Oct 8, 2015 13 min read

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People in Washington and Greene Counties usually have different theories as to why some of the excitement is gone from Friday nights during high school football season.

Declining enrollment, the popularity of private schools and the loss of rivalries are the reasons you usually here; but those issues could be out the door with the expansion to six classifications.

Now, you could see a Tri-County South (or whatever it will be called) team such as Beth-Center truly compete for a WPIAL title, as many of the perennial powers in Class A could be in 2A during the next enrollment cycle.

Keeping geographic rivalries was one of the arguments against expansion, but Washington High School athletic director Joe Nicolella raised a very good point when I spoke to him Wednesday night. Expansion means smaller conferences and more ‘open’ dates on the schedule for non-conference games.

That means that current rivalries such as Wash High vs. McGuffey and Peters Township vs. Canon-McMillan could continue, and old ones could be reignited. Yes, Wash High vs. Trinity and Wash High vs. Monessen can return.

If that doesn’t get players, coaches and community members excited, I don’t know what will. It benefits every Greene County school because they’ll get to schedule non-conference games to prepare them for the playoffs.

Facing better competition only increases your chances of success and I’d like to see how Beth-Center or Bentworth stack up against schools like Chartiers-Houston or Fort Cherry.

The biggest winner of this move could be McGuffey football. The Highlanders will likely plain in 3A with 21 other schools. With the bulk of its starters returning in 2016, it will be the team to beat. Yes, I said it.

Look at the competition in 3A. Yes, Mt. Pleasant will be on the schedule, but the conference will include Waynesburg, Brownsville and maybe South Park. A WPIAL title game of Highlands versus McGuffey isn’t out of the realm of possibility, especially with what Steel Valley losing a lot of talent after this season.

That’s why I think Wash High playing up in 3A could be a possibility. Clairton and North Catholic could very well be in 2A, as well as Beaver Falls, Aliquippa, Seton-La Salle and Neshannock. The road to (insert championship site) is much more difficult.

Let’s forget about the future and focus on the present with a preview of Week 6’s game.

The losing streak is over after the Big Macs defeated Fox Chapel and I’m not surprised. Honestly, I thought it would end against Peters Township. Trust me, Canon-McMillan has talent, especially senior tight end Jordan Smith.

His 56-yard touchdown catch in the first quarter gave C-M the lead and it was his fifth of the season. Running back Bryan Milligan has 598 rushing yards and is shouldering a hefty load for this offense; carrying the football 102 times in five games.

Woodland Hills is as good as advertised. Running back Miles Sanders has 452 yards and seven touchdowns on 33 carries, and Jo-El Shaw has 598 yards and 11 touchdowns. The Wolverines are averaging 40.2 points per game in the Southeastern Confernce with wins over Bethel Park and Upper St. Clair.

Players to watch: Sanders for Woodland Hills. Don’t let the stats fool you. He’s a serious talent and it’s only a matter of time before he puts up video game-like numbers.

Milligan for Canon-McMillan. There are only a few every-down backs in the WPIAL and he’s one of them. It’s refreshing to see a big, bruising back and he’ll be big for the Big Macs, who must control time of possession.

Last season: Woodland Hills 40-8

Prediction: The Wolverines roll to a win.

The Indians have are allowing 33.4 points per game and are inconsistent on offense, but like Canon-McMillan, Peters Township has talent. The problem is depth and youth, which is difficult to overcome in this conference.

Penn Hills was supposed to take a step forward in 2015, but injuries and a difficult schedule have them the Indians fighting for a playoff spot. Playing without quarterback Billy Kisner, a Toledo recruit, has hurt.

Players to watch: Peters Township running back TJ Kpan has Division I talent. Penn Hills running back Malik Mathis is averaging 10.5 yards per carry and has scored four touchdowns.

Last season: Penn Hills 56-21

Prediction: Penn Hills 42-6

Both offenses have rolled so far and are doing it by running the football. The Leopards are using quarterback Mike Fine with the veer and it’s very difficult to stop. Discipline is the key, but that offense isn’t anything new to the Rams.

That doesn’t mean it’s easy to stop. Belle Vernon is big and physical up front, plus it will be playing with a chip on its shoulder after last season’s loss to Ringgold. The Leopards have been great stopping the run, but you can’t stack the box against the Rams. Junior quarterback George Martin will take advantage, but look for BV to mix coverages and blitz regularly try to confuse the first-year starter.

Players to watch: Fine is 6-1, 220 and has been a game changer for Belle Vernon and running back Luke Durigon is the perfect change of pace back. If running backs Chacar Berry and Brenden Small have success, Ringgold will win. They are two of the best and Humbert is going to game plan to stop them.

Last season: Ringgold 28-24

Prediction: Ringgold 27-20. This one is going to be exciting and I just have the feeling it will go down to the final possession.

The Red Raiders are averaging just 10.6 points per game and allowed at least 40 points three weeks in a row. They have an undersized offensive line and have trouble stopping the run. Trinity, meanwhile, has a massive line and loves to run the football.

That doesn’t bode well for Uniontown.

Players to watch: Uniontown quarterback Deuce Mosely is great throwing outside the pocket and he can stretch defenses with his ability to run. A very entertaining player to watch. Trinity sophomore running back Joey Koroly should have a big game at Hiller Field.

Last season: Trinity 30-23

Prediction: Trinity 42-13

This is a big game to determine the fourth and final playoff spot in the Interstate Conference. The Scotties lost to Derry last week after a late fumble on a kickoff, but the one positive was they found success running the football with 198 yards.

Southmoreland’s game is wearing you down with that power running game and playing stout defensively. It did both against Derry and suffered a devastating loss, but the Scotties are still alive.

Burgettstown’s offense had very little success against Ellwood City, but the defense surprised me. I thought it could be a lopsided game, but the Blue Devils hung in there.

Players to watch: Southmoreland running back Jaden Datz rushed for 155 yards and two touchdowns last week. Burgettstown quarterback Brad McLaughlin will need to find success for Burgettstown to win.

Last season: Southmoreland 40-14

Prediction: Southmoreland positions itself to make the playoffs for the first time since 1979 with a win over Burgettstown.

Washington has too many weapons and Charleroi doesn’t have enough healthy ones. Plus, the Prexies’ offensive and defensive lines will create a big mismatch.

Players to watch: Charleroi running back Brock Shannon and Wash High lineman Khalid Blount.

Last season: Washington 58-21

Prediction: Wash High wins and doesn’t allow 21 points this time around.

Since their season-opening loss against Mt. Pleasant, the Highlanders are averaging 38.5 points per game. I’ve written about it before, but this offense is impressive with quarterback Marcus Czulewicz. He adds a new dimension and has helped running back Adam Townsend find room to run.

Derry has won two of its last three games behind quarterback Trey Friedline, who attempted 47 passes last week. Though he threw an interception, Friedline had three touchdown passes.

Players to watch: Czulewicz and Friedline.

Last season: McGuffey 43-14

Prediction: A repeat of last year. McGuffey looks like it will go into Washington in Week 9 with only loss.

The Lions hold a 37-game winning streak and lead Class AA in points per game, while the Ironmen are having a breakthrough season under head coach Rodney Steele. Steel Valley defeated Seton-La Salle behind running back DeWayne Murray and it is difficult to defend because of quarterback Tre Earl Edwards, who has thrown for 11 touchdowns and has ran for two more.

That being said, I’m not convinced any team can match up with South Fayette’s defense. This will be the test and I’m interested to see what happens. Look for South Fayette running back Hunter Hayes to get work early and often.

Players to watch: Murray and Hayes. Two Division I running backs in a Class AA regular season game and the success of both teams will hinge on their ability to run the football. The Ironmen are going to challenge Lions quarterback Drew Saxton to throw deep and will try to use their speed to contain the short passing game.

Last season: South Fayette 42-14

Prediction: The Lions extend their winning streak to 38 games, but they’ll be challenged for the first time this season.

The Raiders had a breakthrough game last week against Charleroi, winning 47-0 and showing that there is still talent on that roster. Colin McCracken had a great game at quarterback and Jack Fudala ran for 124 yards with two touchdowns.

The Quakers were inconsistent against Freedom, but scored 14 points against Aliquippa in Week 4. They lost to Beaver Area and New Brighton by a combined 5 points, and got their win against Ellwood City.

Players to watch: Fudala makes Waynesburg’s offense tick. Quaker Valley running back Amos Luptak is averaging just 3.1 yards per carry, but has scored a team-high five touchdowns.

Last season: Teams didn’t play

Prediction: Quaker Valley pulls away in the second half

The Tigers’ small roster got even smaller with the suspension of two players stemming from the fight with Monessen. Avella is also struggling with low numbers because of various injuries and have allowed at least 50 points in every game this season. For whatever reason, I think the Eagles will win.

Can’t explain it. Tried to, actually, but we’ll mark this one up as a hunch.

Players to watch: Avella wide receiver Tyler Fraysier is one of the area’s leading receivers. Dremar Everette leads the Tigers with two touchdowns. Difficult to pick a Wilkinsburg player, when I don’t know who is playing.

Last season: Avella 50-18

Prediction: Avella wins

The Bearcats have won games on offense and defense, but they did both in last week’s win over Jefferson-Morgan. I hear great things about quarterback Josh Hughes and this seems like the year Bentworth holds on to make the playoffs.

The Trojans lost 8-0 last week against Carmichaels and scored just eight points in their Week 4 loss to Jefferson-Morgan.

Players to watch: Bentworth running back Ethan Tush ran for 193 yards in last week’s win. California’s KC Zajicek has scored 10 of California’s 12 touchdowns this season.

Last season: Bentworth 13-6

Prediction: The Bearcats use their balanced attack to grab an early lead and hold on for the win.

Commodores quarterback Hunter Patterson is expected to return after the past two games with an injury, but Christopher Pierce has done a nice job filling in. Both will likely play tonight at Beth-Center, which could cause issues for the Bulldogs’ young secondary.

That’s a matchup to watch. Meanwhile, Beth-Center will need to use more weapons than Tony Welsh. He’s an impressive running back, but can’t do it all himself. Finding a way to pass the football or incorporate some fullback runs will be important against the Commodore’s defense, which has allowed 10 points all season.

Players to watch: Patterson had Beth-Center on the ropes last season before he left with an injury. He is a difference-maker. Welsh has carried the football 98 times already and has more than 1,000 yards.

Last season: Beth-Center 29-20

Prediction: Sticking with my Beth-Center prediction. Bulldogs control time of possession and force a few turnovers.

The Mikes had an impressive win over California next week and showed their defense is still a strength. That’s a good trait to have against the Pioneers, who are averaging 10.4 points per game.

Players to watch: The Mikes’ Coty Allen ran for 89 yards and a touchdown last week. West Greene’s Connor Main has been a consistent threat for the Pioneers’ offense.

Last season: Carmichaels 22-19

Prediction: Carmichaels wins

The Bucs lost to Bishop Canevin last week, allowing 14 fourth-quarter points, but there were a few bright spots. Tyrone Wormsley scored a 41-yard touchdown on a sweep and TJ Johnson has proven to be a solid starting quarterback.

OLSH is averaging just 8.4 yards per game and has allowed at least 40 points in four consecutive games. It has lost seven in a row dating back to last season.

Players to watch: C-H running back Spencer Terling should find more room to run in this one. OLSH quarterback Matt Schnarre has completed 17 of 41 passes for 169 yards and has rushed for 204 yard with three touchdowns.

Last season: Chartiers-Houston 15-7

Prediction: The Bucs get a much-needed win

The Bucs could not find a way to stop Avonworth quarterback Zach Chandler, who threw four touchdowns in the first half, but the Rangers shut out the Antelopes in the second half. That’s a good momentum boost for Fort Cherry, which is looking to return to the WPIAL playoffs.

North Catholic has rolled through its schedule, averaging 44.6 points per game and allowing only 4.6. Its smallest margin of victory was 26 points and that came in Week 1. The Trojans are a WPIAL title contender under first-year head coach Jason Gildon, a former Steelers linebacker and assistant coach at Peters Township.

Players to watch: North Catholic running back Mario Latronica has rushed for 448 yards and eight touchdowns. Quarterback Erik Taylor has nine touchdowns. Fort Cherry quarterback Devon Brown continues to improve.

Last season: North Catholic 42-6

Prediction: North Catholic wins again

The Dynamos have lost back-to-back games to Clairton and Jeannette after starting the season with three consecutive victories. It’s difficult to get a read on them since the wins came against teams that hold a combined record of 2-15.

Monessen has lost an already-injured player to a two-game suspension. The story here is the offense. It will continue to run through LaValle Rush and Jaden Altomore. My concern with the Greyhounds is their slow starts. They trailed against Leechburg in the third quarter and needed a late first-half touchdown to take a lead against Serra Catholic.

Last season: Springdale 14-12

Prediction: The slow starts have to catch up to Monessen eventually and I bet it happens this week.