Oct 30, 2013 5 min read

Now that the dramatics of the high school football season has apparently ended off the field, it’s time for playoff football on it.

No more court cases, no more forfeits, no more lopsided scores, hopefully, no more rulings and no more talk about what should be retroactive eligibility and what should not.

The WPIAL’s second season gets under way Friday night with nine local teams in eight different locations going after the same goal: a WPIAL title.

So which team in the area has a chance to make it to the quarterfinals?

The following is a brief look at those playoff games. Kickoff for each is at 7:30 p.m.

The situation: Peters Township is making its third straight playoff appearance under head coach Rich Piccinini. McKeesport is a perennial playoff team that won the state title in 2005.

The players: Marcus Ubinger and Cory Owen have combined for 1,503 yards and 20 touchdowns. McKeesport’s running game is superb with Mikell Moore leading the way with 700 yards and 15 touchdowns. The Tigers have eight players who have 100 or more rushing yards this season. This game might take just two hours to play.

Prediction: McKeesport by 29

The situation: Indiana is making its third appearance in the playoffs in the past four seasons. Ringgold is making its fourth consecutive playoff appearance.

The players: The Rams will go as far as Nico Law can take them. Law has rushed for 1,116 yards and 13 touchdowns and thrown for 1,353 yards. Indiana’s offense is balanced. Quarterbacks Sean Thompson and Jake Zalinska have thrown for a combined 1,389 yards and Riley Stapleton and Darious Carter have rushed for a combined 962 yards.

Prediction: Ringgold by 16

The situation: Greensburg Central Catholic, a perennial playoff team, reached the state championship game in 2005 before falling to Lancaster Catholic. South Fayette is a no stranger to playoff pressure and made it to the 2010 PIAA championship game, losing to Philadelphia West Catholic.

The players: GC Catholic has one of the better runners in the WPIAL in Tyler Balla, who has 1,411 yards and 17 touchdowns. The Centurians will need to control the football, because South Fayette’s Brett Brumbaugh is the No. 2 passer in the WPIAL with 1,941 yards and 24 touchdowns. Conner Beck and Justin Watson have a combined 69 catches for 1,294 yards and 16 TDs. Grant Fetchet needs 56 yards to reach 1,000.

Prediction: South Fayette by 31

The situation: Seton-La Salle has made the playoffs every year since 2004. Wash High won the state title in 2001 and has been in the playoffs the past three seasons.

The players: Tyler Perone has passed for 1,826 yards and 19 touchdowns for the Rebels. Washington lost tailback Shai McKenzie to a knee injury in Week 3 and that has meant more players contributing. Five players have rushed for 200 or more yards, still led by McKenzie’s 650. Malik Wells is the active leader with 564 and Jordon West is second at 460.

Prediction: Washington by 12

The situation: Avella has been the feel-good story of the year, making the playoffs for the first time since 1976. Sto-Rox has made the last two WPIAL championship games, losing twice to Clairton.

The players: Avella has a strong passing game with quarterback Santino Paris throwing for 1,246 yards and 16 touchdowns. Zach Thompson and Walter Kopko have combined for 41 catches for 795 yards. Lenny Williams is having a superb season at quarterback, throwing for 1,856 yards and 28 touchdowns. He has not been intercepted in 121 pass attempts.

Prediction: Sto-Rox by 45

The situation: Beth-Center is one of 12 undefeated teams in the playoffs but has lost in the first round of the playoffs in each of the past two seasons. Apollo-Ridge has made the playoffs in two straight years after missing the previous four.

The players: Beth-Center has a strong ground game, led by sophomore Anthony Welsh’s 1,202 yards and 20 touchdowns. Nico Brown averages 13 yards a carry on 22 tries, and Matt Riggle has 440 yards and nine TDs. Apollo Ridge is similar to B-C in that six players have rushed for 100 yards or more this season. Quarterback Jess Zelonka has 1,283 yards, 19 touchdowns and no interceptions in 144 attempts.

Prediction: Beth-Center by 13

The situation: Fort Cherry is back in the playoffs after missing last year when Koltan Kobrys went down with an injury. Carmichaels is making back-to-back appearances after missing the playoffs in 2011.

The players: The game might not end until midnight. Fort Cherry averages 43 points per game and Carmichaels 40. Kobrys, the second-leading rusher in the WPIAL, needs 118 yards to reach 2,000 and has 25 touchdowns. QB Matt Heslin has passed for 1,338 yards and 29 touchdowns. Mikes’ WR Tyler Aeschbacher is third in the WPIAL with 52 receptions for 885 yards and 16 touchdowns. QB Brandon Lawless has 1,429 yards and 18 touchdowns. Brennen McMinn needs 181 rushing yards to reach 1,000.

Prediction: Fort Cherry by 18

The situation: West Shamokin is making its first appearance in the WPIAL playoffs in the school’s history. Monessen, a perennial playoff team, is making its eight straight postseason appearance.

The Players: West Shamokin is a running team and Andrew Wingard and Zack Horner have combined for 1,360 yards and 20 touchdowns. Monessen quarterback Noah Rullo has 1,257 passing yards, 18 touchdowns and no interceptions in 101 attempts.

Prediction: Monessen by 35

Assistant sports editor Joe Tuscano can be reached at jtuscano@observer-reporter.com