Last week we were treated to the game that many had waited for years to see. Clairton rolled over Aliquippa 52-16 with Lamont Wade showing why he is one of the top recruits in the nation by putting on a stellar performance. Unfortunately, many of the games over the past few weeks have been marred by the weather with heavy rains contributing to wet fields and sloppy play. The forecast for this Friday night looks clear so we should be in for another great night of high school football as the regular season enters the final third. So far, only one conference title has been clinched with Central Catholic locking up the Northern Seven title last week in Class 6A. Across the four classifications, 14 teams have clinched playoff spots with many more that can be locked up this weekend. Another item to watch is Armstrong RB Zane Dudek’s assault on the WPIAL single-season rushing record. Dudek has rushed for 2206 yards already, which broke the WPIAL regular season record. The WPIAL single-season record is held by Lamont Wade who set it during his sophomore year with 2765 yards.
As a reminder, if you’re going to be following along with the WPIAL action tonight, keep an eye on the following hashtags on Twitter where people post score updates from games: #WPIAL #MSAscores #Skylights
Also, if you’re not already, follow the @MSAsports twitter account which will post score updates and bookmark the MSA Scoreboard for quick reference at the end of the night. They get the final scores up faster than anyone. Also, MSA Sports broadcasts most games over the internet, here is their list of the games they will be broadcasting tonight.
I’ll update my WPIAL Standings Page at the end of the night. It’s the only one available that includes all playoff tiebreakers (Gardner Points, WPIAL Points Tiebreaker and Head-to-Head wins). Since Class 3A and 1A have special rules for their Wild Card tiebreakers that count games outside of conference play, I also added pages to track the 3A Wild Card Standings and 1A Wild Card Standings. Class 2A also uses a Wild Card system, but only conference games count in the Wild Card standings, so no additional trackers were necessary as all the information would be the same as what appears on the regular Standings Page.
6A
Game of the Week
Seneca Valley at North Allegheny
With the news coming out last week that Pine-Richland quarterback Phil Jurkovec was out for the season after having surgery on his hand, the race for the second spot in the Northern Seven Conference was suddenly wide open. North Allegheny has won two hard-faught games with late touchdowns lifting them over Mt Lebanon and Penn Hills the last two weeks. The Tigers blew a 21-7 lead against Penn Hills on two fumbles, one returned for a touchdown and the other set up the tying score. But dual-threat QB Ethan Maenza came through in the clutch and clinched the game with a 52-yard touchdown to give him 160 yards and 3 scores on the night. On the season, Maenza has thrown for 548 yards and 5 TDs and rushed for 744 yards and 12 TDs. His primary target has been Niko Mermigas who has 392 receiving yards and 6 TDs. Mike Pope (324 yards, 4 TDs) and Turner White (203 yards, 4 TDs) have also contributed in the running game, but Maenza is the catalyst that makes the Tigers offense work. Seneca Valley has flown a bit under the radar this season after losing 2 of their first 4 games to Pine-Richland and Central Catholic. But the Warriors have gotten stronger over the last two weeks, soundly defeating Penn Hills and topping Southeastern Conference leader Bethel Park 25-21 last week. Senior QB Jack Cook has thrown for 1103 yards and 9 TDs and rushed for 409 yards and 6 scores. Cook has spread the ball around to Payton Skalos (400 yards, 4 TDs) and Jack Holl (212 yards, 1 TD). Senior RB Hank Royal leads the team in rushing with 706 yards and is second in receiving with 243 yards and has scored 10 touchdowns.
Honorable Mentions: Peters Twp at Mt Lebanon
Bethel Park currently leads the Southeastern Conference. A Mt Lebanon win would set up a Week 9 game between the two with the conference title on the line. Peters Twp is playing better over the last few weeks with wins over Hempfield and a Jurkovec-less Pine-Richland squad. Since the Indians started the season with 4 straight losses, they will need to continue their winning ways if they want to have a chance to sneak into the playoffs.
Playoff Scenarios
Northern Seven Conference
– Central Catholic has clinched the Conference Title
– North Allegheny has clinched a playoff spot
– Pine-Richland clinches a playoff spot with a win over Shaler
– Seneca Valley clinches a playoff spot with a win over North Allegheny
Southeastern Conference
– Bethel Park clinches a playoff spot with a win over Canon-McMillan
– Mt Lebanon clinches a playoff spot with a win over Peters Twp
– Hempfield and Norwin play non-conference games but can clinch playoff spots if Mt Lebanon beats Peters Twp
5A
Game of the Week
McKeesport at Upper St Clair
In last week’s 5A Game of the Week, Upper St Clair was routed by West Allegheny in a battle at of undefeated teams in the Allegheny Nine Conference. McKeesport currently sits atop the Big East conference with a 5-1 record with their only loss being to Armstrong in overtime. While this is a non-conference game, it should provide a great matchup of strength-on-strength as Upper St Clair has the second-best defense in 5A while McKeesport has the second-best offense. The Panthers offense has stagnated in the last two weeks, scoring just 17 in a win over Chartiers Valley and only managing 7 points against West Allegheny after averaging 35 per game over the first four weeks. Upper St Clair has balanced their passing and rushing attacks with Jack Hansberry throwing for 477 yards and 6 TDs and Blake Kadar leading the ground attack with 499 yards and 4 TDs. Leading receiver Dom Cepullio has accounted for 200 yards and 6 TDs. McKeesport’s offense has been dominant the last five weeks, rolling on the strength of their triple-option running game to an average of 46 points per game. QB Jayvaun Shears (229 yards, 3 TDs) has averaged fewer than five pass attempts per game becuase of the Tigers strong ground attack, which Shears has led to the tune of 612 yards and 15 TDs. Running backs Layton Jordan (546 yards, 5 TDs) and Dreon Green (330 yards, 4 TDs) are the other primary weapons out of the backfield. The Panthers will be hard-pressed against the Tigers stout defense which features three Division 1 recruits in DT Curtis Harper (a Syracuse commit), Edge Rusher Antoine Cook (a Youngstown St commit), and Safety Breon Green.
Honorable Mentions: Gateway at Kiski, Penn-Trafford at Armstrong
Playoff Scenarios
Allegheny Nine Conference
– Upper St Clair has clinched a playoff spot
– West Allegheny clinches a playoff spot with a win over Hampton
– Woodland Hills clinches a playoff spot with a win over Moon
– North Hills clinches a playoff spot with a win over Chartiers Valley AND a Moon loss
Non clinching scenarios in the Big East Conference
4A
Game of the Week
Belle Vernon at Thomas Jefferson
Belle Vernon holds the distinction of being the last WPIAL team to defeat Thomas Jefferson. The Jaguars, who would go on to win the AAA title, started off last season 0-2 with losses to Ringgold and Belle Vernon. In Week 2, TJ blew a fourth quarter lead and eventually lost 31-24 in overtime. Belle Vernon was the only AAA team that went undefeated in the regular season last year, but was ousted in the quarterfinals by Franklin Regional (who TJ then beat in the semis en route to the WPIAL title). This season, both teams are off to 6-0 starts with undefeated West Mifflin keeping pace in the Big Nine Conference. The Conference Title will be decided over the next three weeks with this game, Belle Vernon facing West Mifflin next week, then the West Mifflin-TJ rivalry game to end the season. Belle Vernon’s balanced offensive attack runs through dual-threat QB Mike Fine who has thrown for 646 yards and 9 TDs and rushed for 362 yards and 8 TDs. His primary targets have been Tim Labuda (270 yards, 7 TDs) and Logan Pfronger (152 yards, 4 TDs). Senior RB Nick Hall has led the way on the ground with 581 yards and 8 TDs, averaging over 10 yards per carry. Thomas Jefferson boasts the best offense (54 points per game) and best defense (6 points against per game) in Class 4A. Senior QB Bobby Kelley has thrown for 822 yards and 16 TDs, primarily to big-play receiver Zane Zandier (465 yards, 12 TDs). Leading rushers Quinton Hill (754 yards, 15 TDs) and Justin Vigna (366 yards, 6 TDs) are both averaging over 9 yards per carry.
Honorable Mentions: Ringgold at West Mifflin, Blackhawk at Highlands
West Mifflin has flown undefeated to this point in the season thanks to a schedule that (to date) features no team with more than 2 wins. This meeting with Ringgold will be the Titans first real test of the season. Highlands kept their slim playoff hopes alive last week when they returned a fumble 90 yards for a touchdown to beat Montour 12-10. The Rams will need to continue their winning ways against a Blackhawk team that has been quietly solid this season. Blackhawk blew 21-point leads against Mars and South Fayette and could have been right in the mix for the conference title while Highlands has close losses to New Castle (by 3), Knoch (by 7) and Mars (by 6).
Playoff Scenarios
Northwest Nine Conference
– South Fayette clinches a playoff spot with a win over Indiana
– South Fayette clinches the Conference Title with a win over Indiana and a Mars loss
– Mars clinches a playoff spot with a win over Ambridge and an Indiana loss
Big Nine Conference
– Belle Vernon and Thomas Jefferson have clinched playoff spots
– West Mifflin clinches a playoff spot with a win over Ringgold
– Ringgold clinches a playoff spot with a win over West Mifflin AND a Trinity loss
3A
Games of the Week
Keystone Oaks at Apollo-Ridge
These are the top two teams in the Allegheny Conference with Keystone Oaks entering undefeated in conference play and Apollo-Ridge with one loss suffered in the opening game to Deer Lakes. Apollo-Ridge has been on fire over the last three weeks since senior Duane Brown returned to the lineup after having offseason ACL surgery. Brown has accumulated 318 receiving yards, 218 rushing yards, and scored 11 touchdowns in 3 weeks, carrying the Vikings past Burrell, Seton-La Salle, and Freeport. Dual-treat QB Kyle Fitzroy has thrown for 1049 yards and 11 TDs and added 288 yards and 3 TDs on the ground. Before Brown’s return, Daylon Wells (242 yards,2 TDs) and Danny Orkwis (236 yards, 1 TD) were the Vikings main receivers. Brett Coleman leads Apollo-Ridge in rushing with 463 yards and 6 TDs. This game has the potential to be an absolute shootout as Apollo-Ridge has averaged 40 points per game since Brown’s return and Keystone Oaks is the second-highest scoring team in 3A at 44.5 points per game. Golden Eagles QB Alex Smith has the third most passing yards in the entire WPIAL with 1651 and has thrown 14 TDs while adding 674 yards and 10 TDs on the ground. He has spread the ball around to Nick Hrivnak (618 yards, 4 TDs), Dylan Knorr (420 yards, 5 TDs), and Joey Tortorella (190 yards, 2 TDs). Running back Devin Thomas has 311 yards rushing and 152 receiving and has scored 7 times. In the end, this game will come down to which star player – Duquesne commit Alex Smith or Robert Morris commit Duane Brown – makes more plays.
Beaver Falls at Central Valley
The Beaver Valley Conference is at the center of a pending playoff controversy. Four of the top teams in 3A are in the conference but (at most) only 3 of them will qualify for the postseason. This means one of Central Valley, Beaver, Aliquippa, and Beaver Falls will get left at home. The nightmare scenario for the WPIAL is if the fourth place team has a better record (or even a head-to-head victory) over one of the second place teams from another conference or over one of the Wild Cards. Every game in the Beaver Valley Conference is meaningful and it is entirely possible that two conference losses will be enough to doom a team to not making the playoffs. Central Valley currently sits atop the conference with an unblemished record with Beaver, Aliquippa, and Beaver Falls closely behind with only one loss each. The Warriors have been led by dual-threat QB Nico Battisti who has thrown for 695 yards and 7 TDs and rushed for 445 yards and 8 TDs. Junior RB Danny Santia leads the way with 522 yards and 12 TDs while senior Cameron Drake has been the Warriors big play receiver with 419 yards and 3 TDs. Since losing to Aliquippa in Week 1, Beaver Falls has been on a tear, averaging over 45 points per game and not allowing more than 14 in any contest. The Tigers have been so dominant on the ground this year they have only averaged 12 pass attempts per game. Beaver Falls is loaded with talented playmakers out of the backfield with Neshaud Akins (538 yards, 7 TDs) and Torian Leak (344 yards, 6 TDs) leading the way. Senior QB Austin French has thrown for 674 yards and 7 TDs. Beaver Falls will use different backs and receivers out of their wishbone look which gives plenty of big-play opportunities to Malik Shepherd (181 receiving yards, 166 rushing yards, 5 TDs), Derrell Carter (126 receiving yards, 176 rushing yards, 4 TDs), and Dayln Brickner (167 receiving yards, 45 rushing yards, 4 TDs). Carter and Shepherd both have offers from FBS schools but the prime recruit on the Beaver Falls roster is defensive end Donovan Jeter who has committed to Notre Dame.
Honorable Mentions: Seton-La Salle at Freeport, Beaver at Hopewell, Quaker Valley at Aliquippa, Mt Pleasant at Yough, South Park at McGuffey
Since only two teams from each conference are guaranteed a playoff game, every conference game is important. Seton-La Salle already has two losses and Freeport has one while both face conference leader Keystone Oaks over the next few weeks.
Playoff Scenarios
No clinching scenarios in the Beaver Valley Conference
No clinching scenarios in the Allegheny Conference
Interstate Conference
– Derry plays a non-conference game but can clinch the Conference Title with a McGuffey loss
2A
Games of the Week
Washington at Chartiers-Houston
Washington and Chartiers-Houston sit atop the Century Conference with unblemished conference records. The Little Prexies have made it this far by blowing out their opponents with the second-best offense (46 points per game) and second-best defense (9 points against per game) in 2A. Washington has traditionally been a run-heavy team but have expanded their passing game this season with senior QB Connor Bedillian throwing for 596 yards and 12 TDs, primarily to Isaiah Robinson (296 yards, 7 TDs). Unlike previous iterations of the Little Prexies, this team does not have a singular dominant running back but a committee approach. Lyle Webb (267 yards, 6 TDs), Ronnie Paith (259 yards, 5 TDs), Nick Welsh (250 yards, 2 TDs), and Zyan Wallace (217 yards, 3 TDs) have split the workload. On the other hand, Chartiers-Houston has squeaked through a few of their games, beating Bentworth 12-3, Burgettstown 7-6, Beth-Center 25-13 and Charleroi 14-6. The Bucs offense has surpassed 27 points only once this season. Senior QB TJ Johnson has thrown for 910 yards and 10 TDs, most of them going to AJ Meyers (405 yards, 8 TDs) and Jordan Davis (273 yards, 2 TDs). Spencer Terling has been a workhorse back, rushing for 627 yards and 8 TDs).
Steel Valley at East Allegheny
After 6 weeks of regular season play, Washington and Steel Valley are the only two undefeated teams in Class 2A. Steel Valley has lived up to their preseason billing as the best team in the class, boasting the highest scoring offense at 54 points per game and the stingiest defense, allowing just under 9 points per game. No conference opponents have scored more than once against the Ironmen while they have scored over 40 in each contest. The tandem of DeWayne Murray and Paris Ford has been dominant with Murray rushing for 727 yards and 18 TDs and Ford (a Pitt commit) scoring 9 times. East Allegheny also enters the game undefeated in conference play, making this game essentially a showdown for the conference title. East Allegheny has been able to ride a strong defense to victory this season, only allowing 14 points and pitching 3 shutouts in their 5 wins. Unfortunately, the script was flipped completely in their two losses as they gave up 42 to Jeannette in Week 0 and 50 to Neshannock in a non-conference game. The Wildcats have been led by QB Tamaine Underwood who has thrown for 709 yards and 7 TDs. He has spread the ball between TJ Banks (195 yards, 4 TDs), AJ Mitchell (148 yards, 2 TDs), and Taivion Boynes (148 yards, 6 TDs). East Allegheny hasn’t gotten much out of their running game with Davon McDougal rushing for just 267 yards and 2 TDs and Jahi Rox adding 140 yards and 5 TDs.
Honorable Mentions: CWNC at Riverside, Serra Catholic at Carlynton
Playoff Scenarios
Century Conference
– Chartiers-Houston, Washington, and Burgettstown have clinched playoff spots
– Chartiers-Houston clinches the Conference Title with a win over Washington
Midwestern Conference
– Neshannock clinches a playoff spot with a win over South Side Beaver
– Riverside clinches a playoff spot with a win over CWNC
– Neshannock and Riverside clinch home playoff games with wins AND a Freedom loss
– CWNC clinches a playoff spot with a win over Riverside AND a South Side Beaver loss
Three Rivers Conference
– East Allegheny and Steel Valley have clinched playoff spots
– East Allegheny clinches the Conference Title with a win over Steel Valley
– Brentwood clinches a playoff spot with a win over Vincentian AND a Carlynton loss
1A
Game of the Week
Bishop Canevin at Springdale
This is a bit of a down week on the 1A slate as teams are basically gearing up for the stretch run. In the Big Seven Conference, Rochester has solidified their hold on the top spot. In the Eastern Conference and the Tri-County South, we are just waiting for the showdowns between the top teams (Clairton-Jeannette and Fort Cherry-Carmichaels) to determine the conference champions. This is a game that will have playoff implications in the Eastern Conference as a number of teams are battling for the third spot, which could bring with it a home playoff game. Bishop Canevin started the season with Brian De Schon at quarterback but Austin Scott took over last week and threw for 176 yards and 2 TDs. Maleik Hemingway has been the main force on offense for the Crusaders, rushing for 451 yards and adding 117 receiving yards while finding the end zone 9 times. Zach Trusky is their second-leading rusher with 303 yards and 3 TDs while Kellan Gustine leads Canevin in receiving with 184 yards and 2 TDs. Springdale, in their traditional fashion, has been a strong rushing team this season. Ben Sowinski has run for 767 yards and 5 TDs while Ethan McFarland has added 295 yards and 6 TDs. QB Sam Carey has thrown for 578 yards and 5 TDs while Josh Harmon has been an all-around playmaker, leading the Dynamos in receiving with 237 yards and adding 223 rushing yards and scroring 5 total TDs.
Honorable Mentions: Jeannette at GCC, Union at OLSH, Mapletown at Fort Cherry
Playoff Scenarios
Big Seven Conference
– Rochester has clinched a playoff spot and a home playoff game
– Rochester plays a non-conference game but clinches the Conference Title with a Northgate loss
– Northgate clinches a playoff spot with a win over Western Beaver
– Northgate clinches a home playoff game with a win AND losses by OLSH and Sto-Rox
– Sto-Rox clinches a playoff spot with a win over Summit Academy AND a losses by Shenango or Union
Eastern Conference
– Jeannette and Clairton have clinched playoff spots
– Bishop Canevin clinches a playoff spot with a win over Springdale
Tri-County South Conference
– Carmichaels has clinched a playoff spot
– Carmichaels clinches a home playoff game with a win over Jefferson-Morgan OR a Mapletown loss
– Fort Cherry clinches a playoff spot and a home playoff game with a win over Mapletown
– Mapletown clinches a playoff spot with a win over Fort Cherry
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
