Trib HSSN preview for 2025 PIAA football semifinals

By: Don Rebel
Thursday, November 27, 2025 | 12:01 AM

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Welcome to the PIAA final four with three WPIAL champions in action on Black Friday and the three other District 7 winners taking the field Saturday.

Since expansion to six classifications in 2016, the WPIAL has sent at most five teams to the PIAA finals, both in 2021 and 2023.

A year ago, all six WPIAL champions took part in the state semifinals; however, the post-Thanksgiving days were no feast with only two teams winning and advancing to the PIAA title games.

Here is a look at all six of the state semifinals involving WPIAL teams set for Friday night and Saturday afternoon and evening.

PIAA 6A semifinals

No. 2 Harrisburg (13-0) vs. No. 3 Central Catholic (12-1)

7 p.m. Saturday, Mansion Park in Altoona

Coaches: Calvin Everett, Harrisburg; Ryan Lehmeier, Central Catholic

How they got here: Harrisburg defeated Central Dauphin, Manheim Township and Central York to win the District 3 Class 6A championship. Central Catholic knocked off Canon-McMillan and North Allegheny to claim the WPIAL 6A championship before ousting District 6 winner State College in a state quarterfinal last week.

Last week: Harrisburg 38, Central York 10; Central Catholic 42, State College 21

Winner plays: The winner will play the LaSalle College/North Penn winner in the PIAA 6A championship game at Chapman Field at Cumberland Valley on Saturday, Dec. 6 at 7 p.m.

Players to watch: Messiah Mickens, Harrisburg (Sr., 5-11, 185, RB/WR); Owen Herrick, Central Catholic (Soph., 6-2, 185, QB)

Team notes

Harrisburg: A 19-point second quarter was the difference for the Cougars as they remained undefeated and claimed another District 3 crown with a victory last week over Central York. Senior running back Messiah Mickens averaged over 11 yards per carry with 228 yards rushing on 20 totes to go along with two touchdowns. Harrisburg junior quarterback Mikal Shank Jr. connected on 11 of 14 passes for 184 yards and three touchdowns, two to Jaiyon Lewis and one to Elias Coke.

Central Catholic: There was no district championship slumber for the Vikings last week as they broke a 7-7 first-quarter tie with 35 unanswered points through three quarters in the PIAA quarterfinal win over State College. Central Catholic sophomore quarterback Owen Herrick threw for 244 yards and three touchdowns to Chrys Black Jr., Aiden Nasiadka and Maceo-King Watkins. Black led the Vikings rushing attack with 107 yards and a 23-yard touchdown run.

Historic factoids

• This is the third meeting between Harrisburg and Central Catholic. The Vikings won both previous matchups in the PIAA postseason. The two were scheduled to open the 2020 season in Week Zero, but the game was postponed due to covid.

• A year ago in the PIAA semifinals, Central Catholic edged Harrisburg, 38-33, with the Vikings and Cougars combining for 43 points in the second quarter while the two scored a total of 18 points in the other three quarters combined. Central Catholic running back Elijah Faulkner rushed for 131 yards and a touchdown and quarterback Jy’Aire Walls threw for 89 yards and two scores. Jaiyon Lewis threw for 236 yards and a touchdown for Harrisburg. The game wasn’t decided until a Chrys Black Jr. interception in the end zone in the final seconds.

• In the only other meeting between the two with a berth in the 2007 PIAA championship game at stake, Central Catholic defeated Harrisburg, 14-6. Vikings senior linebacker Jon Petrigac returned a fumble 62 yards for a touchdown.

• Central Catholic is 20-6 all-time in PIAA playoff games, including a 8-1 record in state semifinals. The Vikings have defeated Brashear, State College (twice), Bishop McDevitt, Harrisburg (twice), Lower Dauphin, Cumberland Valley and Wilson West Lawn, while the one final four loss was to St. Joseph’s Prep in 2019.

• Harrisburg is making its eighth trip to the PIAA postseason and has an all-time record of 3-7, including 3-3 in semifinals. The Cougars’ three wins came in 2016 against West Allegheny, 2018 against Coatesville and 2022 against State College. The three losses were to Central Catholic in 2007 and 2024 and to North Allegheny in the 2023 PIAA final four.

PIAA 5A semifinals

No. 3 Bishop McDevitt (11-2) vs. No. 1 Peters Township (13-0)

1 p.m. Saturday, Mansion Park in Altoona

Coaches: Jeff Weachter, Bishop McDevitt; T.J. Plack, Peters Township

How they got here: Bishop McDevitt defeated Mechanicsburg, Exeter Township and Solanco to win the District 3 championship. Peters Township ousted Bethel Park, Upper St. Clair and Pine-Richland in the WPIAL playoffs to win District 7 gold.

Last week: Bishop McDevitt 38, Solanco 20; Peters Township 20, Pine-Richland 19

Winner plays: The winner will play the Roman Catholic/Springfield-Delco winner in the PIAA 5A championship game at Chapman Field at Cumberland Valley on Friday, Dec. 5 at 7 p.m.

Players to watch: Sebastian Williams, Bishop McDevitt (Jr., 6-2, 198, QB); Cole Neupaver, Peters Township (Sr., 5-10, 185, RB/DB)

Team notes

Bishop McDevitt: Since opening the season with losses to Clarkson North out of Canada and Class 6A semifinalist Harrisburg, the Crusaders have won 11 straight games and have scored at least 34 points in each of those wins. During its win streak, Bishop McDevitt has only allowed double-digit points four times. In the District 3 title game, junior quarterback Sebastian Williams threw for 265 yards and a touchdown while running backs Nazir Jones-Davis and Jerome Larue combined for 217 yards and two touchdowns.

Peters Township: The Indians pulled off one of the most impressive comebacks in WPIAL title game history last week. Peters Township was held to 38 total yards of offense on 18 plays with two first downs in the first half and trailed Pine-Richland 19-0. The Indians came to life in the second half, though, thanks to senior running back Cole Neupaver, who helped turn the momentum on a 74-yard third-quarter scoring run. He added fourth-quarter TDs of 22 yards and 1 yard as PT won district gold for the second time in three years. James Spratt had 22 tackles for the Indians defense, which has five shutouts this year.

Historic factoids

• This is the first meeting between Bishop McDevitt and Peters Township.

• There are two schools in the state named Bishop McDevitt. One is in Wyncote near Philadelphia in District 12. These Bishop McDevitt Crusaders are located in Harrisburg in District 3.

• Peters Township is appearing in the PIAA postseason for only the second time and has a record in state playoff games of 2-1, including 1-0 in the semifinals. The Indians defeated Cathedral Prep and Cocalico in the 2023 quarterfinals and semifinals before falling to Imhotep Charter in the 5A finals.

• In 16 previous appearances, Bishop McDevitt has a 12-13 record in the PIAA postseason, including 7-8 in semifinals. The Crusaders are 4-4 against WPIAL teams in the state playoffs with victories over Burrell in 1995, Montour in 2011, Aliquippa in 2022 and Pine-Richland in 2024. The losses were to Central Catholic in 2004, McKeesport in 2005, Central Valley in 2014 and Aliquippa in 2021.

PIAA 4A semifinals

No. 2 Twin Valley (13-0) vs. No. 3 Aliquippa (10-3)

7 p.m. Friday, Kish Bank Field at Donald M. Chapman Stadium at Mifflin County

Coaches: Brett Myers, Twin Valley; Mike Warfield, Aliquippa

How they got here: Twin Valley eliminated West Perry, West York and Susquehanna Township to win the District 3 championship. Aliquippa knocked off Trinity, New Castle and top-seeded McKeesport to claim its record 21st WPIAL crown before defeating Oil City in the PIAA quarterfinals a week ago.

Last week: Twin Valley 41, Susquehanna Township 21; Aliquippa 28, Oil City 6

Winner plays: The winner will play the Southern Lehigh/Cardinal O’Hara winner in the PIAA 4A championship game at Chapman Field at Cumberland Valley on Thursday, Dec. 4 at 7 p.m.

Players to watch: Drew Engle, Twin Valley (Sr., 5-11, 190, RB/FS); Marques Council Jr., Aliquippa (Sr., 6-2, 191, QB)

Team notes

Twin Valley: The Raiders made history this season in winning its first District 3 championship. Twin Valley has dominated this season in winning all 13 of its games. The 20-point triumph in the District 3 title game last week was the closest margin of victory all season. Raiders senior running back Drew Engle had a huge game last week, rushing for 283 yards and three touchdowns. Twin Valley quarterback Maverik Foster hit Ben Grundy on a 45-yard touchdown and also added a scoring run in the win.

Aliquippa: There was no district title hangover for the Quips, who bounced back from the emotional victory over McKeesport in the WPIAL finals the previous week with a businesslike performance against District 10 winner Oil City. Akiva Woods and J.J. Work combined for 15 carries and 135 yards on the ground for Aliquippa with each adding a touchdown run. Following his big performance in the District 7 finals, Quips quarterback Marques Council Jr. threw for 98 yards and a TD and QaLil Goode raced 100 yards with a pick-six.

Historic factoids

• This is the first meeting between Twin Valley and Aliquippa.

• This is the 14th appearance in the PIAA playoffs for Aliquippa with an all-time record of 20-8. The Quips are 10-3 in state semifinals with wins over Bradford, Forest Hills, Sharon twice, Slippery Rock, Richland, Martinsburg Central, Jersey Shore, Allentown Central Catholic and Selinsgrove. The three losses were to Tyrone twice and Wilmington.

• Aliquippa last won a PIAA semifinal two years ago when it beat Selinsgrove. Since losing to Tyrone in the 2011 final four, the Quips have won six straight state semis.

• This is the first appearance in the PIAA postseason for Twin Valley coming off its first District 3 championship. This is the 30th season for Raiders football, which began playing in 1996.

PIAA Class 3A semifinals

No. 3 Penn Cambria (12-2) vs. No. 2 Avonworth (13-0)

7 p.m. Friday, Andy Kuzneski Field at Indiana HS

Coaches: Jason Grassi, Penn Cambria; Duke Johncour, Avonworth

How they got here: Penn Cambria won another District 6 3A title with wins over Forest Hills and Huntigdon before knocking off Brockway in the PIAA first round and Sharon in the state quarterfinals. Avonworth repeated as WPIAL 3A champions with victories over Freeport, North Catholic and Imani Christian by a combined score of 130-37.

Last week: Penn Cambria 12, Sharon 7; Avonworth 30, Imani Christian 6

Winner plays: The winner will play the Camp Hill Trinity/Northwestern Lehigh winner in the PIAA 3A championship game at Chapman Field at Cumberland Valley on Saturday, Dec. 6 at 1 p.m.

Players to watch: Corbin Vinglish, Penn Cambria (Jr., 5-11, 215, RB/MLB); Luca Neal, Avonworth (Sr., 5-10, 190, WR/OLB/S)

Team notes

Penn Cambria: Following two wins in August to begin the season, the Panthers suffered their first loss to Forest Hills in Week 2. The team then won six games in a row before losing the regular season finale to 4A Clearfield. Since then, it defeated Forest Hills and Huntingdon in the District 6 playoffs and Brockway and Sharon in the PIAA postseason by combined scores of 113-20. The Panthers have been paced on the ground by junior running back Corbin Vinglish, who ran for 102 yards and a score last week.

Avonworth: The Antelopes have been dominating all season, so it’s no surprise they registered the lone blowout at the WPIAL championship games at Acrisure Stadium last week. It impressively came against an Imani Christian team that had dominated their opponents to the tune of a 12-0 record as well before the finals. Antelopes coaches waited until late in the second quarter to unleash senior wide receiver and wildcat quarterback Luca Neal. He ran for 111 yards and scored on a 67-yard backbreaking touchdowns right before halftime.

Historic factoids

• This is the second meeting between Penn Cambria and Avonworth.

• The first clash between the two came in the 2024 PIAA semifinals, won by Avonworth in the snow, 16-6. Luca Neal ran wild, rushing for 255 yards on 25 carries with both Antelopes touchdowns. Gavin Harrold ran for 80 yards and a score for the Panthers.

• This is only the third appearance for Avonworth in the PIAA playoffs. The Antelopes are 2-2 overall — 2-0 in the semifinals with wins over Wilmington in 2019 and Penn Cambria in 2024.

• This is the second appearance in the PIAA postseason for Penn Cambria, which was established in 1966 and is 15 miles west of Altoona. The Panthers are now 4-1 in the state playoffs but 0-1 in the semifinals after losing to Avonworth last season.

PIAA 2A semifinals

No. 2 Farrell (12-2) vs. No. 4 Seton LaSalle (12-1)

1 p.m. Saturday, Helling Stadium in Ellwood City

Coaches: Anthony Pegues, Farrell; Tim Storino, Seton LaSalle

How they got here: Farrell defeated Eisenhower and Mercyhurst Prep to win the District 10 championship before knocking off Karns City in the PIAA first round and Richland in the state quarterfinals. Seton LaSalle eliminated Mohawk, Washington and Steel Valley to capture its sixth WPIAL championship and first since 2004.

Last week: Farrell 32, Richland 14; Seton LaSalle 21, Steel Valley 14

Winner plays: The winner will play the Southern Columbia/Lansdale Catholic winner in the PIAA 2A championship game at Chapman Field at Cumberland Valley on Friday, Dec. 5 at 1 p.m.

Players to watch: Juelz Johnson, Farrell (Sr., 6-0, 180, RB/SS); Will Martin, Seton LaSalle (Sr., 6-3, 215, WR/LB)

Team notes

Farrell: The season started for the Steelers with a loss to Hickory in Week Zero. Following five straight wins, Farrell fell to Steubenville (Ohio) before winning seven consecutive games. The Steelers were impressive in their two District 10 playoff games, outscoring Eisenhower and Mercyhurst Prep 110-7. After beating Karns City in the PIAA first round, Farrell defeated Richland in the quarters thanks to senior running back Juelz Johnson, who rushed for 199 yards and four touchdowns.

Seton LaSalle: The Rebels trailed Steel Valley 14-0 in the WPIAL 2A title game and had just turned the ball over for a second straight possession in the third quarter. They were in dire need of a spark. Enter senior Will Martin, who picked off a Tryce Barron pass and turned the momentum toward the green and gold. Seton LaSalle was moving the ball, but decided to bring Martin in as a wildcat quarterback and it paid off, as he rushed for 47 yards but more importantly scored three touchdowns in the comeback win.

Historic factoids

• This is the fourth meeting between Farrell and Seton LaSalle and the first time they have met in 45 years.

• In the three previous clashes, the Steelers and Rebels each won once and also played to a tie. Farrell won the first meeting in 1973, 21-6. The following season, the teams played to a 6-6 tie. The last time they met was in the 1980 WPIAL Class 2A playoffs with Seton LaSalle winning big, 35-0, on its way to a second straight district crown.

• This is the 16th appearance in the PIAA playoffs for Farrell with an overall record of 26-11. The Steelers are 6-6 in state semifinals. They own final four wins over Smethport twice, Moshannon Valley, Berlin-Brothersvalley, Our Lady of the Sacred Heart and Clairton while their six losses have all come against District 7 opponents in Serra Catholic, Jeannette and Clairton four times.

• Seton LaSalle is making its fourth trip to the PIAA postseason and has an overall record of 2-3. The Rebels have played in two state semifinals, and they are a perfect 2-0 with victories over Perry in 1990 and Forest Hills in 2002.

PIAA Class A semifinals

No. 4 Greenville (12-1) vs. No. 1 Clairton (13-1)

7 p.m. Friday, Helling Stadium in Ellwood City

Coaches: Michael Menold, Greenville; Wayne Wade, Clairton

How they got here: Greenville won the District 10 championship with wins over Reynolds and Wilmington before eliminating 2024 PIAA runner-up Port Allegany in the state quarterfinals. Clairton captured the school’s 15th WPIAL championship and first since 2019 by defeating Monessen, Jeannette, Bishop Canevin and Laurel.

Last week: Greenville 36, Port Allegany 28; Clairton 8, Laurel 6

Winner plays: The winner will play the Bishop Guilfoyle/Belmont Charter winner in the PIAA Class A championship game at Chapman Field at Cumberland Valley on Thursday, Dec. 4 at 1 p.m.

Players to watch: Rudy Gentile, Greenville (Sr., 5-7, 155, RB/OLB); Jeff Thompson III, Clairton (Sr., 6-1, 170, QB/FS)

Team notes

Greenville: Since losing to Wilmington in Week Zero, the Trojans have won 12 straight games, including avenging their only loss by beating the Greyhounds in the District 10 finals for their first D-10 title since 1999. In the state quarterfinals, Greenville bounced District 9 champion Port Allegany by breaking a 22-22 tie and outscoring the Gators 14-6 in the final quarter. Senior running back Rudy Gentile rushed for 202 yards on 23 carries and scored two touchdowns.

Clairton: The 15th football championship for the Bears did not come easy against Laurel last week. A Clairton team that rode a dominating defense all season with nine shutouts in 12 games coming in led by eight when the Spartans scored in the fourth quarter; however, a stop of a two-point conversion and another stop late in the game was the difference. Senior quarterback Jeff Thompson III threw for only 61 yards but connected with Brandon Murphy on a 12-yard scoring pass right before halftime.

Historic factoids

• This is the first meeting between Greenville and Clairton.

• In the PIAA postseason, Greenville is 0-2 against WPIAL opponents and Clairton is 6-2 against teams from District 10.

• This is 12th appearance for Clairton in the PIAA playoffs with a 18-7 record. In the state semifinals, the Bears are 7-3 with wins over Farrell four times, Sharpsville twice and Port Allegany and losses to Keystone, West Middlesex and Farrell. The loss to Farrell in 2019 snapped a seven-game PIAA semifinal win streak for Clairton.

• This is the fifth appearance in the PIAA postseason for Greenville. It is 3-4 overall and 0-2 in semifinals with losses to Blackhawk in 1993 and again in 1996.

Tags: Aliquippa, Avonworth, Central Catholic, Clairton, Peters Township, Seton La Salle