Westmoreland County high school football playoff matchups for Oct. 31, 2025

By: Bill Beckner Jr. And Paul Schofield
Wednesday, October 29, 2025 | 6:29 PM

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Class 3A First round

11-Derry (6-4) at 6-Highlands (7-4)

7 p.m. Friday, Golden Rams Stadium, Natrona Heights

Last week: Derry 47, Yough 20; Highlands 45, Valley 0

Playoff record: Derry 5-14; Highlands 11-25

WPIAL titles: Derry 0; Highlands 0

Last playoff appearance: Derry 2023; Highlands 2024

Winner plays: 3-Central Valley (6-4) in quarterfinals

• Derry takes a three-game winning streak into the postseason. The Trojans, who last made the playoffs in 2023 (in Class 2A), are seeking their first postseason win since 2019. A big line has propelled the running game, while the passing attack has been more present of late. Max Doherty has rushed for 1,215 yards and 17 touchdowns. Dylan Pitzer (6-7, 273 pounds) and Aiden Piper (6-4, 300) are key blockers up front. Watch Max Doperak at receiver and defensive back. He also kicks for the Trojans. … Highlands has won five in a row heading into the tournament. Tevin Owen-Cratsenberg, the brother of former Highlands standout Allen Cratsenberg, has been a force offensively. He ran for 130 yards last week as the Golden Rams locked up a home playoff game. He has 1,434 yards and 24 touchdowns. Jamarkus Parker has passed for 1,093 yards. The Golden Rams, coached by alum and former UConn quarterback Matt Bonislawski, beat Southmoreland in the first round last year, 56-20, before falling to Imani Christian in the quarterfinals, 31-17.

10-Hopewell (6-4) at 7-Southmoreland (9-1)

7 p.m. Friday, Russ Grimm Field, Alverton

Last week: North Catholic 44, Hopewell 36; Southmoreland 38, Greensburg Salem 0

Playoff history: Hopewell 17-11, Southmoreland 0-6

WPIAL titles: Hopewell 1, Southmoreland 0

Last playoff appearance: Hopewell 2012, Southmoreland 2024

Winner plays: No. 2 Imani Christian in the quarterfinals

• Hopewell and Southmoreland have NFL and Pitt ties. Hall of Fame running Tony Dorsett played at Hopewell, and Russ Grimm went to Southmoreland. … The last time Hopewell played in the WPIAL playoffs was 2012. Sophomore quarterback James “Booboo” Armstrong has thrown for 2,015 yards and 19 touchdowns. He has four targets with 20 or more receptions. Running back Nasir Wade has rushed for 1,152 yards and has 23 catches for 361 yards. He has scored 14 touchdowns. The Vikings average 39.4 points and allow 19.4 points per game. … Southmoreland coach Dustin Shoaf is the youngest coach in the WPIAL. Sophomores Averyon Darnell and Jackson Mickens share the running back duties. QB Dawson Wolfe has thrown for 1,068 yards and 11 touchdowns and rushed for 318 yards and eight touchdowns. The Scotties average 31 points per game and allow 9.1.

Class A First round

14-Greensburg Central Catholic (5-5) at 3-Bishop Canevin (7-3)

7 p.m. Friday, Dormont Stadium, Dormont

Last week: Greensburg Central Catholic 36, Leechburg 7; Bishop Canevin 43, Burgettstown 0

Playoff record: Greensburg Central Catholic 21-25; 29-20

WPIAL titles: Greensburg Central Catholic 1; Bishop Canevin 2

Last playoff appearance: Greensburg Central Catholic 2024; Bishop Canevin 2024

Winner plays: Winner of 11-Frazier (6-4)/6-California (9-1) in quarterfinals

• Greensburg Central Catholic turned heads with a big win over Leechburg that undoubtedly landed it in the playoffs. Samir Crosby, the unquestioned engine of this team, ran for 150 yards and two touchdowns and also passed for 176 yards and three TDs. Crosby had moved back to quarterback while Bobby Smithnosky, who started the year at QB, is now playing receiver. Jerry Davis has plenty to offer the Centurions on both sides of the ball, and James Botti is a durable lineman and leader. GCC made the quarterfinals last year and lost to rival Jeannette. … Bishop Canevin finished second to No. 2 seed and defending champion Fort Cherry in the Black Hills Conference. The Crusaders average 33.8 points a game. Their losses are to Fort Cherry, Seton LaSalle and Clarkson North, a team from Canada. Brady Wagner makes the offense go at quarterback, and Alex Kirk is a key rusher. Myontae Mott is a dangerous receiver who had two scoring receptions against Fort Cherry. Bishop Canevin made the semifinals last year and lost to Clairton, 24-0.

15-Monessen (6-4) at 2-Clairton (8-1)

7 p.m. Friday, Tyler Boyd Stadium, Clairton

Last week: Monessen 30, Cornell 28; Clairton 53, Brentwood 0

Playoff history: Monessen 19-35-1; Clairton 75-28.

WPIAL titles: Monessen 2, Clairton 14

Last playoff appearance: Monessen, 2024; Clairton 2024

Winner plays: winner of Jeannette/Bentworth game in the quarterfinals

• Clairton defeated Monessen, 48-0, in the 2008 playoffs. … Monessen has made four consecutive playoff appearances. Tavian Taylor has had a solid season for the Greyhounds, rushing for 731 yards and catching 12 passes for 194 yards. He has scored 13 touchdowns. QB Kaier Payne has completed 33 of 76 passes for 604 yards. … Clairton has not allowed a point in eight consecutive games. The Bears are averaging 53.4 points and allowing 2.1 points per game. Their only loss was 19-12 to Class 3A second seed Imani Christian. Quarterback Jeff Thompson has completed 92 of 116 passes for 1,712 yards and 28 touchdowns. Taris Wooding has 24 catches for 493 yards and Brandon Murphy 20 for 352.

Tags: Bishop Canevin, Clairton, Derry Area, Greensburg C.C., Highlands, Hopewell, Monessen, Southmoreland