Washington has joined the conference. Only three teams (Fort Cherry, Monessen, and Burgettstown) remain in the Black Hills from last cycle as others joined via conference realignment. Be sure to keep tabs on our WPIAL Standings Page throughout the season and follow our WPIAL Twitter account @WPIAL_Blitz. Teams are listed in their predicted order of finish.
Washington
2025 Result: 9-1, lost to Seton LaSalle in 2A semifinals
All-Time: 756-389-57 (4th in wins, 10th in win%)
Championship Pedigree: 8 WPIAL Championships (1917, 1920, 1923, 1926, 1993, 2001, 2017), 2001 State Champions
The Prexies have made the playoffs in 15 straight seasons. Last year they gave 2A Champions Seton LaSalle their closest two games. Those were Wash High’s only two losses, a 27-14 defeat in Week 9 and a 27-19 loss in the semifinals. Those score lines were not indicative of how close the games were as Seton needed a last-minute touchdown to pull away in Week 9 and four red zone turnovers to secure the victory in the playoffs. The Prexies return a number of skill position players and with the move down to 1A should be considered among the top contenders for the WPIAL title. Senior Jamarie Walker (471 yards, 9 TDs) is the top returning rusher. The Prexies will do all they can to get the ball into the hands of electric junior Ameer Nelson who ran for 342 yards, had 501 receiving yards, and scored 8 times. Senior Trenton Grooms (300 yards, 4 TDs) also returns to the backfield and was the Prexies leading pass rusher last season (5 sacks). Washington was the second-highest scoring team in 2A (37 points per game) and should be an absolute force this cycle in 1A.
Fort Cherry
2025 Result: 10-0, Black Hills Conference Champions, lost to Laurel in semifinals
All-Time: 399-266-15 (52nd in wins, 27th in win%)
Championship Pedigree: 2023 & 2024 WPIAL Champions
The Rangers captured their first WPIAL titles in school history in 2023 and 2024. Hopes were high after an undefeated regular season, but a mid-season injury to star QB Matt Sieg reduced him to a running threat only, which ultimately caught up with the Rangers in the semifinals against a stout Laurel defense. With Sieg’s record-setting career coming to an end, the Rangers need to find a replacement at quarterback and will either turn to senior Josh Silveira who saw some time as a backup last year or Matt Sieg’s younger brother, freshman Colin Sieg. Whoever steps in at quarterback will have the comfort of two top rushers returning- seniors Eli Salvini (938 yards, 19 TDs) and Ryan Huey (619 yards, 12 TDs). Both backs averaged over 9 yards per carry last season and Fort Cherry averaged over 45 points per game, the most of any team in 1A. The Rangers remain loaded with talent and an explosive running game should put them right back in the mix for not only the conference title but also as a top contender for the WPIAL title.
Brentwood
2025 Result: 3-7, missed playoffs
All-Time: 436-446-28 (44th in wins, 64th in win%)
Championship Pedigree: Never won a WPIAL Championship
The Spartans had an up-and-down 2025 campaign. After losing their first two games, Brentwood won two in a row with shutout victories over Sto-Rox and Springdale. But they lost five of the last six conference games to miss the playoffs for the fifth time in six years. Brentwood was competitive in the middle of the conference though, losing to playoff teams Frazier by 7, Jeannette by 5, and Leechburg by 7. Dual-threat QB Cedric Davis graduated and the Spartans will need to work in a new quarterback. Leading receiver Daysaun Spencer (521 yards, 10 TDs) is the top returning play-maker. Junior RB Nick Wardzinski (257 yards, 4 TDs) and sophomore Griffin Betz (154 yards, 1 TD) both averaged over 6 yards per carry last season. If Brentwood can find a way to turn close games into victories this season, they should be right in the hunt for a playoff spot.
Monessen
2025 Result: 6-4, lost to Clairton in first round
All-Time: 699-406-47 (9th in wins, 14th in win%)
Championship Pedigree: 2 WPIAL Championships (1930, 1961)
The Greyhounds made the playoffs each of the last five seasons. Monessen found themselves in a precarious position last year, needing a Week 9 victory over Cornell to have a hope at a Wild Card. The Greyhounds prevailed by a 30-28 margin and were rewarded with a Wild Card. Senior QB Kaier Payne (604 yards, 6 TDs) returns along with two of his top receivers Jay’veyon Jeffries (166 yards, 2 TDs) and Kayden Kolbeck (162 yards, 5 TDs). Monessen’s top two rushers graduated but the Greyhounds should be right back in the thick of the playoff hunt this season.
Burgettstown
2025 Result: 1-8, missed playoffs
All-Time: 461-520-39 (38th in wins, 75th in win%)
Championship Pedigree: 2 WPIAL Championships (1929, 1941)
Burgettstown is looking to bounce back after consecutive one-win seasons. Both seasons saw the Blue Devils knock off Bentworth in the season opener then lose their remaining games. Last year they did have a few close outings in conference play, losing to Cornell by 5 and Chartiers-Houston by just two. Senior QB Blake Neal threw for 783 yards and 2 TDs last year. Burgettstown also gets back second-leading rusher Brady Rightweiser (299 yards, 3 TDs) and leading receiver Bryce Speer (254 yards, 2 TDs). The biggest factor for Burgettstown this season will be if their offense can find the end zone. The Blue Devils averaged just 11 points per game last year and will likely need to double that output to get into playoff contention.
Bentworth
2025 Result: 8-2, lost to Jeannette in first round
All-Time: 248-366-7 (104th in wins, 106th in win%)
Championship Pedigree: Never won a WPIAL Championship
In 2024 the Bearcats made the playoffs for the first time since 2015, winning a 3-way tiebreaker against Carmichaels and West Greene. Last year they rode a tight defense to second place in the Tri-County South, with just a one point loss to California coming between them and the conference title. Bentworth allowed just 9 points per game last year, the third best defense in 1A. In the playoffs, they drew a Jeannette team that was hitting their stride and just couldn’t quite keep up with the Jayhawks, falling 38-24. Ben Hays won the WPIAL rushing title last year but graduated, leaving senior Alejandro Leichty (199 yards, 1 TD) as the top returning back. Quarterback Ty Watson (525 yards, 9 TDs) didn’t have to throw much last season but returns for his senior year along with leading receiver Kaden Ayres (265 yards, 2 TDs). Bentworth’s move from the Tri-County South to the Black Hills Conference also comes with a dramatically harder strength of schedule, so the Bearcats will need to replicate their defensive stinginess in order to compete for a playoff spot.
Sto-Rox
2025 Result: 1-9, missed playoffs
All-Time: 327-273-9 (83rd in wins, 41st in win%)
Championship Pedigree: 2 WPIAL Championships (1966, 1987)
After a run of making at least the semifinals in four straight seasons from 2019-2022, Sto-Rox has fallen on hard times. They have won just three games over the last three seasons. Sto-Rox was the second-lowest scoring team in 2A (averaging just 8.6 points per game) while having the second-worst defense (allowing 41 points per game). Sto-Rox snapped a 17-game losing streak with a Week 7 with an 8-6 victory over Carlynton. Leading rushers Ramir Valentino and Karic Willis both return. Sto-Rox hopes the move down from 2A to 1A will help get their program back on track.
