Trib HSSN don’t-miss high school football matchups for 2022 Week Zero

By: Don Rebel
Thursday, August 25, 2022 | 12:01 AM

Welcome to the 2022 WPIAL football season.

Zero usually means nothing, but in this case, Week Zero equates into a lot of excitement and optimism as a new campaign kicks off.

All but nine of the 117 WPIAL football teams will be in game action this weekend while eight others will go old school and play a second scrimmage.

Those scrimmages include Franklin Regional vs. Belle Vernon, Rochester vs. Riverside, Burgettstown vs. Sto-Rox and Cornell vs. Shady Side Academy.

Below are some of the top contests around the district to begin the new season Friday and Saturday night.

Class 5A vs. 6A

Class 5A No. 3 Penn Hills (0-0) at Class 6A No. 2 Seneca Valley (0-0)

7 p.m. Friday, Nextier Stadium, Seneca Valley

On the air: Video stream at TribHSSN.TribLive.com

Coaches: Charles Morris, Penn Hills; Ron Butschle, Seneca Valley

Last year: Penn Hills (8-4) finished in a three-way tie for the 5A Northeast Conference title with Pine-Richland and North Hills. The Indians eventually lost to Moon in the semifinals, 14-9. Seneca Valley (7-4) finished third in Class 6A. The Raiders lost in the semifinals to Central Catholic, 42-21.

Players to watch: Julian Dugger, Penn Hills (Jr., 6-3, 195, QB); Luke Lawson, Seneca Valley (Sr., 6-3, 200, WR/DB)

Four downs

1. After a slow start in 2021 in which Penn Hills lost its first two games and was 2-3 overall heading into Week 6, the team got hot and won its final four regular season games to earn a three-way tie for the Northeast Conference crown, then beat Franklin Regional and Gateway in the 5A postseason before falling to Moon by five points in the semifinals.

2. Julian Dugger once again leads the Indians offense for the third straight year. The junior has offers from Pitt and Toledo among others after throwing for 1,306 yards last season and 20 touchdowns. Four of those TDs went to senior wide receiver/defensive back Raion Strader, a Miami (Ohio) recruit.

3. Seneca Valley got an early taste of the playoffs last season when it faced rival North Allegheny in Week 9. The winner finished third in 6A and did not have to play a quarterfinals game the following week. SV edged NA in the postseason atmosphere, 17-12. The Raiders lost two weeks later in the 6A semifinals to Central Catholic.

4. The Raiders have a special group of seniors coming back that some have compared to what Mt. Lebanon experienced a year ago. Now while they may not be perfect, these Raiders hope to find the golden ark thanks to players like quarterback Graham Hancox, wide receiver and Toledo recruit Chris D’Appolonia and wide receiver/defensive back Navy recruit Luke Lawson along with four starters up front.

Extra point: These teams met four straight seasons from 2014-2017 with each school winning twice. Overall, Penn Hills holds the all-time advantage in the series, 6-4. The Indians and Raiders have split their two playoff meetings with Penn Hills winning 31-7 in 2002 and Seneca Valley prevailing in 2011, 30-13.

Class 5A

North Hills (0-0) at Bethel Park (0-0)

7 p.m. Friday, Black Hawks Stadium, Bethel Park

On the air: Video stream at TribHSSN.TribLive.com

Coaches: Pat Carey, North Hills; Brian DeLallo, Bethel Park

Last year: North Hills (7-4) finished in a three-way tie for the 5A Northeast Conference title with Pine-Richland and Penn Hills, then lost to Peters Township in the first round, 33-28. Bethel Park (5-6) finished in third place in the 5A Allegheny Six Conference, then lost to Woodland Hills in the first round, 27-23.

Players to watch: John Green, North Hills (Sr., 5-10, 175, QB/S); Austin Caye (Sr., 5-10, 185, RB/S)

Four downs

1. It was a banner year of sort for North Hills in 2021 as the team won its final three conference games to end up tied with Pine-Richland and Penn Hills for the 5A Northeast Conference crown. However, that did not translate into a deep 5A postseason run as the Indians lost at home to Peters Township by five points.

2. Senior quarterback John Green returns after a successful junior campaign. He threw for 1,293 yards in completing 89 of 152 passes with 12 touchdowns. Joining him in the Indians offensive backfield is younger brother Julius. The sophomore running back gets his first taste of varsity action after missing his freshman year with an injury.

3. After finishing winless in seven games in 2020, last fall was a nice bounce-back season for the Bethel Park program. The team was tied for first place in the 5A Allegheny Six Conference heading into Week 8; however, losses to Moon and Upper St. Clair dropped the Black Hawks to third place. The season ended with a first-round loss to Woodland Hills by four points.

4. The Black Hawks have some experience returning this fall, especially up front. They will need a new quarterback and running back, where a couple of senior all-conference defensive players from a year ago are in the mix with Austin Caye and Gavin Moul. Defense for the black and orange should also be strong with nine starters back from last season.

Extra point: This is the first meeting between these north and south Allegheny County schools since 2009. North Hills holds the lead in the all-time series, 17-11-1, but Bethel Park has won four of the last five head-to-head contests. The only time the Indians and Black Hawks met in the postseason was in 1980 when Bethel Park won, 33-27. The Hawks reached the finals that year, but lost to rival Mt. Lebanon, 30-14.

Class 4A

Mars (0-0) at Montour (0-0)

7 p.m. Friday, Thomas J. Birko Memorial Stadium, Montour

On the air: Video stream at TribHSSN.TribLive.com

Coaches: Eric Kasperowicz, Mars; Lou Cerro, Montour

Last year: Mars (2-8) finished in seventh place in the 4A Greater Allegheny Conference. Montour (4-7) finished in fourth place in the 4A Parkway Conference and lost to Armstrong in the first round, 27-16.

Players to watch: Jack Hull, Mars (Sr., 5-11, 210, OL/LB); Brock Janeda, Montour (Sr., 5-10, 180, RB/DB)

Four downs

1. After a rare down year for the program, the Mars school district cut ties with long time coach Scott Heinauer, who later retired as district athletic director. The opening paved the way for the return to high school coaching of Eric Kasperowicz, who was surprisingly fired by Pine-Richland after the 2020 season following an eight-year reign that included four WPIAL championship and two PIAA titles.

2. The Figntin’ Planets have always been known as a run-first team, many years utilizing the old school wing-T offense. However, that will change as Kasperowicz opens things up with the help of his son Eric, a sophomore who is expected to be the starting QB. On defense, senior linebacker Jack Hull leads five returning starters.

3. It looked like another rough season for Montour early in 2021 when the Spartans lost their first three games while dealing with mounting injuries. But the team started to have success and faced a win-and-you’re-in game in Week 9 against Chartiers Valley. Montour won a thriller, 34-27, but then lost in the 4A first round to Armstrong by 11 points.

4. The Spartans have an experienced team ready to make a run in the uber-tough Class 4A Parkway Conference. Among the seven starters returning on offense is senior Brock Janeda, who was second on the team in rushing and scoring. Nine starters are back on defense, including an experienced line led by senior Alonzo Labrie.

Extra point: This is only the fifth matchup between the two schools and the third in the regular season. Mars beat Montour when they were in the 4A Northwest Nine Conference in 2016 (35-14) and 2017 (26-15). The two have split their postseason clashes with the Spartans winning in the 2010 Class 3A semifinals (35-14) while the Fightin’ Planets prevailed in a 2014 3A first-round playoff game (42-27).

Class 3A vs. 2A

Western Beaver (0-0) at 3A No. 4 Beaver (0-0)

7 p.m. Friday, Pat Tarquinio Field at Gypsy Glen Stadium, Beaver

On the air: Audio stream at TribHSSN.TribLive.com and on WMBA-AM 140, WMBA-FM 95.7

Coaches: Ron Busby, Western Beaver; Cort Rowse, Beaver

Last year: Western Beaver (7-4) finished in third place in the Class 2A Three Rivers Conference and lost to Beaver Falls in the first round of the playoffs, 42-8. Beaver (7-3) finished in second place in the 4A Parkway Conference and lost in the quarterfinals to Laurel Highlands, 28-27.

Players to watch: Xander LeFebvre, Western Beaver (Sr., 6-0, 190, QB/CB); Liam Gibson, Beaver (Sr., 6-0, 180, RB/LB)

Four downs

1. Western Beaver had high hopes last fall after winning six of its first seven games; however, the team stumbled last, losing three of its final four contests, including a 34-point loss to defending champion Beaver Falls in the first round.

2. You can’t get more experience at the key position of quarterback than what the Golden Beavers have in Xander LeFebvre. The senior is a four-year starter who threw for over 1,000 yards last year with 15 touchdowns. He is one of nine returning starters for WB on offense.

3. Expectations are high for Beaver after the Bobcats finished in second place in the Class 4A Parkway Conference last season. Now moving into the newly formed Western Hills Conference in Class 3A, the team has seven starters back on offense and nine on defense.

4. While the Bobcats have questions marks at quarterback and running back, they are solid up front, led by the powerful senior duo of Omari Smith (6-4, 280) and Noah Reagan (6-3, 285). One of the possibilities in the running game is stud linebacker, senior Liam Gibson, who averaged nearly 5 yards per carry a year ago.

Extra point: This is only the third meeting between these Beaver County schools, and the two previous head-to-head contests came in the last two years. In 2021, Western Beaver won at Beaver, 22-14, when Thad Gray scored touchdowns on an interception return and a fumble recovery. Then in Week 3 of last season, the Golden Beavers picked up a home victory over the Bobcats, 20-14, thanks to a LeFebvre touchdown run and a blocked punt that led to a Lonnie Craft scoop and score.

Class 4A vs 2A

Class 4A No. 5 North Catholic (0-0) at Class 2A No. 5 Serra Catholic (0-0)

7 p.m. Friday, Eagles Stadium, Serra Catholic

On the air: None

Coaches: Pat O’Shea, North Catholic; Jose Regus, Serra Catholic

Last year: North Catholic (12-1) won the Class 3A Allegheny Seven Conference championship and beat Keystone Oaks and Avonworth in the playoff before falling to Central Valley in the 3A title game, 52-15. Serra Catholic (15-2) finished in second place in the 2A Allegheny Conference behind Steel Valley, but then won four straight district postseason games, including a win the 2A title game over Beaver Falls, 35-12. Its season ended in the PIAA championship game with a loss to Southern Columbia, 62-25.

Players to watch: Jack Fennell, North Catholic (Jr., 5-10, 180, RB/DB); Elijah Ward, Serra Catholic (Sr., 5-11, 165, QB/DB)

Four downs

1. After going undefeated in the regular season and winning the Class 3A Allegheny Seven Conference for a second straight year, North Catholic reached the WPIAL championship game with seven-point wins in the quarterfinals and semifinals. However, the Trojans lost big to Central Valley in the title game by 37 points. Now they move up to Class 4A and will play in the Greater Allegheny Conference.

2. The Trojans return seven players on offense and six on defense this season. One of those back is the team’s leading rusher from a year ago, junior Jack Fennell. He averaged 7.7 yards per carry in 2021 and scored 13 touchdowns.

3. Nobody was predicting greatness for Serra Catholic at the start of last season, but the team won its first 10 games. Then after a Week 9 loss for the 2A Allegheny Conference title to Steel Valley, the Eagles flew under the radar into the postseason, where they won their third WPIAL football championship and first since since 2007.

4. There are a lot of shoes to fill as the Eagles were hit hard by graduation, including quarterback Max Rocco, who threw for over 2,300 yards and 29 touchdowns. However, he was banged up for a few games and it gave valuable playing time to Elijah Ward, a senior who will take over at QB. Ward was 23 of 31 for 457 yards and two touchdowns, plus he ran for five touchdowns.

Extra point: A battle between two Catholic schools that reached the district finals a year ago with North Catholic losing in the 3A title game and Serra Catholic winning gold in Class 2A. The Trojans hold a 6-3 lead in the all-time series with the most recent meeting coming in the 2017 WPIAL Class 2A quarterfinals. North Catholic prevailed, 35-14. The Eagles’ last win over the Trojans was in 2009, 27-20.

Class A vs 2A

No. 3 Clairton (0-0) at Westinghouse (0-0)

6 p.m. Saturday, George Cupples Stadium, South Side

On the air: None

Coaches: Wayne Wade, Clairton; Donta Green, Westinghouse

Last year: Clairton (7-3) won the Class A Eastern Conference championship, but lost in the quarterfinals to Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, 29-15. Westinghouse (10-2) finished first in the City League, lost to Allderdice in the District 8 finals, 14-0, but won two PIAA preliminary round games before ending its season with a loss to Farrell in the Class 2A first round, 24-7.

Players to watch: Capone Jones, Clairton (Sr., 6-0, 170, QB); Keyshawn Morsillo, Westinghouse (Sr., 6-3, 185, QB)

Four downs

1. Last year was a see-saw season for Clairton. The Bears lost their first two games to Class 2A powers Steel Valley and Washington. Then they won seven games in a row, including the only loss for eventual district and state champion Bishop Canevin on the way to an Eastern Conference crown. However, the Bears were upset in the quarterfinals by OLSH.

2. The Bears return only four starters on both sides of the ball, but one of them is senior quarterback Capone Jones. Jones led the team in passing, rushing and scoring, throwing for over 600 yards and five touchdowns and rushing for 750 yards and eight touchdowns.

3. Westinghouse won the regular season City League crown with a perfect 7-0 record. After beating University Prep in the semifinals, it lost to Allderdice in the finals. However, the team earned a spot in the PIAA Class 2A playoffs with preliminary round wins over Chestnut Ridge and Windber before falling to Farrell.

4. The ‘House has reestablished itself in recent years as a power in the City League and what it hopes is on the state level. That success for the Bulldogs should continue in 2022 with the return of nine starters of offense and six on defense. Senior quarterback Keyshawn Morsillo returns after throwing for 1,400 yards and 17 touchdowns while also rushing for over 700 yards and 15 touchdowns.

Extra point: Westinghouse has won 36 City League football championships, including back-to-back titles in 2019-2020. Clairton has won 14 WPIAL titles with its most recent crown captured in 2019. However, these District 8 and District 7 powers have only met on the gridiron twice before. Forty years ago, Westinghouse defeated Clairton, 20-19. A year later in 1983, the Bulldogs once again edged the Bears, 14-6.