WPIAL football playoff pairings surprise some Westmoreland County teams

By: Paul Schofield
Saturday, October 28, 2023 | 6:29 PM

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When the WPIAL football committee announced the pairings for the upcoming playoffs Saturday, some coaches were surprised at their opening-round opponents.

Two Westmoreland County teams — Southmoreland and Greensburg Central Catholic — will face opponents they already played.

Greensburg Central Catholic (6-3) will meet West Greene (8-2). The Centurions defeated the Pioneers, 48-30, on Sept. 8.

Southmoreland (6-4) will visit Deer Lakes (7-3). The Scotties lost 24-7 to the Lancers on Sept. 22.

“We sort of figured we’d play them again,” Southmoreland coach Tim Bukowski said. “I’m eager to see how much we’ve improved since that game.

“We had some kids out that game on the defensive line, and they took advantage of that.”

Southmoreland is coming off an impressive 40-3 victory against Mt. Pleasant in which running back Da’sjon Craggette rushed for 335 yards and four touchdowns.

Also in the Class 3A first round, Mt. Pleasant (6-4), which has dropped three of its past four games, will visit West Mifflin (6-4).

The No. 1 seed in Class 3A is returning WPIAL and PIAA champion Belle Vernon (8-1), which got a first-round bye. The Leopards will await the winner of Southmoreland and Deer Lakes. All first-round games are 7 p.m. Friday.

When West Greene (8-2) and Greensburg Central Catholic (7-3) faced off in early September, the game was played in Rogersville. This time around, the WPIAL is sending the Class A game to Plum. Last year, GCC played at Hempfield.

“I don’t care where the game is played. We’ll show up and play hard,” GCC coach John Thompson said.

GCC athletic director Dan Mahoney said the WPIAL likes games on turf, and he was OK with the move.

The teams met in the 2019 playoffs with West Greene winning 36-0.

While some analysts thought Penn-Trafford would be headed to Pine-Richland for its Class 5A quarterfinal game, the Warriors’ ride will be a lot shorter. The opponent won’t be any easier.

The Warriors (5-5) will visit the No. 2 seed, Penn Hills (8-2), and Pitt quarterback recruit Julian Dugger.

“Penn Hills is a very good and talented football team,” Ruane said. “All we knew was we’d be on the road. They have quickness and solid offensive and defensive lines.”

Franklin Regional (6-4) finished third in the Big East Conference and earned a wild-card berth. The Panthers drew the No. 1 seed, Peters Township (10-0).

Peters Township ran through the Allegheny Six Conference, scoring more points (68) in the season finale against Bethel Park than it allowed (65) all season. The Indians allowed 28 against Bethel Park.

Latrobe (7-3) qualified for the Class 4A playoffs for the second consecutive season. The Wildcats are seeded No. 9 and will travel to Imperial to face No. 8 West Allegheny.

Latrobe coach Ron Prady said he was disappointed his team didn’t get a home game.

“Of course I’m disappointed,” Prady said. “But at this point, we’ll just play. We thought we’d get either West Allegheny or North Catholic.”

Latrobe won a WPIAL playoff game for the first time since 1968 last season, and Prady hopes that experience will help his squad this season.

“It doesn’t hurt,” Prady said. “The players know the urgency and pace you have to play with in the playoffs.”

Derry (5-5) returns to the Class 2A playoffs for the first time since 2019 when it defeated Beaver Falls and then fell to Central Valley in the semifinals. The Trojans travel to No. 6 McGuffey (7-3).

Second-year coach Mike Arone said he hopes the return to the playoffs is a stepping stone.

“It’s a step forward for the program,” Arone said. “McGuffey was one of four teams we figured we’d play. We’re going to put our best foot forward.”

Arone said he’s excited to match wits against McGuffey coach Ed Dalton, who coached at Purchase Line when Arone was a player at Homer-Center.

“Ed’s a great coach,” Arone said. “McGuffey runs an offense that is similar to Burrell.”

Jeannette coach Tommy Paulone has the Jayhawks in the Class A playoffs for the second consecutive season. The Jayhawks travel down Interstate 70 to face Tri-County South Conference champion California (9-1).

“I was a little shocked we got them,” Paulone said. “We figured Union, but I’m not complaining about the shorter bus ride.

“I know their program well from my days as a Waynesburg College coach. They are well coached and have some talented players. I hope we play with a chip on our shoulder.”

Monessen (4-6), which is seeded No. 16 in Class A, will travel to No. 1 South Side Beaver (10-0).

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.