Farrell has six WPIAL football titles in its history, with a 3A title in 1951, 2A title in 1976 and four 1A titles in 1986, 1990, 1995, 1996. The basketball team is level with Aliquippa for most WPIAL titles with 13 and girls’ volleyball has a WPIAL record 20 titles.

Farrell left the WPIAL back in 2006 and has played in District 10 since then. District 10 consists of schools in the northeast part of Pennsylvania, with the prominent Erie schools in McDowell and Cathedral Prep and more rural schools like Meadville and Reynolds in Greenville, Pa.

The school district attempted to leave for the WPIAL in 2015, but District 10 prohibited them and the PIAA also rejected the move.

Farrell athletic director and football head coach Anthony Pegues, in an interview with the Tribune-Review’s Chris Harlan, spoke about the improved chances to join the WPIAL. He said that the WPIAL wants them and that they have the legal counsel to try and push it forward if District 10 prohibits them again, but it is still up to the school board how they progress further.

The 2024-25 academic calendar year serves as the timeline for when Farrell wants to join the WPIAL. Another important factor that Pegues said in the interview include dealing with racial incidents from. other schools, including an instance this fall where they asked District 10 to deal with racism at a girls’ volleyball match. 75% of Farrell’s student body is Black and 83.9% is minority enrollment, compared to the school districts in the area with a much higher White percentage in their student bodies.

Farrell is about 69 miles north west on the Pennsylvania-Ohio border in Mercer County, more northern than any other WPIAL school.The length of travel is also something that, while playing a role in Farrell leaving the WPIAL in 2006, still is an issue in District 10, with teams about an hour to 90-minute drives away.

Schools in Lawrence, Beaver and Armstrong counties are about the same distance or shorter for Farrell. The WPIAL also provides much tougher competition for the school district, which has 10 football titles since joining in 2006. The potential for better matchups also allows for colleges to recruit the athletes at high school, which benefits the school district greatly.

Farrell will need both District 10 and the PIAA to approve their move, if it is to go through.

The post Farrell School Board Votes 8-1 to Join WPIAL appeared first on Pittsburgh Sports Now.

Class-6A will get a rematch of one of the most highly anticipated games of the year after the North Allegheny Tigers knocked off Canon-Mac 49-7.

The Pine-Richland Rams trailed the Penn Hills Indians 9-0 with less than four minutes remaining in their 5A semifinal game. Even playing in a hostile road environment, that didn’t stop them from storming back to score 16 points in the last minutes of the game to steal the win. 

Elizabeth Forward rolled past West Mifflin in the 3A bracket, but not without controversy. WTAE’s Andrew Stockey reported that a member of the West Mifflin school board was investigated by police for allegedly sharing the Titans’ game plan with the opposition. Any potential collusion likely wouldn’t have affected the final result, as the Warriors defeated the Titans handily earlier in the season too.

Class-2A saw a pair of upsets, with No. 10 Beaver Falls knocking off No. 2 Neshannock and No. 5 Mohawk sending No. 4 Imani Christian Academy packing, while most of the rest of the brackets played out as expected. Steel Valley continued their title defense after getting a scare against Western Beaver. 

Check out Pittsburgh Sports Now’s live coverage of these exciting matchups:

North Allegheny Crushes Canon-Mac, Sets Up Title Rematch

Steel Valley Survives Strong Western Beaver Challenge, 21-18

Elizabeth Forward Rolls Over West Mifflin, 42-21

WPIAL Class-6A

Both the 6A and 5A championship games will take place at Norwin High School on Saturday, November 18. The 5A game kicks off at noon, while the 6A game starts at 6 p.m.

No. 1 Central Catholic vs No. 2 North Allegheny

WPIAL Class-5A

No. 1 Peters Township vs No. 3 Pine-Richland

WPIAL Class-4A

The 4A, 3A, 2A and 1A championship games will take place at Acrisure Stadium on Friday, November 24. Each of the semifinal games in these brackets are set to take place on Friday, November 17, with locations and kickoff times yet to be announced.

No. 1 Aliquippa vs No. 4 Mars

No. 2 McKeesport vs No. 3 Montour

WPIAL Class-3A

No. 1 Belle Vernon vs No. 4 East Allegheny

No. 2 Avonworth vs No. 3 Elizabeth Forward

WPIAL Class-2A

No. 1 Steel Valley vs No. 5 Mohawk

No. 10 Beaver Falls vs No. 3 Washington 

WPIAL Class-1A

No. 1 South Side Beaver vs No. 4 Clairton 

No. 2 Fort Cherry vs No. 3 Bishop Canevin

The post Updated WPIAL Playoff Brackets Heading to Finals and Semifinals appeared first on Pittsburgh Sports Now.

On the game’s opening kick-off, a 23-yard return by Western Beaver’s Mikey Crawford was followed by a late hit personal foul penalty that set them up in phenomenal field position at the Steel Valley 32. Utilizing the great field position, Western Beaver was able to drive down the field and score on a five-yard touchdown pass from Jaivin Peel to Mikey Crawford. The extra point attempt was blocked, though, and Western Beaver led 6-0 early.

Steel Valley’s Donald Barksdale had a 60-yard kick return that set up Steel Valley at the Western Beaver 32 on the ensuing possession. The Western Beaver held at the start, but a fourth down run by Barksdale extended the game’s second drive. Barksdale not only had the fourth down conversion and long kick return but also every single yard on Steel Valley’s 32-yard touchdown drive. The extra point attempt by AJ Karstetter was good, and Steel Valley took a 7-6 lead with about four minutes left in the first quarter.

That lead was short-lived, though, as a 73-yard touchdown pass on the third play of the next drive from Peel to Dorian McGhee gave Western Beaver the lead back immediately. The two-point conversion attempt failed, but Western Beaver now led 12-7, approaching the end of the first quarter.

An interception by Steel Valley’s Cay’son Simpkins set the Ironmen up at their own 33 yard-line for their first drive of the second quarter. On the second play of that drive, quarterback Tyson Barron found Carlos Scott for a 67-yard touchdown pass. With Kastetter converting the extra point, Steel Valley went up 14-12 and that was where the score sat heading into halftime.

The third quarter did not start out as explosive as the first one did, with an offensive drive stalling for Steel Valley due to several penalties followed by a three-and-out from Western Beaver. However, it did end up that way. Starting with Barksdale who broke off a 43-yard touchdown run to extend the Steel Valley lead to nine at 21-12. That was immediately answered by Peel and Crawford connecting on a 59-yard touchdown pass. Another failed extra point attempt though made it a three-point game at 21-18 and that was the score as the game entered it’s final quarter.

Both teams struggled offensively for much of the fourth quarter and the game came down to the final two minutes. After stopping Steel Valley on a fourth down run with about two minutes left, Western Beaver took over down just three at 21-18. On their drive, a hail mary pass was intercepted by Barksdale to end the game at 21-18 Steel Valley.

Steel Valley moves on to face Mohawk in the WPIAL 2A semifinals. That game will be played at a neutral site next Friday with the winner heading to Acrisure Stadium for the WPIAL 2A Championship.

Gallery:

The post Steel Valley Survives Strong Western Beaver Challenge, 21-18 appeared first on Pittsburgh Sports Now.

The game started as well as it could for the Titans as Armand Hill carried the team all the way into Warriors’ territory within the first two plays. Just two plays later, Hill was stripped by the Warriors’ Dominic DeRenzo at the 21-yard line. The senior, DeRenzo, then took the fumble 79 yards the other way for a Warriors’ touchdown.

After a quick three-and-out by the Titans, the Warriors moved down the field quickly in large part because of two big-time throws by Warriors’ quarterback Ryan Messina. On the sixth play of the Warriors’ first offensive drive, Charles Nigut punched in a 1-yard scamper to extend the lead.

The Titans used a 12-yard touchdown run by Hill to get back into the game which capped off a 4-play, 93-yard touchdown drive.

On the next drive, the Warriors drove the ball down the whole field before the Titans forced a fumble at the 1-yard line. One play later, on the first play of the Titans’ drive, the snap was fumbled and the Warriors’ Charles Meehleib dived on it in the endzone for the touchdown.

The Titans tried to use a fierce second-half surge to comeback as they scored twice in the span of four minutes to cut the game down to one possession. Then, it looked as if the Titans were on their way to tie the game but a fourth untimely fumble halted their chances short.

Shortly after the Titans’ fumble, Nigut punched in his second score of the night to re-extend the Warriors lead to 14 points. Then, the Warriors immediately scored again on Meehleib’s pick-six which was the second score of the night for the 6-foot-4, 255-pound lineman.

The Warriors managed to maintain the lead throughout the rest of the game and closed out the second-round victory over the Titans.

With the win, the Warriors will travel to take on No. 2 Avonworth while the Titans’ season ends after the second round with the loss. Avonworth defeated Beaver in the other second-round Class-2A playoff matchup.

The post Elizabeth Forward Rolls Over West Mifflin, 42-21 appeared first on Pittsburgh Sports Now.

Quarterback Logan Kushner ran for a pair of scores and added another through the air in the first half alone. 

Kushner broke the ice 92 seconds into the game, outracing the Big Macs’ defense for a 71-yard touchdown off fourth-and-short.

The Tigers’ defense and special teams got off to a hot start as well. North Allegheny forced a quick punt and receiver Khiryn Boyd capitalized, returning the kick 58 yards for the score, and a 13-0 lead.

Canon-Mac began what looked like a promising drive, but a fumble unraveled the scoring threat as the Big Macs coughed up the football near midfield. North Allegheny couldn’t capitalize, with Canon-Mac blocking a 49-yard field goal attempt.

Boyd showed how dangerous he is with the ball in his hands once again midway through the second quarter, flipping the field on a 47-yard catch-and-run off a short pass from Kushner. It was Kushner who ended up scoring, though, putting the Tigers up 19-0 with a 15-yard rush.

North Allegheny continued to pile on 57 seconds later after another Canon Mac fumble. Kushner found tight end Daniel Sellers for a touchdown pass off the short field. Set up by a 38-yard catch from Boyd, Sellers made it 32-0 before the half with a one-yard rush off the right end.

The Tigers continued to roll in the second half. Liam Flaherty added an 11-yard touchdown carry, while sophomore Luke Rohan added a 12-yard touchdown tote of his own.

Canon-Mac broke the ice late in the third quarter on a 62-yard pass from Michael Evans to Zyan Howard.

WPIAL Championship Rematch

Elsewhere in the WPIAL playoff bracket, the Central Catholic Vikings defeated the Mt. Lebanon Blue Devils, setting up a rematch of last year’s Class-6A title game—and a highly anticipated clash between the two teams earlier this year, which Central Catholic won 55-20. 

The Class-6A WPIAL Championship will take place at Norwin High School on Saturday, November 18.

The post North Allegheny Crushes Canon-Mac, Sets Up Title Rematch appeared first on Pittsburgh Sports Now.

Update (9:55 PM): 

Latrobe fails on fourth down and the Quips will win.

Final: @LATROBEFOOTBALL 29@quipfootball 37

What a hard fought game by both teams.@AlexTatsch5 18 carries, 138 yards and 1 TD. 5 tackles, Fumble Recovery@Tiqwaihayes 26 carries, 253 yards and 2 TDs. pic.twitter.com/PguXAksnbH

— Rich Donahue (@DonahuePGH) November 11, 2023

WPIAL Football Playoffs FINAL: Belle Vernon 49, Deer Lakes 6#HSSN

— TribLive HSSN (@TribLiveHSSN) November 11, 2023

A Hail Mary pass is intercepted by Donald Barksdale!

And that should be all she wrote.

21-18 SV
1:09 4Q#WPIAL

— Logan Carney (@Media_Carnival) November 11, 2023

And an opportunity to play for a Championship#MenofCentral #RollVikes pic.twitter.com/pN7526srsO

— Central Catholic Football (@PCC_FOOTBALL) November 11, 2023

FINAL

West Mifflin 21
Elizabeth Forward 42@PghSportsNow

— Adam Borst (@AdamBorstPGH) November 11, 2023

WPIAL Football Playoffs FINAL: Clairton 18, Union 6
FINAL: Fort Cherry 35, Rochester 0#HSSN

— TribLive HSSN (@TribLiveHSSN) November 11, 2023

FINAL

NA 49
CM 7@TribLiveHSSN @WPIAL_Insider @wpialsportsnews @BREAL412

— NATigers (@NATigerAthletic) November 11, 2023

TOUCHDOWN OOBI

The freshman QB @KingOobi runs it and gives @PR_RamsFootball the lead with 2 seconds left!#KDKAFridayNightLights #GoNextLevel #WPIAL pic.twitter.com/nlJ5q5lMBk

— 100.1 FM and AM 1020 KDKA (@KDKARadio) November 11, 2023

Final pic.twitter.com/qjpzMYWUZO

— PENN HILLS INDIANS FOOTBALL (@phqbclub) November 11, 2023

Update (9:25 PM): 

John Tracy goes up the middle 11 yards for a score. Quips lead Latrobe, 37-29, with 1:37 to go @timesscores #WPIAL

— Joe Sager (@joesager) November 11, 2023

Clairton 12
Union 6 @KDKARadio @PghSportsNow @DanZangrilli

— WPIAL Sportsmen (@wpialsportsnews) November 11, 2023

Beaver Falls 14, Neshannock 13, 1:57 left in regulation.

— New Castle News Sports (@NCNewsSports) November 11, 2023

WPIAL Football Playoffs FINAL: Washington 18, McGuffey 7
FINAL: Beaver Falls 14, Neshannock 13#HSSN

— TribLive HSSN (@TribLiveHSSN) November 11, 2023

Peters 41
Moon 18 @KDKARadio @PghSportsNow @DanZangrilli

— WPIAL Sportsmen (@wpialsportsnews) November 11, 2023

FINAL:

#10 seed Beaver Falls defeats #2 seed Neshannock

The Tigers advance to the semi-finals!

— WPIAL Insider (@WPIAL_Insider) November 11, 2023

Update (9:12 PM): 

TOUCHDOWN WILDCATS!!!

ALEX TATSCH A 1-YARD RUN!!!

31-29 Quips, 5:17 remaining in the game.#GoCats

— Latrobe Football (@LATROBEFOOTBALL) November 11, 2023

Latrobe and Aliquippa playing the game of the year tonight.

This second half has been nuts!

— Rich Donahue (@DonahuePGH) November 11, 2023

WPIAL Football Playoffs FINAL: McKeesport 28, Trinity 14
FINAL: South Side 48, Greensburg Central Catholic 21#HSSN

— TribLive HSSN (@TribLiveHSSN) November 11, 2023

Jake Wolfe has found AJ Alston yet again, the fourth time tonight, for a 19-yard touchdown. The Montour lead is now 44-7 with 27 seconds left in the third quarter.

— John Santa (@johnnysantaPUP) November 11, 2023

Several penalties made it 2nd & 27 from Western Beaver’s own three yard line.

A completion in the middle to Dorian McGhee made it 3rd & 1. WB got SV to jump offsides and now they’re driving.

A few plays later and they’re at the SV 36.

21-18 SV
10:09 4Q#WPIAL

— Logan Carney (@Media_Carnival) November 11, 2023

Update (9 PM): 

End of 3rd Qtr.
Quips 25, Latrobe 14.

— Dwight Lindsey (@mrdlindsey) November 11, 2023

Avonworth up 27-7 on Beaver

Peters Township up 28-10 on Moon

— WPIAL Insider (@WPIAL_Insider) November 11, 2023

South Side 42 Greensburg Central Catholic 7, End 3rd Q

— Westmoreland Sports Network (@WestmorelandSN) November 11, 2023

43 yard TD run from Donald Barksdale!

And Steel Valley extends their lead.

21-12 SV
3:32 3Q#WPIAL

— Logan Carney (@Media_Carnival) November 11, 2023

TOUCHDOWN @JulesDugger02

QB1 takes it himself for the 6-yd touchdown! PAT no good.

3Q 2:00 9-0 PH#KDKAFridayNightLights #GoNextLevel #WPIAL pic.twitter.com/aosQi1SDhp

— 100.1 FM and AM 1020 KDKA (@KDKARadio) November 11, 2023

A seven-carry, 66-yard drive for Armand Hill ends in a 16-yard touchdown run for the freshman phenom.

He's now up to 18 carries for 160 yards and two scores.

EF leads 28-14 with 9:29 left in the third.@MVI_sports @TribLiveHSSN

— José Negron (@JNegronMVI) November 11, 2023

Union 6
Clairton 6 @KDKARadio @PghSportsNow @DanZangrilli

— WPIAL Sportsmen (@wpialsportsnews) November 11, 2023

Update (8:42 PM): 

DUGGER TO THE END ZONE!

Penn Hills leads 10-0 over Pine Richland

— WPIAL Insider (@WPIAL_Insider) November 11, 2023

Halftime of #WPIAL 3A Quarterfinals
Elizabeth Forward 21, West Mifflin 7
East Allegheny 14, South Park 7
Belle Vernon 30, Deer Lakes 6
Avonworth 13, Beaver 7#HSSN

— TribLive HSSN (@TribLiveHSSN) November 11, 2023

Montour 24
TJ 0 @KDKARadio @PghSportsNow @DanZangrilli pic.twitter.com/75dfOvhHYD

— WPIAL Sportsmen (@wpialsportsnews) November 11, 2023

Mars Football
Wright takes the ball 70 yds for a Mars TD
Mars 17
Central Valley 0
3rd Quarter

— Scott Heinauer (@FightnPlanets) November 11, 2023

South Side Touchdown

Navarra again takes it up the middle for his third score of the game.

Rams lead 42-7 with 2:55 to go. Running clock now in effect.

— Ethan Morrison (@EthanMorrison26) November 11, 2023

3 Quarters in the books, Wash High leads McGuffey 6-0 as the 4th quarter is set to begin. @TribLiveHSSN @sportsOR @WPIAL_Insider @WPIAL_Blitz @AJWPIAL @KDKARadio

— The McGuffey Sports Network (@McGSportsNet) November 11, 2023

Update (8:25 PM):

Julian Dugger is a certified baller.

Best player on this field. Future superstar at Pitt. #BookIt

— Karlo Zovko (@Kzovko) November 11, 2023

When @AaronDonald97 wants to give a halftime pep talk. You let him. #IndiansNation pic.twitter.com/bXsyU9Us73

— PENN HILLS INDIANS FOOTBALL (@phqbclub) November 11, 2023

How 'bout the one and only Aaron Donald is here tonight on the sideline of his old team – Penn Hills.

— Mike White (@mwhiteburgh) November 11, 2023

pic.twitter.com/JC0ruPPego

— Central Catholic Football (@PCC_FOOTBALL) November 11, 2023

More halftime scores:

• Neshannock 7 | Beaver Falls 0
• Steel Valley 14 | Western Beaver 12
• Imani Christian 6 | Mohawk 3

— WPIAL Insider (@WPIAL_Insider) November 11, 2023

Update (8:08 PM):

Halftime of #WPIAL 2A Quarterfinals:
Steel Valley 14, Western Beaver 12
Imani Christian 6, Mohawk 3
Washington 6, McGuffey 0
Neshannock 7, Beaver Falls 0#HSSN

— TribLive HSSN (@TribLiveHSSN) November 11, 2023

End of Q2

Aliquippa- 25
Latrobe- 7#GoCats

— Latrobe Football (@LATROBEFOOTBALL) November 11, 2023

HUGE sack & forced fumble by @Evanjohnson05 to shut the door on a driving Penn Hills offense

It’s 3-0 Indians at the half!#KDKAFridayNightLights #GoNextLevel #WPIAL pic.twitter.com/P1HTnNKr6N

— 100.1 FM and AM 1020 KDKA (@KDKARadio) November 11, 2023

Halftime:
Montour 16
Thomas Jefferson 0#WPIAL @PaFootballNews

— WPIAL Football Zone (@AJWPIAL) November 11, 2023

Mars 10
Central Valley 0 @KDKA @PghSportsNow @DanZangrilli

— WPIAL Sportsmen (@wpialsportsnews) November 11, 2023

WHAT A TURN OF EVENTS!!

Trinity tried to kick a FG before halftime. McKeesport takes it TO THE HOUSE.

McKeesport up 14-0 at half after this 10 point swing pic.twitter.com/8yYKBCsh72

— WPIAL Insider (@WPIAL_Insider) November 11, 2023

North Allegheny 32
Canon Mac 0

NA serving notice @KDKA @PghSportsNow @DanZangrilli pic.twitter.com/IK6lr6klRR

— WPIAL Sportsmen (@wpialsportsnews) November 11, 2023

At the half, Avonworth leads 13-7!

— Avonworth Football (@AvonworthFB) November 11, 2023

HALFTIME

No. 3 Elizabeth Forward – 21
No. 6 West Mifflin – 7@MVI_sports @TribLiveHSSN

— José Negron (@JNegronMVI) November 11, 2023

Update (7:50 PM):

Pine-Richland MUFFS THE PUNT RETURN!

Penn Hills is back on the field at the 50. 2:43 left in the half still leading 3-0

— WPIAL Insider (@WPIAL_Insider) November 11, 2023

North Allegheny 26
Canon Mac 0 @KDKA @PghSportsNow @DanZangrilli pic.twitter.com/y4kAHhzk7E

— WPIAL Sportsmen (@wpialsportsnews) November 11, 2023

KUSHNER KEEPER@LoganKushner1 with his 2nd score of the night.

NA 19
CM 0

6:58
2Q@TribLiveHSSN @WPIAL_Insider @wpialsportsnews @BREAL412 pic.twitter.com/mXK2UWe3HG

— NATigers (@NATigerAthletic) November 11, 2023

Mekhi Green picks off a Latrobe pass and goes 85 yards for a TD. Quips lead Wildcats, 25-7, with 4:42 left Q2 @timesscores #WPIAL

— Joe Sager (@joesager) November 11, 2023

Belle Vernon 17
Deer Lakes 0 @KDKA @PghSportsNow @DanZangrilli

— WPIAL Sportsmen (@wpialsportsnews) November 11, 2023

Sack and Steel Valley gets a three and out.

Western Beaver QB Jaivin Peel may have hurt his leg. He limped off the field with help.

On the punt, the snap was dropped. However, a late hit call on Steel Valley pushes their starting position back.

14-12 SV
8:30 2Q#WPIAL

— Logan Carney (@Media_Carnival) November 11, 2023

2Q 9:16

West Mifflin is on the board. WM's Joseph Fleming found Del Ricco White for a 69-yard gain and then two plays later Armand Hill takes it in from 12 yards out.

Elizabeth Forward lead is cut to 14-7.@PghSportsNow

— Adam Borst (@AdamBorstPGH) November 11, 2023

Update (7:33 PM): 

pic.twitter.com/qvdG5wmmOW

— Central Catholic Football (@PCC_FOOTBALL) November 11, 2023

Mars leading Central Valley 3-0

— WPIAL Insider (@WPIAL_Insider) November 11, 2023

Michael Gaskins catches a 4-yard TD pass from Quentin Goode. Quips lead Latrobe, 18-7, 2:02 left 1Q @timesscores #WPIAL

— Joe Sager (@joesager) November 11, 2023

End 1:
Montour 9
Thomas Jefferson 0#WPIAL @PaFootballNews

— WPIAL Football Zone (@AJWPIAL) November 11, 2023

Telesz 16 yd run, Hickory 14 Grove City 0, 9:57 2nd, @HSD_Athletics @HHSFootball_1 @BobGreenburg pic.twitter.com/2mH9GUNvOt

— Shane Lux (@PFN_Luxy) November 11, 2023

Neshannock 7, Beaver Falls 0, end of the first quarter.

— New Castle News Sports (@NCNewsSports) November 11, 2023

Blocked punt by South Side's Andrew Corfield.

Rams have it at GCC 49.

It's 7-7 with 7:38 left in 2nd quarter.

Low snap by GCC.@GCCHSFootball@SSRamsFB@TribLiveHSSN#WPIAL

— Bill Beckner (@BillBeckner) November 11, 2023

Update (7:18 PM): 

4th and inches 70 yard TD for @LoganKushner1

NA 7
CM 0

10:28
1st Q@TribLiveHSSN @WPIAL_Insider @wpialsportsnews pic.twitter.com/d71dhJba9F

— NATigers (@NATigerAthletic) November 11, 2023

North Allegheny 13
Canon Mac 0 @KDKA @PghSportsNow @DanZangrilli

— WPIAL Sportsmen (@wpialsportsnews) November 11, 2023

After a strip sack by the Quips, @lil_cheezg finds Demarkus Walker in the endzone for the 34 yard touchdown pass. 2 point conversion no good. @LATROBEFOOTBALL 0@quipfootball 12

8:49 left in the first quarter.

— Rich Donahue (@DonahuePGH) November 11, 2023

Fort Cherry 7
Rochester 0 @KDKA @PghSportsNow @DanZangrilli

— WPIAL Sportsmen (@wpialsportsnews) November 11, 2023

TOUCHDOWN SOUTH SIDE

Slayton Williams with an 11 yard touchdown run.

South side had its way the first drive on the ground.

The rams Lead 7-0 with 3:59 to go in the first.

— Ethan Morrison (@EthanMorrison26) November 11, 2023

Barksdale converts on a fourth and short now to extend the Steel Valley drive early.

There’s a referee TO now to reset the clock. Steel Valley is in the redzone.

6-0
5:45 1Q#WPIAL

— Logan Carney (@Media_Carnival) November 11, 2023

Update (7:02 PM): 

Getting ready to cover Canon Mac vs North Allegheny in the 6A WPIAL semifinals for @PghSportsNow pic.twitter.com/FEu0rVMuHJ

— Griffin Floyd (@GriffinFloyd62) November 11, 2023

I’m here at Steel Valley, who hosts Western Beaver, and am covering 2A Playoff WPIAL Football for @PghSportsNow.

Follow @TodhunterProds and I for updates throughout the game. As you can tell, his photo skills are a little better than mine.#WPIAL https://t.co/ZlmiWgYw4V pic.twitter.com/VL3tLA9CvM

— Logan Carney (@Media_Carnival) November 10, 2023

Here at this lovely venue for a Class-3A playoff matchup between No. 6 West Mifflin (6-4, 4-1) and No. 3 Elizabeth Forward (9-1, 4-1).

EF started 9-0 before falling to BVA in the season finale. WM started 0-3 before winning 6 of last 7.@PghSportsNow

Game Thread pic.twitter.com/AjYhCv9suZ

— Adam Borst (@AdamBorstPGH) November 10, 2023

You are looking live at Heinz Field, the first playoff game at this newly renovated field, where we have a 4A Quarterfinals matchup as @quipfootball hosts @LATROBEFOOTBALL.

Kickoff is set for 7pm on @WHJBFM. pic.twitter.com/3jnYTkj0S2

— Rich Donahue (@DonahuePGH) November 10, 2023

The post WPIAL Playoffs Friday Night Scoreboard appeared first on Pittsburgh Sports Now.

Lincoln Park Performing Arts Charter School was ranked as the No. 20 team in the nation, according to MaxPreps. Lincoln Park was the only team from Pennsylvania included in the top 25.

Columbus opens at No. 1⃣ in the Preseason MaxPreps Basketball Top 25!

Full Top 25 https://t.co/KEQGhvHBF0 pic.twitter.com/inGnIW5opl

— MaxPreps (@MaxPreps) November 9, 2023

Lincoln Park has two highly-touted prospects on its roster: Pitt signee Brandin Cummings and five-star guard Meleek Thomas. Cummings is a senior this season, and Thomas is a junior.

Cummings officially signed his national letter of intent with Pitt on Thursday morning at the school, alongside his brother Nelly, Pitt’s 2022-23 point guard who is now playing professionally overseas. Thomas, a 6-foot-4 guard, is ranked as the No. 9 player in the class of 2025 nationally and the No. 1 player in Pennsylvania. Duke, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, and other blue-blood programs have been all over Thomas in the recruiting process, as well as Pitt.

Pitt Commit Brandin Cummings to Officially Sign with Panthers

Last year’s Lincoln Park team won the PIAA Class 4A State Championship over Philadelphia powerhouse Neumann Goretti. As the clock ran down, Thomas drove to the basket and hit a game-winning floater to put the Leopards on top. After earning one last stop on the defensive end, Lincoln Park had won its third state championship.

The post Lincoln Park (PA) Ranked as Top-20 High School Basketball Team in U.S. appeared first on Pittsburgh Sports Now.

So, to go from a state championship appearance to 10+ years without a playoff win. It’s safe to say that the Centurions are playing with a chip on their shoulder when they take on South Side Beaver this weekend.

“I’m excited,” said star two-way player Samir Crosby. “It’s a big game, people doubting us again, and I think we can prove them wrong.”

Crosby though mentioned that he has added pressure this time of the year. He’s still only a sophomore, but he has begun looking at colleges to continue both his football career and education. His pressure stems from only receiving one offer thus far from UNLV.

“I mean, it’s good having that one offer,” said Crosby. “But it puts pressure on you, overthinking and all. If you don’t get that second offer, it is good to have that first offer.”

A second offer is certainly more than likely. Crosby mentioned that he’s been talking to a few other schools including taking a recent visit to Akron and scheduling one with Penn State. He mentioned that he’s been talking to Pitt a lot, and he’s also been to camps at Clemson and Tennessee.

There’s certainly a suitor out there for Crosby. The sophomore plays wide receiver and free safety for Greensburg Central Catholic, in addition to being the school’s back-up quarterback. In a simple way to put it, he’s versatile, and that’s what he describes as his best trait.

“If they put me anywhere, I can play any position,” said Crosby. “Just my overall athletic ability.”

Despite playing for a private school, Crosby’s roots start in Jeannette. He mentioned that many Jeannette football players have helped him become the athlete that he is today. This includes his cousin Robert “Poogie” Kennedy, who currently plays safety at the ACC school NC State.

“Definitely some Jeanette players like Poogie and Giovanni Sanders,” said Crosby. “They’ve definitely paved the way for me. Kept me on my toes and I try to do what they did…”

“It’s where I’m from. I’ve hung around those people a lot. They’re just my idols and I look up to them.”

His idols can watch him this weekend when Greensburg Central Catholic plays top-seeded South Side Beaver in the WPIAL playoffs.

The post Samir Crosby Excited to Prove Doubters Wrong in WPIAL Playoffs appeared first on Pittsburgh Sports Now.

“We came into the game trying to feed me because last game I showed that I can tote the ball the whole game,” Beauford told PSN after the game. “So, they fed me, and I came out with the mindset that nobody can stop me. Then, I showed them on the field.”

Entering Friday night, most people wrote the Tigers off and counted the first-round game as a Keystone Oaks victory due to the Golden Eagles being seeded higher. By the end of the game, it was the furthest thing from the expectation as the Tigers upset the Golden Eagles on the back of Beauford.

“Of course, we got overlooked,” Beauford said with a smile. “We were the 10th seed and they thought they were going to come in here and just dog us but nah, we still got that dog in us. We are still Beaver Falls, and we are going to come to fight every time.”

While Beauford was a contributor in previous seasons, this is the first year that the senior started at the running back position. Back in the summer, Beauford recognized that he was going to be somebody that the team heavily relied on during the season and had to overcome the conditioning that it took to be in starting shape.

“I basically knew that my team needed me this year,” Beauford said. “At first it was hard; conditioning was hard for me. So, I had to get through that and now I get to show it on the field on Friday nights.”

While the 5-foot-11, 190-pound running back does not currently hold a collegiate offer, he stated that the interest is rolling in from schools such as Edinboro and Fairmont State.

Before Beauford starts to seriously look into his future plans in regard to playing football at the next level, he and the Tigers will look to continue to shock the WPIAL and attempt to make their fourth straight Championship appearance.

To do so, the Tigers will need to pull off another road upset at No. 2 Neshannock next week. The Tigers narrowly fell to Neshannock in September, falling 27-26. According to Beauford, this is a game that not only he wanted but the entire Tigers team wanted another shot at the Lancers.

“Our confidence is high,” Beauford explained. “We wanted this game. We wanted it all season since that loss.”

The post Da’Talian Beauford Carried Beaver Falls On His Back appeared first on Pittsburgh Sports Now.

Tatsch—in spite of the heaps of praise he deservedly receives—is just one half of a one-two punch, though. The Robin to Tatsch’s Batman is junior quarterback and safety John Wetzel, who is as physical of a player as you’ll see in high school football, especially at a position like quarterback where business decisions are expected to protect oneself from brutal hits. 

Wetzel hasn’t announced any collegiate offers yet. With gameday visits to WVU, Delaware and Marshall under his belt, though, it seems like that’s only a matter of time, especially when one considers his high level of play. Primarily a running threat at quarterback, Wetzel picked up 240 rushing yards in Friday’s dominating 39-7 win over West Allegheny during the first round of the 4A WPIAL playoffs. He added four touchdown carries to boot. 

Greater Latrobe’s Physical Identity

Greater Latrobe head coach Ron Prady described the reckless abandon with which his signal caller carries the rock. 

“He’s not the type that’s gonna step out of bounds. We could tell him a thousand times ‘step out of bounds’ and he just won’t do it,” Prady said. “He’s a physical kid, he enjoys the contact, he enjoys it on defense too. He just plays really hard, he’s a gamer.”

Wetzel said that his physical style of play echoes that of his team. That mentality stems from a split practice where the Wildcats excelled on defense. They still drew the ire of their coaches, though, because they couldn’t maintain that same level of play on the other side of the ball. 

“I think we’re a defensive team at heart, and we just love to hit, and so our offensive coaches told us… ‘if you hit like you do on defense, you’d be really really tough,’” Wetzel said. “Ever since then we haven’t looked back, and we’ve tried to do that as much as we can.”

With collegiate discussions still in the early stages, both Wetzel and Prady played their cards close when asked about the ongoing recruiting process.
Prady said he expects the recruiting process to open up soon, though, pointing to those gameday invitations as evidence.

“We have Alex getting the attention that he’s getting—deserved. But I think it’s time for John to get his due too,” Prady said. “He’s gonna play somewhere, and he’s gonna be really good for somebody, probably on defense. But I think Johnny’s recruiting will start picking up too. There are people that are interested. It’s just a matter of whether they’re ready to pull the trigger or not… you can see where he’s been recently.”

The post Greater Latrobe’s John Wetzel a Potential P5 Prospect to Watch appeared first on Pittsburgh Sports Now.

Cross’ versatility was on full display in Bishop Cavein’s 49-6 route of Leechburg in the first round of the WPIAL 1A Playoffs on Friday night. Cross hauled in two touchdowns as wide receiver then showed off his tackling skills as a defensive back for the Crusaders. The senior ATH was on the field for most of the game, but that’s easy work for a player who is committed to seeing his team win. Cross said that his No. 1 priority in the playoffs is helping his team bring home a title.

“Win,” Cross said about what he hopes to accomplish in the WPIAL Playoffs. “We didn’t come here just to win one game. We came here to win a championship.”

But with his team firing on all cylinders on Friday night, Cross’ dreams of winning a title are more than a possibility. The Crusaders were lights out on both sides of the ball against Leechburg, holding the Blue Devils to just one touchdown and putting up all of their 49 points in just the first half. Cross said that getting ahead early was key for his team.

“We wanted to get out early,” Cross said. “I think we did a good job of that.”

Cross especially helped his team get out to an early lead, as both of his touchdowns came in the opening minutes of the first quarter. While the Bishop Canevin senior excels at wide receiver, he remains committed to playing defensive back at West Virginia. Still, Cross isn’t ruling out playing some offense in college.

“Anything can happen,” Cross said about playing wide receiver for the Mountaineers. “It’s a possibility, I’m not going to rule it out. But I wouldn’t be opposed to playing wide receiver in college.”

Cross committed to West Virginia this summer, passing up offers from Michigan State, Penn State and others to play for the Mountaineers. The senior ATH said that he has a close relationship with the Mountaineers coaching staff, as he still regularly talks to them.

“I’m always talking to [the coaching staff],” Cross said. “[Head coach Neal Brown] and the other coaches are always watching these games and giving me advice. They’re coaching and supporting me before I’m on the team.”

Still, while Cross’ future lies in West Virginia, he remains focused on helping Bishop Canevin win now. The Crusaders will play California this Friday in the second round of the WPIAL 1A Playoffs. The Trojans are coming off of a 44-6 victory over Jeannette in the first round.

But with Cross playing at such a high level on both sides of the ball, the Crusaders will be tough to beat this November.

The post WVU Commit Jason Cross Leads Bishop Canevin into the Playoffs appeared first on Pittsburgh Sports Now.

Pittsburgh Sports Now was in attendance to cover each of those upsets, which you can read more about here:

John Wetzel’s 4 TDs Power Latrobe over West Allegheny

Beaver Falls Runs to Victory Over Keystone Oaks, 20-7

Other teams to earn upset wins include Moon, Trinity, South Park, Western Beaver, Beaver Falls and Rochester.

Here’s a look at the next round of games as the playoff bracket continues.

WPIAL Class-6A

With only four teams qualifying in the 6A bracket, each team earned a first-round bye ahead of the semifinals next weekend. Both the 6A and 5A championship games will take place at Norwin High School on Saturday, November 18.

No. 1 Central Catholic vs No. 4 Mount Lebanon at Fox Chapel at 7 p.m. on Friday, November 10.

No. 2 North Allegheny hosts No. 3 Canon-McMillan at 7 p.m. Friday.

Class-5A

No. 1 Peters Township vs No. 5 Moon on Friday, site and time TBD.

No. 2 Penn Hills vs No. 3 Pine-Richland on Friday, site and time TBD.

Class-4A

The 4A, 3A, 2A and 1A championship games will all take place at Acrisure Stadium on Friday, November 24.

No. 9 Greater Latrobe at No. 1 Aliquippa at 7 p.m. Friday.

No. 4 Mars vs No. 5 Central Valley on Friday, site and time TBD.

No. 10 Trinity at No. 2 McKeesport at 7 p.m. Friday.

No. 6 Thomas Jefferson at No. 3 Montour at 7 p.m. Friday.

Class-3A

No. 8 Deer Lakes at No. 1 Belle Vernon at 7 p.m. Friday.

No. 12 South Park at No. 4 East Allegheny at 7 p.m. Friday.

No. 7 Beaver at No. 2 Avonworth at 7 p.m. Friday.

No. 6 West Mifflin at No. 3 Elizabeth Forward at 7 p.m. Friday.

Class-2A

No. 9 Western Beaver at No. 1 Steel Valley at 7 p.m. Friday.

No. 4 Imani Christian Academy vs No. 5 Mohawk on Friday, site and time TBD.

No. 10 Beaver Falls at No. 2 Neshannock at 7 p.m. Friday.

No. 3 Washington vs No. 6 McGuffey on Friday, site and time TBD.

Class-1A

No. 1 South Side vs No. 8 Greensburg Central Catholic on Friday, site and time TBD.

No. 4 Clairton vs No. 5 Union on Friday, site and time TBD.

No. 2 Fort Cherry vs No. 10 Rochester on Friday, site and time TBD.

No. 3 Bishop Canevin vs No. 6 California on Friday, site and time TBD.

The post Updated WPIAL Playoff Brackets After Host of First-Round Upsets appeared first on Pittsburgh Sports Now.

A short kick by West Greene gave Greensburg Central Catholic great field position to start the game at their own 45-yard line. Greensburg Central Catholic was able to drive down the field and score an opening touchdown behind star running back Samir Crosby, a target of UNLV. Crosby was used on all but two plays on the drive and got the bulk of the 55-yards on the drive, including the touchdown. The extra point attempt was no good, and Greensburg Central Catholic had a 6-0 lead to start the game.

West Greene methodically drove down the field to try and tie the game up. Starting from their own 20, West Greene ended up at the Greensburg Central Catholic five-yard line after a 39-yard pass from Lane Allison to Seth Burns. However, the Greensburg Central Catholic defense held strong and stopped West Greene at the two-yard line on fourth down. The 78-yard, approximately six-minute long drive ended without points for West Greene.

Greensburg Central Catholic further capitalized on the strong defensive stop by completing a 98-yard touchdown drive. This drive was punctuated by a 79-yard touchdown pass from Tyree Turner to Aidan Allison. That score made it 13-0, with about nine minutes left before halftime.

After getting the ball back, Turner led Greensburg Central Catholic down the field again to extend their lead. After a 30-yard pass set them up within the red-zone, Landon Honick finished the drive with a five-yard touchdown run. Greensburg Central Catholic went up 20-0 and that’s where the score sat at the half.

In the second half, Greensburg Central Catholic didn’t let up as their first play of the third quarter resulted in a 52-yard touchdown pass from Turner to Crosby. West Greene responded with their first touchdown of the game, a short run by Billy Whitlach, to make the score 27-8 with approximately five minutes left in the third quarter.

West Greene got the ball back and ran down the field on another long drive. However, for the second time of the game, West Greene turned the ball over within five yards of the end-zone. This time, a fumble on the one-yard line gave Greensburg Central Catholic the ball back.

All was not lost for West Greene though, as a holding call in the end-zone on Greensburg Central Catholic resulted in a safety. West Greene scored a touchdown behind Whitlach on the ensuing possession, and were back in the game at 27-16 with 8:37 left.

It was Turner and Crosby who then sealed the deal for Greensburg Central Catholic. After Turner extended the drive on a 10-yard first down run, he found Crosby on the very next play who broke off a 60-yard touchdown reception. The touchdown made the score 34-16 with just seven minutes left, essentially sealing the victory for Greensburg Central Catholic.

Both teams would score prior to the final whistle with Turner breaking off a 26-yard touchdown run and Whitlach returning a kick for 98-yards and the touchdown.

The final score was 41-22 in favor of Greensburg Central Catholic. They will next take on South Side Beaver, who defeated Monessen tonight with the game’s the location to be decided in the second round of the 2023 WPIAL Playoffs.

Gallery:

WPIAL Playoffs Friday Night Football Scoreboard

The post Greensburg Central Catholic Holds off West Greene, 41-22 appeared first on Pittsburgh Sports Now.

Wetzel ran for four scores while also taking snaps at defensive back; Tatsch laid punishing hits whether blocking or tackling.

Latrobe returned the opening kickoff to midfield. Wetzel found senior receiver Ja’Tawn Williams deep downfield to secure a 44-yard pickup, then finished the drive with his legs on a five-yard touchdown.

The Wildcats forced a quick three-and-out, and Wetzel quickly put them back in scoring territory with a 47-yard carry down the sideline. Tatsch—who picked up a flood of D1 offers this season—helped spring the play, laying a devastating block to pave a path for Wetzel.

West Allegheny kept the Wildcats out of the end zone, though, forcing a 25-yard field goal from Ben Bigi.

Indians’ quarterback and safety Brock Cornell went down injured midway through the second quarter, the first of a string of unfortunate plays for West Allegheny in the frame. Facing a fourth-and-two soon thereafter, Wetzel cashed in with a 42-yard touchdown run.

West Allegheny second-string quarterback Brody Malatak needed to be carted off the field after getting blown up on a fourth-down sack off the blindside.

Greater Latrobe Pours it On

Wetzel scored his third touchdown of the day with a 22-yard tote on the ensuing drive to put the Wildcats up 24-0.

The Indians ate up most of the third quarter with a grinding drive, but couldn’t cash in when a 37-yard field goal attempt fell short. Wetzel promptly scored his fourth touchdown of the day from two yards out, making it 32-0 after a successful two-point pass.

The Wildcats continued to pour it on in the fourth quarter, with running back Brady Prohovic getting in on the fun with a touchdown of his own.

West Allegheny broke up the shutout with a touchdown rush from senior running back Michael Woodson.

Greater Latrobe advances to face No. 1 seed Aliquippa on the road at 7pm next Friday, November 10.

The post John Wetzel’s 4 TDs Power Latrobe over West Allegheny appeared first on Pittsburgh Sports Now.

After a Golden Eagles’ opening drive fumble, the Tigers started on the plus-34-yard line and scored in just three plays. Da’Talian Beauford took the first play down to the Golden Eagles’ 1-yard line and then punched it in two plays later. This was just the start of Beauford’s big night.

After little-to-no action after Beauford’s touchdown, the Tigers’ offense came alive again in the middle of the second quarter. Kadin Brickner found Da’Sean Anderson for a 9-yard touchdown to extend the Tigers lead to two touchdowns.

At halftime, Beauford totaled 18 carries for 144 yards and one touchdown. In comparison, the Golden Eagles amassed a total of 20 first-half yards.

The Golden Eagles looked to get back into the game in the second half and used their second offensive possession of the third quarter to do just that. After DiMajio Locante found Anthony Stribling to extend the drive, Clinton Robinson took the ball in from 27 yards out to give the Golden Eagles their first score of the night.

The Golden Eagles’ final chance was to stop the Tigers on a fourth-and-two with just under nine minutes in the fourth quarter. Unfortunately for the Golden Eagles, Beaver Falls’ Anderson went on to crush that chance when he converted with an 8-yard run.

Beauford went on to score again and finished the game with 26 carries for 185 rushing yards and two touchdowns.

While the Golden Eagles season ended earlier than expected, the Tigers’ season continues for now. Next week, the Tigers will travel to No. 2 Neshannock for the second round of the playoffs. The Tigers narrowly lost to Neshannock, 27-26, earlier this season which should give the Tigers hope going forward.

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