Football

Pine-Richland’s Zach Waryanka celebrates making a play against Shaler.

Pine-Richland’s Waryanka pulls double duty as force on defense, reliable kicker

October 31, 2020

Most teams don’t account for blocking the kicker on returns, but a player such as Zach Waryanka doesn’t give them much of a choice.

The scoreboard at North Allegheny High School’s Wright Field at Newman Stadium features a video screen that replays game action.

North Allegheny, North Hills set to host WPIAL football finals

The WPIAL football finals are moving from the North Shore to the North Hills.

Hampton’s Christian Liberto (26) and Joe Liberto (24) helped the Talbots football team reach the 2020 WPIAL playoffs.

Liberto brothers boost Hampton football into playoffs

The Hampton football team made a valiant playoff push down the season’s home stretch.

Clairton’s Donte Sanders runs against OLSH in a WPIAL Class A playoff game Friday, Oct. 30, 2020.

Trib HSSN’s Week 8 top performers for passing, rushing, receiving

Top performers for Week 8 high school football in Western Pennsylvania.

Serra Catholic’s Max Rocco avoids McGuffey’s Rocco Falosk in a WPIAL Class 2A playoff game Oct. 30, 2020, at McGuffey.

Serra Catholic keeps its strange season alive, beats McGuffey in 1st-round game

October 30, 2020

It has been a unique season for Serra Catholic, from only playing four games in the regular season to entering its WPIAL Class 2A quarterfinal matchup against McGuffey on a 21-day layoff.

Peters Township players warm up before playing Woodland Hills in a WPIAL playoff game Oct. 30, 2020, at Peters Township.

Petrarca, Peters Township defense blitz Woodland Hills

Peters Township’s offense put enough points on the board to top Woodland Hills. As a matter of fact, so did the Indians’ defense.

Keystone Oaks takes the field before playing South Park in a WPIAL playoff game Oct. 30, 2020, at Dormont Stadium.

Fill-in quarterback carries Keystone Oaks past South Park in Class 3A thriller

With its star quarterback hobbled by an ankle injury, Keystone Oaks turned to senior Mark Hutchin to spark the offense and erase a 10-point fourth-quarter deficit.

Bell Vernon’s Devin Whitlock looks to pass over Chartiers Valley’s Patrick Mulligan on Friday, Oct. 30, 2020.

Belle Vernon dispatches Chartiers Valley in WPIAL 1st round

Despite at times playing like a team that hasn’t played in the past two weeks, the Belle Vernon football team advanced to the WPIAL semifinals Friday.

Pine-Richland’s Cole Spencer (4) and Eli Jochem helped the Rams defeat South Fayette in a WPIAL playoff game Oct. 30, 2020, at Pine-Richland.

QB Cole Spencer sets Pine-Richland TD pass record in win over South Fayette

Cole Spencer and Eli Jochem quietly played catch on the sideline in their sophomore season while Pine-Richland played defense, getting in as many throws as possible before trying to replicate their connection on offense.

Jeannette’s James Sanders (4) rushes for a touchdown against Avella on Friday, Oct. 30, 2020.

Jeannette makes quick work of Avella in WPIAL Class A opening round

If Jeannette coach Roy Hall was worried his players were looking ahead, they made sure early on Friday night to ease his mind.

Elizabeth Forward’s Nico Mrvos competes against Freeport in a WPIAL playoff game Oct. 30, 2020, at Elizabeth Forward.

Elizabeth Forward tops Freeport for long-awaited WPIAL playoff victory

For the first time in two decades, the Elizabeth Forward football program has a playoff victory under its belt.

North Catholic players warm up prior to thier game against Mt. Pleasant on Oct. 30, 2020, at Mars.

North Catholic punishes Mt. Pleasant for mistakes in Class 2A matchup

As the clock was winding down late in the fourth quarter, Mt. Pleasant coach Jason Fazekas said to his assistants he felt like the score was a lot closer than the scoreboard indicated.

Shenango’s Ryan Lenhart catches a touchdown pass Friday, Oct. 2020, against California.

Shenango limits damage done by California’s Jaeden Zuzak, wins Class A quarterfinal

Shenango’s mission in a WPIAL Class A quarterfinal matchup with California on Friday night was pretty clear.

Gateway’s Derrick Davis breaks in the clear against Woodland Hills Saturday, Oct. 17, 2020 at the Wolvarena.

Trib HSSN’s WPIAL football playoffs primer

The past three months of training and grinding through regular season games has led up to tonight as 44 high school football teams will kick off postseason play in the WPIAL playoffs.