Football
When it comes to Westmoreland County high school football picks, The Birdie always delivers
August 21, 2024
Last season: 109-29 (79%)
After long hiatus, Kiski Area, Knoch renew rivalry for Week Zero matchup
It’s been a while since the Kiski Area and Knoch football teams shared the same field for a game.
Bigger roster aids Monessen in quest to return to postseason
The refrain has become a familiar one: Monessen enters football season with a small roster, comes dangerously close to not having enough players some weeks then, somehow, manages to qualify for the WPIAL Class A playoffs.
Cornell looking to take program to new heights despite tough conference schedule
Not too long ago, the Cornell football program was shut down. From 2012-15, it was part of a co-op with Quaker Valley.
New coach means new opportunity for Chartiers-Houston
No one said being a high school football coach was easy. From restructuring the playbook to keeping team morale high, newly minted Chartiers-Houston coach Dan Lis has been presented with many tasks to help revive his alma mater’s football program.
Burgettstown looks to use toughness to make another trip to playoffs
When Burgettstown seemed to be down and out last season, the Blue Devils made a push and made the playoffs, using their physicality and aggression.
Bishop Canevin’s goal: Keep playing ’til it’s cold outside
Bishop Canevin’s football program continues to achieve success, going 40-9 under coach Rich Johnson.
Matt Sieg leads championship-caliber team at Fort Cherry
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 Friday. Due to production schedule conflicts, the Serra Catholic preview will be published later in the week.
After turnaround season, West Greene looks to leaders to keep team on track
August 20, 2024
West Greene experienced quite a turnaround in 2023. Six more wins, 20 fewer points per game allowed on average and a trip to the WPIAL postseason — all in their young head coach’s first season at the helm.
With good health, Mapletown could climb back into contention in Tri-County South
George Messich has made a lifetime of good memories in his 41 years on the sidelines at Mapletown, but 2023 ended up being a season he’d rather forget.
Jefferson-Morgan hopes to build on momentum of breakthrough season
Jefferson-Morgan skyrocketed to success last season. The Rockets started out 1-3 but won four straight games and made the WPIAL Class A playoffs.
Beth-Center working to get young players up to varsity speed
Tony Ruscitto knew that Jonah Sussan only became a quarterback due to default. When Beth-Center needed the now-senior and three-year returning starter to play under center, Sussan was happy to oblige his 84-year-old veteran coach.
Larger roster, new conference have Avella excited for season
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 Friday. Due to production schedule conflicts, the Bentworth and California previews will be published later in the week.
This week on Trib HSSN for the week of Aug. 19, 2024
August 19, 2024
Let the games begin! We kick off another scholastic sports season with the start of high school football this week on the TribLive High School Sports Network.
Shorthanded Springdale, Perry forced to cancel Week Zero games; Burrell, Avonworth to play
With the high school football season set to commence Friday night, there’s been a couple changes to the schedule in Western Pennsylvania after two teams were left too shorthanded to play.
Springdale faces major challenges in rebuilding efforts
A change at the top could be a piece of the puzzle for a Springdale football program working to get back on track after a pair of tough seasons in and out of conference play.
Excitement builds as Riverview continues quest to return to playoffs
In Class A football, large rosters are mostly uncommon.
Leechburg continues to build on trips to WPIAL playoffs
Leechburg football made history last year becoming the first Blue Devils team to qualify for the WPIAL playoffs three years in a row.
Jeannette a program on the rise, but ‘work is far from done’
There is an old saying that suggests “it’s tough to keep a good man down.”
With roster loaded with experience, Clairton eyes return to WPIAL dominance
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 Friday. Due to production schedule conflicts, the Frazier preview will be published later in the week.
