0
0
It’s November here in Western Pennsylvania, and with Pitt football and the Pittsburgh Steelers flowing deep into their seasons, high school football is headed for the playoffs, where six classifications will be vying for WPIAL Championship glory, and a berth in the PIAA State playoffs in December.
Each week up until the Pa state finals, Mike Drakulich, who covers Pitt football and the Pittsburgh Steelers for NGSC Sports (@PghSportsNation) will predict the winners of each round.
Feel free to “beat the expert” and leave your comments on who you think will win weekly!
The WPIAL Championships. It’s what every team in Western Pennsylvania strives for when practice begins in the hot days of August.
The day of reckoning is here, and the games are set at Heinz Field, where five teams will raise a championship across two days.
All games can be viewed on Trib Live’s HSSN.
Friday, November 27th
WPIAL Class 1A Championship Game
At 2:00 pm
#4 Bishop Canevin (12-1) vs #9 OLSH (9-3)
This will be the first time in 14 years in Class A that doesn’t feature a finals appearance by Clairton, Sto-Rox, Rochester or Jeannette.
The Chargers of OLSH have had an amazing run as a nine seed, but it will be tough to overcome the defense Canevin has. The Crusaders, who surrender only 6.9 points per game, are making their first WPIAL Finals appearance in 31 years.
Both teams have one WPIAL championship to their name, but by mid-day Friday, that number will be #2 for…
- The Pick: Bishop Canevin Crusaders
WPIAL Class 2A Championship Game
At 5:00 pm
#5 Beaver Falls (9-3) vs #6 Serra Catholic (13-1)
The WPIAL Class AA Championship makes it’s first return to Heinz Field since 2015.
Many were expecting to see Sto-Rox and Steel Valley face off against each other, maybe even the Washington Prexies, but the defending champions in Beaver Falls disrupted those plans and are ready for a repeat peformance.
QB Jaren Brickner has thrown for 2,477 yards for the Tigers, who enter this game on nine game winning streak.
Everyone keeps dismissing Serra Catholic, but watch out for QB Max Rocco, who has thrown for 1,753 yards and 24 touchdowns.
It was a special playoffs for Serra, but all good things must end, as Beaver Falls will prove to be too much to handle Friday night.
- The Pick: Beaver Falls Tigers
EXTRA… PIAA Class 6A State Playoffs
Quarterfinals at 7:00 pm, at Mount Lebanon HS
Mount Lebanon vs Erie McDowell
- The Pick: Mount Lebanon
Saturday, November 28th
WPIAL Class 3A Championship
At Noon
TV: Pittsburgh’s CW (Xfinity Channel 808)
#1 Central Valley (12-0) vs #2 North Catholic (12-0)
When you think of Central Valley you know you’re going to have to deal with RB Landon Alexander, whom many of you watched as a kid on Friday Night Tykes: Steel Country.
Alexander has grown into one of the best players in the WPIAL, rushing for 1,730 yards and 28 touchdowns.
Central Valley has averaged 47.7 points a game and allow only 6.3 points in the 12 games they’ve played.
North Catholic is no slouch themselves, scoring 40.7 points and giving up only 7.7 points per game in it’s 12 wins, but they haven’t faced a team like the Warriors.
This may be a mercy rule special, so if you’re at the stadium all day Saturday, you might want to download a movie between the Noon and 3pm games… The Warriors win their third straight title, and fifth overall in their 12 year history.
- The Pick: Central Valley Warriors
WPIAL Class 4A Championship
At 3:00 pm
TV: Pittsburgh’s CW (Xfinity Channel 808)
#1 Belle Vernon (10-0) vs #2 Aliquippa (10-1)
The game everyone will be waiting for.
Belle Vernon took out their personal boogeyman in Thomas Jefferson, defeating the defending champions for the 2nd time last week 21-7. The Leopards offense, averages 40.5 points per game, are armed with the dynamic duo of QB Devin Whitlock, who has passed for 1,023 yards and nine touchdowns, while rushing for 1,189 yards and another 23 touchdowns and sophomore RB Quinton Martin, who has rushed for 902 yards and 12 TD’s.
Aliquippa, who will be making their 14th straight finals appearance, gives up just 9.7 points per game on defense.
The Quips offense averages 42.6 points per game, featuring freshman RB Tiqwai Hayes, who has rushed for 1,380 yards.
Belle Vernon has been incredible all year, and by all means, they should beat a team that has an enrollment that would normally place them in Class A. But the Quips have a mentality to back down from no challenge, which is why they chose to play in AAA before being forced to 4A. Upset special…
- The Pick: Aliquippa Quips
WPIAL Class 5A Championship
At 6:00 pm
TV: Pittsburgh’s CW (Xfinity Channel 808)
#1 Moon (12-0) vs #2 Penn-Trafford (10-2)
Both teams allow just 12.2 points per game, so this could be a good defensive battle.
Moon has averaged 29.3 points per game, while Penn-Trafford scores at a 33.3 a game rate.
Penn-Trafford is lead by RB Cade Yacamelli, who leads the team with 1,498 yards rushing, has 14 receptions, and has totaled 14 touchdowns.
Moon is powered by quarterback Tyler McGowan, who has passed for 1,212 yards and eight touchdowns. RB Dylan Sleva has rushed for 754 yards and 10 touchdowns for the Tigers.
Should be a great game that comes down to the 4th quarter.
- The Pick: Moon Tigers
Last Week: 8-3
Overall: 46-16 (.742)
Author Profile
- Your source for Pittsburgh sports!
-
From Midland, "The Basketball Capital of Pennsylvania", located 35 miles NW of Pittsburgh along the Ohio River. This former steel town was home to storied athletes such as Dave Alston, Norm Van Lier, Simmie Hill, and the legendary 1965 Midland High School Basketball Team.
There's nowhere on earth that is more dedicated to its sports teams like Western Pennsylvania and the city of Pittsburgh. The passion and pride of Pittsburgh's fan base is second to no one. From the NFL, NHL, MLB, NCAA football and basketball, to W.P.I.A.L. high school sports, "The City of Champions" has it all!
As Editor of Pittsburgh SportsNation, Mike Drakulich provides top notch opinions and coverage of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Pittsburgh Penguins, Pittsburgh Pirates, Pitt Panthers football & basketball, Robert Morris Colonials basketball, and Duquesne Dukes basketball, as well as all sports teams that represent Western Pennsylvania, including WPIAL High School Football.
For a refreshing view of sports, mixed with humor and uncensored opinions, check out Pittsburgh SportsNation today on Facebook, Twitter @PghSportsNation and videos with over 1,000,000 views on YouTube!
Latest entries
FeaturesMarch 18, 2024The DraX-Files: This Week in Pittsburgh Sports
FeaturesMarch 12, 2024The DraX-Files: This Week in Pittsburgh Sports
FeaturesMarch 3, 2024The DraX-Files: This Week in Pittsburgh Sports
FeaturesFebruary 25, 2024The DraX-Files: This Week in Pittsburgh Sports