North Allegheny has questions to answer in quest to return to top of Class 6A

By: Don Rebel
Tuesday, August 5, 2025 | 6:01 AM

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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.

North Allegheny was trying to make history last year and become only the second team to win three straight outright WPIAL championship games in the highest classification.

Of course, the Tigers were trying to tie their own mark when they captured three WPIAL 4A championships in a row from 2010-2012.

“The team and staff worked extremely hard last season to return to the championship game for the third straight year,” North Allegheny coach Art Walker said.

History fell one game short after the Tigers lost to Central Catholic in the 2024 WPIAL 6A title game.

However, more history will likely be coming the way of the black and gold this season, possibly as early as Week 1.

Walker begins his 21st season as head coach at North Allegheny in 11th place on the all-time coaches win list with 254, one behind legendary Gateway coach Pete Antimarino.

Two wins for NA would put Walker alone in 10th place, only nine victories behind the duo tied for eighth place on the all-time list, Phil Bridenbaugh of New Castle and Jim Garry of Fort Cherry, both with 265 wins.

Walker is not focused on lists and personal achievements, though. His focus is molding the Tigers back into a championship-caliber team.

“We have spots to fill for sure,” Walker said. “That is public high school football in a community setting. You work with your players to improve and make opportunities for themselves.”

North Allegheny will have only five starters returning on offense, and even fewer on defense with four starters back.

When asked about what he is looking forward to in camp, Walker talked about the competition for several starting positions.

He also expressed concerns about the inexperience the Tigers will have at some positions.

One key position that appears to be in good hands is that of quarterback.

Brady Brinkley won the starting job in camp a year ago and led NA to 10 wins as the offense averaged over 30 points per game.

“Brady will be more knowledgeable, relaxed and determined after winning the job outright as a sophomore,” Walker said. “We go as he goes offensively, and he is a competitor. That in itself makes his return exciting.”

Brinkley connected on 91 of 164 passes last fall for 1,210 yards and 10 touchdowns.

“I definitely learned a lot from my first year starting,” Brinkley said. “I got to learn the speed of the game and how fast I have to react to different defenses. But I’m not satisfied because I did not have the ending I or the team wanted.

“I am working as hard as I can to get back to the same point we were at last year but with a different and better outcome.”

Some of the other key returning players for North Allegheny include:

• Lincoln Hoke, a senior lineman who is committed to Pitt who Walker calls the best defensive lineman in the state. “He is fast and explosive with an unbelievable motor,” Walker said.

• Luke Rohan, a senior running back and defensive back who led the Tigers in rushing a year ago. Walker calls him a punishing and physical back.

• Cam Kushner, a senior safety and running back who Walker believes is a smart free safety on defense and a great route runner with exceptional hands on offense.

• Korry Pitts, a senior wide receiver and defensive back who is a legit shutdown corner.

• Owen Urschler, a senior tight end and defensive end who is tough and physical on both sides of the ball.

North Allegheny has plenty of holes to fill, but the goal of winning gold has not changed.

“We are a very young team with few returning players, but those players will be great key players for us to go along with younger juniors and sophomores who will add to our team this year,” Brinkley said. “So far we’ve had a great summer and all of us can’t wait for the season ahead.”

Once again the big obstacle in the way for the Tigers to return to the top in Class 6A is defending district champion Central Catholic.

“Central is huge up front and has very good skill and depth,” Walker said. “They picked up several players from many public schools during the spring and summer. All the other teams in 6A can’t do that.”

North Allegheny

Coach: Art Walker

2024 record: 10-2, 5-1 in Class 6A

All-time record: 471-260-14

SCHEDULE

Date, Opponent, Time

8.22 at Woodland Hills, 5-a

8.29 at Gateway, 7

9.5 Penn Hills, 7:30

9.12 Hempfield*, 7:30

9.19 at Norwin*, 7

9.26 Central Catholic*, 7:30

10.3 Mt. Lebanon*, 7:30

10.10 Canon-McMillan*, 7:30

10.17 at Pine-Richland, 7

10.24 at Seneca Valley*, 7

a-KDKA Classic at Wolvarena

STATISTICAL LEADERS

Passing: Brady Brinkley

91-164, 1,210 yards, 10 TDs

Rushing: Luke Rohan

134-707 yards, 8 TDs

Receiving: James Donaldson*

38-530 yards, 6 TDs

*Graduated

FAST FACTS

• North Allegheny reached the WPIAL Class 6A championship game for a third consecutive season last fall but saw its two-year reign as WPIAL champion come to an end with a 45-14 loss to Central Catholic. The Tigers were held to 149 yards of total offense in the game. Promising sophomore quarterback Brady Brinkley struggled and only threw for 13 yards on 13 attempts. North Allegheny only lost two games last season, both to Central Catholic. The Vikings beat the Tigers in Week 5, 27-14.

• Art Walker begins his 21st season as head coach at North Allegheny following seven years as head coach at Central Catholic. He has seven WPIAL championships. His father, legendary Mt. Lebanon and Shady Side Academy coach Art Walker, coached for 26 years and won six district titles.

• After 10 years, this will be the final fall that North Allegheny will have a member of the Hoke family in the football program. Cade Hoke started the parade of former Pittsburgh Steelers defensive lineman Chris Hoke’s sons to play football at NA. Cade graduated in 2019, Nathan graduated in 2021 and now Pitt commit Lincoln Hoke enters his senior year as a standout lineman. The only year there was not a Hoke playing football at NA was the fall of 2021.

• With four of the seven Class 6A teams qualifying for the WPIAL football playoffs, odds are good the Tigers will qualify for the 22nd year in a row. The last time North Allegheny missed out on the playoffs was in 2003 when it finished 3-7 overall and in sixth place in the old 4A Quad North Conference.

• This is the 71st season of North Allegheny football.

Tags: North Allegheny