Football
Increased numbers, returning talent fuel Serra Catholic in quest for success
September 4, 2020
Serra Catholic battled No. 4 Neshannock in last year’s WPIAL Class 2A first round before falling, 31-17.
With numbers up, Shady Side Academy grateful for chance to play this season
Shady Side Academy’s football team made headlines last year when low roster numbers and injuries conspired to cause the forfeit of a Week 5 conference game at Apollo-Ridge.
Avoiding slow start key as Steel Valley aims for return to playoffs
Looking back with 20-20 hindsight, the Steel Valley football team needed some time to get its bearings at the start of last season.
One WPIAL football team expects hundreds of fans at its opener: South Fayette
South Fayette’s football team will travel two hours for its season opener, but there is an obvious silver lining. By playing a game out of state, the Lions can have a couple of hundred of their fans in the stands.
Coronavirus cases create tangled web of WPIAL football schedule changes
Times are changing these days because of the coronavirus. That means changing minute by minute.
Kiski Area football reschedules postponed games
Earlier this week, the Kiski Area football team was forced to postpone its first two games of the season because of a covid-19 exposure.
Franklin Regional looks to stay healthy, put rare losing season in rearview mirror
September 3, 2020
Injuries have proven costly to the success of the Franklin Regional football program the past few seasons.
Gateway keeps focus on championship opportunities
Gateway captured a WPIAL championship last year, its second district football title in three years and seventh in the storied history of the program.
Penn-Trafford ready to ride Carr toward postseason
Skill, speed, depth and potential.
After rare playoff miss, Woodland Hills aims for normalcy
It just doesn’t happen.
Armstrong hopes to improve depth throughout lineup
September 2, 2020
Armstrong went to battle with a rather young and inexperienced team last year, and coach Frank Fabian said that, compounded with a rash of injuries to key players, led to a record he and his returning players hope to improve on this fall.
Move to Class 4A feels like perfect fit for Hampton
Dawson Dietz says it’s a perfect fit.
Highlands looks to pick up where it left off
Toward the end of last football season, Highlands started to hit a stride.
Realignment lets Knoch reunite with familiar foes
The Knoch football team has a clear goal in mind this season.
Belle Vernon linebacker’s name starting to carry weight with college recruiters
Cole Weightman sees himself playing on a big college stage some day, maybe digging in behind the defensive line, his speed gauge set to downhill, with an eye toward ruining Saturdays for opposing quarterbacks.
After WPIAL title game appearance, Sto-Rox enters new class with new quarterback
September 1, 2020
In LaRoi Johnson’s first year as head coach at Sto-Rox in 2018, the Vikings improved from the previous year to finish 6-4 but missed out on the Class A playoffs.
Carlynton looks to end playoff drought behind experienced line
The Carlynton football team won its season opener for a second straight year in 2019 and was actually sitting in first place at 2-0 after outscoring Bishop Canevin and Fort Cherry by a combined score of 77-20. Then a seven-game losing streak derailed its playoff hopes … again.
Putting pressure on defenses, South Side in position for another playoff season
At this time of year, most high school football coaches will profess a desire to get the ball into the hands of a variety of players.
Western Beaver boasts experienced roster, championship coach
The last time Western Beaver athletic director and assistant principal Ryan Matsook found himself on the sidelines as a high school football coach was in 2016.
PIAA rejects Thursday kickoff request for WPIAL football season
High school football season won’t start on a Thursday night.
