Trib HSSN football player of the week for Sept. 14, 2025

By: Don Rebel
Sunday, September 14, 2025 | 10:06 PM

Trib HSSN football player of the week: Scoop Smith

School: Woodland Hills

Class: Senior

Height/Weight: 5-foot-6, 150

Position: Wide receiver, cornerback

#Earned: The dynamic senior wide receiver has been known to do some special things on the football fields, basketball courts and tracks around Western Pennsylvania, and in a big showdown to open up the 5A Big East Conference, he did not disappoint. Smith had one catch for 20 yards, but it was on special teams in the first quarter where he helped lead Woodland Hills past previously undefeated Penn-Trafford. Following a Warriors touchdown that put them up 7-6, the Wolverines responded when Anthony Barron fielded the ensuing kickoff and lateraled to Smith, who then raced 65 yards for the score. Seconds later, P-T went back on top on a long scoring run only to have Smith return the following kick 80 yards for a touchdown. Two kickoff returns in a span of nearly 45 seconds that helped give the Wolverines momentum and led the to 28-point victory.

Background: Smith might not be blessed with size, but his incredible heart and athletic ability have allowed him to commit to play his college football at Miami (Ohio). Smith is a three-sport star who twice has been all-state in the 100-meter dash and helped the Wolverines knock off Seneca Valley in a WPIAL 6A first-round basketball playoff game last year before falling to eventual district champion Upper St. Clair in the quarterfinals. For the season, Smith leads the team with 13 receptions for 170 yards, an average of 13.1 yards per catch. He also is tops in scoring with six touchdowns through four games, with two touchdowns in each of the Wolverines last two games. As a junior, Smith had 38 receptions for 630 yards and 15 touchdowns. He was second on the team in rushing with 352 yards on 27 carries and even threw a touchdown pass and was named first team 5A Big East all-conference. Smith also thrives in the classroom, with a 3.8 GPA.

What coach says: “Scoop is a consistent threat to change the game each week we take the field,” Woodland Hills coach Brian Tarrant said. “Nothing stands out anymore. His ability to make plays is something we rely on heavily.

“His ability to make a guy miss, then destroy the other (return) coverage lanes is remarkable. Certainly his speed is a major factor, but his ability to make tacklers miss is what usually starts the big return.

“He’s been consistently great in all aspects of the game. This season, he’s tuned in. He suggests calls, reminds me of calls, and is really in the moment. He’s a student of the game, and it’s really been more evident this year.

“I always say he’s a special player, but he’s an even more special person. He competes as hard as he can, but he cares about his teammates and the program. He designed our travel suits this year and got them made. His imprint will be left on our program forever. He’s a great person, and we all love him for that first. It also helps that he’s the best player in the WPIAL, and he goes to our school.”

WPIAL Week 3 Honorable Mentions

Tristyn Tavares: Norwin

While Central Catholic and North Allegheny continue to be a cut above the other five teams in Class 6A, the first head-to-head contest between the other teams that will help determine two playoffs spots was a smash hit for Norwin. The Knights improved to 3-1 overall thanks, in part, to senior quarterback Tavares, who completed 6 of 9 passes for 88 yards and three touchdowns and ran for 98 yards and two scores as Norwin routed host Seneca Valley, 56-13.

Aaron Strader: Pine-Richland

Conference favorite Pine-Richland was on the road for the 5A Northeast Conference opener and put its offense on display for all of the fans at Martorelli Stadium to soak in. The Rams dropped 35 points by halftime as junior quarterback Strader completed 14 of 27 passes for 331 yards while tossing touchdowns to Jay Timmons, Khalil Taylor and Jalen Neals, plus he scored on an 18-yard run in the opening quarter as Pine-Richland rolled past North Hills, 48-6.

Travis Clear: Beaver

It is hard to believe that Hopewell junior quarterback and recent Trib HSSN Player of the Week James Armstrong had more than 600 yards from scrimmage — 346 passing and 263 rushing — and his Vikings still lost. That is because Beaver senior quarterback Travis Clear also had a monster game, completing 18 of 38 passes for 391 yards and touchdown passes to Micah Pupi (80 yards) and Junior Marino (23 yards) in a wild 3A Western Hills Conference opener as Beaver edged Hopewell, 51-50.

Jeff Thompson: Clairton

Fresh off an open week after Shady Side Academy postponed its game at Clairton in Week 2, the Bears traveled to Greensburg Central Catholic and took their frustrations out on the Centurions. Clairton senior quarterback Thompson completed 18 of his 23 passes for 288 yards and tossed two touchdowns to Donte Wright (24 and 19 yards) and another to Deon Lovelace-Pompey (17 yards), plus he scored on a 1-yard plunge in a one-sided win at GCC, 43-0.

2025 HSSN Players of the Week

Week 2: Joey Felitsky and Logan Schade, North Catholic

Week 1: James Armstrong, Hopewell

Week Zero: Gabriel Jenkins, Imani Christian