After capturing conference title, it’s win or bust for Woodland Hills
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Wednesday, August 6, 2025 | 6:01 AM
Woodland Hills head coach Brian Tarrent works with his team during practice on Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2025, at the Wolvarena.
Woodland Hills’ Scoop Smith intercepts a pass during practice on Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2025, at the Wolvarena.
Woodland Hills players try to block a kick during special teams practice on Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2025, at the Wolvarena.
Woodland Hills quarterback Cam Walter watches defensive drills during practice on Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2025, at the Wolvarena.
Woodland Hills’ Scoop Smith works out during practice on Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2025, at the Wolvarena.
Editor’s note: Trib HSSN will publish team-by-team previews for one conference per day until the start of the high school football season Aug. 22.
Woodland Hills football coach Brian Tarrant would have been happy to hear how senior wide receiver Scoop Smith answered the question about the Wolverines’ expectations for 2025.
Tarrant wants Woodland Hills to be reaching for the top. Winning a conference title for the first time in a decade was nice last season, but it isn’t the be-all, end-all.
“I just want to win,” said Smith, who committed to play at Miami (Ohio) next season. “If we don’t win, it’s a bust.”
Woodland Hills, which finished 8-3 last season and lost to Bethel Park in the first round of the WPIAL Class 5A playoffs last season, will be tested early and often. The Wolverines’ nonconference schedule will feature a trip to Canton, Ohio, to play at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium.
The Wolverines will also have to take on North Allegheny and Penn Hills, which made the playoffs in Class 6A and 5A, respectively.
“It’s been a while since we won the big one,” Tarrant said. “The kids have been looking at that recently. Winning the conference is nice, but our goal is to win the WPIAL and state championship.”
The Wolverines will have plenty of pieces coming back to make a run at postseason success. Senior Cam Walter returns under center and is healthy after suffering a knee injury last season.
Tarrant said that Walter is a good decision-maker. Walter passed for 1,133 yards and 12 touchdowns last season.
“We carved out the offense around him,” Tarrant said. “He is a cerebral quarterback. He limits his mistakes.”
Zykir Moore, an NC State commit, will play running back and linebacker. Taylor Reid will be involved in the run game.
Moore missed most of last season after injuring his leg in the season opener.
“I knew when I got injured, I had six Division I offers, and I wanted more,” Moore said. “I knew I had to come back seven times stronger and seven times harder.”
Tarrant expects them to be a running back-by-committee team. Smith will be the Wolverines’ top receiving threat, as well as being tasked with returning kicks.
Woodland Hills got a boost on the offensive line when 6-foot-3, 255-pound offensive tackle Maleek Anderson transferred in from Gateway. Matt Jenkins, Keena Lawson Jr., Roland Askerneese and Sincere Campbell will also return on the offensive line.
Woodland Hills’ defense will be anchored by Moore. The Wolverines also return a lot of playmakers in the secondary. Tymir Walker was picked as first-team all-conference at defensive back.
Seniors defensive backs Prince Tarrant and Earl Perry were second-team all-conference selections. Smith also plays in the secondary.
Moore said the team invested in what the Wolverines have built since Tarrant came aboard.
Woodland Hills hopes it ends with them raising trophies.
“We’re on Year 3; we are a player-led team,” Moore said. “We know the standards. We know what to do and are jelling together.”
Woodland Hills
Coach: Brian Tarrant
2024 record: 8-3, 6-0 in the Class 5A Big East Conference
All-time record: 283-149-0
SCHEDULE
Date, Opponent, Time
8.22 North Allegheny, 5-a
8.29 at Penn Hills, 7
9.6 at Central Catholic-b
9.12 Penn-Trafford*, 7
9.19 Shaler, 7
9.26 Latrobe*, 7
10.3 at Armstrong*, 7
10.10 at Gateway*, 7
10.17 Franklin Regional*, 7
10.24 at Kiski Area*, 7
a-KDKA Classic at Wolvarena
b-at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium
*Conference game
STATISTICAL LEADERS
Passing: Cam Walter
72-134, 1,133 yards, 12 TDs
Rushing: Elijah Nesby*
102-530 yards, 5 TDs
Receiving: Scoop Smith
38-630 yards, 15 TDs
*Graduated
FAST FACTS
• Woodland Hills won the most recent of its five WPIAL championships when it beat Gateway in 2009 at Heinz Field.
• Wolverines coach Brian Tarrant played collegiately at Cal (Pa.).
• Scoop Smith won his second consecutive WPIAL Class 3A title in the 100-meter dash last season.
Tags: Woodland Hills
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