Trib HSSN game-by-game high school football playoff preview for 2024 Week 10

By: Don Rebel
Thursday, October 31, 2024 | 5:13 PM

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Usually, you can feel a distinct chill in the air for November football where the spotlight is brighter and the stakes are simple: win and advance or lose and go home.

However, there is no chill this year where these past few days have felt more like heat acclamation week.

Thomas Jefferson coach Bill Cherpak will no longer stand out for wearing shorts in November. On opening weekend of the 2024 WPIAL football playoffs, shorts may be the norm.

The pressure, though, will still be real and it will be spectacular.

Here is a look at all of the first round and quarterfinal district postseason games slated for Friday and Saturday.

Links are provided for games that are previewed in stories elsewhere on Trib HSSN.

WPIAL 5A first round

No. 10 Moon (5-4) at No. 7 Penn Hills (6-4)

7 p.m. Friday, Andrew J. Yuhas Stadium at Penn Hills

Coaches: Ryan Linn, Moon; Charles Morris, Penn Hills

On the air: Video streamed on NFHS and audio streamed on Trib HSSN

How they got here: Moon finished in fourth place in the Allegheny Six Conference and received a wild card berth. Penn Hills finished in second place in the Northeast Conference to clinch a spot.

Last week: Moon 28, South Fayette 7; Penn Hills 38, Plum 7

Players to watch: Paul Bronaugh, Moon (Jr., 6-0, 185, WR/CB); Jay’mere Ellis, Penn Hills (Sr., 6-0, 163, QB/OLB)

Team notes

Moon: Following back-to-back losses in Week 5 and 6, the Tigers bounced back to win two of their final three games, including a victory in the regular season finale over South Fayette that clinched fourth place in the tough Allegheny Six Conference and what proved to be a wild card playoff berth in 5A. Four Moon players scored touchdowns against the Lions, including a 54-yard score by junior Paul Bronbaugh, a 59-yard run by junior Braeden Stuart and a 23-yard scamper by senior Nick Prozzoly.

Penn Hills: After an 0-3 start, the Indians have won six of their last seven games. The win over Plum last week secured second place in the Northeast Conference and gave Penn Hills its second three-game winning streak of the season. Indians senior quarterback Jay’mere Ellis connected on 10 of 16 passes for 167 yards with two touchdown passes, one of 59 yards to sophomore Carter Bonner and another of 33 yards to senior Naytel Mitchell. Mitchell also scored on runs of 5 and 19 yards.

Historic factoids

• This is the fourth meeting between Moon and Penn Hills and the previous three were all in the last three years. Moon leads the series, 2-1.

• The teams split their 5A nonconference regular season meetings the last two seasons. The Indians blanked the Tigers in the fall of 2022, 35-0. Moon got that win back last year when it edged Penn Hills, 14-13.

• While this is only the fourth meeting between the two, this is the second WPIAL playoff clash. Three years ago, Moon shut down Penn Hills in a 2021 Class 5A semifinal, 14-9. Dylan Sleva and Jeremiah Dean scored on long TD runs for the Tigers.

• The winner advances to the 5A quarterfinals to play No. 2 and Allegheny Six Conference champion Upper St. Clair (10-0).

No. 11 South Fayette (6-4) at No. 6 Penn-Trafford (8-2)

No. 9 Franklin Regional (7-3) at No. 8 North Hills (8-2)

No. 12 Latrobe (5-5) at No. 5 Bethel Park (8-2)

WPIAL 4A quarterfinals

No. 5 Trinity (5-5) at No. 4 Aliquippa (6-2)

7 p.m. Friday, Heinz Field at Carl A. Aschman Stadium at Aliquippa

Coaches: Dan Knause, Trinity; Vashawn Patrick, Aliquippa

How they got here: Trinity finished in second place in the Big Six Conference to clinch a playoff berth. Aliquippa ended up in a three-way tie atop the Parkway Conference with Montour and West Allegheny.

Last week: Trinity 31, Belle Vernon 21; Aliquippa 28, Ambridge 0

Players to watch: Jonah Williamson, Trinity (Jr., 6-2, 205, QB/LB); Marques Council, Aliquippa (Jr., 6-2, 168, QB)

Team notes

Trinity: It came down to the final week of the regular season, but the Hillers clinched second place and a playoff berth with a home victory over Belle Vernon. Junior quarterback Jonah Williamson enjoyed a big night at the office, as he completed 4 of 8 passes for 144 yards and two long touchdown passes to sophomore running back Owen Gardner and senior running back Caden Vogel, plus he ran for 143 yards and a touchdown.

Aliquippa: The path to a No. 4 seed may have been a head scratcher for the Quips, but they earned a share of the conference championship after beating Ambridge and West Allegheny stunning Montour. Against the rival Bridgers on Friday, junior quarterback Marques Council Jr. hit on 6 of 15 passes for 155 yards and two touchdowns, one of 26-yards to sophomore tight end Tekoah Gilbert and a 39-yard scoring strike to senior wide receiver Arison Walker, plus Council scored on a 15-yard run.

Historic factoids

• This is the third meeting between Trinity and Aliquippa and the first time they have collided in 39 years. The Quips lead the series, 2-0.

• The first meeting between these teams was 40 years ago. Aliquippa beat Trinity, 42-21, in the fall of 1984. The following year, the Quips defeated the Hillers again, 28-7.

• Aliquippa is two wins away from returning to the WPIAL championship game for a record 17th consecutive season. The last time the Quips didn’t qualify for the district finals was in 2007, when they fell to eventual 2A champion Jeannette and Terrelle Pryor, 70-48.

• The winner advances to the 4A semifinals to play the winner of No. 8 West Allegheny at No. 1 Thomas Jefferson.

No. 7 Mars (5-5) at No. 2 Montour (8-1)

7 p.m. Friday, Thomas J. Birko Memorial Stadium at Montour

Coaches: Eric Kasperowicz, Mars; Lou Cerro, Montour

On the air: Video streamed on NFHS and audio streamed on Trib HSSN

How they got here: Mars finished in second place in the Greater Allegheny Conference to clinch a playoff berth. Montour ended up in a three-way tie atop the Parkway Conference with Aliquippa and West Allegheny.

Last week: Mars 42, Indiana 14; West Allegheny 13, Montour 7 in OT

Players to watch: Eric Kasperowicz, Mars (Jr., 5-10, 180, RB/DB); Trey Hopper, Montour (Sr., 6-3, 175, QB)

Team notes

Mars: The Fightin’ Planets started slow at 1-4 but finished with a strong kick, winning four of their last five games to finish in second place behind McKeesport in the Greater Allegheny Conference. In the regular season finale, Mars scored 35 first-quarter points to cruise to a win over Indiana. Junior running back Eric Kasperowicz rushed for 110 yards on only seven carries with three touchdowns on runs of 4, 35 and 27 yards. Junior RB and defensive back Ayden Yocum scored twice, including a 50-yard pick-six.

Montour: Thomas Birko was the site of a second straight Parkway Conference thriller that went down to the wire, but this time, the home team came up short. A week after beating Aliquippa, the Spartans fell to rival West Allegheny in overtime for their first loss of the season. Montour senior quarterback Trey Hopper was held to only 123 yards passing and a touchdown pass to senior Marcus Battles. Hopper is the third-leading passer in the WPIAL with 2,170 yards and 23 touchdowns.

Historic factoids

• This is the eighth meeting between Mars and Montour. The Fightin’ Planets lead the series, 4-3.

• The Spartans have won the last two meetings, including in Week 5 this season when Montour won at Mars, 31-14. Kaleb Platz scored twice and Andrew Alston returned an interception 75 yards for a score for the Spartans. Gabe Hein had a TD run and Nate Walker a scoring pass to Ethan Kresinski for the Fightin’ Planets.

• This is the third WPIAL playoff meeting between Mars and Montour with each winning one. The Spartans won in the 2010 Class 3A semifinals, 35-14, and the Fightin’ Planets were winners in the 2014 3A first round, 42-27.

• The winner advances to the 4A semifinals to play the winner of No. 6 Belle Vernon at No. 3 McKeesport.

No. 8 West Allegheny (4-3) at No. 1 Thomas Jefferson (10-0)

No. 6 Belle Vernon (4-4) at No. 3 McKeesport (6-4)

WPIAL 3A first round

No. 9 Highlands (5-4) at No. 8 Southmoreland (7-3)

No. 12 Greensburg Salem (7-3) at No. 5 Avonworth (7-3)

No. 10 Mt. Pleasant (5-5) at No. 7 Freeport (7-3)

No. 11 North Catholic (4-6) at No. 6 Deer Lakes (8-2)

WPIAL 2A first round

No. 9 Riverside (5-5) at No. 8 Our Lady of the Sacred Heart (5-4)

7 p.m. Friday, Tiger Stadium at Moon

Coaches: Rob Magnifico, Riverside; Don Militzer, OLSH

How they got here: Riverside finished in fourth place in the Midwestern Athletic Conference and got a wild card berth. OLSH finished in fourth place in the Allegheny Conference and got a wild card playoff spot.

Last week: Mohawk 23, Riverside 12; Our Lady of the Sacred Heart 20, Keystone Oaks 19

Players to watch: Robert Janis, Riverside (Sr., 6-0, 195, RB/FS); Vann Kavals, OLSH (Sr., 6-5, 240, QB/DE)

Team notes

Riverside: The Panthers were one of several great turnaround stories in 2024. Riverside finished near the bottom of the Midwestern Athletic Conference last year with a 1-9 overall record. The Panthers had a chance to clinch third place and an automatic berth in Week 9 but lost at Mohawk. Senior running back Robert Janis rushed for 107 yards and scored on a short TD run.

Our Lady of the Sacred Heart: The Chargers missed out on the postseason a year ago in Class A, so the move up in classification may have helped this fall. OLSH collected its second straight win and moved to over .500 for the season with a Week 9 nonconference victory at Keystone Oaks. Senior quarterback Vann Kavals was 16 of 28 passing for 207 yards with a touchdown pass and a scoring run for OLSH.

Historic factoids

• This is only the second meeting between Riverside and OLSH. The Chargers lead the series, 1-0.

• The only other meeting was a Week Zero contest three years ago when OLSH opened up the 2021 season with a win over Riverside, 20-13. The two were also supposed to open up the 2020 season against each other, but the game was postponed due to the delay in the season caused by the covid-19 outbreak.

• Each program has captured one WPIAL football championship. Riverside defeated Swissvale to win the 1985 Class 2A title, 21-15. OLSH won its crown six years ago when the Chargers knocked off Rochester in the 2018 Class A title game, 28-6.

• The winner advances to the 2A quarterfinals to play top seed and Century Conference champion Seton LaSalle (9-0).

No. 13 Washington (5-5) at No. 4 Steel Valley (7-3)

7 p.m. Friday, Campbell Field in Munhall

Coaches: Mike Bosnic, Washington; Ray Braszo, Steel Valley

How they got here: Washington finished in a tie with Carlynton for fourth place in the Century Conference but lost the tiebreaker to the Cougars and still was given a wild card berth. Steel Valley clinched second place in the Allegheny Conference to clinch a playoff spot.

Last week: Seton LaSalle 52, Washington 28; Steel Valley 45, South Allegheny 7

Players to watch: Trenton Grooms, Washington (Soph., 5-10, 200, RB); Trey Hopper, Montour (Sr., 6-3, 175, QB)

Team notes

Washington: It has been a tough season for the Little Prexies, but even in a “down year” for them, they still qualified for the playoffs. After winning a season-high two games in a row, Washington enters the postseason on a season-high two-game skid. In the regular season finale, sophomore Trenton Grooms was productive, rushing for 137 yards on 21 carries in a loss to top-ranked Seton LaSalle.

Steel Valley: The Ironmen dumped the early season teeter-totter of a 1-3 start and jumped on the rocket ship that has shot them to six consecutive victories. The Barksdale brothers have been lethal since reuniting with the return from injury of Da’Ron. Donald and Da’Ron combined for 361 yards rushing and five touchdowns on 24 carries, plus the two hooked up on an 86-yard TD pass in a Week 9 rout of South Allegheny.

Historic factoids

• This is the eighth all-time meeting and the second contest this year between these traditional powers with Washington leading the series with Steel Valley, 4-3.

• The two collided in Week 1 this season at Campbell Field in Munhall with Steel Valley defeating Washington, 28-8. Donald Barksdale scored all four touchdowns for the Ironmen on runs of 35, 21, 3 and 19 yards. The lone Little Prexies score came on a 46-yard interception return for a score by Tyler Crawford.

• This is the fifth time Washington and Steel Valley have played in the postseason. The first playoff game between the two was in 2000, with the Little Prexies winning, 26-18. Wash High also won a 2014 first-round game, 34-7. The lone playoff win for the Ironmen came in a 2018 quarterfinals tilt, 39-7. The two met again, this time for gold in the 2017 finals with Washington beating Steel Valley, 37-10.

• The winner advances to the 2A quarterfinals to play the winner of Carlynton at Western Beaver.

No. 12 Carlynton (6-4) at No. 5 Western Beaver (7-2)

1 p.m. Saturday, Richard Neidbala Field at Memorial Stadium at Western Beaver

Coaches: John Tortorea, Carlynton; Ron Busby, Western Beaver

On the air: Video streamed on NFHS and audio streamed on Trib HSSN

How they got here: Carlynton finished in fourth place in the Century Conference and got a wild card berth. Western Beaver finished in second place in the Midwestern Athletic Conference to clinch a playoff spot.

Last week: Carlynton 54, Charleroi 27; Western Beaver 42, Freedom 10

Players to watch: DevonTe Dean, Carlynton (Sr., 6-0, 180, QB/FS); Jaivin Peel, Western Beaver (Soph., 6-0, 160, QB)

Team notes

Carlynton: The Cougars’ success this season is one of the feel-good moments in the entire district this fall. The six wins for Carlynton were two more victories than the three previous seasons combined, and the playoff berth ended a 23-year playoff drought. Senior quarterback DevonTe Dean led the way in the playoff-clinching win over Charleroi with 174 yards passing and 236 yards on the ground.

Western Beaver: The Golden Beavers enter the postseason having won three straight games and seven of their last eight games. Sophomore quarterback Jaivin Peel is the WPIAL’s fourth-leading passer following another big game in Week 9 with over 200 yards and three touchdown tosses, including two to senior Chris Kirkland, who also returned a kickoff 82 yards for a score against Freedom.

Historic factoids

• This is only the third meeting between Carlynton and Western Beaver. The Golden Beaver lead the series, 2-0.

• The only other meetings were three and four years ago when the Cougars and Golden Beavers were conference foes in the old 2A Three Rivers Conference. Western Beaver won both contests, 43-0 in 2020 and 50-14 in 2021.

• These schools never played each other before the 2020 season, but Western Beaver did square off twice with old Crafton High School, now part of the Carlynton school district. They met two years in a row in the 1966 and 1967 seasons with Crafton winning 20-6 and 21-0.

• The winner advances to the 2A quarterfinals to play the winner of Washington at Steel Valley.

No. 10 Keystone Oaks (4-5) at No. 7 Mohawk (6-3)

7 p.m. Friday, Mohawk Area High School Stadium

Coaches: Steve McCormick, Keystone Oaks; Tim McCutcheon, Mohawk

On the air: Video streamed on NFHS and audio streamed on Trib HSSN

How they got here: Keystone Oaks finished in a tie for second place with Waynesburg in the Century Conference and won the tiebreaker to clinch a playoff berth. Mohawk won in Week 9 to secure third place in the Midwestern Athletic Conference and clinched a playoff spot.

Last week: Our Lady of the Sacred Heart 20, Keystone Oaks 19; Mohawk 23, Riverside 12

Players to watch: Brenden Quarles, Keystone Oaks (Sr., 6-0, 175, QB/DB); Bobby Fadden, Mohawk (Jr., 6-1, 165, QB/DB)

Team notes

Keystone Oaks: It has been an up-and-down season for the Golden Eagles, dropping their first two games then winning three in a row before losing three of their final four regular season contests. Keystone Oaks ended with a nonconference one-point loss to OLSH despite the efforts of senior quarterback Brenden Quarles, who threw for 141 yards and tossed two touchdowns, both to junior Owen Gearhart.

Mohawk: The Warriors finished the regular season strong with two straight victories and wins in five of their last six games, including the battle for third place in the MAC last week. Junior quarterback Bobby Fadden threw for 99 yards on six completions, but half of those passes were caught for touchdowns. He also led the team on the ground with 88 yards. Senior Blake Logan caught two TDs for Mohawk.

Historic factoids

• This is the first meeting between Keystone Oaks and Mohawk.

• Mohawk defeated Burrell in the first round and Imani Christian in the quarterfinals last fall before losing in the 2A semifinals to Steel Valley. Keystone Oaks lost to Beaver Falls in the opening round last year and is in search of the program’s first playoff victory since beating Apollo-Ridge in the first round in 2022.

• Old Dormont High School, now part of the Keystone Oaks school district, reached the 2A title game three times in a five-year span between 1945-1949, beating Derry in the 1945 finals, 30-19. Mohawk has never won a district title.

• The winner advances to the 2A quarterfinals to play No. 2 seed and Allegheny Conference champion South Park (9-1).

No. 11 Waynesburg (6-4) at No. 6 South Allegheny (8-2)

7 p.m. Friday, Gladiator Stadium at South Allegheny

Coaches: Aaron Giorgi, Waynesburg Central; Brian Hanson, South Allegheny

How they got here: Waynesburg finished in a tie for second place with Keystone Oaks in the Century Conference and lost the tiebreaker but still clinched a playoff berth. South Allegheny finished in third place in the Allegheny Conference and clinched a playoff spot.

Last week: Waynesburg 51, Sto-Rox 7; Steel Valley 45, South Allegheny 7

Players to watch: Jacob Stephenson, Waynesburg (Sr., 6-2, 200, QB/S); Ryan Cortes, South Allegheny (Sr., 6-0, 180, QB/SS)

Team notes

Waynesburg: The Raiders started the season winning three of four, then after a two-game skid, finished the regular season with three victories in their final four games. The playoff-clinching triumph last week was the most lopsided win of the season by 44 points thanks to senior quarterback Jacob Stephenson, who threw a touchdown pass and rushed for 140 yards and two more scores.

South Allegheny: The Gladiators enjoyed an amazing turnaround this season, going from 1-9 a year ago to an eight-win regular season. The season ended on a rough note, though, as South Allegheny lost to Steel Valley to end a four-game winning streak. Gladiators senior quarterback Ryan Cortes threw for 126 yards and senior Hunter Molanick supplied the only points on an 82-yard kickoff return.

Historic factoids

• This is the fourth meeting between Waynesburg and South Allegheny and the first in 15 years. The Raiders lead the all-time series, 3-1.

• Waynesburg won the first two games of this series in 2000 and 2001, beating South Allegheny both times by a combined score of 67-0. The Raiders also won the most recent meeting in 2009, 27-7. The lone Gladiators victory in this series came in 2008 when SA won, 9-6.

• The last time South Allegheny reached the WPIAL finals was 47 years ago when the Gladiators beat Laurel to win the 2A title, 12-6. The last time Waynesburg played for gold was 24 years ago when the Raiders lost to Aliquippa in the 2000 2A finals, 14-6.

• The winner advances to the 2A quarterfinals to play No. 3 seed and Midwestern Athletic Conference champion Ellwood City (9-0).

WPIAL Class A first round

No. 16 Brentwood (4-6) at No. 1 Fort Cherry (10-0)

7 p.m. Friday, Jim Garry Stadium at Fort Cherry

Coaches: Nick Caponi, Brentwood; Tanner Garry, Fort Cherry

How they got here: Brentwood finished in fifth place in the Eastern Conference and was awarded a wild card spot. Fort Cherry was the champion of the Black Hills Conference and clinched a playoff berth.

Last week: Clairton 69, Brentwood 7; Fort Cherry 42, Serra Catholic 3

Players to watch: Cedric Davis, Brentwood (Jr., 6-0, 170, QB/S); Matt Sieg, Fort Cherry (Jr., 6-0, 175, QB/DB)

Team notes

Brentwood: The Spartans are back in the postseason for the first time in five years, but they don’t have much momentum. Following two separate two-game win streaks, Brentwood lost its final three games of the regular season. Junior quarterback Cedric Davis has had a strong season but was limited last week by Clairton. Davis did hit on a 32-yard touchdown pass to senior Forrest Betz.

Fort Cherry: The Rangers completed a second straight undefeated regular season last week with a convincing victory over Serra Catholic. Junior quarterback Matt Sieg hit on 13 of 19 passes for 181 yards and four touchdowns to four different receivers: sophomore Ryan Huey, junior Nik Massey, senior Braydon Cook and junior Evan Rogers.

Historic factoids

• This is the 22nd meeting between Brentwood and Fort Cherry with the Spartans holding the lead in the series over the Rangers, 13-8.

• While these teams haven’t met in five years, Brentwood has dominated the recent games in this series, winning eight of the last nine meetings. The only win for Fort Cherry in this series since 1999 was in 2013, 35-14.

• This is the third time the Spartans and Rangers have met in the postseason and Brentwood has won the two previous times. They beat Fort Cherry in the 1985 postseason, 14-10, and then won again in the 2009 first round, 22-0.

• The winner advances to the Class A quarterfinals to play the winner of Cornell at Leechburg.

No. 15 Rochester (3-6) at No. 2 Clairton (10-0)

7 p.m. Friday, Joe Montana Stadium at Ringgold

Coaches: Gene Matsook, Rochester; Wayne Wade, Clairton

How they got here: Rochester finished in fourth place in the Big 7 Conference and was awarded a wild card spot. Clairton was the champion of the Eastern Conference and clinched a playoff berth.

Last week: South Side 14, Rochester 12; Clairton 69, Brentwood 7

Players to watch: Antonio Laure, Rochester (Sr., 5-9, 180, RB/DB); Jeff Thompson, Clairton (Jr., 6-0, 160, QB)

Team notes

Rochester: Following a rough 0-4 start, the Rams got healthy and started to stack Ws, winning three of four heading into a Week 9 showdown against South Side for third place in the Big 7 Conference. Senior running back Antonio Laure scored on a first quarter 6-yard run and a second quarter 52-yard TD jaunt; however, missed extra points were the difference in a two-point loss. Rochester did earn a wild card playoff berth the day after.

Clairton: The Bears are back to their dominating ways with a perfect 10-0 record and a freshly minted Eastern Conference title. They are the highest scoring offense in the WPIAL with 540 points and the best defense, yielding only 21 points this season. In a regular season-ending win last week over playoff-bound Brentwood, junior quarterback Jeff Thompson connected on 10 of 14 passes for 332 yards and four touchdowns, including two to junior wide receiver Michael Ruffin.

Historic factoids

• This is the 16th meeting between Rochester and Clairton with nine of the previous meetings coming in the postseason. The Bears leads the Rams in the all-time series, 10-5.

• This is hard to believe, but it’s the first playoff game between the Rams and Bears in 13 years. In the nine previous playoff meetings, Clairton owns wins in 1990 and in six straight postseasons between 2006-2011. Rochester’s two playoff victories came in 1992 and 2004. The teams split recent regular season meetings with the Rams winning in 2022, 36-26, and the Bears claiming victory last fall, 18-15.

• Of the nine playoff games played between these Class A powers, five were WPIAL championship games. Rochester won the first two, 28-12 in 1992 and 15-14 in 2004. Clairton won the last three, 16-13 in 2006, 14-13 in 2009 and 12-0 in 2010.

• The winner advances to the Class A quarterfinals to play the winner of California at Laurel.

No. 10 California (7-3) at No. 7 Laurel (5-5)

7 p.m. Friday, Spartan Stadium at Laurel

Coaches: Ed Woods, California; Brian Cooper, Laurel

On the air: Video streamed on NFHS and audio streamed on Trib HSSN

How they got here: California finished in second place in the Tri-County South Conference to clinch a playoff spot. Laurel finished in second place in the Big 7 Conference to earn a postseason berth.

Last week: Jefferson-Morgan 28, California 27; Neshannock 27, Laurel 7

Players to watch: Lee Qualk, California (Sr., 5-9, 175, RB/LB); Luca Santini, Laurel (Jr., 6-0, 170, QB/DB)

Team notes

California: What a difference one play makes. Trailing by one point late, the Trojans scored and went for two, but a fumbled snap cost them a chance at victory, a Tri-County South Conference crown and a home playoff game. California senior running back Lee Qualk was limited to 114 yards rushing and a touchdown but he has been dominant this season, leading the WPIAL in rushing with 1,967 yards.

Laurel: The Spartans saw their five-game winning streak end last week in the Big 7 Conference championship game, falling to Neshannock by 20 points. Laurel junior quarterback Luca Santini hit on 14 of 29 passes for 212 yards. Junior Kolton Carlson scored the lone Spartans touchdown on a short fourth-quarter run. Santini has thrown for 1,656 yards and Carlson has been his top target with 34 catches.

Historic factoids

• This is only the fourth meeting between California and Laurel. In the three previous meetings, the Spartans have two wins and the Trojans have one.

• Gas priced be darned, these schools from the deep south and high north of the district were scheduled for nonconference home-and-home games in 2018 and 2019. Laurel won both of those contests, 37-14 six years ago then 15-0 the following fall.

• The lone California win in this series was also the only previous postseason contest between the two. The Trojans ousted the Spartans in a 1986 Class A quarterfinal, 20-14.

• The winner advances to the Class A quarterfinals to play the winner of Rochester at Clairton.

No. 14 Bentworth (6-4) at No. 3 Bishop Canevin (7-2)

7 p.m. Friday, Dormont Stadium

Coaches: David Pordash, Bentworth; Richard Johnson, Bishop Canevin

How they got here: Bentworth finished in a three-way tie for third place in the Tri-County South Conference, but won the tiebreaker to clinch a playoff spot. Bishop Canevin finished in second place in the Black Hills Conference to earn a postseason berth.

Last week: Bentworth 40, Avella 0, Bishop Canevin 42, Burgettstown 6

Players to watch: Ben Hays, Bentworth (Jr., 6-0, 172, RB/DB); Kole Olszewski, Bishop Canevin (Sr., 5-11, 190, QB)

Team notes

Bentworth: The Bearcats won only three games a year ago but doubled that total this fall as they clinched their first playoff berth in nine years. Bentworth won its second straight game and clinched a playoff berth with a whitewash of Avella last week with junior Ben Hayes rushing for 210 yards and scoring three touchdowns, plus he caught a 3-yard scoring pass from senior Tristan Hackinson.

Bishop Canevin: Since losing to Fort Cherry in Week 7, the Crusaders offense has been on fire, scoring a combined 98 points in Black Hills Conference wins over Monessen and Burgettstown. Senior quarterback Kole Olszewski has led Bishop Canevin all season, throwing for 1,892 yards and 22 touchdowns, ranking him 10th in the WPIAL in passing. Last week he threw for 247 yards and four TDs.

Historic factoids

• This is only the fifth meeting between Bentworth and Bishop Canevin and the first time these schools have played each other since 2005.

• The Crusaders won the four previous meetings against the Bearcats, all coming in a four-year stretch between 2002-2005. In the four victories, Bishop Canevin defeated Bentworth by a combined score of 178-56.

• Bishop Canevin hopes this is the first step toward winning its second district title in the last four years and its third overall with the first coming 34 years ago. Bentworth is trying to win its first playoff game since defeating Mapletown in the 2005 Class A first round, 35-34.

• The winner advances to the Class A quarterfinals to play the winner of South Side at Jefferson-Morgan.

No. 11 South Side (6-3) at No. 6 Jefferson-Morgan (10-0)

7 p.m. Friday, Parker Filed at Jefferson-Morgan

Coaches: Luke Travelpiece, South Side; Shane Ziats, Jefferson-Morgan

How they got here: South Side finished in third place in the Big 7 Conference to clinch a playoff spot. Jefferson-Morgan won the Tri-County South Conference crown to earn a postseason berth.

Last week: South Side 14, Rochester 12, Jefferson-Morgan 28, California 27

Players to watch: A.C. Corfield, South Side (Jr., 6-1, 170, RB/DB); Houston Guseman, Jefferson-Morgan (Sr., 5-10, 180, QB/S)

Team notes

South Side: Not only did last week’s victory in the Battle of the Rams earn a third-place finish in the Big 7 Conference, it also ended a two-game skid for South Side. Junior running back A.C. Corfield was limited to 42 yards rushing last week against Rochester, but he has led the Rams this season with 782 yards on the ground and seven touchdowns. He also leads the team in receiving with 18 catches for 198 yards.

Jefferson-Morgan: The Rockets made a little history with a victory last week at California. The win completed a perfect regular season and gave Jefferson-Morgan its first outright conference title since 1989. Senior quarterback Houston Guseman was huge again for the black and orange, passing for 273 yards and three touchdowns and rushing for 95 yards and a score.

Historic factoids

• This is the first meeting between South Side and Jefferson-Morgan.

• This is the 50th anniversary of the second and most recent WPIAL championship for Jefferson-Morgan. The Rockets blanked Midland to win the 1974 Class A title, 20-0. The year before in 1973, Jefferson-Morgan claimed gold for the first time with a 35-6 win over Western Beaver.

• This is the 25th anniversary of the one and only district football crown for South Side. The top-seeded Rams defeated California, Riverview and Fort Cherry to reach the 1999 Class A finals where they knocked off section rival Monaca, 21-14. South Side later went on to win the 1999 PIAA state championship as well.

• The winner advances to the Class A quarterfinals to play the winner of Bentworth at Bishop Canevin.

No. 9 Cornell (8-2) at No. 8 Leechburg (8-2)

No. 13 Jeannette (7-3) at No. 4 Neshannock (9-1)

No. 12 Monessen (7-3) at No. 5 Greensburg Central Catholic (7-2)

Tags: Aliquippa, Bentworth, Bishop Canevin, Brentwood, California, Carlynton, Clairton, Fort Cherry, Jefferson-Morgan, Keystone Oaks, Laurel, Mars, Mohawk, Montour, Moon, Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, Penn Hills, Riverside, Rochester, South Allegheny, South Side, Steel Valley, Trinity, Washington, Waynesburg, Western Beaver