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 saw a massive influx into 3A, which is now one of the premier classifications in the WPIAL. Avonworth is the two-time defending WPIAL Champions and have made it to the finals in four straight seasons. The Lopes are coming off their first State Championship in school history. Moving down from 4A is defending WPIAL Champions Aliquippa who made four straight 3A title games from 2016-2019 before being forced up to 4A by the PIAA’s Success Formula. Also moving back into 3A is Belle Vernon who won the 2022 and 2023 WPIAL and State Championships. The WPIAL has dominated 3A on a statewide level as well, winning 8 of the 10 Championships in the 6 Classification Era. With the addition of 9 teams to the 3A ranks this season, the WPIAL will have four conferences and 16 teams will make the playoffs. The top three teams from each conference along with four Wild Card teams will qualify for the postseason.
The Western Hills Conference has just two returning members – Hopewell and Beaver. The rest of the conference is made up of teams that moved down from 4A (Aliquippa and Ambridge) or up from 2A (OLSH and Ellwood City). The conference boasts two of the best quarterbacks in the WPIAL in Hopewell’s James Armstrong and Beaver’s Jaivin Peel. Aliquippa was an absolute force in 3A, reaching four straight Championship Games from 2016-2019 before the PIAA’s Success Formula forced them up into 4A. 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.
Aliquippa
2025 Result: 6-3, WPIAL 4A Champions, lost in PIAA semifinals to Twin Valley
All-Time: 801-335-42 (1st in wins, 4th in win%)
Championship Pedigree: 21 WPIAL Championships (1952, 1955, 1964, 1984, 1985, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1991 1996, 2000, 2003, 2008, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2018, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2025), 5 State Championships (1991, 2003, 2018, 2021, 2023)
Mike Warfield returned to the Aliquippa sideline last season and led the Quips to another WPIAL Championship. But this one did not come as easily as some in the past. The Quips season appeared to be on life support after losses to New Castle and Montour in conference play and with their starting quarterback injured. But they were awarded a Wild Card and their quarterback returned for the playoffs. A stingy defense carried them past Trinity, New Castle and held off McKeesport in the Championship Game. That win over McKeesport was the 4th time in 5 years the Quips knocked the Tigers out of the playoffs and was also the 800th win in school history. Thanks to an offseason court ruling, Aliquippa is able to move back down to 3A this cycle, closer to their actual enrollment figure. Senior RB Akiva Woods (622 rushing yards, 136 rec yds, 7 total TDs) averaged 7.6 yards per carry and is the top returning skill position player for the Quips. Woods is also a top recruit at defensive back. Aliquippa will need to restock some of their starting skill positions but if we’ve learned anything it’s to never pick against Coach Warfield and the Quips.
Hopewell
2025 Result: 6-4, lost to Imani in quarterfinals
All-Time: 377-425-25 (64th in wins, 76th in win%)
Championship Pedigree: 2002 WPIAL Champions, 2002 State Champions
Hopewell had a breakout season last year, making the playoffs for the first time since 2012 and winning their first round game over Southmoreland. The Vikings had one of the highest-scoring offenses in 3A, averaging over 38 points per game. Junior QB James “BooBoo” Armstrong committed to Penn State after throwing for 2217 yards and 21 TDs and adding 739 yards and 17 TDs on the ground. Hopewell has one of the most explosive backfields in the WPIAL with Armstrong and Nasir Wade (1311 rushing yards, 361 receiving yards, 18 TDs) who averaged over 9 yards per carry. Fellow juniors Tre Cameron (587 yards, 5 TDs) and Avery Bokor (475 yards, 5 TDs) lead the Vikings receiving corps. Hopewell is absolutely loaded offensively and can score with any team in 3A. For Hopwell to take the next step and compete against the top-tier 3A competition, they will need to tighten up a defense that gave up 44+ points in 4 of their 5 losses last year.
Beaver
2025 Result: 5-5, lost to Freeport in first round
All-Time: 688-431-55 (11th in wins, 20th in win%)
Championship Pedigree: 3 WPIAL Championships (1972, 1981, 1982)
Beaver has had a strong run in recent years, making the playoffs in five straight years. Before losing in a first round shootout to Freeport last year, they lost to Avonworth in the quarterfinals three consecutive seasons. Beaver finished solidly in the middle of the pack in the Western Hills conference last season, losing to North Catholic in overtime but beating Hopewell by one point on the final play of the game. The Bobcats lost their starting quarterback, running back, and top three receivers to graduation and will likely turn to a number of underclassmen this season. The Bobcats added quarterback Jaivin Peel who three years ago set the WPIAL freshman passing record at Western Beaver. Peel played last season at Kiski Prep and has thrown for over 5,000 yards and 68 TDs in his career. Fellow junior Avery Scales did a bit of everything, running for 237 yards and 8 TDs and adding 135 receiving yards. Sophomore Jax Weiss (296 yards, 4 TDs) is the top returning rusher. With Peel at the helm, expect Beaver to employ a pass-heavy offensive attack this season.
OLSH
2025 Result: 5-5, lost to Mohawk in 2A first round
All-Time: 84-80-0 (118th in wins, 54th in win%)
Championship Pedigree: 2018 WPIAL Champions
OLSH’s co-op agreements have moved them up in classification consecutively, going to 2A last cycle and now to 3A. However, that has not impacted their ability to compete as the Chargers made the playoffs each of the last two seasons in 2A. After losing 3 games in the early season, OLSH bounced back to win 3 of their last 4 games and earn a playoff spot. Their Week 9 non-conference victory over Keystone Oaks was decisive as KO was a playoff team out of the Interstate Conference. OLSH battled through a number of injuries which forced roster adjustments last season. Three different players saw time at quarterback, and rising juniors Fabian Nixon (304 yards, 5 TDs) and JJ Hayden (228 yards, 5 TDs) both return. Leading rusher Jamier Samuels (453 yards, 4 TDs) was only a freshman. Rising senior RB TyTy Hawkins (223 yards, 2 TDs) is the veteran of the offensive group. In order to compete in 3A this year, OLSH will need to improve their offensive output after averaging just 15 points per game last season, the 4th lowest total in 2A.
Ellwood City
2025 Result: 6-4, lost to Steel Valley in 2A Quarterfinals
All-Time: 455-592-44 (41st in wins, 94th in win%)
Championship Pedigree: 1925 WPIAL Champions
In 2024 Ellwood City had their best season since World War II. The Wolverines went unbeaten in the regular season, won the conference title, and reached the semifinals. Last year the Wolverines followed up that historic season by making the playoffs once again and beating Keystone Oaks in the opening round. Ellwood City moves up to 3A this cycle and will need to replace their quarterback and top three receivers. The good news is that the Wolverines top two rushers will be back, adding stability to the offense as they work in a new quarterback. Senior Richard Cuerton (784 yards, 12 TDs) led the team in rushing with junior Giulian Frisk (411 yards, 4 TDs) averaging 5 yards per carry.
Ambridge
2025 Result: 1-9, missed playoffs
All-Time: 446-524-40 (42nd in wins, 79th in win%)
Championship Pedigree: 1932 WPIAL Champions
The Bridgers last made the playoffs in 2021 in 3A before moving up to 4A in 2022. Ambridge struggled in 4A last year but gets to move back down to 3A this season. After close losses to Laurel Highlands and Mount Pleasant, the Bridgers got their crowning moment with a 42-32 victory over Greensburg Salem. Unfortunately, their defense would fall apart down the stretch. In five conference games, Ambridge allowed over 51 points in every outing. The Bridgers allowed the most points of any team in 4A last year, giving up over 45 per game. The big news for Ambridge heading into this season is the hiring of Dan Bradley to be their head coach. Bradley is the turn-around wizard and produced historic seasons at both OLSH (winning their first WPIAL title) and Ellwood City (where they had their first undefeated season since World War II).
