Football

Aliquippa’s Tekoah Gilbert celebrates after recovering a fumble against Selinsgrove during their PIAA Class 4A semifinal on Friday.

Trib 10: Top 5 teams in power rankings taking their shot at state gold

December 6, 2023

For the second time in PIAA football championship history, the WPIAL is sending five teams to the state finals.

PIAA will let Woodland Hills, Charleroi fix enrollment mistakes, avoid promotion to higher classifications

The PIAA will let Woodland Hills and Charleroi fix mistakes the schools made when submitting their enrollments, errors that would’ve forced their teams into higher classifications.

Aliquippa head coach Mike Warfield celebrates with Tikey Hayes late in the WPIAL Class 4A championship game against McKeesport on Friday, Nov. 24, 2023, at Acrisure Stadium.

Not concerned with any curse, bad luck or superstitions, Aliquippa aims to cap undefeated season with PIAA title

Aliquippa has an imperfect history in the state football finals that’s hard to explain.

North Allegheny’s Daniel Sellers celebrates a sack against Harrisburg during their PIAA Class 6A semifinal on Saturday.

Trib HSSN Pennsylvania high school football rankings for Dec. 5, 2023

December 5, 2023

The final weekend of the 2023 high school football season is upon us as the six PIAA championship games are set for Cumberland Valley High School in Mechanicsburg.

The North Allegheny football team celebrates after defeating Harrisburg in their PIAA Class 6A semifinal last Saturday.

Trib HSSN football team of the week for 2023 Week 14

December 4, 2023

Two and a half weeks ago, the North Allegheny football team repeated as WPIAL 6A champions, 11 years after it won three straight district titles.

Aliquippa’s Cam Lindsey celebrates with Braylon Wilcox as time winds down in their PIAA Class 4A state semifinal against Selinsgrove on Friday, Dec. 1, 2023, at Central Cambria High School.

5 WPIAL teams, Westinghouse make March to Mechanicsburg for PIAA championships

December 3, 2023

The March to Mechanicsburg is complete as five WPIAL and one City League team will be part of the six-pack heading to Cumberland Valley High School and the PIAA football finals this week.

Aliquippa’s John Tracy carries for a 93-yard touchdown run in front of the Selinsgrove bench during their PIAA Class 4A state semifinal on Friday, Dec. 1, 2023, at Central Cambria High School.

Trib HSSN football player of the week for Week 14

When not running through or around opposing players on the football field, Aliquippa senior running back John Tracy runs his own business. After being introduced by his cousin, Tracy breeds and trains American Bullies dogs.

North Allegheny’s Liam Flaherty carries against Harrisburg during their PIAA Class 6A state semifinal on Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023, at Mansion Park in Altoona.

This week on Trib HSSN for week of Dec. 4, 2023

We get the ball rolling on scholastic sports in December by wrapping up the high school football season and continuing with the start of the winter scholastic sports campaign this week on the TribLive High School Sports Network.

North Allegheny quarterback Logan Kushner celebrates with Khiryn Boyd after defeating Harrisburg in their PIAA Class 6A state semifinal on Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023, at Mansion Park in Altoona.

North Allegheny ends 11-year wait, moves on to state finals vs. powerhouse St. Joseph’s Prep

December 2, 2023

ALTOONA — North Allegheny is headed to the PIAA finals for the first time since 2012, and waiting for the Tigers will be a team that’s dominated the state for the past decade.

Belle Vernon’s football team will go back up to Class 4A next season.

Westmoreland high school notes: Teams will shift classifications next season

Student totals came out last week, but the next two-year enrollment cycle for high school teams will kick in next fall.

McKeesport senior lineman Courtney Dunn (center) won the 5th Bill Fralic Memorial Award as the WPIAL’s best interior lineman Saturday. He is flanked by Susan Fralic (left); his mother, Valora Nelms; sister, Amiyah Luster; and coach, Matt Miller.

McKeesport’s Courtney Dunn wins Fralic Award as WPIAL’s top lineman

Matt Miller said Courtney Dunn wanted to be a running back several years ago when the senior lineman was coming up in the McKeesport football program.

Players from Fort Cherry and Redbank Valley meet for the coin toss before their PIAA Class A semifinal game Dec. 1, 2023, at Farrell.

Season of first continues as Fort Cherry advances to PIAA Class A final

December 1, 2023

It’s been a season of firsts for the Fort Cherry Rangers. First WPIAL title, first state playoff game, first state playoff win and now a first trip to the PIAA Class A championship game

Peters Township’s Justin Tornatore (left) celebrates with quarterback Nolan DiLucia after beating Pine-Richland to win the WPIAL 5A championship Nov. 18.

Peters Township defense stands tall, sends Indians to PIAA Class 5A title game

ALTOONA — From the moment the ball was kicked in Friday night’s PIAA Class 5A football semifinal between Peters Township and Cocalico, both defenses smothered much of the hope that both sides had for moving the ball.

North Allegheny’s Khiryn Boyd beats Erie McDowell’s James Zigler for a first-quarter touchdown during the PIAA Class 6A quarterfinals last Friday.

PIAA football semifinal previews for Dec. 1-2, 2023

November 30, 2023

Final Four weekend is set in all six classifications in the PIAA football playoff — the final stop on the March to Mechanicsburg.

Fort Cherry’s Matt Sieg celebrates after making a stop against South Side during the WPIAL Class A championship game on Friday, Nov. 24, 2023, at Acrisure Stadium.

Trib HSSN football player of the week for 2023 Week 13

November 27, 2023

When asked how many medals and trophies he has earned in his youth as a three-sport standout, Fort Cherry sophomore quarterback Matt Sieg has no idea.