2024 WPIAL football playoff picture heading into Week 9

By: Don Rebel
Sunday, October 20, 2024 | 3:19 PM

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One week remains in the 2024 WPIAL football regular season with plenty of postseason berths and conference crowns still up for grabs.

It’s also one week closer to the new-look WPIAL football playoffs, or at least how some spots are determined.

Wild card berths have expanded and are no longer figured out by the mathematic equations, so now 16 teams will have to wait until Selection Saturday before they find out if they are participating in the district postseason as a wild card team.

So in this exercise, we will determine which teams have already clinched and what others have to do to secure a definitive playoff spot.

Here is a look at the teams that have clinched and the schedule for teams in the hunt heading into Week 9.

Conference records listed next to teams and only remaining conference games are listed.

Class 6A

Top four teams in the seven-team standings qualify for the playoffs.

Central Catholic Vikings, 5-0 (clinched first place)

Week 9 – host Canon-McMillan at Carnegie Mellon

North Allegheny Tigers, 4-1 (clinched)

Week 9 – host Seneca Valley

Seneca Valley Raiders, 3-2

Week 9 – at North Allegheny

Canon-McMillan Big Macs, 2-3

Week 9 – at Central Catholic at Carnegie Mellon

Mt. Lebanon Blue Devils, 2-3

Week 9 – host Norwin

Hempfield Spartans, 2-4 (eliminated)

Norwin Knights, 0-5 (eliminated)

*If Seneca Valley defeats North Allegheny, the Raiders finish second and the Tigers are third.

*If Seneca Valley loses, Mt. Lebanon wins and Canon-McMillan loses, the Blue Devils are third because of head-to-head win over Seneca Valley, the Raiders are fourth and Big Macs are out based on head-to-head for Seneca Valley over Canon-McMillan.

*If Seneca Valley loses, Mt. Lebanon wins and Canon-McMillan wins, Canon-McMillan would finish third based on Gardner Points, then Mt. Lebanon would be fourth based on head-to-head with Seneca Valley

*If Mt. Lebanon and Canon-McMillan lose, they would tie Hempfield and it would come down to tiebreaker points for fourth place. Mt. Lebanon is 0, Canon-McMillan is -13 and Hempfield is -28. The Blue Devils would clinch with most tiebreaker points.

Class 5A

Total of 12 playoff teams: Top three teams in each of the Allegheny Six, Big East and Northeast conferences earn playoff berths, plus three wild card teams to be determined by the WPIAL football steering committee.

Big East Conference

Woodland Hills Wolverines, 5-0 (clinched first place)

Week 9 – host Kiski Area

Penn-Trafford Warriors, 4-1 (clinched second place)

Week 9 – at Latrobe

Franklin Regional Panthers, 3-2 (clinched third place)

Week 9 – host Armstrong

Kiski Area Cavaliers, 2-3

Week 9 – at Woodland Hills

Latrobe Wildcats, 2-3

Week 9 – host Penn-Trafford

Gateway Gators, 2-4

Armstrong River Hawks, 0-5 (eliminated)

*Franklin Regional is in third place because it owns the head-to-head tiebreaker over both Latrobe and Kiski Area.

*If both Latrobe and Kiski Area lose, they are tied for fourth place with Gateway. The Gators would finish fourth in the hunt for a wild card based on tiebreaker points. Heading into Week 9, Latrobe is -12, Kiski Area is -8 and Gateway is done at +6. If that scenario, head-to-head would then give Kiski Area fifth place and Latrobe sixth place

Northeast Conference

Pine-Richland Rams, 4-0 (clinched first place)

Week 9 – host Shaler

Penn Hills Indians, 3-1

Week 9 – host Plum

North Hills Indians, 3-2

Plum Mustangs, 2-2

Week 9 – at Penn Hills

Shaler Titans, 1-3

Week 9 – at Pine-Richland

Fox Chapel Foxes, 0-5 (eliminated)

*Penn Hills will clinch second place with a win.

*If Plum beats Penn Hills, that forces a three-way tie for second place. Tiebreaker points heading into Week 9 are Penn Hills +20, North Hills done at +12 and Plum at +3. If Plum wins by 10 or more points, Plum would have the most points and finish second, and head-to-head would give Penn Hills third place. If Plum wins by 9, they tie North Hills in points and North Hills would finish second, Plum third based on head-to-head. If Plum wins by 8 points or less, Penn Hills would be tied in points with North Hills and finish second based on head-to-head with North Hills third.

Allegheny Six Conference

Upper St. Clair Panthers, 4-0 (clinched first place)

Week 9 – host Baldwin

Peters Township Indians, 3-1 (clinched)

Week 9 – host Bethel Park

Bethel Park Black Hawks, 3-1 (clinched)

Week 9 – at Peters Township

South Fayette Lions, 1-3

Week 9 – at Moon

Moon Tigers, 1-3

Week 9 – host South Fayette

Baldwin Highlanders, 0-4 (eliminated)

*Winner of Bethel Park at Peters Township finishes second, loser is third.

*Winner of South Fayette at Moon finishes fourth, loser is fifth.

Class 4A

Total of 8 playoff teams: Top two teams in each of the Parkway, Big Six and Greater Allegheny conferences earn playoff berths, plus two wild card teams to be determined by the WPIAL football steering committee.

Parkway Conference

Montour Spartans, 4-0

Week 9 – host West Allegheny

Aliquippa Quips, 3-1

Week 9 – host Ambridge

West Allegheny Indians, 3-1

Week 9 – at Montour

Blackhawk Cougars, 1-3

Week 9 – at New Castle

Ambridge Bridgers, 1-3

Week 9 – at Aliquippa

New Castle Red Hurricanes, 0-4

Week 9 – host Blackhawk

*If West Allegheny defeats Montour and Aliquippa beats Ambridge, there is a three-way tie for the conference title. Tiebreaker points will determine the final order. Coming into Week 9, Montour is +31, Aliquippa is +29 and West Allegheny is +20

Big Six Conference

Thomas Jefferson Jaguars, 4-0 (clinched first place)

Week 9 – at Laurel Highlands

Belle Vernon Leopards, 3-1

Week 9 – at Trinity

Trinity Hillers, 3-1

Week 9 – host Belle Vernon

Chartiers Valley Colts, 1-3

Week 9 – at Ringgold

Laurel Highlands Mustangs, 1-3

Week 9 – host Thomas Jefferson

Ringgold Rams, 0-4 (eliminated)

*The winner of Belle Vernon at Trinity will finish in second place and clinch. The loser finishes third and is alive for a wild card spot.

Greater Allegheny Conference

McKeesport Tigers, 4-0 (clinched first place)

Week 9 – at Knoch

Mars Fightin’ Planets, 3-1 (clinched second place)

Week 9 – host Indiana

West Mifflin Titans, 2-2

Week 9 – host Hampton

Knoch Knights, 2-2

Week 9 – host McKeesport

Hampton Talbots, 1-3

Week 9 – at West Mifflin

Indiana Little Indians, 0-4 (eliminated)

*If West Mifflin beats Hampton on Friday, the Titans will finish in third place and be alive for a wild card.

*If Hampton beats West Mifflin and Knoch loses to McKeesport, there will be a three-way tie for third place in the wild card chase. Tiebreaker points to determine third place heading into Week 9 are West Mifflin 0, Knoch 0 and Hampton -20.

Class 3A

Total of 12 playoff teams: Top three teams in each of the Western Hills, Allegheny Seven and Interstate conferences earn playoff berths, plus three wild card teams to be determined by the WPIAL football steering committee.

Western Hills Conference

Avonworth Antelopes, 5-0 (clinched)

Week 9 – at Beaver

Central Valley Warriors, 5-1 (clinched)

Beaver Bobcats, 4-1 (clinched)

Week 9 – host Avonworth

Hopewell Vikings, 2-3

Week 9 – at North Catholic

North Catholic Trojans, 2-3

Week 9 – host Hopewell

Quaker Valley Quakers, 0-5 (eliminated)

McGuffey Highlanders, 0-5 (eliminated)

*If Avonworth wins at Beaver on Friday, the Antelopes are the conference champions and the Bobcats are in third place behind Central Valley.

*If Beaver beats Avonworth, there is a three-way tie for first place and will be broken by tiebreaker points. Coming into Week 9, Avonworth is +47, Beaver is +30 and Central Valley is done with +41. Beaver can’t finish first in tiebreaker, but it could finish second if it beats Avonworth by 7 or more points.

*The winner of the Hopewell at North Catholic game on Friday will finish in fourth place and be in good shape in the wild card chase.

Allegheny Seven Conference

Imani Christian Saints, 5-0 (clinched)

Week 9 – at Freeport

Deer Lakes Lancers, 4-1 (clinched)

Week 9 – host Burrell

Freeport Yellowjackets, 4-1 (clinched)

Week 9 – host Imani Christian

Burrell Buccaneers, 2-3

Week 9 – at Deer Lakes

Highlands Golden Rams, 2-3

Week 9 – at Valley

East Allegheny Wildcats, 1-5 (eliminated)

Valley Vikings, 0-5 (eliminated)

*If Imani Christian beats Freeport, the Saints are first, Deer Lakes would be second (win or lose) and the Yellowjackets are third.

*If Freeport defeats Imani Christian and Deer Lakes wins, there will be a three-way tie for the conference championship. Tiebreaker points will determine first place and then head-to-head for second. Coming into Week 9, Imani Christian is +42, Freeport is +33 and Deer Lakes is +18.

Interstate Conference

Elizabeth Forward Warriors, 4-0 (clinched)

Week 9 – at Mt. Pleasant

Southmoreland Scotties, 3-1

Week 9 – at Greensburg Salem

Mt. Pleasant Vikings, 3-1

Week 9 – host Elizabeth Forward

Greensburg Salem Golden Lions, 2-2

Week 9 – host Southmoreland

Derry Trojans, 0-4 (eliminated)

Yough Cougars, 0-4 (eliminated)

*If Elizabeth Forward defeats Mt. Pleasant on Friday, the Warriors are the conference champions.

* If Mt. Pleasant beats Elizabeth Forward and Southmoreland defeats Greensburg Salem, the Vikings, Warriors and Scotties would be tied for the conference championship. Tiebreaker points would determine first place and then head-to-head would be second. Heading into Week 9, Elizabeth Forward is +40, Southmoreland +20 and Mt. Pleasant +10. In that case, Elizabeth Forward would be first because even if Southmoreland ties the Warriors in points, EF wins head-to-head tiebreaker. Southmoreland would be second based on head-to-head with Mt. Pleasant.

*If Mt. Pleasant beats Elizabeth Forward and Southmoreland loses at Greensburg Salem, the Vikings will finish first, the Warriors will be second and the Golden Lions are third.

*If Mt. Pleasant loses to EF and Southmoreland loses to Greensburg Salem, then there is a three-way tie for second place. Tiebreaker points to determine second place coming into Week 9 are Southmoreland +20, Mt. Pleasant +10 and Greensburg Salem +3. In that case, once second place is determined by points, third place reverts back to head-to-head

Class 2A

Total of 13 playoff teams: Top three teams in each of the Allegheny, Midwestern Athletic and Century conferences earn playoff berths, plus four wild card teams to be determined by the WPIAL football steering committee.

Allegheny Conference

South Park Eagles, 5-0 (clinched first place)

Week 9 – at Shady Side Academy

South Allegheny Gladiators, 4-1 (clinched)

Week 9 at Steel Valley

Steel Valley Ironmen, 4-1 (clinched)

Week 9 – host South Allegheny

Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Chargers, 3-3

Ligonier Valley Rams, 1-4

Week 9 – host Apollo-Ridge

Shady Side Academy Bulldogs, 1-4

Week 9 – host South Park

Apollo-Ridge Vikings, 0-5 (eliminated)

*The winner of the South Allegheny at Steel Valley game on Friday will finish second and the loser will take third place.

Midwestern Athletic Conference

Ellwood City Wolverines, 6-0 (clinched first place)

Week 9 – host Beaver Falls

Western Beaver Golden Beavers, 5-1 (clinched second place)

Week 9 – at Freedom

Mohawk Warriors, 4-2

Week 9 – host Riverside

Riverside Panthers, 4-2

Week 9 – at Mohawk

New Brighton Lions, 2-4

Week 9 – at Union

Union Scotties, 2-4

Week 9 – host New Brighton

Freedom Bulldogs, 1-5 (eliminated)

Beaver Falls Tigers, 0-6 (eliminated)

*The winner of the Riverside at Mohawk game on Friday will finish in third place and clinch a playoff berth. The loser will finish in fourth place and be alive for a wild card spot.

*The winner of the New Brighton at Union game Friday will finish in fifth place and have a shot at a wild card berth.

Century Conference

Seton LaSalle Rebels, 5-0 (clinched first place)

Week 9 – at Washington

Keystone Oaks Golden Eagles, 4-2 (clinched)

Washington Little Prexies, 3-2

Week 9 – host Seton LaSalle

Waynesburg Central Raiders, 3-2

Week 9 – host Sto-Rox

Carlynton Cougars, 2-3

Week 9 – host Charleroi

Charleroi Cougars, 1-4

Week 9 – at Carlynton

Sto-Rox Vikings, 0-5 (eliminated)

*If Washington defeats Seton LaSalle and Waynesburg Central beats Sto-Rox, the Little Prexies and Raiders would finish in a three-way tie with Keystone Oaks for second place. Washington would finish second based on wins over both Waynesburg Central and Keystone Oaks. Keystone Oaks would be third based on head-to-head win over Waynesburg Central.

*If Washington loses and Waynesburg Central wins, the Raiders will clinch and finish in third place with KO second.

*If Carlynton wins, Waynesburg Central wins and Washington loses, Carlynton would finish in fourth place and be alive for a wild card.

Class A

Total of 16 playoff teams: Top three teams in each of the Big 7, Eastern, Black Hills and Tri-County South conferences earn playoff berths, plus four wild card teams to be determined by the WPIAL football steering committee.

Big 7 Conference

Neshannock Lancers, 5-0 (clinched)

Week 9 – host Laurel

Laurel Spartans, 5-0 (clinched)

Week 9 – at Neshannock

South Side Rams, 3-2

Week 9 – at Rochester

Rochester Rams, 3-2

Week 9 – host South Side

Shenango Wildcats, 1-4

Week 9 – host Summit Academy

Northgate Flames, 1-5 (eliminated)

Summit Academy, 0-5 (eliminated)

*The winner of the Laurel at Neshannock game on Friday is first and the loser is second.

*The winner of the South Side at Rochester game Friday will clinch and finish in third place. The loser is fourth and alive for a wild card berth.

Eastern Conference

Clairton Bears, 6-0 (clinched first place)

Week 9 host Brentwood

Leechburg Blue Devils, 5-1 (clinched)

Week 9 – host Greensburg Central Catholic

Greensburg Central Catholic Centurions, 5-1 (clinched)

Week 9 – at Leechburg

Jeannette Jayhawks, 3-3

Week 9 – at Riverview

Brentwood Spartans, 3-3

Week 9 – at Clairton

Riverview Raiders, 2-4

Week 9 – at Jeannette

Frazier Commodores 0-5 (eliminated)

Springdale Dynamos 0-5 (eliminated)

*The winner of the Greensburg Central Catholic at Leechburg game is in second place and the loser is third.

*If Jeannette wins on Saturday against Riverview, the Jayhawks will finish in fourth place.

*If Riverview beats Jeannette and Brentwood loses to Clairton, tiebreaker points would decide fourth pace and a possible wild card. Tiebreaker points heading into Week 9 include Jeannette at -9, Brentwood is -3 and Riverview is -17.

Black Hills Conference

Fort Cherry Rangers, 5-0 (clinched first place)

Week 9 – at Serra Catholic

Bishop Canevin Crusaders, 4-1 (clinched second place)

Week 9 – host Burgettstown

Monessen Greyhounds, 3-2

Week 9 – at Cornell

Cornell Raiders, 3-2

Week 9 – host Monessen

Serra Catholic Eagles, 2-3

Week 9 – host Fort Cherry

Chartiers-Houston Buccaneers, 1-5 (eliminated)

Burgettstown Blue Devils, 0-5 (eliminated)

*The winner of Monessen at Cornell will clinch and finish in third place.

Tri-County South Conference

Jefferson-Morgan Rockets, 6-0 (clinched)

Week 9 – at California

California Trojans, 6-0 (clinched)

Week 9 – host Jefferson-Morgan

West Greene Pioneers, 3-3

Week 9 – at Beth-Center

Bentworth Bearcats, 3-3

Week 9 – at Avella

Carmichaels Mighty Mikes, 3-3

Week 9 – at Mapletown

Avella Eagles, 2-4

Week 9 – host Bentworth

Beth-Center Bulldogs, 1-5 (eliminated)

Mapletown Maples, 0-6 (eliminated)

*If West Greene, Bentworth and Carmichaels all win Friday, they will tie for third place. Tiebreaker points heading into Week 9 to determine third place is Bentworth at +7, Carmichaels is 0 and West Greene is -7, so if Bentworth wins by 3 or more points, it would finish third.

*If West Greene, Bentworth and Carmichaels all lose Friday, they would be tied for third place along with Avella. In that case, Carmichaels and West Greene would be 2-1 in head-to-head and Bentworth and Avella would be 1-2. Carmichaels would clinch and finish third based on head-to-head win over West Greene.