Trib HSSN don’t miss high school football matchups for 2024 Week 8

By: Don Rebel
Thursday, October 17, 2024 | 8:07 PM

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Welcome to Week 8 of the high school football regular season as the stretch run continues entering the final two weeks of the 2024 WPIAL campaign.

Only 49 WPIAL football playoff spots are guaranteed up and down the six classifications with another 16 wild card spots to be determined by the WPIAL football steering committee the day the regular season concludes.

Heading into Week 8, 15 of the 49 postseason berths have been determined.

Those Fab 15 are Central Catholic, North Allegheny, Pine-Richland, Upper St. Clair, Imani Christian, South Park, South Allegheny, Ellwood City, Seton LaSalle, Keystone Oaks, Fort Chery, Neshannock, Clairton, Jefferson-Morgan and California.

Here is a look at some of the top matchups for Friday in Week 8.

Class 6A

No. 3 Seneca Valley (3-4, 3-1) at No. 1 Central Catholic (6-2, 4-0)

7 p.m. Friday, Richard Lackner Field at Gesling Stadium at Carnegie Mellon University

Coaches: Ron Butschle, Seneca Valley; Ryan Lehmeier, Central Catholic

On the air: Video stream on Trib HSSN

Last week: Seneca Valley 27, Hempfield 15; Central Catholic 59, Norwin 14

Players to watch: Chase Mazanek, Seneca Valley (Jr., 6-0, 205, RB); Jy’Aire Walls, Central Catholic (Sr., 6-2, 195, QB)

Team notes

Seneca Valley: The Raiders have put themselves in a great spot for a return to the Class 6A postseason with back-to-back wins and three victories in four 6A matchups. Seneca Valley started slow at home against Hempfield last week but scored 17 points in the second quarter to take the lead for good. Senior running back Chase Mazanek rushed for 134 yards on 19 carries and scored on a 24-yard run. Junior quarterback Andrew Loebig connected on 9 of 14 passes for 142 yards and touchdown tosses to junior wide receivers Brayden Wise of 11 yards and Danny Drennan for 28 yards.

Central Catholic: Following an 0-2 start, the Vikings have played up to expectations with six straight victories in which they have outscored their opponents 297-45. In the last two weeks, Central Catholic has outscored Shaler and Norwin 115-20 in road wins. Senior quarterback Jy’Aire Walls continues to flourish in the passing game, last week hitting on 7 of 9 passes for 140 yards and two touchdowns, one each to senior Xxavier Thomas and sophomore Max Roman. On the ground, senior running back Elijah Faulkner and sophomore Jayden Alexander combined for 170 yards and two touchdowns.

Historic factoids

• It has been 49 years since Central Catholic met Seneca Valley for the first time. The Vikings beat the Raiders, 28-6, during the 1975 season. Since then, Central Catholic has a big edge in the all-time series, 16-4, including wins in the last 11 meetings. Seneca Valley has only won three times in 16 regular season meetings, picking up victories in 1998, 1999 and 2012.

• Last year in Week 8, Central Catholic took a step toward the 6A regular season title with a 42-7 win over Seneca Valley. The Vikings’ Payton Wehner connected with Pete Gonzalez for two scores and Elijah Faulkner scored twice for Central Catholic.

• The Vikings and Raiders have met four times in the WPIAL postseason with Central Catholic winning three times. The Vikings won in the 2009 first round, the 2021 semifinals and in the 2016 WPIAL 6A championship game, 42-7. The Raiders’ lone playoff victory was in the 2018 quarterfinals, 15-14.

Class 5A Northeast Conference

Penn Hills (4-4, 2-1) at North Hills (7-1, 3-1)

7 p.m. Friday, Martorelli Stadium in West View

Coaches: Charles Morris, Penn Hills; Pat Carey, North Hills

On the air: Video stream on Trib HSSN

Last week: Penn Hills 42, Mt. Lebanon 34; North Hills 34, Shaler 10

Players to watch: Naytel Mitchell, Penn Hills (Sr., 5-10, 180, RB/LB); Julius Green, North Hills (Sr., 6-0, 190, RB/DB);

Team notes

Penn Hills: The tide has turned for the Indians following an 0-3 start. They have now won four of their last five games, including a nonconference victory over visiting Mt. Lebanon last week. Penn Hills senior running back Naytel Mitchell ran the ball 29 times and rushed for 182 yards and three touchdowns on runs of 60, 3 and 2 yards. Senior quarterback Jay’mere Ellis was 14 of 21 passing for 183 yards and three touchdowns, two of which went to top target senior Martel Palmer-Mollett, who ended up with eight receptions for 103 yards and scoring catches of 14 and 48 yards.

North Hills: What a season it has been for the Indians, who began the campaign with a three-game winning streak, followed by a five-point loss to undefeated Pine-Richland, then since, have won four consecutive contests, including two straight 5A Northeast Conference victories. North Hills senior running back Julius Green gained 147 yards on 11 carries last week at Shaler, while scoring three times on touchdown runs of 23, 13 and 8 yards. Junior quarterback Kelly McCarthy threw for only 40 yards but has over 700 yards passing and 10 touchdowns for the season.

Historic factoids

• In this battle of Hills, Penn has had the better of North. This is the 40th all-time meeting with Penn Hills holding the lead, 23-15-1.

• This marks the seventh consecutive season these Indians of red have collided. Penn Hills won in 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 and last year by a score of 34-9. North Hills’ lone win in the series over last decade came in 2022.

• These two strong programs have met five times in the WPIAL playoffs. Penn Hills has three wins, claiming victories in the 1979, 2004 and 2008 postseasons while North Hills picked up playoff wins in 1985 and 2002.

Class 4A Big 6 Conference

Laurel Highlands (4-3, 1-2) at Trinity (3-5, 2-1)

7 p.m. Friday, Hiller Field at Trinity MS

Coaches: Richard Kolesar, Laurel Highlands; Dan Knause, Trinity

On the air: Video stream on Trib HSSN

Last week: Belle Vernon 47, Laurel Highlands 10; Trinity 49, Chartiers Valley 21

Players to watch: Antwan Black Jr., Laurel Highlands (Sr., 6-1, 170, WR/DB); Nico Mauro, Trinity (Sr., 5-11, 220, RB/ILB)

Team notes

Laurel Highlands: It was no day at The Beach last week for the Mustangs as they missed their chance to move into second place in the Class 4A Big Six Conference when they lost big to host Belle Vernon. One of the few bright spots for Laurel Highlands was senior wide receiver Antwan Black Jr., who returned a kickoff 82 yards for the lone touchdown on the night for the Mustangs. Black leads the team in scoring with five touchdowns. Senior kicker Tanner Bruzda actually gave Laurel Highlands a short-lived lead with a 36-yard field goal in the opening quarter.

Trinity: It was homecoming for former Chartiers Valley head coach and current Trinity sideline boss Dan Knause as the Hillers visited the Colts in Week 7. While some eyes may have been on the coach during pregame, all eyes shifted to Trinity running back Nico Mauro. The senior carried the ball 28 times and gained 353 yards while scoring five touchdowns on runs of 51, 33, 3, 37 and 58 yards. It may have paled in comparison, but sophomore running back Owen Gardner rushed for 116 yards on seven carries and scored on a 49-yard touchdown run for the Hillers.

Historic factoids

• This is only the 19th meeting between Laurel Highlands and Trinity and the series has been tight with the Hillers holding a 10-8 edge.

• These teams have met each year since 2012. The Hillers won last year, 38-7, ending a three-game winning streak in the series for the Mustangs. The 31-point margin of victory last fall was rare for this series, as the previous four meetings were decided by 12, five, one and three points.

• These teams first met 58 years ago. Trinity defeated Laurel Highlands, 13-6, in the fall of 1966. The two played again in 1967 with the Mustangs winning 21-19, but they didn’t face each other after that until 1992.

Class 3A Western Hills Conference

Hopewell (4-4, 2-2) at No. 3 Central Valley (4-4, 4-1)

7 p.m. Friday, Sarge Alberts Stadium at Central Valley

Coaches: Matt Mottes, Hopewell; Mark Lyons, Central Valley

Last week: Freeport 35, Hopewell 25; Central Valley 52, Quaker Valley 20

Players to watch: James Armstrong, Hopewell (Fr., 6-2, 210, QB); Mason Dixon, Central Valley (Sr., 5-11, 200, RB/LB)

Team notes

Hopewell: This has been a breakout season for the Vikings, who have won four games after winning a total of four games in the last three years combined (one in 2023, three in 2022 and none in 2021). Hopewell is 2-2 in the Class 3A Western Hills Conference and one game behind Central Valley and Beaver for a playoff spot. The Vikings are coming off a nonconference loss to Freeport last week despite another strong game by freshman quarterback James Armstrong, who connected on 13 of 25 passes for 167 yards and two touchdown passes, plus he rushed for 122 yards and a score.

Central Valley: The Warriors look to clinch a playoff spot in their final Class 3A Western Hills Conference contest of the season. Since a rough start against a brutal nonconference schedule, Central Valley has won two straight and four of its last five games. Senior running back Mason Dixon continues to play above the line, as he ran for an average of 17 yards per carry last week at Quaker Valley, gaining 170 yards on only 10 carries and scoring on a 47-yard run. Senior quarterback Steven Rutherford connected on 5 of 6 passes for 113 yards and two touchdowns.

Historic factoids

• History is not on the side of Hopewell on Friday. This is the 13th meeting between the teams and Central Valley holds a decided edge, 11-1 all-time.

• The Vikings won the first meeting in 2010, 26-22. Since then, the Warriors have dominated the series, outscoring the Vikings in their 11 consecutive wins 495-127 for an average score of 45-11.

• Before the merger that formed Central Valley in 2010, Hopewell was 8-12-1 all-time against Monaca and 1-3 against Center.

Class 2A Century Conference

No. 1 Seton LaSalle (7-0, 4-0) at Keystone Oaks (4-3, 4-1)

7 p.m. Friday, Dormont Stadium

Coaches: Tim Storino, Seton LaSalle; Steve McCormick, Keystone Oaks

Last week: Seton LaSalle 65, Shady Side Academy 12; Keystone Oaks 27, Waynesburg Central 7

Players to watch: Khalil Taylor, Seton LaSalle (Soph., 5-11, 185, WR/DB); Billy Bricker, Keystone Oaks (Sr., 5-9, 170, RB/LB)

Team notes

Seton LaSalle: The incredible turnaround story for the Rebels continues as they sit at 7-0 heading into Week 8, this after finishing the 2022 season with a record of 0-10. Following four straight Class 2A Century Conference wins to sit alone in first place, Seton LaSalle went out of conference last week to crush host Shady Side Academy, 65-12. The Rebels scored 33 points in the first quarter thanks to the big-play abilities of sophomore wide receiver Khalil Taylor. He caught four passes for 132 yards and three TDs, returned a kickoff 77 yards for a score and had a 70-yard pick-six, all in the opening quarter.

Keystone Oaks: Following losses in their first two games, the Golden Eagles won three in a row. After a Week 6 loss to Washington by one point, Keystone Oaks was successful in starting what it hopes is another winning streak by beating Waynesburg Central. Senior running back Billy Bricker rushed for 118 yards on 20 carries and scored on a 3-yard run while senior quarterback Brenden Quarles threw for 88 yards and a touchdown and ran for 54 yards and a score as KO won for the fourth time in five weeks and moved into a second-place tie heading into its final 2A Century Conference game.

Historic factoids

• This is only the 27th all-time meeting between Seton LaSalle and Keystone Oaks with the Rebels leading the series, 17-9.

• These are the two closest schools to each other in the state. They are right across the street from each other on McNeilly Road. This is the first meeting between crossstreet neighbors in six years. Before that, the schools faced each other every season between 2008-2018. In that 11-year run, the Rebels were 7-4; however, the Golden Eagles have won two of the last three meetings.

• The first meeting between the two schools was 42 years ago. Seton LaSalle defeated Keystone Oaks, 27-8, in the fall of 1982. KO won in each of the next two years to take its only lead in the series.

Class A Big 7 Conference

Laurel (4-4, 4-0) at South Side (5-2, 3-1)

7 p.m. Friday at Richard J. Ashcroft Athletic Complex at South Side

Coaches: Brian Cooper, Laurel; Luke Travelpiece, South Side

On the air: Video stream on Trib HSSN

Last week: Laurel 28, Shenango 14; Neshannock 21, South Side 19

Players to watch: Luca Santini, Laurel (Jr., 6-0, 170, QB/DB); Andrew Corfield, South Side (Jr., 6-1, 170, RB/DB)

Team notes

Laurel: What a crazy season this has been for the Spartans thus far. Laurel lost its first three games by a combined 14 points, then after losing to Bishop Canevin by 25 points, it has run off four consecutive victories, all in the Class A Big 7 Conference. In a victory last week over Shenango, junior quarterback Luca Santini completed 9 of 17 passes for 171 yards and also rushed for 36 yards and two touchdowns. Senior Jackson Saunders led the ground attack for the Spartans with 74 yards and a TD.

South Side: The Rams won their first four games of the season but have now dropped two of their last three games after falling in a heartbreaker at home last week with first place in the Big 7 Conference at stake. Junior running back Andrew Corfield led South Side with 133 yards on 13 carries and a long touchdown. Freshman quarterback Dawson Frasier threw a scoring pass and senior Mateja Pavlovich scored on a short run as two missed extra points cost the Rams in a two-point loss to the Lancers.

Historic factoids

• This is the 17th all-time meeting between Laurel and South Side. The Spartans have 11 wins, the Rams have 4 victories and there has been one tie.

• Laurel has won eight straight games in this series prior to last season. A year ago, South Side ended the skid with a 35-7 win. Ryan Navarra rushed for 158 yards and scored three touchdowns and Andrew Corfield added 106 yards on the ground for the Rams, who outgained the Spartans 430-213. The previous South Side win over Laurel before last year was in 2004.

• The first meeting between Laurel and South Side was 62 years ago and produced the series’ lone tie. The Spartans and Rams played to a 13-13 deadlock in the fall of 1962.

Tags: Central Catholic, Central Valley, Hopewell, Keystone Oaks, Laurel, Laurel Highlands, North Hills, Penn Hills, Seneca Valley, Seton La Salle, South Side, Trinity