2023 WPIAL football playoff picture heading into Week 9

By: Don Rebel
Sunday, October 22, 2023 | 1:59 PM

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There is one week left in the 2023 WPIAL football regular season.

Heading into the final weekend, 52 teams have guaranteed a spot on the Playoff Path to the North Shore and to North Huntingdon.

That leaves only 15 district playoff spots up for grabs this weekend.

Here is the latest WPIAL football playoff picture heading into Week 9.

CLASS 6A

Central Catholic, 4-0 (clinched)

The Vikings will finish in first place and are regular season champions.

North Allegheny, 2-1 (clinched)

The Tigers will finish in second place and will host a semifinal game.

Canon-McMillan, 1-2 (clinched)

Mt. Lebanon, 1-2 (clinched)

The winner of the Mt. Lebanon at Canon-McMillan game in Week 9 will finish in third place and visit North Allegheny; the loser will finish in fourth place and take on Central Catholic in the 6A semifinals Nov. 10.

Seneca Valley, 0-3, has been eliminated.

In the other five classifications below, only conference records and remaining conference games are shown for each team.

CLASS 5A

Total of 8 playoff teams: Top two teams in the three conferences earn a playoff berth, plus two of the three third-place finishers earn a wild card.

Four Class 5A teams have clinched heading into Week 9.

Big East Conference

Gateway (5-0) clinched

The Gators finished first and are conference champions.

Franklin Regional Panthers (3-1)

10/27 – host Penn-Trafford

Penn-Trafford Warriors (3-1)

10/27 – at Franklin Regional

The winner of Penn-Trafford at Franklin Regional on Friday will clinch and finish in second place. The loser finishes in third place and is alive for a wild card berth.

Norwin (1-3), Plum (1-4) and Hempfield (0-4) have been eliminated

Northeast Conference

Penn Hills (4-0) clinched

The Indians can win the conference championship outright with a win over Woodland Hills. Even if they lose and drop to third in a tiebreaker, they would capture a wild card berth.

10/27 – host Woodland Hills

Pine-Richland (3-1)

The Rams will clinch with a win Friday at North Hills. Even if they lose, they could finish in second or third place based on tiebreaker points if Woodland Hills also loses.

10/27 – at North Hills

Woodland Hills (3-1)

The Wolverines will clinch with a win at Penn Hills Friday. Even if they lose and fall to third place, they would be alive for a wild card berth.

10/27 – at Penn Hills

North Hills (2-2)

The Indians must beat Pine-Richland to have a chance through tiebreaker points to make the playoffs.

10/27 – host Pine-Richland

Shaler (0-4) and Fox Chapel (0-4) have been eliminated.

Northeast Conference tiebreaker points heading into Week 9:

Penn Hills +36

Pine-Richland +24

Woodland Hills +11

North Hills +9

Allegheny Six Conference

Peters Township (4-0) clinched

The Indians have clinched at least a share of the conference championship and can win it outright with a victory over Bethel Park.

10/27 – host Bethel Park

Bethel Park (3-1) clinched

The Black Hawks can clinch with a win at Peters Township on Friday. With a victory, they would be co-conference champs and would be the top team out of the Allegheny 6. With a loss, they could drop into a three-way tie for second place, but they can’t finish lower then third place and would win a wild card spot in that instance.

10/27 – at Peters Township

Moon (2-2)

The Tigers can clinch with a win over Baldwin on Friday and a Bethel Park loss to Peters Township.

20/27 – host Baldwin

Upper St. Clair (2-2)

The Panthers need to win Friday at South Fayette and get help to have a chance to finish third and be in the wild card hunt.

10/27 – at South Fayette

South Fayette (1-3) and Baldwin (0-4) have been eliminated.

Allegheny Six Conference tiebreaker points heading into Week 9:

Bethel Park +22

Moon +7

Upper St. Clair -11

Class 5A wild card

Two of the three third-place finishers will earn a wild card berth into the postseason. If Woodland Hills beats Penn Hills and Pine-Richland wins, the Northeast Conference will get one of the wild card spots. Because of Gardner Points, the Allegheny 6 Conference third place finisher will likely earn a wild card playoff berth.

CLASS 4A

Total of 13 playoff teams: Top five teams in the Parkway Conference and the top four teams in the Big Seven Conference and the Greater Allegheny Conference earn a playoff berth.

Ten Class 4A teams have clinched heading into Week 9.

Parkway Conference

Aliquippa (6-0) clinched

The Quips can clinch the outright conference championship with a win at Central Valley on Friday.

10/27 – at Central Valley

Montour (5-1) clinched

The Spartans can finish at least in second place with a win over West Allegheny on Friday.

10/27 – host West Allegheny

Central Valley (5-1) clinched

The Warriors can earn a share of the conference crown with a win over Aliquippa on Friday. Even with a loss, they can’t finish lower than third place.

10/27 – host Aliquippa

West Allegheny (4-2) clinched

The Indians can improve their conference finish and their playoff seeding with a win at Montour on Friday.

10/27 – at Montour

Chartiers Valley (2-4)

The Colts can clinch with a win over Ambridge on Friday. If they lose and New Castle beats Blackhawk, they could still earn a playoff berth through tiebreaker points.

10/27 – host Ambridge

Ambridge (1-5)

The Bridgers can clinch with a win Friday at Chartiers Valley and a New Castle loss to Blackhawk. Ambridge and New Castle lose out in tiebreaker points in the case of a three-way tie.

10/27 – at Chartiers Valley

Parkway Conference tiebreaker points heading into Week 9:

Aliquippa +57

Central Valley +48

Montour +31

West Allegheny +18

New Castle (1-5) and Blackhawk (0-6) have been eliminated.

Big Eight Conference

McKeesport (5-0) clinched

The Tigers can win the conference title outright with a win Friday at Thomas Jefferson. A loss and they would be co-champs and the No. 2 team out of the conference.

10/27 – at Thomas Jefferson

Thomas Jefferson (4-1) clinched

The Jaguars can earn a share of the conference championship and be the No. 1 team out of the conference with a win over McKeesport on Friday.

10/27 – host McKeesport

Latrobe (4-2) clinched

Trinity (3-2) clinched

If this Hillers beat Ringgold on Friday and Thomas Jefferson loses to McKeesport, then tiebreaker points will determine second place and head-to-head between two remaining teams will determined third place.

10/27 – host Ringgold

Connellsville (1-4), Laurel Highlands (1-4) and Ringgold (0-5) have been eliminated.

Big Eight Conference tiebreaker points heading into Week 9:

Thomas Jefferson +30

Latrobe +20

Trinity +1

Greater Allegheny Conference

Mars (5-0) clinched

The Fightin’ Planets can win the GAC championship outright with a win at North Catholic on Friday.

10/27 – at North Catholic

North Catholic (4-1) clinched

The Trojans can earn a share of the conference championship and be the No. 1 team out of the conference with a win over Mars on Friday.

10/27 – host Mars

Hampton (3-2)

The Talbots can clinch with a win Friday at Highlands. If they lose, they will fall into a three-way tie with Highlands and the Armstrong-Kiski Area winner. If it’s Armstrong, Highlands would finish third based on head-to-head and Hampton would finish fourth based on head-to-head with Armstrong. If it’s Kiski Area, tiebreaker points would determine third place, and head-to-head would determine fourth place.

10/27 – at Highlands

Armstrong (2-3)

The River Hawks need a win at Kiski Area on Friday and a Hampton victory over Highlands. If they tie with Highlands and Hampton, Highlands would finish third based on head-to-head and Hampton would finish fourth based on head-to-head with Armstrong.

10/27 – at Kiski Area

Kiski Area (2-3)

The Cavaliers must beat Armstrong on Friday and have Hampton beat Highlands to clinch. If they win and Highlands beats Hampton, tiebreaker points would determine third place and head-to-head would determine fourth place.

10/27 – host Armstrong

Highlands (2-3)

The Golden Rams must beat Hampton on Friday to have a shot at the playoffs. If they win and Armstrong beats Kiski Area forcing a three-way tie between Hampton, Highlands and Armstrong, the Golden Rams would be third because of head-to-head wins over Hampton and Armstrong. If they win and Kiski Area beats Armstrong, tiebreaker points would determine third place and head-to-head would determine fourth place.

10/27 – host Hampton

Indiana (0-6) has been eliminated.

Greater Allegheny Conference tiebreaker points heading into Week 9:

Hampton +4

Armstrong -6

Kiski Area -9

Highlands -21

CLASS 3A

Total of 12 playoff teams: Top four teams in the Western Hills Conference, Allegheny Six Conference and the Interstate Conference earn a playoff berth.

Ten Class 3A teams have clinched heading into Week 9.

Western Hills Conference

Avonworth (5-0) clinched

The Antelopes can win the conference championship outright with a win Friday at Quaker Valley or a West Mifflin loss. Even if they lose and are co-champs with West Mifflin, the Antelopes are the No. 1 team out of the conference.

10/27 – at Quaker Valley

West Mifflin (4-1) clinched

The Titans can clinch second place with a win at South Park on Friday.

10/27 – at South Park

South Park (3-2) clinched

The Eagles can lock up second place with a win Friday over West Mifflin and a Beaver loss at Hopewell. If they win and Beaver wins, tiebreaker points will determine second place and head-to-head will determine third place.

10/27 – host West Mifflin

Beaver (3-2) clinched

The Bobcats can finish second with a win Friday at Hopewell and a West Mifflin loss at South Park. In a three-way tie, tiebreaker points will determine second place and head-to-head will determine third place.

10/27 – at Hopewell

Seton LaSalle (2-4), Quaker Valley (1-4) and Hopewell (0-5) have been eliminated.

Western Hills Conference tiebreaker points heading into Week 9:

West Mifflin +25

Beaver +15

South Park +7

Allegheny Six Conference

East Allegheny (4-0) clinched

The Wildcats have clinched a share of the conference championship and will be the No. 1 team out of the conference.

10/27 – host Shady Side Academy

Knoch (3-1) clinched

The Knights can seal second place and a home first-round playoff game with a win at Valley on Friday. If they win and East Allegheny loses to Shady Side Academy, they will earn a share of the conference crown and be the No. 2 team out of the conference.

10/27 – at Valley

Shady Side Academy (2-2)

The Bulldogs can clinch a playoff berth with a win Friday at East Allegheny or a Freeport loss to Deer Lakes.

10/27 – at East Allegheny

Deer Lakes (2-2)

The Lancers can clinch a playoff berth with a win Friday over Freeport. If they lose and Shady Side Academy loses at East Allegheny, tiebreaker points will determine third place and head-to-head will decided fourth place.

10/27 – host Freeport

Freeport (1-3)

The Yellowjackets can clinch a playoff berth with a victory at Deer Lakes on Friday and a Shady Side Academy win at East Allegheny. If they win and Shady Side Academy loses, tiebreaker points will determine third place and head-to-head will decided fourth place.

10/27 – at Deer Lakes

Valley (0-4) has been eliminated.

Allegheny 6 Conference tiebreaker points heading into Week 9:

Shady Side Academy -3

Deer Lakes +2

Freeport -13

Interstate Conference

Elizabeth Forward (4-0) clinched

If the Warriors win at Belle Vernon on Friday, they will be the conference champions. If they lose, they finish in second place.

10/27 – at Belle Vernon

Belle Vernon (4-0) clinched

If the Leopards win over Elizabeth Forward on Friday, they will be the conference champions. If they lose, they finish in second place.

10/27 – host Elizabeth Forward

Southmoreland (2-2) clinched

If the Scotties win at Mt. Pleasant on Friday, they will finish in third place. If they lose, they will finish fourth.

10/27 – at Mt. Pleasant

Mt. Pleasant (2-2) clinched

If the Vikings beat Southmoreland on Friday, they will finish in third place. If they lose, they will finish fourth.

10/27 – host Southmoreland

South Allegheny (0-4) and Greensburg Salem (0-4) have been eliminated.

CLASS 2A

Total of 14 playoff teams: Top five teams in the Midwestern Athletic Conference and the Allegheny Conference and the top four teams in the Century Conference earn a playoff berth.

Eleven Class 2A teams have clinched heading into Week 9.

Allegheny Conference

Steel Valley (6-0) clinched

The Ironmen can clinch the conference championship outright with a win over Serra Catholic on Friday.

10/27 – host Serra Catholic

Serra Catholic (4-1) clinched

The Eagles can earn a share of the conference championship with a win at Steel Valley on Friday.

10/27 – at Steel Valley

Imani Christian (4-1) clinched

The Saints can clinch second place with a win Friday over Yough and a Serra Catholic loss to Steel Valley. With a win and a Steel Valley loss to Serra Catholic, the Saints will earn a share of the conference championship.

10/27 – host Yough

Derry (3-3) clinched

The Trojans can finish fourth with a win Friday over Ligonier valley.

10/27 – host Ligonier Valley

Burrell (3-3) clinched

The Buccaneers can finish fourth with a win at Apollo-Ridge and a Derry loss to Ligonier Valley on Friday.

10/27 – at Apollo-Ridge

Ligonier Valley (1-5), Apollo-Ridge (1-5) and Yough (1-5) have been eliminated.

*The Imani Christian vs. Serra Catholic game postponed earlier this season has been ruled a no-contest.

Midwestern Athletic Conference

Mohawk (6-0) clinched

The Warriors can win the conference championship outright with a win Friday at Neshannock.

10/27 – at Neshannock

Neshannock (6-0) clinched

The Lancers can win the conference championship outright with a win Friday over Mohawk.

10/27 – host Mohawk

Western Beaver (4-2) clinched

The Golden Beavers will finish third if they beat Beaver Falls on Saturday. If they lose, they finish fourth.

10/28 – host Beaver Falls

Beaver Falls (4-2) clinched

The Tigers will finish third if they win Saturday at Western Beaver. If they lose, they finish fourth.

10/28 – at Western Beaver

Ellwood City (2-4)

The Wolverines can clinch with a win Friday at Riverside. A loss and a Freedom win over New Brighton would force a three-way tie and tiebreaker points would determine fifth place.

10/27 – at Riverside

10/27 – host New Brighton

Riverside (1-5)

The Panthers need to win over Ellwood City on Friday and have Freedom lose to New Brighton. If they win and Freedom wins, that would force a three-way tie and tiebreaker points would determine fifth place.

10/27 – host Ellwood City

Freedom (1-5) and New Brighton (0-6) have been eliminated.

Midwestern Athletic Conference tiebreaker points heading into Week 9:

Ellwood City -20

Freedom -40

Riverside -41

Century Conference

McGuffey (5-0) clinched

The Highlanders can win the conference outright with a win over Washington in Week 9.

10/27 – host Washington

Washington (4-1) clinched

The Little Prexies can earn a share of the conference championship and be No. 1 out of the conference with a win Friday at McGuffey.

10/27 – at McGuffey

Keystone Oaks (3-2)

The Golden Eagles can clinch a postseason berth with a win Friday over Brentwood.

10/27 – host Brentwood

Waynesburg Central (2-3)

The Raiders can clinch a playoff spot with a win at Charleroi on Friday.

10/27 – at Charleroi

Brentwood (2-3)

The Spartans can clinch a playoff berth with a win at Keystone Oaks and a Waynesburg Central loss to Charleroi. A win and a Waynesburg Central victory would force a three-way tie for third place. Waynesburg Central would be third because of 2-0 record head-to-head. Brentwood would be fourth because of head-to-head over Keystone Oaks.

10/27 – at Keystone Oaks

Sto-Rox (2-4) and Charleroi (0-5) have been eliminated

CLASS A

Total of 16 playoff teams: Top four teams in the Big 7 Conference, Eastern Conference, Black Hills Conference and the Tri-County South Conference earn a playoff berth.

Thirteen Class A teams have clinched heading into Week 9.

Big 7 Conference

South Side (5-0) clinched

The Rams are the conference champions and the No. 1 team out of the conference.

10/27 – host Rochester

Union (4-1) clinched

The Scotties have clinched second place and a home first-round playoff game and can earn a share of the conference crown with a win at Summit Academy on Thursday and a South Side loss to Rochester on Friday.

10/26 – at Summit Academy

Rochester (3-2) clinched

The Rams will finish in third place and possibly tie for second place with a win Friday at South Side. The only way they drop to fourth is if they lose and Shenango beats Laurel.

10/27 – at South Side

Shenango (2-3)

The Wildcats will clinch with a win over Laurel on Friday. They could finish third with a win and a Rochester loss to South Side

10/27 – host Laurel

Laurel (2-3)

The Spartans can clinch with a win Friday at Shenango.

10/27 – at Shenango

Northgate (2-4) and Summit Academy (0-5) have been eliminated.

Eastern Conference

Clairton (5-0) clinched

Clairton can win the conference championship outright with a win at Jeannette on Friday.

10/27 – at Jeannette

Greensburg Central Catholic (4-1) clinched

The Centurions can earn second place and a home first-round playoff game with a win Friday at Leechburg and a Jeannette loss to Clairton. If they win and Clairton loses to Jeannette, tiebreaker points will determine the first team and head-to-head between the remaining teams will determine second place.

10/27 – at Leechburg

Jeannette (4-1) clinched

The Jayhawks can earn a share of the conference title with a win Friday over Clairton and a Greensburg Central Catholic loss to Leechburg. If they win and GCC wins, Jeannette, Clairton and Greensburg Central Catholic will be tri-champions. Tiebreaker points will determine the first team and head-to-head between the remaining teams will determine second place.

10/27 – host Clairton

Leechburg (3-2) clinched

If the Blue Devils lose to Greensburg Central Catholic on Friday, they will finish in fourth place. If they win and Jeannette and Greensburg Central Catholic lose, there will be a three-way tie for second place. Tiebreaker points will determine the second team behind Clairton and head-to-head between the remaining teams will determine third place.

10/27 – host Greensburg Central Catholic

Riverview, (1-4), Frazier (1-5) and Springdale (0-5) have been eliminated

Eastern Conference tiebreaker points heading into Week 9:

Clairton +50

Greensburg Central Catholic +27

Jeannette +26

Leechburg +5

Black Hills Conference

Fort Cherry (6-0) clinched

The Rangers are the No. 1 team out of the conference and can clinch the conference championship outright with a win over Burgettstown on Friday.

10/27 – host Burgettstown

Bishop Canevin (5-1) clinched

The Crusaders can earn a share of the conference championship with a win Saturday over Carlynton and a Fort Cherry loss to Burgettstown. Even with a loss, they are the No. 2 team out of the conference.

10/28 – host Carlynton

Burgettstown (4-2) clinched

Even if they lose, the Blue Devils win the tiebreaker points in a three-way tie with OLSH and Cornell.

10/27 – at Fort Cherry

Cornell (4-2)

The Raiders can clinch with a win Friday over OLSH.

10/27 – host Our Lady of the Sacred Heart

Our Lady of the Sacred Heart (3-3)

The Chargers can clinch with a win at Cornell on Friday. If they win and Burgettstown loses, there will be a three-way tie for third place and Burgettstown would win the tiebreaker points for third place and head-to-head between Cornell and OLSH would go to the Chargers.

10/27 – at Cornell

Avella (1-5), Carlynton (1-5) and Chartiers-Houston (0-6) have been eliminated.

Black Hills Conference tiebreaker points heading into Week 9:

Cornell +13

Burgettstown +25

Our Lady of the Sacred Heart +

Tri-County South Conference

California (6-0) clinched

The Trojans can clinch the conference championship outright with a win Friday at Bentworth.

10/27 – at Bentworth

West Greene (5-1) clinched

The Pioneers are locked in as the No. 2 team out of the conference and will host a first-round playoff game. They can earn a share of the conference crown with a win Friday at Mapletown and a California loss at Bentworth.

10/27 – at Mapletown

Jefferson-Morgan (4-2) clinched

While the Rockets could tie for second place or tie for third, they are locked in as the No. 3 team out of the conference.

10/27 – host Carmichaels

Beth-Center (3-3)

The Bulldogs can clinch with a win Friday over Monessen.

10/27 – host Monessen

Monessen (2-4)

The Greyhounds can clinch a playoff berth with a win at Beth-Center on Friday and a Bentworth loss to California.

10/27 – at Beth-Center

Bentworth (2-4)

The Bearcats must upset visiting California and have Monessen win at Beth-Center on Friday to force a three-way tie for fourth place. In that case, Gardner Points would give Bentworh fourth place and a playoff berth.

10/27 – host California

Mapletown (1-5) and Carmichaels (1-5) have been eliminated.

Tri-County South Conference tiebreaker points heading into Week 9:

Beth-Center 0

Monessen -28

Bentworth -14