Trib HSSN high school football don’t-miss matchups for 2024 Week 2

By: Don Rebel
Thursday, September 5, 2024 | 8:28 PM

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Welcome to Week 2 of the 2024 WPIAL football regular season and the final tuneup for some district teams before conference play begins next week.

Hopefully weather is not a factor on this third Friday of the season, but if some of the outcomes resemble last week, then it’s good advice to buckle up.

There were 23 area football games in Week 1 decided by two touchdowns or less.

There were four games that went to overtime, including Highlands’ one-point victory over Elizabeth Forward in triple overtime, and the Meadville win by seven points over Connellsville that went to four overtimes.

With a lot of matchups involving top 10 teams going head to head, this might be another raucous Friday night of high school football action.

Whether they are close games or not, Aliquippa, Belle Vernon and West Allegheny are still sitting with a record of 0-0 after their games were stopped last week due to storms and later postponed. They just want to play some football.

Here is a look at some of the top high school football matchups for Friday in Week 2.

Class 6A vs. 5A nonconference

Class 6A No. 2 Central Catholic (0-2) at Class 5A No. 4 Woodland Hills (1-1)

7 p.m. Friday, the Wolvarena in Turtle Creek

Coaches: Ryan Lehmeier, Central Catholic; Brian Tarrant, Woodland Hills

Last week: Pine-Richland 22, Central Catholic 17; Woodland Hills 26, Penn Hills 6

Players to watch: Jy’Aire Walls, Central Catholic (Sr., 6-2, 195, QB); Cam Walter, Woodland Hills (Jr., 6-1, 180, QB)

Team notes

Central Catholic: The Vikings have stumbled out of the gates this season with back-to-back losses to national power St. Frances (Md.) in Week Zero and to Pine-Richland in Week 1. Last week, the Vikings led 11-0 at the half before the Rams scored 22 unanswered points and held on for the victory. Central Catholic senior quarterback Jy’Aire Walls connected on 13 of 30 passes for 283 yards and two long touchdowns to sophomore Roman Thompson and senior Bradley Gompers.

Woodland Hills: Following a season-opening loss at home to District 10 power McDowell, the Wolverines bounced back at home last week with a nonconference victory over rival Penn Hills. Junior quarterback Cam Walter hit on 8 of 13 passes for 169 yards with touchdown tosses to senior Amere Brown and junior Scoop Smith. Woodland Hills senior running back Elijah Nesby ran for 101 yards and two scores.

Historic factoids

• This is the 30th meeting between Woodland Hills and Central Catholic with the Wolverines leading the all-time series 16-13. The Vikings, however, have won the last six meetings.

• Last year, the teams played in Week Zero, meeting for the first time since the 2015 Class 4A semifinals. Central Catholic quarterback Payton Wehner threw five touchdowns as Ryan Lehmeier won his first game as head coach of the Vikings, 43-7.

• When they were foes in the old Class Quad-A, these powerhouse programs met in the WPIAL playoffs seven times. Central Catholic picked up postseason wins in 2003, 2013, 2014 and 2015. Woodland Hills won playoff games in 2001, 2005 and 2009. Two of those meetings were in championship games at then Heinz Field. The Wolverines won big in 2001, 41-6, while the Vikings won gold in 2013, 27-7.

• This is the third straight home game at The Wolvarena for Woodland Hills, while this is the second game in three weeks at the Turtle Creek stadium for Central Catholic.

Class 5A vs 4A nonconference

Shaler (1-1) at Hampton (1-1)

7 p.m. Friday, Fridley Field at Hampton

Coaches: Jim Ryan, Shaler; Steve Sciullo, Hampton

On the air: Video stream via PPV on Trib HSSN

Last week: South Fayette 28, Shaler 6; Armstrong 42, Hampton 30

Players to watch: Troy Cignetti, Shaler (Jr., 5-11, 165, WR/DB); Porter Kelly, Hampton (Sr., 5-10, 160, QB)

Team notes

Shaler: The Titans’ three-game road trip continues with a visit to nearby Hampton. Shaler opened the season with a victory at Butler before falling at South Fayette a week ago. Sophomore Max Wiley and senior Joe Rispoli combined for 113 yards passing last week against the Lions with the Titans’ lone score coming on a third-quarter toss from Wiley to junior Troy Cignetti for a 41-yard score. Cignetti caught three passes for 58 yards.

Hampton: Scoring has not been an issue for the Talbots this season after scoring a combined 52 points in a home win over University Prep and a home loss to Armstrong. Leading the way has been senior quarterback Porter Kelly, who threw for 145 yards in Week Zero and 259 yards last week. Kelly connected on a 51-yard TD pass to junior Willy Haselrig and 24 yards to senior Ray Kirsopp. Junior running back Evan McAneny led Hampton on the ground with 82 yards rushing and a 1-yard scoring run.

Historic factoids

• This is the 22nd meeting in this Route 8 rivalry with Shaler holding the all-time edge in the series, 15-5-1.

• This marks the fourth straight year and the sixth meeting in seven years between these two teams. A year ago, Keegan Smetanka threw for 276 yards and three touchdowns in the first half as the Titans coasted in a rare blowout between the two teams, 43-8. The previous four meetings with each team winning twice were decided by a combined 11 points.

• These teams played 14 times between 1947-1962 with Shaler winning 10 of the 14 games. The lone tie came in the fall of 1960 when the Titans and Talbots finished deadlocked, 19-19.

Class 4A nonconference

McKeesport (0-2) at No. 3 Thomas Jefferson (2-0)

7 p.m. Friday, Thomas Jefferson Stadium

Coaches: Matt Miller, McKeesport; Bill Cherpak, Thomas Jefferson

On the air: Video stream on TribHSSN.TribLive.com

Last week: Peters Township 42, McKeesport 7; Thomas Jefferson 27, Central Valley 13

Players to watch: Anthony Boyd, McKeesport (Sr., 5-9, 185, RB/DB); Luke Kosko, Thomas Jefferson (Sr., 6-4, 205, QB)

Team notes

McKeesport: The Tigers were a finalist in Class 4A a year ago but could be staring at a 0-3 start with a third straight road loss. However, the schedule has been brutal with a one-point loss to Lake (Ohio) and a loss to Class 5A top-ranked Peters Township. Last week, the Tigers’ one-two punch on the ground of senior Anthony Boyd and sophomore Kemon Spell were held to 49 yards rushing on 16 carries. Sophomore Javien Robinson had the only McKeesport touchdown on a 77-yard fumble return.

Thomas Jefferson: Following a Week Zero destruction of Baldwin, the Jaguars put an impressive road win on their resume with a victory last week at Central Valley by two touchdowns. Sophomore running back Tyer Eber carried the ball 26 times for 124 yards. Senior quarterback Luke Kosko threw for 117 yards and a touchdown of 26 yards to Gavin Miller and scored on a 3-yard run. Senior running back Matthew Martinis scored twice for TJ.

Historic factoids

• This is only the fifth all-time meeting between these district powers with McKeesport having won three of the four. All four previous meetings the last four years have been Class 4A Big Eight Conference matchups.

• A year ago in a Week 9 showdown, McKeesport scored 28 unanswered points after falling behind early to win 28-7. Anthony Boyd rushed for 232 yards and scored twice, including a 90-yard TD jaunt. Thomas Jefferson’s lone win in this series was two year ago, 20-10.

• These teams nearly won gold together twice. In 2005, McKeesport defeated Woodland Hills to win the 4A title, but Thomas Jefferson was stunned in the 3A championship game by Franklin Regional, 31-14. Eleven years later, the Jaguars blanked New Castle to win the 4A crown, but the Tigers lost the first 5A championship game, a game they thought they had won in regulation, 38-37, in overtime to West Allegheny.

Class 4A vs. Class 3A nonconference

Class 4A No. 1 Aliquippa (0-0) at Class 3A No. 3 Avonworth (2-0)

7 p.m. Friday, Lenzner Field at Avonworth

Coaches: Vashawn Patrick, Aliquippa; Duke Johncour, Avonworth

On the air: Video stream on Trib HSSN

Last week: Aliquippa vs. Belle Vernon was PPD; Avonworth 28, West Mifflin 22

Players to watch: Tiqwai Hayes, Aliquippa (Sr., 5-10, 190, RB/DB); Carson Bellinger, Avonworth (Jr., 5-10, 170, QB)

Team notes

Aliquippa: While most district teams have two games under their belts, this is technically the season opener for the defending WPIAL and PIAA Class 4A champion Quips. Aliquippa did not schedule a game in Week Zero and weather wiped away last week’s showdown against Belle Vernon. The Quips were leading 12-0 in the first quarter when storms stopped play. Tikey Hayes and SaNir Brooks had scoring runs for Aliquippa.

Avonworth: The Antelopes are flying out of the gates following a win over Burrell and a back-and-forth victory over West Mifflin last week. Junior quarterback Carson Bellinger was 8 of 11 passing for 128 yards, including a 12-yard scoring pass to junior Cooper Scharding, against West Mifflin. Sophomore Bryce Metz had two rushing touchdowns while senior Nico Neal added a 12-yard scoring run. Through two games, the Antelopes are averaging 26 points per game.

Historic factoids

• This is only the third time Aliquippa has played Avonworth on the football field. The Quips are 1-0-1 in the previous two meetings.

• The first meeting between these schools was 105 years ago. Aliquippa crushed Avonworth in the fall of 1919, 68-0. The teams met three years later in 1922 and the Quips and Antelopes played to a scoreless tie.

• Aliquippa has the most district football championships in WPIAL history with 20. The first championship was won in 1952. Avonworth has captured district gold twice, with the first also in the 1950s when the Antelopes and Union played to a 13-13 tie and were declared Class A co-champions in 1959.

Class 2A vs. Class A nonconference

Class 2A No. 4 Ellwood City (1-0) at Class A No. 4 Neshannock (2-0)

7 p.m. Friday, Bob Bleggi Stadium at Neshannock

Coaches: Dan Bradley, Ellwood City; Mike Bongivengo, Neshannock

On the air: Video stream on TribHSSN.TribLive.com

Last week: Ellwood City vs. Shenango was PPD; Neshannock 48, Union 20

Players to watch: Elijah Palmer-McCane, Ellwood CIty (Sr., 6-0, 200, RB); Jino Mozzocio, Neshannock (Jr., 5-10, 175, QB/DB)

Team notes

Ellwood City: The Wolverines haven’t played since a Week Zero overtime victory over Laurel. Last week, their game against Shenango was postponed following the death of D.J. Graham, the teenage son of Shenango coach Jimmy Graham. Ellwood City thought it had another opponent lined up in Kennedy Christian, but that game never took place. Wolverines senior running back Elijah Palmer-McCane had 139 yards and two touchdowns, including the OT game winner two weeks ago.

Neshannock: New coach, same octane offense for the Lancers. Thus far in two wins under new coach Mike Bongivengo, Neshannock is averaging 45 points a game. Lancers junior quarterback Jino Mozzocio rushed for 151 yards and scored four times on runs of 1, 15, 53 and 14 yards. He also hit on 8 of 11 passes for 123 yards and a 20-yard scoring pass to senior tight end Braden Montgomery. Freshman Justin Edworthy and sophomore Collin Shaffer also had scoring runs in last week’s win for Neshannock.

Historic factoids

• This is the 10th all-time meeting between these Lawrence County schools. On the strength of a six-game series winning streak heading into this Week 2 matchup, Neshannock has the lead against Ellwood City, 7-2.

• In the last five wins since 2019, the Lancers have dominated this series, beating the Wolverines by a combined score of 229-49. The average score in those meetings has Neshannock beating Ellwood City, 49-10.

• The last Wolverines victory in the series came 19 years ago, when they knocked off the Lancers in the fall of 2005, 20-3. The first meeting between the schools produced the closest result. Neshannock edged Ellwood City, 14-13, in 1980.

Class 2A vs. A nonconference

Class 2A No. 1 Steel Valley (1-1) at Class A No. 5 Bishop Canevin (0-1)

7 p.m. Friday at Dormont Stadium

Coaches: Ray Braszo, Steel Valley; Richard Johnson, Bishop Canevin

Last week: Steel Valley 28, Washington 8; Seton LaSalle 21, Bishop Canevin 14

Players to watch: Donald Barksdale, Steel Valley (Sr., 5-10, 172, RB/DB); Kole Olszewski, Bishop Canevin (Sr., 5-11, 190, QB)

Team notes

Steel Valley: The first two weeks have been a roller coaster ride for the Ironmen. Following a one-sided loss to Clairton in the heat of Week Zero that sidelined senior running back Donald Barksdale for the second half, both he and the team bounced back in a big way in Week 1. Barksdale was named Trib HSSN player of the week after rushing for 327 yards on 34 carries and scoring all four touchdowns as Steel Valley knocked off top-ranked Washington to regain the top spot in Class 2A.

Bishop Canevin: After not playing in Week Zero, the Crusaders struggled out of the gate against Seton LaSalle last week. Bishop Canevin struggled to get the running game going, so it turned to quarterback Kole Olszewski, who connected on only 7 of 21 passes for 115 yards. The senior did throw a 38-yard touchdown pass and opened the scoring with a 1-yard touchdown plunge. BC allowed 111 yards on the ground last week against the Rebels.

Historic factoids

• This is the first meeting between Steel Valley and Bishop Canevin in 15 years. The Ironmen hold a slim lead in the all-time series, 7-5-1.

• The teams met for the first time in 1987 with the Crusaders winning, 20-15. The next season, the two met twice. The only blemish on the Ironmen’s record that year was a tie with the Crusaders, 14-14. The two would meet again in the 1988 Class 2A playoffs with Steel Valley beating Canevin, 20-14 on the way to the school’s first WPIAL championship.

• These teams dominated 2A football in a three-year span from 1988-1990. Steel Valley defeated Center, 6-0, to win the ’88 title, then knocked off Freeport, 20-14, to successfully defend its crown in ’89. Canevin Catholic, as it was known then, upset Washington in the 1990 Class 2A title game, 21-20, to capture its first district football championship.

Tags: Aliquippa, Avonworth, Bishop Canevin, Central Catholic, Ellwood City, Hampton, McKeesport, Neshannock, Shaler, Steel Valley, Thomas Jefferson, Woodland Hills