Westmoreland County high school football matchups for 2025 Week Zero

By: Bill Beckner Jr.
Wednesday, August 20, 2025 | 5:31 PM

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Here’s a look at the don’t-miss matchups for Week Zero in Westmoreland County:

Nonconference

Connellsville at Latrobe

7 p.m. Friday, Latrobe Memorial Stadium, Latrobe

Last year’s meeting: Latrobe 41, Connellsville 0

Connellsville, which plays an independent schedule outside the WPIAL, finished 3-6 last season. Senior quarterback Caden Matthews leads the offense. This will be his second season since transferring from Southmoreland. … Latrobe, led by first-year coach Tom McIntyre, could use two quarterbacks in juniors Dom Scarton and Ty Wisniewski. Andy Tatsch, a senior wide receiver and defensive back, is a Lehigh commit. Watch senior lineman Lucas Kolenc (6-3, 300).

Greensburg Salem at Albert Gallatin

7 p.m. Friday, Georges Athletic Field, Uniontown

Last year’s meeting: Greensburg Salem 28, Albert Gallatin 6

The Golden Lions are coming off a 7-4 season that saw them finish tied for second in the WPIAL Class 3A Interstate Conference with Mt. Pleasant and Southmoreland behind Elizabeth Forward. The Lions will rely on junior quarterback Brody Chismar to lead the offense. He threw for 1,000 yards and 15 touchdowns and rushed for 621 yards and four scores. … The Colonials continue to play an independent schedule against schools from West Virginia, Maryland and Pittsburgh City League. The Colonials like to run the ball. They return quarterback Bronx Jamison and running backs Adam Pegg (645 yards rushing) and Tee Guesman (559).

Jeannette at Mt. Pleasant

7 p.m. Friday, Mt. Pleasant Area Stadium, Mt. Pleasant

Last year’s meeting: Jeannette 28, Mt. Pleasant 27

Jeannette returns several key offensive weapons from last year’s WPIAL Class A semifinal team, including senior quarterback Kymon’e Brown and junior receiver Jayce Powell, along with fourth-year starter Wyatt Schaeffer leading the linemen. Jeannette rallied in the fourth quarter to edge Mt. Pleasant last year, with Powell scoring on a 74-yard catch-and-run with three minutes remaining. Powell had six catches for 190 yards and three touchdowns. … Mt. Pleasant returns all five starters on the offensive line and will look to junior Steve Predajna to run the ball. Senior Dane Firmstone and sophomore Cole Hart were competing for the starting quarterback job.

Ligonier Valley at Derry

7 p.m. Friday, Trojan Stadium, Derry

Last year’s meeting: Ligonier Valley 20, Derry 7

The Rams are coming off a 3-7 season, but a hard offseason has the players thinking about returning to the recent glory days when they competed for District 6 2A titles. Ligonier Valley coach Roger Beitel said all starting positions are open. Quarterback Bowie Schreyer returns but he is being pushed by freshman Levi Foust and others. Also back is wide receiver Cam Kunkle, who is returning from a knee injury. He caught 11 passes for 202 yards. … Derry is coming off a 3-7 season. A big line led by Dylan Pitzer and Aiden Piper hopes to open holes for running back Justin Papuga and protect quarterback Anthony Sacco. Middle linebacker Brady Brown anchors the defense.

Monessen at Charleroi

7 p.m. Friday, Myron Pottios Stadium, Charleroi

Last year’s meeting: Monessen 59, Charleroi 12

Monessen is coming off a good season in a tough conference. Running back TyVaughn Kershaw, who ran for 1,554 yards and scored 30 touchdowns last season, is no longer on the roster. Quarterback Dennis Hawkins also is back, throwing for 1,031 yards and 11 touchdowns. … Running back Nate Rock returns for the Cougars. Scooter DeUnger, a Charleroi graduate, takes over for Tyler Aeschbacher, who resigned after two seasons.

North Hills at Hempfield

7 p.m. Friday, Spartan Stadium, Greensburg

Last year’s meeting: North Hills 22, Hempfield 0

North Hills held the Spartans in check last season in a shutout, which was part of a 3-0 start. Brody Zangaro is the Indians’ interim head coach. Pat Carey is on a one-year sabbatical due to health concerns. The defense should be solid again, led by nose tackle Jalil McGinley and defensive backs Josiah Mathis and Joey Lutz (103 tackles, six sacks). Senior Kelly McCarthy is a second-year starter at quarterback. … Hempfield has talent at the skill positions, but senior tackle Brock Heisler, a Harvard commit, will need help up front. Senior running back Aidan Stinebiser has breakaway ability, while senior Jack Kopas is a dependable receiver.

Plum at Franklin Regional

7 p.m. Friday, Franklin Regional HS Stadium, Murrysville

Last year’s meeting: Franklin Regional 42, Plum 7

The Mustangs are coming off a disappointing 2-8 season. They will rely on the running back duo of Elijah Jackson and C.J. Hart to carry the offense. Both are sprinters on the track team. … Franklin Regional has a lot of holes to fill. The Panthers struggled in their scrimmage against Norwin. It looks like sophomore Dom Devola will get the first shot at quarterback. Senior Jet Taylor looks to start at running back. Matt Moore looks like a leader.

Shady Side Academy at Greensburg Central Catholic

7 p.m. Friday, Centurion Stadium, Carbon

Last year’s meeting: Greensburg Central Catholic 46, Shady Side Academy 40

If this opener is anything like last year’s, buckle up. GCC trailed 32-10 in the second quarter before rallying behind Samir Crosby’s six-touchdown effort to win. Crosby ran for five TDs and threw for another. Crosby is a Division I prospect with a dozen offers. Also watch speedy senior receiver and defensive back Jerry Davis. Crosby and sophomore Bobby Smithnosky both played quarterback in a scrimmage against Derry. … Shady Side Academy, which finished 2-8 last year, has undergone a number of changes, from its coach to its starters. Andrew Geisler, the Bulldogs’ first-year coach, is a 2012 Shady Side alum. He played at Saint Vincent. Quarterback Cam Mallory will move to tight end, while Javon Johnston, switches from receiver to quarterback.

Southmoreland at Valley

7 p.m. Friday, Memorial Stadium, New Kensington

Last year’s meeting: Southmoreland 45, Valley 20

Southmoreland has a new coach and quarterback as it pushes for its fifth straight playoff run. Junior quarterback Dawson Wolfe takes over for sophomore Anthony Smith, who transferred to Seton LaSalle. Sophomore Jackson Mickens (RB/TE/DE) has Division I offers from Sacramento State, Akron and Miami (Ohio). Junior Gabe Kubasky could be a spark after missing last season with an injury. … Valley is coached by Mark Adams, who used to be the coach at Southmoreland. The Vikings went 0-10 last year and are on a 15-game losing streak. Senior Brandon Knuckles takes over at quarterback. Junior Sean Wilkerson (6-3) could be a go-to target. The Vikings have not made the WPIAL playoffs in the six-classification era.

West Allegheny at Belle Vernon

7 p.m. Friday, James Weir Stadium, Belle Vernon

Last year’s meeting: Did not play

West Allegheny, which went 4-4 last year, didn’t play its first two games due to weather issues. Games against Chartiers Valley and McGuffey were suspended due to lightning, never resumed and ruled “no-contests.” The Indians will be led by junior Brodie Cornell, who takes the primary rushing duty from his brother, Brock. West Allegheny runs the wildcat often and effectively. Junior Tyler Hatton returns from an injury and will help the team as a tight end and defensive end. … Belle Vernon will debut with a new coach in former assistant Scott Bryer. He replaced Matt Humbert, who resigned after 11 seasons that included two WPIAL and two PIAA championships. Senior Curty Wade will be the quarterback and should be a dual threat, while senior Deaubre Lightfoot can be a playmaker at running back. Junior Cam Jenko is a defensive lineman to watch. The Leopards traditionally play a second scrimmage in lieu of a Week Zero opener, but Bryer made the change.

Yough at Brentwood

7 p.m. Friday, Brentwood Stadium, Brentwood

Last year’s meeting: Yough 40, Brentwood 0

The Cougars look to continue to build on last year’s success. The Cougars were 3-7 in 2024. They will rely on a strong running game led by senior transfer Braiden Snyder (Morgantown, W.Va.) and sophomore Johnny Gergely. Aidan Shaffer moved from wide receiver to quarterback, and his main target will be Ryan Sarver. … Brentwood finished 4-7 in 2024 and will be led by quarterback Cedric Davis and WPIAL and PIAA 2A triple jump champion Daysaun Spencer, who will play running back. Davis is a four-year starter.

Bill Beckner Jr. is a TribLive reporter covering local sports in Westmoreland County. He can be reached at bbeckner@triblive.com.

Tags: Albert Gallatin, Belle Vernon, Brentwood, Charleroi, Connellsville, Derry Area, Franklin Regional, Greensburg C.C., Greensburg Salem, Hempfield, Jeannette, Latrobe, Ligonier Valley, Monessen, Mt. Pleasant, North Hills, Plum, Shady Side Academy, Southmoreland, Valley, West Allegheny, Yough