Football
Defending PIAA champions start season atop Trib HSSN state football rankings
August 19, 2025
Welcome to the 2025 high school football season, which kicks off for most schools across the state with Week Zero games this weekend.
Avella embraces underdog identity, hunts for playoff spot
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. Due to production schedule conflicts, the Bentworth and California previews will be published later this week.
Mapletown working to eliminate errors, improve record
Mapletown coach George Messich has a straightforward solution for bouncing back from last season’s 1-9 record.
Jefferson-Morgan putting pieces together for more Tri-County South success
Jefferson-Morgan skyrocketed into the playoffs in 2023, ending an 11-year playoff drought. The Rockets built on that in 2024, completing a 10-0 season and the Tri-County South Conference before a first-round loss to South Side.
Carmichaels counting on stacked reps leading to stacked wins
Carmichaels coach Ryan Krull has long since thrown his crystal ball to the ground, shattering it into pieces.
Despite young team, Beth-Center hungry to add to winning culture
Beth-Center reached the playoffs 16 consecutive years from 2003-2018. With an all-time winning percentage of .580 in 657 games and a WPIAL title in 1975, winning has been a standard for the Bulldogs since 1958.
This week on Trib HSSN for the week of Aug. 18, 2025
August 18, 2025
Let the games begin! We kick off a new scholastic sports season with the start of high school football 2025 this week here on the TribLive High School Sports Network.
Imani Christian 4-star DB Gabe Jenkins commits to Penn State
Penn State already had a commitment from one talented Imani Christian defensive back, and now the Nittany Lions have another.
Soft spoken with a mean streak, Lucas Altier anchors massive Norwin offensive line
Lucas Altier’s goals for his senior season are larger than he is.
Jeannette seeks return to ‘favorite’ role
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. Due to production schedule conflicts, the Frazier preview will be published later this week.
Greensburg Central Catholic offense shows big-play potential
With Samir Crosby eyeing a possible move to receiver and Jerry Davis lined up wide opposite him, Greensburg Central Catholic could have big-play ability downfield.
Clairton ready to hit new gear, return to top of WPIAL mountain
Clairton senior quarterback Jeffrey Thompson wants to carve out his own space in the football program’s long record book. He thought last season was going to be the moment when the Bears climbed back on top of the WPIAL mountain.
Large crew of returning starters offer optimism at Brentwood
Brentwood returned to the WPIAL Class A playoffs last season via a fifth-place Eastern Conference finish.
After winless campaign, Springdale hoping to get stronger, more physical
As Springdale wrapped up a recent football practice, each player shook hands with the entire coaching staff, a sign of respect encouraged throughout the program.
Riverview confident focus on process, not results, will pay off
Trevor George saw the potential of last year’s Riverview football team and what the Raiders wanted to do: Stack victories in and out of Eastern Conference play, finish with a winning record and make the WPIAL playoffs.
Experienced line leads way as Leechburg aims for 5th straight playoff season
For Leechburg and coach Randy Walters, everything starts in the trenches, and the Blue Devils return a veteran group up front. Four of the five starters from a season ago are back for 2025.
Changing of the guard: Jaxon Vargo takes reins as Leechburg’s starting quarterback
August 17, 2025
Leechburg has seen its football stock rise over the past several years, and while the Blue Devils have had elite skill position talent, the quarterback play has helped lift them to contending levels.
Strayer, Pease, Schaum set tone for Mt. Pleasant’s physical offensive line
If the Mt. Pleasant football team hopes to be successful this season, then the trio of Strayer, Pease and Schaum will have to play well.
WPIAL Class 2A preview: Seton LaSalle roster changes leave title race wide open
As of the middle of July, there was a clear favorite in WPIAL Class 2A football this season.
A-K Valley football teams leaning on their lines this season
Nick Anderson felt confident at the start of last season.
