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Thursday, October 30, 2025 | 6:26 PM
Christopher Horner | TribLive
Aliquippa’s Joseph Work (6) and Justus Starks lead the Quips onto the field before their game against Mars on Sept. 12.
Welcome to the start of the 2025 WPIAL football playoffs.
Don’t be thrown off if the start of the postseason is a little creepy.
There are 25 first-round or quarterfinals games slated for Halloween night around the WPIAL, so 50 teams will have to wait until about 9:30 to find out what was in their holiday bag.
Was it filled with great treats such as Milky Way, Rolo, 100 Grand, Skittles and most importantly, a playoff victory?
Or was their bag loaded with Clark Bars, Zagnuts, Mary Janes, popcorn balls, candy apples, toothbrushes and a postseason loss to stew over the entire offseason?
(Editor’s note: The opinions expressed by Mr. Rebel about Clark Bars are his own and do not reflect the views of management.)
Here is a look at all of the first round and quarterfinals district postseason games slated for Friday.
Class 5A first round
No. 9 Kiski Area (4-6) at No. 8 Shaler (3-7)
No. 12 Armstrong (4-6) at No. 5 Moon (7-3)
7 p.m. Friday, Tiger Stadium at Moon
Coaches: Frank Fabian, Armstrong; Ryan Linn, Moon
How they got here: Armstrong finished in a three-way tie for third place in the 5A Big East Conference and fell to fourth place on tiebreaker points but received a wild card berth. Moon finished in second place in the Allegheny Six Conference to clinch a spot.
Last week: Armstrong 41, Franklin Regional 7; Moon 24, South Fayette 21
Winner plays: The River Hawks/Tigers winner will visit No. 4 Penn-Trafford in the quarterfinals
Players to watch: Jaydon Oliver, Armstrong (Jr., 6-1, 185, QB/DB); Andrew Cross, Moon (Sr., 6-0, 190, QB/P)
Team notes
Armstrong: There was a lot of chatter after the WPIAL Class 5A brackets were released about the River Hawks getting in as a wild card team, but like it or not, Armstrong finished the regular season strong with a win over Franklin Regional. Senior quarterback Jayson Oliver had a big game, completing 17 of 18 passes for 256 yards and two touchdowns to Xavier Williams and Kayden Lewis. Oliver also led the Hawks in rushing with 85 yards on nine carries.
Moon: The Tigers head into the postseason on a three-game winning streak, which included an overtime victory over Upper St. Clair that sealed the deal for Moon to finish in second place in the tough 5A Allegheny Six Conference. The Tigers edged South Fayette in Week 9 with senior quarterback Andrew Cross finding Sevi Vandetti on a 24-yard scoring strike in the fourth quarter for the winning points. Running back Braden Stuart scored twice for Moon on runs of 3 and 8 yards.
Historic factoids
• This is the third meeting between Armstrong and Moon with the River Hawks leading the series, 2-0.
• The two previous meetings between Armstrong and Moon were played eight and nine years ago in the regular season. The River Hawks beat the Tigers 35-0 in 2016 and then won again a year later in 2017 in a much closer contest, 28-21.
• Twenty-seven years ago, Moon captured its only WPIAL football championship, defeating Blackhawk in the 3A finals, 34-7.
• Armstrong and its predecessors, Kittanning and Ford City, never won a WPIAL football title. Fifty years ago, Kittanning lost in the 2A district title game to Beth-Center, 13-0.
No. 10 North Hills (3-7) at No. 7 Bethel Park (6-4)
7 p.m. Friday, Bethel Park High School Stadium
Coaches: Brody Zangaro, North Hills; Phil Peckich, Bethel Park
On air: Video streamed on NFHS and audio streamed on Trib HSSN
How they got here: North Hills finished in a tie for second place in the 5A Northeast Conference and lost the tiebreaker with Shaler to finish in third place and clinch a playoff spot. Bethel Park finished in third place in the Allegheny Six Conference and received a wild card berth.
Last week: Central Valley 35, North Hills 31; Peters Township 35, Bethel Park 0
Winner plays: The Indians/Black Hawks winner will visit No. 2 Peters Township in the quarterfinals
Players to watch: Austin Ellis, North Hills (Soph., 6-1, 180, QB); David Dennison, Bethel Park (Sr., 6-2, 190, RB/LB)
Team notes
North Hills: Following a 0-4 start, the postseason looked like a long shot for the Indians after losing to rival Shaler in Week 7, but a huge win in their 5A Northeast Conference finale the following week over Penn Hills helped them get back into the postseason. In a Week 9 loss to 3A power Central Valley, sophomore quarterback Austin Ellis gave North Hills a shot, connecting on 11 of 19 passes for 216 yards and three touchdowns, two to Joseph Lutz and one to Jack Broderick. Ellis also ran for 32 yards and a score.
Bethel Park: While the Black Hawks had to wait until Selection Saturday to receive a wild card berth, they put themselves in a great position after finishing in fourth place thanks to a Week 8 win over South Fayette in which senior running back David Dennison rushed for 244 yards and four touchdowns. He was limited to 58 yards on the ground against 5A Allegheny Six Conference winner Peters Township in a shutout loss last week. Bethel Park quarterback Evan Devine threw for 147 yards against the Indians.
Historic factoids
• This is the 33rd meeting between North Hills and Bethel Park. The Indians lead the close series, 17-14-1, although the Black Hawks have won the last five meetings dating back nearly two decades.
• The last meeting between the teams was in Week Zero two years ago when Bethel Park beat North Hills, 33-10. The last Indians win in this series was 20 years ago when they beat the Black Hawks 27-15 in 2005.
• This is the third postseason meeting between the Indians and Black Hawks. Bethel Park won two close games — 33-27 in the 1980 4A semifinals and 19-17 in the 2022 5A quarterfinals.
• The first meeting between the red and white from the north and the black and orange from the south came 73 years ago in 1952 when North Hills and Bethel Park played to a 7-7 tie.
No. 11 Plum (5-5) at No. 6 Upper St. Clair (8-2)
WPIAL 4A quarterfinals
No. 8 Chartiers Valley (7-3) at No. 1 McKeesport (7-3)
7 p.m. Friday, George Smith Field at Weigle-Schaffer Stadium at McKeesport
Coaches: Steve Spence, Chartiers Valley; Matt Miller, McKeesport
On air: Video streamed on NFHS and audio streamed on Trib HSSN
How they got here: Chartiers Valley finished in third place in the 4A Big Six Conference and received a wild card berth. McKeesport captured the 4A Greater Allegheny Conference championship and clinched a playoff spot.
Last week: Chartiers Valley 38, Ringgold 0; McKeesport 57, Knoch 0
Winner plays: The Colts/Tigers winner will play the Mars/Thomas Jefferson winner in the semifinals
Players to watch: Tayshaun Lewis, Chartiers Valley (Sr., 5-7, 152, RB/DB); Kemon Spell, McKeesport (Jr., 5-11, 211, RB/DB)
Team notes
Chartiers Valley: The Colts returned to the playoffs thanks to a big performance in Week 9 in blanking Ringgold and likely getting a little help from Montour beating West Allegheny. CV’s overtime win in Week 1 over West A might have been the difference in earning a wild card. Chartiers Valley senior running back Tayshaun Lewis rushed for 219 yards on 15 carries with two touchdowns. Colts quarterback Luke Miranda threw for 127 yards and two touchdowns.
McKeesport: The Tigers became the team to beat in a balanced Class 4A with five straight wins to finish perfect in the 4A Greater Allegheny Conference. Three losses in four games came when star junior running back Kemon Spell was on the shelf with an early season injury. Now healthy, he has cast a spell on opposing defenses, including last week when he ran for 143 yards on only six rushes, with half of those carries ending in the end zone. Matt Miller threw for only 44 yards, but tossed two touchdowns.
Historic factoids
• This is the first meeting between Chartiers Valley and McKeesport.
• This is the 20th anniversary of the most recent McKeesport football championship when the Tigers won the 2005 4A title, beating rival Woodland Hills, 19-7. The other three WPIAL crowns came in 1932 when they were tri-champs along with Jeannette and New Castle, in 1938 when they defeated Johnstown in the 3A finals, 38-20, and the 4A championship in 1994 when the ‘Port beat Upper St. Clair, 21-14.
• Chartiers Valley has never won a WPIAL championship, but old Chartiers High School beat Mapletown to win the 1945 Class A title, 6-0, then Bridgeville captured three district titles in the 1940s, shutting out Leetsdale in 1942, 12-0, and winning back-to-back championships in 1948 and ’49, beating Marion, 24-0, and crushing Trafford, 64-0.
No. 5 Mars (8-2) at No. 4 Thomas Jefferson (8-2)
7 p.m. Friday, Jaguar Stadium at Thomas Jefferson MS
Coaches: Eric Kasperowicz, Mars; Bill Cherpak, Thomas Jefferson
How they got here: Mars finished in second place in the Greater Allegheny Conference to clinch a playoff berth. Thomas Jefferson ended up in second place in the Big Six Conference to clinch a postseason spot.
Last week: Mars 42, Indiana 7; Thomas Jefferson 58, Laurel Highlands 7
Winner plays: The Fightin’ Planets/Jaguars winner will play the Chartiers Valley/McKeesport winner in the semifinals
Players to watch: Colin Yurisinec, Mars (Soph., 5-10, 155, QB); Tyler Eber, Thomas Jefferson (Jr., 5-10, 182, RB/LB)
Team notes
Mars: The Fightin’ Planets will rack up their third three-game winning streak of the season if they can win on the road Friday. Sophomore quarterback Colin Yurisinec was near perfect last week against Indiana, completing 11 of 12 passes for 216 yards and two touchdowns. Gabe Hein was the only receiver to catch a pass — 11 receptions for 216 yards. Ayden Yocum once again rushed for more than 100 yards, finishing with 114 yards on 11 carries and two touchdowns.
Thomas Jefferson: It has been a challenging season for the defending 4A district champs as the Jaguars have been banged up all season, but are starting to get some bodies back in the lineup. After a Week 6 loss to Trinity that ended its Big Six Conference title hopes, Thomas Jefferson has put together a three-game winning streak, outscoring their opponents 145-19. Junior running back Tyler Eber has had an incredible season, last week rushing for 135 yards and only 13 carries and scoring three touchdowns.
Historic factoids
• For as much success as these teams have had, this is only the fifth meeting between Mars and Thomas Jefferson. The Jaguars are a perfect 4-0.
• This is the third time the Fightin’ Planets and Jaguars have met in the postseason. They first met in the 2014 3A quarterfinals with TJ winning, 28-13. The most recent meeting came in the 2020 4A quarterfinals when the Jaguars cruised past the Fightin’ Planets, 41-6.
• Mars and Thomas Jefferson met in the regular season in 2016 and 2017. The Jaguars won 48-10 in ’16 and 34-6 the following season.
No. 7 Aliquippa (6-3) at No. 2 Trinity (6-4)
7 p.m. Friday, Hiller Field at Trinity MS
Coaches: Mike Warfield, Aliquippa; Dan Knause, Trinity
How they got here: Aliquippa ended up in a tie for third place in the Parkway Conference, but won the tiebreaker against West Allegheny and received a wild card berth. Trinity captured the Big Six Conference championship to earn a playoff berth.
Last week: Aliquippa 57, Ambridge 7; Trinity 34, Belle Vernon 21
Winner plays: The Quips/Hillers winner will play the Montour/New Castle winner in the semifinals
Players to watch: Qa’lil Goode, Aliquippa (Sr., 6-2, 170, QB/WR/FS); Jonah Williamson, Trinity (Sr., 6-2, 212, QB/LB)
Team notes
Aliquippa: There was concern that the 31-year playoff streak for the Quips might end when talented quarterback Marques Council Jr., a Yale commit, was lost with an injury. Senior Qa’lil Goode moved over from his wide receiver spot to fill the void at QB, although he was back at wideout in the rout of Ambridge last week. He scored a touchdown on his only rush from 9 yards. Akiva Woods, the team’s second leading rusher this season, ran for 114 yards last week and scored two touchdowns.
Trinity: Last year, it came down to Week 9 for the Hillers to win and clinch a playoff berth with a second-place finish. There were no such dramatics this season as Trinity captured its first conference crown since 1986 after big wins over Thomas Jefferson and Chartiers Valley in Weeks 6 and 7. Last week, senior quarterback Jonah Williamson threw for 120 yards and a score and rushed for 148 yards and two TDs.
Historic factoids
• This is the fourth meeting between Trinity and Aliquippa and the second straight postseason they have faced each other in the quarterfinals. The Quips lead the series, 3-0.
• Last year in the quarters, host Aliquippa scored 21 points in the second quarter on its way to a 34-14 victory. Tikey Hayes had three touchdown runs for the Quips and Marques Council Jr. threw two touchdown tosses. Jonah Williamson had a touchdown pass and a scoring run for the Hillers.
• The first meeting between these teams was 41 years ago. Aliquippa beat Trinity, 42-21, in 1984. The following year, the Quips defeated the Hillers again, 28-7.
No. 6 Montour (7-3) at No. 3 New Castle (8-2)
7 p.m. Friday, Taggart Stadium in New Castle
Coaches: Lou Cerro, Montour; Fred Mozzicio, New Castle
On air: Video streamed on NFHS and audio streamed on Trib HSSN
How they got here: Montour ended up as co-champions atop the Parkway Conference. New Castle also finished as co-champions in the Parkway Conference to both clinch a playoff berth.
Last week: Montour 34, West Allegheny 13; New Castle 41, Blackhawk 17
Winner plays: The Spartans/Red Hurricanes winner will play the Aliquippa/Trinity winner in the semifinals
Players to watch: Caden Halajcio, Montour (Sr., 5-11, 185, RB/LB); Marino Graham, New Castle (Fr., 5-9, 150, QB/DB)
Team notes
Montour: After losing at New Castle by 20 points in Week 6, the Spartans had their backs to the wall in the always difficult Parkway Conference. Montour rallied and finished with three straight wins, including victories in the final two games at Aliquippa and at West Allegheny to earn a share of the conference title. In a must-win last week, senior running back Cadem Halajcio led the way with 184 yards on 19 carries and two TDs while sophomore QB Brandon Bennett threw for a score and ran for one.
New Castle: The Red Hurricanes started hot, then faded in conference play and missed the playoffs in 2024. After another hot start, NeCa High kept the good vibes going in conference play and earned a share of the championship with the team they face Friday. One big difference between last year and this season has been the play of fabulous freshman quarterback Marino Graham. Last week against Blackhawk, he hit on 14 of 23 passes for 231 yards and three touchdowns in the win.
Historic factoids
• This is the 37th meeting between Montour and New Castle with the Red Hurricanes leading the series against the Spartans, 21-14-1.
• In the Week 6 meeting between these teams, the Red Hurricanes handed the Spartans their lone conference loss, 34-14. Marino Graham accounted for all five touchdowns with a scoring pass to Chase Lemmon and four TD runs, including a 75-yarder for the ‘Canes. Archie Collins had both Spartans touchdowns on a 28-yard pass from Brandon Bennett and an 85-yard kickoff return for a score.
• Last year, Montour crushed New Castle in Week 6, 51-6. Forty-eight years ago, New Castle won the first meeting between the schools 21-7 in 1977.
• This marks the second time Montour and New Castle have played in the WPIAL playoffs. In the first encounter, the Spartans edged the Red Hurricanes in the 2017 quarterfinals, 35-31.
Class 3A first round
No. 9 Beaver (5-5) at No. 8 Freeport (7-3)
No. 12 Burrell (4-6) at No. 5 North Catholic (7-3)
No. 10 Hopewell (6-4) at No. 7 Southmoreland (9-1)
No. 11 Derry (6-4) at No. 6 Highlands (7-3)
Class 2A first round
No. 9 Our Lady of the Sacred Heart (5-5) at No. 8 Mohawk
7 p.m. Friday, Warriors Stadium at Mohawk
Coaches: Don Militzer, OLSH, Tim McCutcheon, Mohawk
On air: Video streamed on NFHS and audio streamed on Trib HSSN
How they got here: OLSH finished in fourth place in the Allegheny Conference and got a wild card berth. Mohawk finished in third place in the Midwestern Athletic Conference to earn a playoff spot.
Last week: Our Lady of the Sacred Heart 23, Keystone Oaks 8; Mohawk 35, Riverside 24
Winner plays: The Chargers/Warriors winner will play top seed Seton LaSalle in the quarterfinals
Players to watch: Ty’Aire Hawkins, OLSH (Jr., 5-8, 150, RB/WR/DB); Bobby Fadden, Mohawk (Sr., 6-1, 170, QB/DB)
Team notes
Our Lady of the Sacred Heart: The Chargers return to the postseason as a wild card thanks in part to two straight victories and wins in three of their final four games. In the win last week against Keystone Oaks, junior Ty’Aire Hawkins led the way on the ground with 84 yards and a score while the team’s top rusher, Jamire Samuels, chipped in with 50 yards. OLSH quarterback J.J. Hayden threw for only 60 yards, but tossed two touchdowns in the win.
Mohawk: The Warriors dug a 1-4 hole to begin the season, including an 0-2 start in the Midwestern Athletic Conference, but an upset win over conference champion Western Beaver led to a season-ending three-game win streak and the tiebreakers fell the way of Mohawk as it finished in third place. Senior do-it-all Bobby Fadden was a key in the Week 9 win over Riverside, completing 15 of 18 passes for 218 yards and three touchdowns. He also ran for 52 yards and two scores.
Historic factoids
• This is the first meeting between Our Lady of the Sacred Heart and Mohawk.
• This is the fifth straight season Tim McCutcheon has guided Mohawk in the WPIAL playoffs. The program only made the playoffs six times total before this run.
• Seven years ago, OLSH was the No. 3 seed in the 2018 WPIAL Class A bracket when it defeated Imani Christian in the quarterfinals, 60-6, upended Clairton in the semifinals, 27-7, and then captured its first and only district title with a win over Rochester, 28-6.
• In the last decade, the Warriors are a perfect 3-0 in home playoff games.
No. 13 Waynesburg Central (5-5) at No. 4 South Allegheny (9-1)
7 p.m. Friday, Gladiators Stadium at South Allegheny
Coaches: Joe Kuhns, Waynesburg Central; Brian Hanson, South Allegheny
How they got here: Waynesburg Central finished in fourth place in the Century Conference and received a wild card berth. South Allegheny finished in a three-way tie with Steel Valley and Apollo-Ridge for the Allegheny Conference championship to clinch a playoff spot.
Last week: Waynesburg Central 43, Sto-Rox 6; Steel Valley 33, South Allegheny 12
Winner plays: The Raiders/Gladiators winner will play the winner of the Beaver Falls/Washington game in the quarterfinals
Players to watch: Teagen Crouse, Waynesburg Central (Jr., 5-8, 155, QB/DB); Alijah Cook, South Allegheny (Soph., 6-1, 175, QB/DB)
Team notes
Waynesburg Central: The Raiders lost three straight games, including two Century Conference contests, to put their playoff hopes in question, but two straight wins and victories in three of their final four regular season games allowed them to finish fourth and receive a wild card. Junior quarterback Teagen Crouse hit on 13 of 17 passes for 245 yards and two touchdowns while running back Zachery Jiblits ran for 128 yards and two scores in a Week 9 victory at Sto-Rox.
South Allegheny: The Gladiators were enjoying their best season in decades with nine straight wins and a share of the Allegheny Conference crown clinched coming into Week 9; however, a possible No. 1 seed vanished when South Allegheny fell into a three-way tie for the conference title with a loss last week to Steel Valley. Sophomore quarterback Alijah Cook struggled but still threw for 193 yards and a touchdown while Joe Gamret rushed for 75 yards and a score for South Allegheny.
Historic factoids
• This is the sixth meeting between Waynesburg Central and South Allegheny. The Raiders lead the all-time series, 3-2.
• These teams met in the opening round a year ago with South Allegheny as the No. 6 seed and Waynesburg Central the 11 seed. The Gladiators rolled to victory, 53-14. The game was tied 7-7 after one quarter when SA exploded for 27 unanswered second-quarter points. Drew Cook scored four touchdowns for the Gladiators, three on passes from Ryan Cortes and one on a 46-yard fumble recovery. Teagen Crouse and Jacob Stephenson scored touchdowns for the Raiders.
• Waynesburg Central won the first two games of this series in 2000 and 2001, beating South Allegheny both times by a combined score of 67-0. The Raiders also won in the fall of 2009, 27-7. The Gladiators’ only regular season victory in this series came in 2008, 9-6.
• The last time South Allegheny reached the WPIAL finals was 47 years ago when the Gladiators beat Laurel to win the 2A title, 12-6. The last time Waynesburg Central won a playoff game was 25 years ago when it made it all the way to 2000 2A finals where it fell to Aliquippa, 14-6.
No. 12 Beaver Falls (4-6) at No. 5 Washington (8-2)
7 p.m. Friday, Wash High Stadium in Washington
Coaches: Jim Mooney, Beaver Falls; Mike Bosnic, Washington
On air: Video streamed on NFHS and audio streamed on Trib HSSN
How they got here: Beaver Falls finished tied for third place and following tiebreakers, ended up in fifth place in the Midwestern Athletic Conference and received a wild card berth. Washington finished in second place in the Century Conference to clinch a playoff spot.
Last week: Ellwood City 25, Beaver Falls 24; Seton LaSalle 27, Washington 14
Winner plays: The Tigers/Little Prexies winner will play the winner of the Waynesburg Central/South Allegheny game in the quarterfinals
Players to watch: Kenny Jewell, Beaver Falls (Sr., 6-0, 175, WR/RB/DB); Tristan Reed, Washington (Jr., 6-4, 180, QB)
Team notes
Beaver Falls: Following a winless 2024 season, it looked like more of the same this year when the Tigers lost their first four games. However, they turned it around and won four of their next five games before a one-point loss to Ellwood City in Week 9 dropped them from second place to fifth place, but still back in the postseason. Beaver Falls senior Kenny Jewell is the team’s leading receiver, third-leading rusher and second-leading passer. Last week he threw a touchdown and ran for 93 yards and two scores.
Washington: The Little Prexies had a chance to win the Century Conference championship in Week 9, but fell to Seton LaSalle and had to settle for second place. The loss ended a seven-game winning streak. Junior quarterback Tristan Reed threw for 104 yards and a touchdown pass last week to Blaise Naraskivitch of 18 yards. Reed also led the team in rushing with 66 yards while Jahvon Woods ran for 25 yards and scored the other Wash High touchdown on a 1-yard plunge.
Historic factoids
• This is the 12th meeting between Beaver Falls and Washington. The Tigers lead the all-time series, 6-3 with two ties.
• This is the fourth time the Tigers and Little Prexies have squared off in the postseason. In 1984, the Tigers won 13-6 on their way to a WPIAL title. The two met for district gold in the 2001 2A finals with the undefeated Little Prexies winning, 24-14. The two years ago, Beaver Falls edged Washington in the 2023 2A semifinals, 28-26.
• The first time these schools played was 112 years ago. In the fall of 1913, the Tigers defeated the Little Prexies, 16-6. They twice played to scoreless ties in 1915 and again 30 years later in 1945.
• These tradition-rich programs have combined for 1,464 wins with Washington sitting at 755 victories and Beaver Falls at 709.
No. 10 Riverside (5-5) at No. 7 Apollo-Ridge (8-2)
No. 11 Keystone Oaks (4-6) at No. 6 Ellwood City (6-4)
7 p.m. Friday, Ewing Stadium in Ellwood City
Coaches: Steve McCormick, Keystone Oaks; Dan Bradley, Ellwood City
How they got here: Keystone Oaks finished in third place in the Century Conference to clinch a playoff berth. Ellwood City’s win in Week 9 earned second place in the Midwestern Athletic Conference and clinched a playoff spot.
Last week: Our Lady of the Sacred Heart 23, Keystone Oaks 8; Ellwood City 25, Beaver Falls 24
Winner plays: The Golden Eagles/Wolverines winner will visit No. 3 seed Steel Valley in the quarterfinals
Players to watch: Owen Gearhart, Keystone Oaks (Sr., 5-11, 175, QB/DB); Tyler Smiley, Ellwood City (Sr., 6-0, 175, QB)
Team notes
Keystone Oaks: The Golden Eagles finished third in the Century Conference, but they limp into the postseason having lost three of their last four games and were outscored in their two losses to Seton LaSalle and OLSH by a combined 78-8. Senior quarterback Owen Gearhart has led the way on offense as Keystone Oaks’ leading passer and top rusher, combining for 1,451 yards from scrimmage with seven touchdown passes and 10 rushing scores.
Ellwood City: A year after winning the Midwestern Athletic Conference championship, the Wolverines finished this season with three straight wins, including a Week 9 thriller over Beaver Falls that allowed Ellwood City to break a three-way tie and finish alone in second place. Last week against the Tigers, senior quarterback Tyler Smiley hit on 18 of his 28 passes for 202 yards and two touchdowns. Richard Cureton rushed for 69 yards and scored twice, including the game winning 3-yard run.
Historic factoids
• This is the sixth meeting between Keystone Oaks and Ellwood City with the Wolverines holding a slight edge against the Golden Eagles, 3-2.
• This is the first meeting between the two in more than 25 years. The last time they played, Ellwood City was victorious in the fall of 1999, 31-7. Keystone Oaks won the previous year, 19-13.
• This is the third straight year the Wolverines have reached the WPIAL playoffs. The last time that happened was 40 years ago. The Wolverines lost in the first round in 1985, won one playoff game in 1986 and then picked up two postseason victories in 1987.
• Keystone Oaks traveled to Lawrence County in the first round of the 2A playoffs a year ago. The Golden Eagles lost a close one at Mohawk, 35-28.
• The first meeting between the two was in 1952 when Ellwood City defeated Dormont, 25-19.
Class A first round
No. 16 Avella (6-4) at No. 1 Fort Cherry (10-0)
7 p.m. Friday, Jim Garry Stadium at Fort Cherry
Coaches: Ryan Cecchini, Avella; Tanner Garry, Fort Cherry
How they got here: Avella finished in a tie for fourth place in the Tri-County South Conference but won the tiebreakers over Beth-Center and Carmichaels and received a wild card spot. Fort Cherry was the champion of the Black Hills Conference and clinched a playoff berth.
Last week: Bentworth 35, Avella 0; Fort Cherry 49, Serra Catholic 8
Winner plays: The Eagles/Rangers winner will play the Neshannock/Leechburg winner in the quarterfinals
Players to watch: Charles Rush, Avella (Jr., 6-1, 170, QB/DB); Matt Sieg, Fort Cherry (Sr., 6-0, 180, QB/DB)
Team notes
Avella: The Eagles are playoff-bound after winning the tiebreaker against Beth-Center and Carmichaels and being selected by the WPIAL football committee for a Class A wild card after finishing in fourth place in the Tri-County South. Junior quarterback Charles Rush was limited to 64 total yards in a loss to Bentworth last week. He leads the team in passing (747) and rushing (515) with eight touchdown passes and seven scoring runs.
Fort Cherry: The Rangers just completed a third straight undefeated regular and with it, a third straight Black Hills Conference championship. Now Fort Cherry eyes a third consecutive district championship. Leading the way again is sensational senior quarterback Matt Sieg, who last week rushed for 245 yards and four touchdowns in a win over Serra Catholic. For the season, Sieg has rushed for 1,320 yards with an average of nearly 13 yards per carry, plus he is tied for seventh in the WPIAL with 24 touchdowns.
Historic factoids
• This is the 35th meeting between these small Washington County schools with Fort Cherry holding a commanding lead in the series over Avella, 31-3.
• This is the fourth meeting between the Rangers and Eagles this decade. They played in the regular season from 2021-2023. Fort Cherry won all three games by nearly identical scores, 45-8, 42-8 and 42-8.
• The last victory for Avella over Fort Cherry was 16 years ago when the Eagles prevailed 22-21 in 2009. The Eagles’ two other wins were in 2003 (21-6) and in 1979 when they won via forfeit.
• This is the first playoff meeting between Fort Cherry and Avella. In the first regular season contest between the two, the Rangers edged the Eagles in 1977, 14-8.
No. 9 Neshannock (7-3) at No. 8 Leechburg (7-3)
No. 13 Jefferson-Morgan (8-2) at No. 4 Laurel (9-1)
7 p.m. Friday, Spartan Stadium at Laurel
Coaches: Shane Ziats, Jefferson-Morgan; Brian Cooper, Laurel
How they got here: Jefferson-Morgan lost in Week 9 to fall to third place in the Tri-County South Conference and clinched a playoff spot. Laurel captured the Big 7 Conference title to earn a postseason berth.
Last week: California 36, Jefferson-Morgan 14; Laurel 14, Neshannock 7
Winner plays: The Rockets/Spartans winner will play the Chartiers-Houston/South Side winner in the quarterfinals
Players to watch: Deakyn Dehoet, Jefferson-Morgan (Sr., 6-0, 190, RB/WR/DB); Kolton Carlson, Laurel (Sr., 6-2, 200, RB/WR/LB)
Team notes
Jefferson-Morgan: Following a undefeated regular season in 2024, the Rockets entered Week 9 with a chance to earn a three-way share of the Tri-County South Conference championship that they won outright a year ago, but when they lost to California and Bentworth won its game, they finished in third place in the TCS. What a difference one play makes. Senior Deakyn Dehoet leads Jefferson-Morgan in receiving and is second in rushing. Last week he ran for 85 yards and a touchdown.
Laurel: Talk about finishing with a strong kick. The Spartans entered Week 8 in a battle with South Side and Neshannock for first place. They first disposed of the Rams, and then edged the Lancers to win the Big 7 Conference championship outright. Senior wide receiver Kolton Carlson had three recpetions for 63 yards last week, plus he ran for 91 yards on 16 carries and the game-winning fourth quarter touchdown on an 8-yard run. The other Laurel TD came from running back Nathan Hill on a 23-yard run.
Historic factoids
• This is the first meeting between Greene County’s Jefferson-Morgan and Lawrence County’s Laurel.
• This is the sixth consecutive season the Spartans have qualified for the WPIAL playoffs, which is a school record.
• Jefferson-Morgan won back-to-back district football championships in the 1970s. The Rockets soared past Western Beaver in the 1973 Class A finals, 35-6. A year later, they shut out Midland in the 1974 title game, 20-0.
• This is the 45th anniversary of the only football WPIAL championship won by Laurel. The Spartans edged Clairton at Three Rivers Stadium to win the 1980 Class A crown, 14-12.
No. 12 Chartiers-Houston (7-3) at No. 5 South Side (8-2)
7 p.m. Friday, Richard Ashvroft Stadium at South Side
Coaches: Shane Ziats, Jefferson-Morgan; Luke Travelpiece, South Side
How they got here: Chartiers-Houston finished in third place in the Black Hills Conference to earn a postseason berth. South Side finished in second place in the Big 7 Conference to clinch a playoff spot..
Last week: Chartiers-Houston 56, Northgate 20; South Side 35, Rochester 0
Winner plays: The Buccaneers/Rams winner will play the Jefferson-Morgan/Laurel winner in the quarterfinals
Players to watch: Aaron Walsh, Chartiers-Houston (Sr., 5-10, 165, QB/DB); Andrew Corfield, South Side (Sr., 6-1, 175, RB/DB);
Team notes
Chartiers-Houston: This has been quite the bounce-back season for the Buccaneers, who finished in sixth place in the seven-team Black Hills Conference a year ago and ended up with three wins for the season. Chartiers-Houston finished the regular season with a four-game winning streak. In the regular season finale against Northgate, senior quarterback Aaron Walsh threw for 77 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for 160 yards and two scores. Dominic Andeolli ran for 162 yards and a TD.
South Side: The Rams saw a six-game winning streak snapped in Week 8 when they lost big at Laurel. Their hopes of a share of the Big 7 Conference title ended last week when the Spartans beat Neshannock. However, South Side bounced back with shutout of Rochester in the battle of the Rams. South Side senior running back Andrew Corfield rushed for 144 yards on only eight carries and scored on an 82-yard run, plus he had a pair of touchdown receptions of 41 and 38 yards.
Historic factoids
• This is the 11th meeting between Chartiers-Houston and South Side. The series is tight with the Rams winning six times and the Buccaneers owning four victories.
• This will be the first time the teams have met since 2007 when South Side defeated Chartiers-Houston, 26-13.
• This is the third time the Bucs and Rams have met in the postseason with South Side winning both previous encounters. The first battle between these teams was for gold 55 years ago. South Side defeated Chartiers-Houston in the 1970 Class A championship game, 20-12. In the most recent postseason clash 20 years ago, the Rams rolled past the Buccaneers in the 2005 Class A first round, 34-6.
• The most recent Bucs win in this series was in 2006, 21-13.
No. 15 Monessen (6-4) at No. 2 Clairton (9-1)
No. 10 Jeannette (7-3) at No. 7 Bentworth (8-2)
No. 14 Greensburg Central Catholic (5-5) at No. 3 Bishop Canevin (7-3)
No. 11 Frazier (6-4) at No. 6 California (9-1)
7 p.m. Friday, Trojan Stadium at California
Coaches: Tony Battaglini, Frazier; Ed Woods, California
On air: Video and audio streamed on WMBS and Trib HSSN
How they got here: Frazier finished in fourth place in the Eastern Conference and received a wild card berth. California finished as outright champions in the Tri-County South Conference to clinch a playoff spot.
Last week: Frazier 57, Springdale 6; California 36, Jefferson-Morgan 14
Winner: The Commodores/Trojans winner will play the Greensburg Central Catholic/Bishop Canevin winner in the quarterfinals
Players to watch: Derek Diamond, Frazier (Sr., 6-0, 220, RB/K/OLB); Malachi Peak, California (Sr., 6-0, 231, RB/DL)
Team notes
Frazier: Sitting under .500 following a loss to Leechburg in Week 7, a run to a playoff berth was unlikely for the Commodores. But they bucked the odds and finished with three straight Eastern Conference wins to finish in fourth place and receive a wild card berth. Following an emotional two-point win over Greensburg Central Catholic in Week 8, there was no letdown last week in a rout of Springdale. Derek Diamond had two scoring runs and Brady Secrest threw for a pair of touchdowns.
California: The Trojans rolled past Jefferson-Morgan last week to win the outright Tri-County South Conference championship with a 7-0 conference record. California has won seven straight games and has outscored its opponents in those wins 277-24 with four shutouts. Senior running back Malachi Peak has been a beast for the Trojans, last week rushing for 283 yards and scoring four touchdowns. For the season, Peak has rushed for 1,490 yards and has scored 20 touchdowns.
Historic factoids
• This is the 35th meeting between Frazier and California. The series has been tight with the Trojans picking up 18 wins and the Commodores owning 16 victories.
• These teams played each other in Week Zero in the 2022 and 2023 season with California winning both games by a combined score of 102-13. Frazier won back-to-back games in this series in 2014 and 2015, winning by a combined score of 84-12.
• The series has been back and forth with no team winning more than four games in a row.
• The first meeting between Frazier and California was 63 years ago when the Trojans blanked the Commodores 19-0 in 1962.
Tags: Aliquippa, Armstrong, Avella, Beaver Falls, California, Chartiers-Houston, Ellwood City, Fort Cherry, Frazier, Jefferson-Morgan, Keystone Oaks, Laurel, Mohawk, Montour, Moon, New Castle, Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, South Allegheny, South Side, Trinity, Washington, Waynesburg
