2025 WPIAL 6A football championship breakdown: Central Catholic vs. North Allegheny

By: Chris Harlan
Saturday, November 15, 2025 | 11:56 AM

---

WPIAL Class 6A football championship

No. 1 Central Catholic vs. No. 2 North Allegheny

6:05 p.m. Saturday, Pine-Richland

Audio stream: TribLive HSSN

Video stream: NFHS Network

Radio: KDKA (1020 AM, 100.1 FM)

Winner plays: District 6 champion State College (9-2) or District 2 champion Wilkes-Barre (8-4) in a PIAA quarterfinal Nov. 21 or 22

WPIAL titles: Central Catholic 9 (2024, ‘20, ‘19, ‘16, ‘15, ‘13, ‘07, ‘04, ’03), North Allegheny 6 (2023, ‘22, ‘12, ‘11, ‘10, 1990)

Central Catholic (10-1)

Player to watch: Roman Thompson

Thompson is a two-way standout for the Vikings, starting at middle linebacker and contributing at running back. He’s a multi-year starter on defense, but this year showed his elusiveness as a runner with a team-high 21 touchdowns. His college offers include Pitt and Penn State.

Statistical leaders

Passing: Owen Herrick 120-200, 1,952 yards, 17 TDs

Rushing: Jayden Alexander 102-663 yards, 7 TDs; Roman Thompson 81-549 yards, 21 TDs

Receiving: Aiden Nasiadka, 34-460 yards, 6 TDs; Maceo Watkins 30-329 yards, 6 TDs

How they got here: No. 1 Central Catholic defeated No. 4 Canon-McMillan, 44-7, in the semifinals.

Probable starting lineup

Coach: Ryan Lehmeier

Offense

QB, 12, Owen Herrick, 6-2, 185, so.

RB, 1, Chrys Black, 5-8, 180, so.

(or) RB, 4, Jayden Alexander, 5-7, 175, jr.

(or) RB, 0, Roman Thompson, 6-0, 207, jr.

WR, 9, Maceo Watkins, 6-1, 210, sr.

WR, 14, Aiden Nasiadka, 5-11, 170, sr.

WR, 5, Max Roman, 5-10, 180, jr.

TE, 44, Bobby Macurak, 5-9, 215, sr.

LT, 65, Jimmy Kalis, 6-6, 286, jr.

LG, 75, Jon Sassic, 6-5, 295, jr.

C, 52, Matt Bowers, 6-4, 300, sr.

RG, 53, Jake Murphy, 5-9, 258, sr.

RT, 77, James Halter, 6-5, 270, jr.

Defense

DE, 20, Manny Regus, 6-0, 230, jr.

NT, 55, Cole Bayer, 6-1, 300, sr.

DL, 32, Angelo Pugliano, 6-1, 275, sr.

DE, 8, Ashton Blatt, 6-4, 230, sr.

LB, 40, Colsen Gatten, 6-1, 220, sr.

LB, 0, Roman Thompson, 6-0, 207, jr.

LB, 3, Nick Curinga, 5-11, 180, jr.

S, 7, Seamus Mahon, 5-10, 180, sr.

S, 10, Jordan Ray, 6-1, 180, jr.

CB, 2, Zach Gleason, 6-0, 180, jr.

CB, 17, Yasair Ishmaeli, 5-11, 175, sr.

Special teams

K/P, 41, Antonio Difatta, 5-6, 155, jr.

North Allegheny (8-3)

Player to watch: Lincoln Hoke

Hoke is a multi-year starter on both sides of the ball. He earned all-conference honors as a sophomore for offense and was recognized for his defense as a junior and senior. His last name is recognized by NFL fans. His father, Chris, was a defensive lineman for the Steelers from 2004-11 and works now as an analyst.

Statistical leaders

Passing: Brady Brinkley 129-231, 1,660 yards, 15 TDs

Rushing: Luke Rohan 187-1,016 yards, 16 TDs

Receiving: Ben Kern 31-338, 2 TDs

How they got here: No. 2 North Allegheny defeated No. 3 Norwin, 35-17, in the semifinals.

Probable starting lineup

Coach: Art Walker

Offense

QB, 4, Brady Brinkley, 6-3, 185, jr.

RB, 22, Luke Rohan, 6-0, 210, sr.

FB, 28, Caden Petro, 5-11, 180, so.

WR, 5, Ben Kern, 5-11, 160, so.

WR, 1, Cam Kushner, 6-1, 185, sr.

WR, 21, Korry Pitts Jr., 6-0, 185, sr.

TE, 8, Owen Urschler, 6-2, 215, sr.

LT, 5, Ryan Logan, 6-3, 275, sr.

LG, 57, Declan Flaherty, 6-1, 255, jr.

C, 60, Colin Sefick, 6-1, 245, sr.

RG, 76, Lincoln Hoke, 6-2, 270, sr.

RT, 54, Aiden Urschler, 6-0, 235, jr.

Defense

DE, 8, Owen Urschler, 6-2, 215, sr.

DE, 51, Grant Girdy, 6-1, 245, jr.

DL, 76, Lincoln Hoke, 6-2, 270, sr.

DL, 57, Declan Flaherty, 6-1, 255, jr.

ILB, 29, Tydes Alualu, 5-9, 160, fr.

ILB, 6, Eli Janowiak, 5-10, 195, sr.

OLB, 11, Mason Brown, 5-8, 180, jr.

DB, 23, Kellan Frank, 5-9, 160, jr.

DB, 1, Cam Kushner, 6-1, 185, sr.

DB, 21, Korry Pitts Jr., 6-0, 185, sr.

DB, 2, Kaison Inouye, 5-11, 160, sr.

Special teams

K, 97, Ethan Maravich, 5-11, 165, sr.

P, 25, Brayden McConneha, 6-0, 250, sr.

(or) P, 97, Ethan Maravich, 5-11, 165, sr.

Chris Harlan is a TribLive reporter covering sports. He joined the Trib in 2009 after seven years as a reporter at the Beaver County Times. He can be reached at charlan@triblive.com.

Tags: Central Catholic, North Allegheny