A-K Valley high school football matchups for 2025 Week Zero

By: Bill Hartlep
Wednesday, August 20, 2025 | 5:36 PM

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Here’s a look at the don’t-miss matchups for Week Zero in the A-K Valley:

Nonconference

Allderdice at Fox Chapel

7 p.m. Friday, Burke Stadium, Fox Chapel

Last year’s meeting: Allderdice 20, Fox Chapel 9

Allderdice got off to a strong start last season, outscoring its first five opponents 115-24, including a win over the Foxes. The Dragons will lean on tight end/defensive end Lukas Stead, a Division I prospect who who had 20 receptions for 208 yards as well as 53 tackles and eight sacks last season. … The Foxes were hampered with injuries in 2024 and hope to improve on a 2-7 record with a healthier lineup. Joey Geller returns behind center after throwing for 575 yards while sharing snaps with Max Melocchi, who has moved to receiver.

Burrell at No. 1 Avonworth

7 p.m. Friday, Lenzner Field, Emsworth

Last year’s meeting: Avonworth 24, Burrell 7

The Bucs will feature a new coach and a new offense but will rely on a familiar player. Junior running back Trey Coury had more than 1,100 yards and seven scores last season. Burrell will open the season against a defending WPIAL champion for the first time since facing Knoch in 1979. Burrell won that one on a forfeit because of a Knoch teachers strike. The Bucs will begin their 61st varsity season under first-year coach Dom Girardi, the 13th coach in program history. … Defending WPIAL champion Avonworth is the top-ranked team in the Trib HSSN standings and a favorite to return to Acrisure Stadium. Running back Luca Neal and quarterback Carson Bellinger return to anchor the Antelopes’ offense. Lineman Peter Bonnet is a Navy commit. This will begin the 113th football season for Avonworth, a school that has made the WPIAL playoffs 16 times in the last 17 seasons, missing the 2020 postseason.

Deer Lakes at Keystone Oaks

7 p.m. Friday, Dormont Stadium, Dormont

Last year’s meeting: Deer Lakes 28, Keystone Oaks 7

Deer Lakes opened last season with six straight wins, starting with a convincing victory over Keystone Oaks. Junior Dante Mangieri steps in at quarterback for the Lancers, and senior Ryan Love and sophomore Roman Smith will carry the load in the backfield. … Keystone Oaks will turn to Owen Gearhart, who is shifting to quarterback this season. The Golden Eagles are working in an all-new offensive line.

Highlands at Armstrong

7 p.m. Friday, NexTier Bank Athletic Complex at Armstrong Stadium, Manor Township

Last year’s meeting: Armstrong 38, Highlands 37 (OT)

Armstrong started 2-0 last season before dropping eight straight games, including a 0-6 mark in the Class 5A Big East Conference. Jaydon Oliver returns at QB for the River Hawks after throwing for nearly 1,800 yards and 15 TDs as a sophomore. … Highlands made a run to the WPIAL Class 3A quarterfinals but will have to replace some key playmakers. Senior Jamarkus Prager will take the snaps and can look for returning all-conference receiver Jahmar Wright. … The Golden Rams won in 2020, ’21 and ’23, whereas the River Hawks won 56-35 in 2022 and 38-37 in an overtime thriller last year.

Indiana at Freeport

7 p.m. Friday, Freeport Area Athletic Stadium, Buffalo Township

Last year’s meeting: Freeport 30, Indiana 7

Indiana’s lone win last season was a 14-13 overtime victory over Ringgold. Former coach Mark Zilinskas returns to the sideline and will try to give the program its first winning season in 10 years. Running back Elijah Thomas is among the key returnees. … Freeport begins its 104th football season hosting Indiana and has won two of the previous three games between the schools. Dual-threat all-conference quarterback Drew Ross and all-conference running back Amos Glenn return to lead the Yellowjackets offense. Allegheny Conference offensive lineman of the year Wade Potocnak also returns.

Knoch at Kiski Area

7 p.m. Friday, Richard Dilts Stadium, Allegheny Township

Last year’s meeting: Kiski Area 42, Knoch 7

First-year coach Colyn Haugh inherits a team that started slow but finished strong, going 1-5 before finishing 4-6 overall. Four starters on the offensive line graduated, but sophomore Nick Anderson is a Division I prospect returning to anchor the unit. Kiski Area and Knoch met last season for the first time since 1989 when both were Greater Allegheny Conference members. The Cavaliers have won six of eight matchups. … T.J. Wiley takes the reins at Knoch, and his son, Max, will play quarterback. Two-way lineman Zach Szebalskie enters his fourth season as a starter. This will begin Knoch’s 70th football season, though the school was known as South Butler High in its first two seasons.

Plum at Franklin Regional

7 p.m. Friday, Franklin Regional HS Stadium, Murrysville

Last year’s meeting: Franklin Regional 42, Plum 7

The Mustangs are coming off a disappointing 2-8 season. They will rely on the running back duo of Elijah Jackson and C.J. Hart to carry the offense. Both are sprinters on the track team. … Franklin Regional has a lot of holes to fill. It looks like sophomore Dom Devola will get the first shot at quarterback. Senior Jet Taylor looks to start at running back. Matt Moore looks like a leader. … Plum and Franklin Regional first played in 1940 when the Mustangs beat the then-Franklin Township Longhorns, 12-6. It was the first football victory for Plum. Plum holds a 25-23 lead in the all-time series, but the Panthers have won the last six games.

Southmoreland at Valley

7 p.m. Friday, Memorial Stadium, New Kensington

Last year’s meeting: Southmoreland 45, Valley 20

Southmoreland has a new coach and quarterback as it pushes for its fifth straight playoff run. Junior quarterback Dawson Wolfe takes over for sophomore Anthony Smith, who transferred to Seton LaSalle. Sophomore Jackson Mickens (RB/TE/DE) has Division I offers from Sacramento State, Akron and Miami (Ohio). Junior Gabe Kubasky could be a spark after missing last season with an injury. … Valley is coached by Mark Adams, who used to be the coach at Southmoreland. The Vikings went 0-10 last year and are on a 15-game losing streak. Senior Brandon Knuckles takes over at quarterback. Junior Sean Wilkerson (6-3) could be a go-to target. The Vikings have not made the WPIAL playoffs in the six-classification era. … Southmoreland defeated Valley for the first time last season. Valley won the four previous games between the schools from 1992-95.

Beth-Center at Riverview

Noon Saturday at Riverside Park, Oakmont

Last year’s meeting: Did not play

Beth-Center’s lone win last season came against Mapletown, 46-6. Tim Trump steps in as coach for a team that returns nearly its entire starting lineup. Seniors Teagan Veatch and Cyncere Cruse are among five running backs who will see carries. … Quarterback Connor Kmetz returns for the Raiders after throwing for nearly 900 yards and nine scores last season. All-conference senior Rio Stotts and senior Max Kratt will be top targets. … Saturday will mark the start of the 65th football season at Oakmont’s Riverside Park. Riverview and Beth-Center have split two recent season openers. The Raiders won 41-20 in 2023, and the Bulldogs won 29-15 in 2022. The only other game between the schools was a 36-0 Beth-Center playoff win in 2005.

Bill Hartlep is the TribLive sports editor. A Pittsburgh native and Point Park graduate, he joined the Trib in 2004, covering high school sports. He held various editing roles before assuming his current position in 2019. He can be reached at bhartlep@triblive.com.

Tags: Allderdice, Armstrong, Avonworth, Beth-Center, Burrell, Deer Lakes, Fox Chapel, Freeport, Highlands, Indiana, Keystone Oaks, Kiski Area, Knoch, Plum, Riverview, Valley