Competition will again be stiff among City League football teams this fall. Safety is often the last line of defense, but having a good one can be a weapon for any team. A changing of the guard in WPIAL Class 3A football will occur in 2022 and Belle Vernon, a Class 4A finalist last year, is favored to be the top team to replace three-time WPIAL champion Central Valley. After taste of playoff success, Fox Chapel back for more Coming off a 7-2 season in 2020, Shenango had high hopes this time last year. With an experienced roster returning, coach Aaron Giorgis staff and the team have built a strong bond. New Jefferson-Morgan coach focused on creating competitive culture Lovelace helped the Blue Devils reach the WPIAL playoffs for the second year in a row. Burrell coach Shawn Liotta says his team is getting ramped up for the season and is excited for its potential in its new conference, hoping to build on last years WPIAL playoff appearance, its first since 2012. Division I talent could help Steel Valley write happier ending to 2022 season No disrespect to the current opponents, but dropping down just might suit the Trojans better after several fruitless seasons in Class 3A. Ty Law, Darrelle Revis and other former WPIAL stars have put cornerback on the map when it comes to Western Pennsylvania football. Marcus McCullough played his final football game at Ringgold in 1987, losing to New Castle in the WPIAL Class 3A semifinals. Pine-Richland, Aliquippa, Belle Vernon and Union also reached Cumberland Valley, the new home for the PIAA finals. Thats because the WPIAL has shrunk the bracket from 12 teams to eight, meaning a team with as few as two losses might miss the playoffs. The former NFL lineman knows the front five is the anchor of any offense. Belle Vernon coach Matt Humbert doesnt make too much of his teams drop to Class 3A, though it would be hard to blame him for being excited. By: Chris Harlan Hows this for a good quarterback-receiver combination? Boyd was named the TribLive HSSN Class 6A Player of the Year. Only the top two finishers in each conference are assured playoff spots with two third-place teams earning wild cards. Cory lists more than a dozen college offers including Pitt and West Virginia. Fellow City League team Carrick will be playing as an independent for the fourth straight season. Defending champion Bishop Canevin the team to beat The Warriors have won the Interstate four out of the past five years, and with a talented lineup coming back, coach Mike Collodi thinks his team is still the favorite there and among the favorites in Class 3A. Wednesday, December 21, 2022 | 2:30 AM. As the lone member school currently situated outside the WPIALs designed boundaries, the program finds itself in a world of its own. Mapletowns Landan Stevenson runs past Monessens Daniel Dozier during their game Oct. 21, 2022, at Mapletown. After finishing in second place in the balanced Class 5A Allegheny Six Conference a year ago, Upper St. Clair qualified for the WPIAL playoffs for a 22nd straight year. Trib HSSN is the only place to watch the WPIAL Class 5A and 6A football championships. Pleasant aims to build on WPIAL playoff experienceMt. Palmieri had one of the all-time best individual efforts in the state finals. With a new coach on board, Derry has been repositioned in Class 2A. He rushed for 1,279 yards and added 424 yards more on 28 catches. Since expansion to six classifications in 2016, Seneca Valley is a combined 35-28 with two trips to the WPIAL 6A title game and two berths in the district semifinals. Chaz Palla | Tribune-Review. The 6-foot-3, 220-pound junior announced his decision on Twitter. (Error. Gateways offensive line was pushed around at times last season by some of the best defensive fronts in the WPIAL, but the Gators say theyre ready to bite back. Penn-Trafford football coach John Ruane is faced with something hes never encountered before: preparing a team to defend a WPIAL and PIAA Class 5A championship. Check out Trib HSSN throughout the postseason for live video and audio coverage. If youre Greensburg Salem coach Dave Keefer you make him your quarterback. Rochester has a message for its Class A opponents this year tighten those hinges. Scouting the offensive line The road to a WPIAL football championship is a long and winding one for Indiana. Perfection in the past, Mt. Remember Clairton? Tags: Central Catholic, North Allegheny, Pine-Richland, Upper St. Clair. Dave Heaver has returned to coach the Vikings and hopes to replicate an earlier era where Valley was one of the top programs in the area. After losing to Rochester earlier in the season, the Chargers wanted vengeance on their conference foes. VIDEO: Rebel Yell Podcast: Boys Basketball Player of the Week: Jaydis Kennedy of Geibel, VIDEO: Rebel Yell Podcast: Boys Basketball Team of the Week: Central Catholic, VIDEO: Rebel Yell Podcast: Girls Basketball Player of the Week: Rylee Kalocay of Upper St. Clair, VIDEO: Rebel Yell Podcast: Girls Basketball Team of the Week: Blackhawk, VIDEO: Rebel Yell Podcast: Girls Basketball Player of the Week: McKenna DeUnger of Charleroi, 2023 TribLIVE High School Sports Network | All rights reserved, Tradition-rich programs clash when Pine-Richland, Upper St. Clair play for WPIAL Class 5A title, Program-boosting coaches lead North Allegheny, Central Catholic into WPIAL Class 6A title game, WPIAL football playoff brackets for all six, Quaker Valley wide receiver Jakub Pickett recognized for strong senior season, Pine-Richland football coach Jon LeDonne among 32 nominees for NFLs Don Shula Award, Its official: George hired at Greensburg Salem and Fazekas rehired at Mt. Class A teams are usually lucky to have 30 players on the roster. South Park looks to regain winning ways after tough seasonSouth Park enters the new season in rebound mode. Confidence isnt lacking inside the football locker room at Serra Catholic. Strong, veteran line could keep Mohawk in playoff picture Valley alum Dave Heavner wants to bring pride back to Vikings program Seventy-three teams will learn their. North Alleghenys Khiryn Boyd celebrates after intercepting a pass against Central Catholic on Friday, Sept. 23, 2022, at West Mifflin High School. With 3rd straight WPIAL title secured, Central Valleys goals dont change Hes already nearing 4,000 career yards. Having stabilized program, next step for Freedom is playoff berth With experienced roster returning, Waynesburg sets bar higher Losing a quarterback who passed and rushed for more than 1,000 yards and a player who set the programs all-time scoring record to graduation would be a lot for any high school team, let alone one in Class A. Thats the situation Carmichaels finds itself in in 2022, but Mighty Mikes coach Ron Gallagher isnt deterred. Christopher Horner | Tribune-Review. But reality failed to meet expectations and, despite a second straight season with a playoff victory, the Wildcats were left wanting more. by TribLive HSSN Varsity Football Watch Later Plum High School Franklin Regional High School on demand Sep 30, 2022 3:50 PM PDT Murrysville, PA Pub. TribLive HSSN WPIAL football rankings: Week ending Oct. 2, 2022 By: Chris Harlan Saturday, October 1, 2022 | 5:31 PM Christopher Horner | Tribune-Review Steel Valley remained on top of the. Hed coached junior varsity football at Summit Academy seven years ago but took time off. Mayer was already one of the top pass rushers, but this year showed his pass-catching abilities as the Jaguars reached the WPIAL Class 4A semifinals. Quaker Valley begins building project under new coach New coach, renovated field usher in new era for New Castle football TribLive HSSN @TribLiveHSSN. Central Catholics Cole Sullivan pulls in a late second-quarter pass beating North Alleghenys Campbell. 5 Upper St. Clair (10-2) vs. No. These are the glory days of high school football at Albert Gallatin. The Spartans are returning to the Class 2A Century Conference for at least the next two seasons, reverting back to the early years of last decade. High school football season is fast approaching, and Tribune-Review writers and photographers are traveling around Western Pa. to preview the 2022 campaign. The Red Hurricanes made their way back to the playoffs and won their first postseason game since 2016 when they defeated Highlands, 31-19, last season. Louis B. Ruediger |Tribune-Review. After nearly two dozen district high school football teams stayed away from the Week Zero feast to go old school from the second scrimmage menu, all WPIAL and City League teams hit the field this weekend, most playing conference openers. Lebanon starts new season with lots of fresh faces, Central Catholic looking to regain championship swagger, Canon-McMillan looks to join elite in shrinking Class 6A, North Allegheny expects to be in the title mix in Class 6A, Gateway among teams trying to squeeze into tight playoff field, Baldwin moves into Class 5A looking to regain confidence, With slew of starters returning, expectations soaring at Bethel Park, After unforgettable run to WPIAL finals, rebuilding process begins at Moon, Short on seniors, Peters Township looks for next wave to take over, Upper St. Clair loaded with returning starters, ready for another playoff run, South Fayette looks to turn hard-luck losses into conference wins, Franklin Regional hopes last years learning experience benefits returning players, Bolstered by improved offensive line, Gateway builds confidence for run at WPIAL title, Penn-Trafford ready to tackle the challenge of staying on top, Added depth, drop to Class 5A fuel optimism at Hempfield, Norwin has postseason aspirations amidst field of new 5A opponents, Plum hoping to carry momentum from strong finish into new season, After taste of playoff success, Fox Chapel back for more, North Hills with plenty of untold stories entering 2022, New Penn Hills coach wants to ramp up aggressiveness, New Pine-Richland coach wants to play Western Pa. football, Shaler looks to learn lessons from losing streak, Woodland Hills still running with the big dogs in Class 5A, Aliquippa ready for another heavyweight fight, Expectations soar as defending state champ Aliquippa brings back loaded roster, With losing streak snapped, Ambridge turns attention to playoff win, Blackhawk looking to reverse close losses, return to playoffs, With 3rd straight WPIAL title secured, Central Valleys goals dont change, Chartiers Valley hopes to be a Payne for Parkway Conference foes, Experience puts Montour in the mix as a challenger in deep Class 4A field, New coach, renovated field usher in new era for New Castle football, After injuries derailed last season, West Allegheny brings back experienced roster, Cadin Olsen, Armstrong aim to build off 1st WPIAL playoff victory, Hampton remains hungry after 11-win season, New coach has talented team to work with at Highlands, With new coach at helm, Indiana continues quest for WPIAL success from afar, Kiski Area brings new-look roster into Class 4A competition, Mars slowly but surely acclimating to coach Eric Kasperowiczs system, North Catholic embraces new challenge in Class 4A, Trio of Connellsville alumni to share coaching duties, trying to get program back on track, Latrobe works toward more victories after move to Class 4A, After close call last year, McKeesport hopes to make a run at Class 4A gold, New Ringgold coach ready to face challenges of restoring winning culture, Thomas Jefferson aiming to regain championship mojo, New coach Dan Knause focuses on physicality as Trinity hopes to end playoff drought, Belle Vernon leads new-look field of contenders, Avonworth hopes to climb to top of Western Hills and beyond, After bounce-back season, Beaver looks to add to winning tradition, After winless season, Hopewell driven to make statement, Quaker Valley begins building project under new coach, After graduations, transfers, coaching change, Seton LaSalle moving in all new direction, South Park looks to regain winning ways after tough season, Big, strong offensive line makes West Mifflin a team to watch in Class 3A, Deer Lakes in position to return to playoffs, East Allegheny hoping to deliver 7th straight playoff berth, Freeport could have plenty to celebrate in programs 100th season, Knoch prepares to tackle all-road schedule, With co-op in 2nd year, Shady Side Academy ready for bump up to Class 3A, Valley alum Dave Heavner wants to bring pride back to Vikings program, Belle Vernon roars into Class 3A with Quinton Martin, strong supporting cast, Elizabeth Forward not ready to relinquish top spot in Class 3A Interstate Conference, Greensburg Salem puts offense in hands of skilled standout Cody Rubrecht, Mt. Plum football coach Matt Morgan watched a young group of players mature on the fly to win three of their last five games and earn a playoff berth last season. He rushed for two TDs, threw for another and also returned an interception to the end zone as the Rams won the Class 5A title. Welcome back, Brentwood. Central Catholic linebacker Anthony Speca, one of the state's top college football recruits, committed Tuesday to Penn State.. First playoff victory since 1978. Central Catholics Anthony Speca works out on Monday, Aug. 1, 2022, in Oakland. Chris Harlan is a Tribune-Review Staff Writer. Alualu was a force in the middle of a defense that won the WPIAL Class 6A title. will pay off. The players and the coaches want to prove they can play with anyone in the Western Hills conference. The Tigers (11-2) held opponents to 13 points per game. Pleasant, Belle Vernons Quinton Martin named a MaxPreps All-American. Westinghouse quarterback Keyshawn Morsillo celebrates the Bulldogs final touchdown against Steel Valley during their PIAA Class 2A state semifinal on Friday, Dec. 2, 2022, at West Mifflin High School. Hell start the process with a culture shift for 2022. Avella players work out. After missing the playoffs every season since 2015, Waynesburg is poised to turn the tide. Planting summer bulbs can be done right now. With new coach Dan Knause in town, the Trinity Hillers are looking to end a drought this season. South Fayette looks to turn hard-luck losses into conference wins Connellsville, which enters the season riding a 17-game losing streak, hasnt qualified for the WPIAL playoffs since 2014. Lawson ranked fifth among all WPIAL receivers with 55 catches for 871 yards and scored a team-high 11 touchdowns. After winning WPIAL and state championships, expectations couldnt be any higher for an Aliquippa football team that brings almost everyone back. After unforgettable run to WPIAL finals, rebuilding process begins at Moon He also added 71 tackles on defense for a team that went 11-2. Moons Nick Prozzoly works out at Tigers Stadium. The storied history of WPIAL football often focuses on its quarterbacks or defensive backs. 186 nationally. Lebanon, Experienced Seneca Valley squad ready to make a run for gold in Class 6A, Perfection in the past, Mt. Doug Oster introduces us to the idea behind Everybody Gardens. Lebanon Scouting the specialists South Side has weapons to compete with Class As best Pleasant expected to keep football coach Jason Fazekas, Gateways Matt Brooks, Dallas Harper look forward to future in football. The Central Michigan recruit is a two-way standout, playing both center and defensive tackle for the Warriors, who reached the WPIAL Class 5A playoffs. As a result, the Maples celebrated their first undefeated regular season since 1968 and won the first playoff game in team history. 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