WPIAL Class 3A preview: Moving down from 4A, Central Valley has Acrisure aspirations

By: Paul Schofield
Sunday, August 18, 2024 | 6:01 AM

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Avonworth had to play second fiddle to Belle Vernon the past two seasons in the WPIAL Class 3A championship game.

And with seven starters on offense and defense returning, all-conference quarterback Carson Bellinger among them, the Antelopes (12-1) look to take another trip to Acrisure Stadium.

But it’s not that simple. Central Valley (8-4) returns after playing two years in Class 4A, and a talented Imani Christian Academy (8-3) squad, with at least four NCAA Division I recruits, comes up from Class 2A.

Central Valley, which won three consecutive Class 3A titles (2019-21) and played in the Class 4A title game in 2022, also knows the way to Acrisure Stadium.

With numerous starters returning, including two D-I recruits in junior lineman Brendan Alexander and sophomore running back Jance Henry, the path to the Class 3A championship might run through Center Township and Monaca.

Central Valley is loaded again and earned the preseason top spot. Imani Christian is second, followed by Avonworth, Elizabeth Forward (10-2) and North Catholic (5-6).

“It’s a struggle to get to the top, but it’s an even bigger struggle to stay there,” Central Valley coach Mark Lyons said. “You have to be at your best every day. Not just every game day. Every day.”

With three teams from the Western Hills Conference in the top five, don’t look past Beaver (9-3) or McGuffey (8-4) under new coach Nate Parry. Hopewell (1-9) and Quaker Valley (1-9) hope to rise from tough seasons.

Avonworth coach Duke Johncour said: “We’re excited about the opportunity that lies ahead. We’re hoping to get back to (Acrisure Stadium) again, and we’re working toward that.”

Elizabeth Forward heads the Interstate Conference, which looks a lot like the old Keystone Conference with Derry (5-6), Greensburg Salem (2-8), Mt. Pleasant (6-5), Southmoreland (6-5) and Yough (2-8).

The Warriors’ opponents all return numerous starters and look to secure playoff berths.

Southmoreland, which co-ops with Geibel, is looking for a new quarterback and running back but should be strong defensively.

Mt. Pleasant and Greensburg Salem return veteran quarterbacks, Derry brings back 10 starters on defense, and Yough is on the rise. Southmoreland is looking for its first WPIAL playoff victory.

“We hope this is the group to do it,” Scotties coach Tim Bukowski said. “This is the deepest team we’ve had in terms of pure football guys.”

Imani Christian is the favorite in the Allegheny 7 Conference, but Highlands (6-5), which dropped from Class 4A, Deer Lakes (8-4), East Allegheny (9-3) and Freeport (3-7) will challenge for playoff berths. Valley (2-8) and Burrell (3-4) also will be improved.

Deer Lakes hopes to build off its first WPIAL playoff victory.

Imani Christian coach LaRoi Johnson said his team will be ready to play when the season begins.

“We have not stopped working since last season after the tough loss we had in the playoffs,” Johnson said. “Our expectation is to win a championship this season.”

They’ll have to go through Central Valley to do so.

THE FAVORITES

1. Central Valley (8-4 last season)

Before last year, the Warriors made the WPIAL championship game in four consecutive seasons, winning three consecutive Class 3A titles (2019, 2020, 2021) and finishing second in Class 4A in 2022. But now, with the Warriors returning to Class 3A with a veteran squad back, they are the team to beat. Coach Mark Lyons will lean on senior lineman Brendan Alexander and sophomore running back Jance Henry. The Warriors play in the tough Western Hills Conference along with Avonworth, North Catholic and Beaver.

2. Imani Christian (8-3)

3. Avonworth (12-1)

4. Elizabeth Forward (10-2)

5. North Catholic (5-6)

THE STARS

Brendan Alexander

Central Valley, jr., OL/DL

This growing star has numerous NCAA Division I offers, including from Pitt, Penn State, West Virginia, Arkansas, Michigan, Stanford and Wisconsin. The 6-foot-4, 277-pound junior is showing leadership skills and has a bright future as he continues to grow. He is a strong blocker and a force on defense.

Dayshaun Burnett

Imani Christian, sr., LB

The 6-foot-2 senior is a Penn State commit. He picked the Nittany Lions over offers from Pitt, West Virginia, Michigan, Michigan State, Wisconsin, Duke and Kentucky. He also plays wide receiver and is ranked as the ninth-best recruit in the state by 247sports.

Brady O’Hara

North Catholic, sr., TE/DE

The 6-foot-6, 250-pound senior has already committed to Penn State where he’ll be an offensive tackle. But O’Hara will play tight end for the Trojans and hopefully play a big role in the team’s passing game. He said he worked hard on his receiving techniques and hopes, with his size, to become a target in the red zone. He’s also been a four-year starter on defense and has been a disruptive force along the line of scrimmage.

Elliot Premus

Southmoreland, sr., TE/DE

The 6-3, 220-pound Premus was a first-team Interstate Conference player as a tight end and defensive end. He had 11 catches for 236 yards and 69 tackles, including 31 solo, on defense. He had eight quarterback sacks, five tackles for losses, caused four fumbles and recovered two. He’s an up-and-coming star who should be a leader for the Scotties.

Christopher Climes

Elizabeth Forward, sr., OL/DL

The 6-2, 305-pound Climes has committed to the University of Buffalo. He was an Interstate Conference first-team player of both sides of the ball. He had more than 30 NCAA Division I offers, mainly from mid-major schools. He recorded 18 sacks in 2023.

DON’T MISS

9.20: Highlands at Imani Christian

Two new faces in the in the Allegheny 7 Conference square off early in the season and the winner could be the favorite to claim the conference title. The Saints move up from Class 2A, and Highlands moves down from Class 4A.

9.27: Central Valley at Avonworth

The Antelopes have reached the WPIAL Class 3A finals in consecutive seasons, falling to two-time WPIAL and PIAA champion Belle Vernon. The Warriors drop down from Class 4A to 3A where they won three consecutive titles (2019-2021).

10.18: Southmoreland at Elizabeth Forward

This October battle could determine the Interstate Conference title. The Scotties return a strong defense and have some talented skilled players. The Warriors return two running backs and seven starters on both sides of the ball.

Paul Schofield is a TribLive reporter covering high school and college sports and local golf. He joined the Trib in 1995 after spending 15 years at the Daily Courier in Connellsville, where he served as sports editor for 14 years. He can be reached at pschofield@triblive.com.

Tags: Avonworth, Beaver, Burrell, Central Valley, Deer Lakes, Derry Area, East Allegheny, Elizabeth Forward, Freeport, Greensburg Salem, Highlands, Hopewell, Imani Christian, McGuffey, Mt. Pleasant, North Catholic, Quaker Valley, Southmoreland, Valley, Yough