2012 WPIAL FOOTBALL PLAYOFF PICTURE – Through Week Seven

By: Bruce Markey
Thursday, October 18, 2012 | 5:53 PM

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One week down, two remaining in the MSA Sports 'Stretch Run' to the 2012 WPIAL football regular season. Over the final two weeks, you will hear plenty of talk with these words and phrases: Conference champions; Home field advantage; Playoff positioning; Staying alive; Controlling your own destiny; wild card and of course, the dreaded Gardner points. More than half of the Field of 64 has clinched through seven weeks with 34 playoff berths wrapped up and 28 more up for grabs in Weeks 8 and 9 before we take off on the Highway to Heinz.

We will break down the WPIAL football playoff picture each week over the next couple of weeks, with each break down being more specific in what needs to happen for all teams involved.  Conference records are in parenthesis.

WPIAL CLASS AAAA Northern Eight Conference:

* North Allegheny Tigers (5-0) have clinched a playoff spot and can clinch conference championship with a win at Shaler on 10/19 OR vs. North Hills on 10/26

* Seneca Valley Raiders (5-1) have clinched a playoff spot and can clinch a home playoff game with a win at Fox Chapel on 10/26 

* Pittsburgh Central Catholic Vikings (4-2) have clinched a playoff spot and may be able to clinch a home playoff game with a win at Butler on 10/26

* North Hills Indians (3-2) can clinch a playoff spot with a win at Pine-Richland on 10/19 OR at North Allegheny on 10/26

* Butler Golden Tornado (2-3) can clinch a playoff spot with a win vs. Fox Chapel on 10/19 OR with a win vs Pittsburgh Central Catholic on 10/26 AND a Fox Chapel loss to Seneca Valley on 10/26

* Fox Chapel Foxes (1-4) can clinch a playoff spot with a win at Butler on 10/19 AND a win vs. Seneca Valley on 10/26 OR a Butler loss to Pittsburgh Central Catholic on 10/26 AND a Pine-Richland loss to North Hills on 10/19

* Pine-Richland Rams (2-4) can clinch a playoff spot with a win vs. North Hills on 10/19 AND a Fox Chapel win at Butler on 10/19 AND have both Butler and Fox Chapel lose on 10/26 to force a three-way tie. Current tiebreaker points are: Butler -10, Pine-Richland -20, Fox Chapel -30

WPIAL CLASS AAAA Southeastern Conference:

* Mount Lebanon Blue Devils (6-0) have clinched a playoff spot and can win the conference championship with a win at Upper St. Clair on 10/26 and can clinch a home playoff game with a win at Penn Hills on 10/19

* Upper St. Clair Panthers (5-1) have clinched a playoff spot and can win the conference championship with a win vs. Plum on 10/19 AND vs. Mount Lebanon on 10/26.

* Bethel Park Black Hawks (5-2) have clinched a playoff spot and can clinch a home playoff game with a win at Baldwin on 10/26 and one more Upper St. Clair loss

* Woodland Hills Wolverines (4-2) can clinch a playoff spot with one more win either at Peters Township on 10/19 or vs. Penn Hills on 10/26. If they win out, the Wolverines could also clinch a home playoff game

* Peters Township Indians (3-3) can clinch a playoff spot with a win vs. Woodland Hills on 10/19 OR with a win at Canon-McMillan on 10/26 AND one more Penn Hills loss

* Penn Hills Indians (3-3) can clinch a playoff spot with a win vs. Mount Lebanon on 10/19 AND at Woodland Hills on 10/26 AND with one Peters Township loss. If the Indians split their final two games and finish out of the top five in conference, they could still be alive for a wild card

* Baldwin (1-5) and Canon-McMillan (1-5) need to win both remaining conference games and get plenty of help. Baldwin is at Canon-McMillan on 10/19 and vs. Bethel Park on 10/26 while Canon-McMillan is vs. Peters Township on 10/26

WPIAL CLASS AAAA Foothills Conference:

* Gateway Gators (6-0) have clinched a playoff spot and can win the conference championship with a win at Penn-Trafford on 10/19. If the Gators lose, they can still clinch a home playoff game with a win at McKeesport on 10/26

* Penn-Trafford Warriors (6-0) have clinched a playoff spot and a home playoff game and can win the conference championship with a win vs. Gateway on 10/19

* McKeesport Tigers (4-2) can clinch a playoff spot with a win at Kiski Area on 10/19 OR a win vs. Gateway on 10/26 

* Kiski Area Cavaliers (3-3) can clinch a playoff spot with a win vs. McKeesport on 10/19 AND at Latrobe on 10/26

* Hempfield Spartans (3-3) can clinch a playoff spot with a win at Norwin on 10/19 AND vs.Penn-Trafford 10/26. Hempfield owns the tiebreaker vs. Kiski Area but loses it against Connellsville and Altoona

* Altoona Mountain Lions (3-4) can clinch a playoff spot with a win vs. Connellsville 10/26 AND with Hempfield splitting or losing final two games

* Connellsville Falcons (2-4) can clinch a playoff spot with a win vs. Latrobe on 10/19 AND at Altoona on 10/26 AND with Hempfield splitting or losing final two games

WPIAL CLASS AAA Big Nine Conference:

* West Mifflin Titans (6-0) have clinched a playoff spot and can clinch a home playoff game with a win at Trinity on 10/19 and can clinch the conference championship with a win at Thomas Jefferson on 10/26

* Thomas Jefferson Jaguars (6-0) have clinched a playoff spot  and a home playoff game and can win the conference championship with a win vs. West Mifflin 10/26

* Trinity Hillers (4-2) can clinch a playoff spot with a win vs. West Mifflin on 10/19 OR a win at Ringgold on 10/26

* Elizabeth Forward Warriors (4-3) can clinch a playoff spot with a win at Albert Gallatin on 10/19

* Ringgold Rams (4-3) has clinched a playoff spot because even if they lose, they would still finish no lower than fifth after tiebreakers

* Belle Vernon Leopards (2-4) can clinch a playoff spot with a win vs. Laurel Highlands on 10/19 AND at Albert Gallatin on 10/26 AND two Trinity losses

Uniontown (1-4) and Laurel Highlands (1-5) would need to win out and get lots of help to be alive for a wild card spot. Uniontown host Thomas Jefferson on 10/19 and is at Laurel Highlands on 10/26 while Laurel Highlands is at Belle Vernon on 10/19

WPIAL CLASS AAA Parkway Conference:

* Montour Spartans (6-0) have clinched a playoff spot and can clinch a home playoff game and the conference championship with a win vs. West Allegheny on 10/19

* Central Valley Warriors (6-1) have clinched a playoff spot and can clinch a home playoff game with a win vs. Ambridge on 10/19. The Warriors can still win the conference championship with a win AND a West Allegheny win at Montour. Going into this week, tiebreaker points are: Montour +46, Central Valley +59, West Allegheny +31

* West Allegheny Indians (5-1) have clinched a playoff spot and are alive for the conference championship with a win at MOntour on 10/19 and can still host a home playoff game even with a loss to Montour with a win at Chartiers Valley on 10/26 and one more Trinity loss

* Ambridge Bridgers (3-3) can clinch a playoff spot with a win at Central Valley on 10/19 OR vs. Blackhawk 10/26 AND a Hopewell loss vs. New Castle on 10/26

* Hopewell Vikings (3-4) can clinch a playoff spot with a win vs. New Castle on 10/26

* New Castle Red Hurricane (2-4) can clinch a playoff spot with vs. Moon on 10/19 AND a win at Hopewell on 10/26

* Believe it or not, Blackhawk (1-5), Chartiers Valley (1-5) and Moon (1-5) are alive but need to win out and get help to make the postseason. Blackhawk hosts Chartiers Valley on 10/19 and is at Ambridge on 10/26 while Chartiers Valley is vs. West Allegheny on 10/26. Moon is at New Castle on 10/19 and at Montour on 10/26

WPIAL CLASS AAA Greater Allegheny Conference:

* Mars Fighting Planets (5-1) have clinched a playoff spot and can clinch the conference championship and the #1 spot out of the conference with at win at Hollidaysburg on 10/19 AND at Hampton on 10/26

* Franklin Regional Panthers (5-1) have clinched a playoff spot and can clinch a share of the conference championship and a home playoff game with a win at Hampton on  10/19 AND vs. Derry on 10/26

* Hampton Talbots (5-1) have clinched a playoff spot and can clinch the conference championship outright with a win vs. Franklin Regional on 10/19 AND vs. Mars on 10/26

* Knoch Knights (4-2) can clinch a playoff spot with a win vs. Indiana on 10/19 OR at Highlands on 10/26

* Hollidaysburg Golden Tigers (3-3) can clinch a playoff spot with a win vs. Mars on 10/19 AND at Indiana on 10/26 OR beat Indiana AND have Highlands lose to Knoch on 10/26

* Highlands Golden Rams (3-4) can clinch a playoff spot with a win vs. Knoch on 10/26 AND have Hollidaysburg lose both remaining conference games   

* Indiana Little Indians (2-4) can clinch a playoff spot  with a win at Knoch on 10/19 AND vs. Hollidaysburg on 10/26 AND a Highlands loss vs. Knoch

WPIAL CLASS AA Midwestern Conference:

* Aliquippa Quips (5-0) have clinched a playoff spot and can win the conference championship with a win vs. Beaver Falls on 10/18 AND vs. Beaver on 10/26. A win over Beaver Falls clinches a home playoff game

* Beaver Bobcats (5-0) have clinched a playoff spot and can win the conference championship with a win vs. Ellwood City on 10/19 AND a win at Aliquippa on 10/26

* Beaver Falls Tigers (5-1) have clinched a playoff spot and can clinch at least a possible share of the conference championship OR a home playoff game with a win at Aliquippa on 10/18

* Freedom Bulldogs (2-4), Mohawk Warriors (2-4), New Brighton Lions (1-4), Riverside Panthers (1-4) and Ellwood City Wolverines (1-5) are ALL alive for the final playoff spot. Freedom hosts Riverside on 10/26, Mohawk is at New Brighton on 10/26, New Brighton is at Riverside on 10/19 where the loses will be eliminated. Ellwood City hosts Beaver on 10/19

WPIAL CLASS AA Century Conference:

* South Fayette Lions (6-0) have clinched a playoff spot and can clinch the conference championship with a win at South Park on 10/19 AND vs. South Allegheny on 10/26

* Seton-LaSalle Rebels (6-1) have clinched a playoff spot and can clinch a home playoff game with a win vs. South Park on 10/26 OR one more South Allegheny loss

* South Allegheny Gladiators (5-1) have clinched a playoff spot and can clinch a home playoff game and a share of the conference championship with a win vs. Steel Valley on 10/19 AND at South Fayette on 10/26

* Steel Valley Ironmen (4-2) can clinch a playoff spot with a win at South Allegheny on 10/19 OR vs. McGuffey on 10/26 OR a South Park loss to either South Fayette or Seton-LaSalle

* South Park Eagles (3-3) can clinch a playoff spot with a win vs. South Fayette on 10/19 AND at Seton-LaSalle on 10/26 AND two Steel Valley loses OR if South Park splits, Steel Valley loses both and McGuffey wins both of it's games, then the Eagles would have more gardner points and clinch

* McGuffey Highlanders (2-4) can clinch a playoff spot with a win vs. Keystone Oaks on 10/19 AND at Steel Valley on 10/26 AND have Steel Valley lost to South Allegheny AND have South Park lose to both South Fayette and Seton-LaSalle

WPIAL CLASS AA Interstate Conference:

* Washington Little Prexies (7-0) have clinched a playoff spot and the conference championship

* Jeannette Jayhawks (5-1) have clinched a playoff spot and can clinch a home playoff game with a win at Waynesburg on 10/19 OR vs. Greensburg Central Catholic on 10/25 OR a Mount Pleasant loss vs. Brownsville on 10/19

* Mount Pleasant Vikings (5-2) have clinched a playoff spot

* Greensburg Central Catholic Centurions (4-2) can clinch a playoff spot with a win vs. Yough on 10/19 OR a win at Jeannette on 10/25 AND a Yough loss at Southmoreland on 10/26

* Yough Cougars (3-3) can clinch a playoff spot with a win at Greensburg Central Catholic on 10/19 AND a win at Southmoreland on 10/26

WPIAL CLASS AA Allegheny Conference:

* Freeport Yellowjackets (6-1) have clinched a playoff spot and can win the conference championship with a win vs. Summit Academy on 10/26 or one more Burrell loss

* Burrell Buccaneers (5-1) have clinched a playoff spot and can earn home field advantage with wins vs. East Allegheny on 10/19 AND vs. Deer Lakes on 10/26

* Kittanning Wildcats (4-2), Shady Side Academy Indians (4-2) and Valley Vikings (4-2) all control their own destiny and can clinch a playoff spot with two more win. Kittanning is at Valley on 10/19 and vs. Shady SIde Academy on 10/26. Shady Side Academy is at Summit Academy on 10/20 and Valley is at Ford City on 10/26. Shady Side Academy beat Valley in Week 3 in the only head-to-head between the three teams

WPIAL CLASS A Black Hills Conference:

* Clairton Bears (7-0) have clinched a playoff spot and can win the conference championship with a victory vs. Serra Catholic on 10/19 OR vs. Imani Christian on 10/26

* Monessen Greyhounds (6-1) have clinched a playoff spot and can earn a home playoff game with a win vs. Chartiers-Houston on 10/19 OR at Carlynton on 10/26  

* Bishop Canevin Crusaders (5-2) have clinched a playoff spot

* Brentwood Spartans (4-3) is close to clinching a playoff spot and can do so with a win vs. Bishop Canevin on 10/19 OR vs. California on 10/26 OR one more loss by either Chartiers-Houston and Fort Cherry since Brentwood owns the tiebreaker over both

* Chartiers-Houston (3-4) and Fort Cherry (3-4) need to win out AND have Brentwood lose both remaining games. Chartiers-Houston is at Monessen on 10/19 and home to Fort Cherry on 10/26. Fort Cherry is a home to Imani Christian on 10/19

* Imani Christian Saints (5-2) are on probation and are NOT eligible for the WPIAL playoffs.

WPIAL CLASS A Big 7 Conference:

* Rochester Rams (6-0) have clinched a playoff spot and can win the conference championship outright with a win vs. Sto-Rox on 10/26

* Neshannock Lancers (6-1) have clinched a playoff spot and can earn a home playoff game with a win vs. Union on 10/26 and a Rochester win over Sto-Rox. If Neshannock and Sto-Rox wins, then tiebreaker points will determine the order of 1 through 3. Currently, Rochester +49, Neshannock +44, Sto-Rox +49

* Sto-Rox Vikings (5-1) can clinch a playoff spot with a win vs. Laurel on 10/19 OR at Rochester on 10/26 OR a Laurel loss vs. Shenango on 10/26. Sto-Rox can earn a share of the conference championship if they win both remaining games

* Union Scotties (4-2) can clinch a playoff spot with a win vs. South Side Beaver on 10/19 OR at Neshannock on 10/26 OR if Laurel loses to Sto-Rox OR Shenango

* Laurel Spartans (3-3) can clinch a playoff spot if they beat Sto-Rox on 10/19 AND win at Shenango on 10/26 AND Sto-Rox loses to Rochester on 10/26 OR Union loses to both South Side Beaver and Neshannock

* Shenango Wildcats (2-4) can only make the playoff through tiebreakers if they win vs Western Beaver on 10/20 AND at Laurel on 10/26 AND Laurel beats Sto-Rox AND Union loses both remaining games

WPIAL CLASS A Eastern Conference:

* North Catholic Trojans (6-1) have clinched a playoff spot and can earn a home playoff game with a win vs Leechburg on 10/26. They can also win the conference championship with a win AND one more Northgate loss.

* Northgate Flames (5-1) can clinch a playoff spot with a win at Springdale on 10/19 OR vs Avonworth on 10/26

* Springdale Dynamos (4-2) can clinch a playoff spot with a win vs Northgate on 10/19 AND vs Riverview on 10/26

* Apollo-Ridge Vikings (4-2) can clinch a playoff spot with a win vs Riverview on 10/19 AND at West Shamokin on 10/26

* Avonworth Antelopes (4-2) can clinch a playoff spot with a win at Wilkinsburg on 10/20 AND at Northgate on 10/26

WPIAL CLASS A Tri-County South Conference:

* Beth-Center Bulldogs (6-1) can clinch a playoff spot and the conference championship with a win vs Avella on 10/19

* Avella Eagles (4-1) can move closer to a playoff spot with a win against Carmichaels on 10/12. A loss however and they lose tiebreakers to both Frazier and Carmichaels

* Frazier Commodores (5-2) , Jefferson-Morgan Rockets (4-2), Carmichaels Mighty Mikes (4-2) and Avella Eagles are all alive for the playoffs. Frazier hosts Mapletown on 10/26, Jefferson-Morgan is at Mapletown on 10/19 and home to Geibel on 10/26, Carmichaels hosts Bentworth on 10/19 and West Greene on 10/26 and Avella is at Beth-Center on 10/19 and at Bentworth on 10/26

* If Beth-Center beats Avella and Frazier, Jefferson-Morgan and Carmichaels all win out, Beth-Center will be first, Jefferson-Morgan second (based on head-to-head wins over Frazier and Carmichaels) and Carmichaels would be third (based on head-to-head win over Frazier)