WPIAL Class 2A preview: Seton LaSalle roster changes leave title race wide open

By: Jonathan Bombulie
Sunday, August 17, 2025 | 7:01 AM

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As of the middle of July, there was a clear favorite in WPIAL Class 2A football this season.

With 2,000-yard passer Anthony Smith throwing to game-breaking receiver Khalil Taylor, Seton LaSalle was looking like the team to beat.

But sometimes life gets in the way, even at private schools.

On July 21, Smith was ruled ineligible for this season as the WPIAL deemed his transfer from Southmoreland to be at least partially motivated by athletics. A few days later, news broke that Taylor had transferred to Pine-Richland. A few days after that, word spread that another playmaking pass-catcher, Tre Littlejohn, was headed to Penn Hills.

The Rebels, of course, are hardly bereft of talent. Aaron Loritts and Will Martin are a terrifying pass rush combo. Loritts is headed to Monmouth and Martin to Duquesne.

“A lot of respect for the talent that they have,” said Brian Abbey, who coached South Park past Seton LaSalle in last year’s championship game.

But with the Rebels’ roster changes, it now looks like the field has opened up.

Could Steel Valley be the team that steps to the fore?

The Ironmen have made it to at least the WPIAL semifinals each year they’ve had a Barksdale in the backfield, and though 5,000-yard rusher Donald is off to Youngstown State, Pitt recruit Da’Ron is back for his senior season.

“We’ve got a lot of good athletes in double-A, you know?” Steel Valley coach Ray Braszo said. “Not the biggest programs, but athletes. You get a couple of Division I kids on a team here and there, and it makes a big difference in double-A.”

There’s a good chance Steel Valley and South Park will slug it out for the Allegheny Conference crown.

South Park graduated record-setting running back Eric Doerue and all five starters from an earth-moving offensive line, but quarterback Robert Lenzi returns to lead the still-dangerous Eagles.

“We’re looking at it as reloading,” Abbey said. “We have a lot of guys that gained a lot of valuable experience coming back.”

Don’t forget about South Allegheny, which has an experienced roster led by all-conference receiver Drew Cook, the WPIAL’s leader in receiving yards last season with 1,490.

Meanwhile, in the Century Conference, Washington has the firepower to contend with Seton LaSalle. The Prexies are coming off an uncharacteristic 5-6 season, but they bring back nine starters on both offense and defense.

Washington will be led by Tristan Reed, the team’s starting quarterback the last two seasons who committed to Miami (Ohio) as a receiver.

“Washington is always a tough test,” Abbey said. “They had a down year last year, but look out for them.”

The team that emerges from the rough-and-tumble MAC is always battle tested.

Last year, that was Ellwood City, which captivated its community with its first undefeated regular season since 1944.

Star running back Elijah Palmer-McCane and quarterback Chris Smiley graduated, but all-conference defensive back DaiLonn Currie and sideline-to-sideline linebacker Deklan O’Brien return to anchor the defense.

Western Beaver can’t be counted out of the Acrisure conversation. Potent passer Jaivin Peel moved on to Kiski School, but the Golden Beavers might have an ace up their sleeve in freshman quarterback Amari Marshall.

Mohawk playmaker Bobby Fadden, who threw for 1,600 yards and 19 touchdowns and ran for 600 yards and seven scores last season, is back as well.

“All the (MAC) teams are tough. I love it,” Ellwood City coach Dan Bradley said. “They’re all well coached, but everybody’s a little bit different, and that makes it fun to coach.”

Preseason rankings

1. Steel Valley (9-4)

The Ironmen will make sure dynamic Pitt recruit Da’Ron Barksdale is a factor on as many plays as a possible, moving him around on defense and keeping the ball in his hands as the quarterback on offense. Steel Valley lost big-time back Donald Barksdale to graduation but brings back almost its entire offensive line.

2. Washington (5-6)

3. Seton LaSalle (11-1)

4. South Park (12-2)

5. South Allegheny (9-3)

The stars

Da’Ron Barksdale

Steel Valley, Sr., QB/DB

Back from a knee injury that cost him his sophomore year, the 5-foot-11, 175-pound Barksdale scored 20 touchdowns and was a first-team all-conference defensive back last season. He can take over games.

Drew Cook

South Allegheny, Sr., WR/DB

A 1,000-point scorer who led the Gladiators to a WPIAL basketball title last season, Cook came out for football as a junior and responded by racking up nearly 1,500 yards and 18 touchdowns receiving. Getting Division I attention.

Robert Lenzi

South Park, Sr., QB/DB

As a running quarterback, Lenzi had 942 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns to lead the Eagles to a WPIAL title last season. He basically never left the field, making all-conference first team as a defensive back and even handling long-snapping duties.

Aaron Loritts

Seton LaSalle, Sr., TE/DE

At 6-6, 220 pounds, the Monmouth recruit has too much athleticism for most offensive tackles to handle and routinely runs down plays from the back side. He can impact a game from his tight end spot as well.

Tristan Reed

Washington, Sr., QB/WR/DB

Whether playing quarterback or wide receiver, the 6-5, 175-pound Reed has the kind of effortless long stride that strikes fear into opposing defenses. He’ll join Woodland Hills star Scoop Smith as Miami (Ohio) freshmen next year.

Don’t miss

9.12 South Park at Steel Valley

The Eagles won last year, 7-0, on a Robert Lenzi QB sneak in the final minute. The Allegheny Conference title could hang in the balance again.

10.3 Western Beaver at Ellwood City

A 26-20 win for the Wolverines in this matchup last season decided the MAC championship. It should be a great test for a Golden Beavers team that’s dynamic but unproven.

10.24 Washington at Seton LaSalle

This season-ender could easily decide the Century Conference title. The Prexies will want to avenge a 52-28 loss from last year.

Jonathan Bombulie is the TribLive assistant sports editor. A Greensburg native, he was a hockey reporter for two decades, covering the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins for 17 seasons before joining the Trib in 2015 and covering the Penguins for four seasons, including Stanley Cup championships in 2016-17. He can be reached at jbombulie@triblive.com.

Tags: Ellwood City, Mohawk, Seton La Salle, South Allegheny, South Park, Steel Valley, Washington