Sports

Mars head coach Eric Kasperowicz works with his team during practice on Wednesday, Aug. 9, 2023, at Mars.

2023 Western Pa. high school football schedule for Week Zero

August 23, 2023

Friday

Springdale’s Chase Weirhauch practices Aug. 23, 2023, at Springdale.

QB Chase Weihrauch aims to lead Springdale football team to bounce-back season

Chase Weihrauch made his starting quarterback debut in last year’s Week Zero game against Ligonier Valley.

Westmoreland County football players to watch in 2023 Week Zero

Here’s a look at four Westmoreland County football players to watch in Week Zero:

Hempfield quarterback Keiran Lippmann (12) runs a play during practice Aug. 22, 2023.

New coaches add spark to Hempfield-Greensburg Salem rivalry

Ty George was a sophomore at Hempfield the last time Greensburg Salem was victorious in this historic series.

Mt. Pleasant coach Jason Fazekas speaks to the offense during WCCA 7-on-7 competition at Latrobe.

Westmoreland County high school football matchups for 2023 Week Zero

Nonconference

Ligonier Valley’s Cole Henry (back left) participates in a drill during practice Monday, Aug. 7, 2023, at Weller Field in Ligonier.

The Birdie living up to the hype while picking Westmoreland County games

The Birdie

Burrell’s Devin Beattie breaks toward the sideline past Jeannette’s Mitchell Steele in the fourth quarter of last year’s matchup.

Stop bugging The Birdie as he makes his Week Zero picks in A-K Valley football

The Birdie

Plum quarterback Sean Franzi works out during practice Tuesday, Aug. 8, 2023.

Plum, Kiski Area to work out the kinks in Week Zero rivalry matchup

Plum and Kiski Area passed each other last year when the WPIAL realigned its football conferences and classifications.

Apollo-Ridge’s Karter Schrock is a member of the 2023 football team.

A-K Valley football players to watch in 2023 Week Zero

Derek Burk

Freeport’s Madden Winsewski (left) and Apollo-Ridge’s Karter Schrock will start their respective seasons this week.

A-K Valley high school football matchups for 2023 Week Zero

Nonconference

Southmoreland’s Kadin Keefer delivers a pass against Belle Vernon on Oct. 22, 2022.

Senior Kadin Keefer flourishes in Southmoreland’s QB-friendly offense

When Tim Bukowski joined the staff as the offensive coordinator at Southmoreland in 2018, he didn’t just put in a new offense. He made it a priority to develop quarterbacks who could run it.

Westinghouse’s Kyshawn Robinson (2) defends a pass against Allderdice last season at Cupples Stadium.

2023 HSSN football position-by-position breakdown: Scouting the cornerbacks

TribLive HSSN will break down the top players at one position per day until Week Zero. Here’s a look at the top cornerbacks for the 2023 season.

High school scores, summaries and schedules for Aug. 22, 2023

August 22, 2023

High schools

West Greene running back Colin Brady at 2023 media day Saturday, Aug. 5, 2023 at Highmark Stadium.

New West Greene coach Beau Jackson spreading youthful enthusiasm

Beau Jackson is taking a rather philosophical approach to being the new West Greene football coach at the tender age of 26.

Monessen’s Torrence Taylor, Rodney Johnson and Tyvaughn Kershaw at 2023 Media Day on Aug. 5, 2023 at Highmark Stadium.

Monessen searches for defense to complement prolific offense

Last season, Monessen boasted one of the most prolific offenses in Class A, putting up 37.4 points per game. In their first-round playoff game, the Greyhounds hung 42 on higher-seeded Fort Cherry.

Mapletown head coach George Messich works with Isaac Hall during practice on Monday, Aug. 21, 2023, in Mapletown.

Mapletown preparing to defend conference crown

The Mapletown Maples are looking to feed off the mojo from a memorable 2022 season.

Jefferson-Morgan’s Deakyn Dehoet catches a pass during practice on Monday, Aug. 21, 2023, in Jefferson.

Jefferson-Morgan hoping to build on last year’s successes, take a big step in 2023

“Playoff season, baby!”

Carmichaels head coach Ryan Krull works with his team during practice on Monday, Aug. 21, 2023, in Carmichaels.

Returning coach brings dose of intensity to Carmichaels program

In 2019, Ryan Krull was seized with a “gut feeling” to step away from coaching football and left a program that had four winning seasons in seven years while he was there.