Here are some of the top matchups in the WPIAL quarterfinals and semifinals this weekend:
GAME OF THE WEEK
Pine-Richland (8-3) vs. Penn Hills (9-2) at North Hills’ Martorelli Stadium, Friday at 7 p.m.: These two are certainly familiar with each other as Penn Hills won at Pine-Richland, 26-20, earlier this season. The difference in the game was big plays by Penn Hills QB Julian Dugger, a Pitt recruit, and RB Amir Key. Dugger ran for 150 yards and Key 127 in the win. Big plays will probably again be key in this 5A semifinal.
Pine-Richland has changed offenses since then, with RB Ethan Pillar taking direct snaps in the wildcat offense. But Pillar carried 32 times for 127 yards in the first meeting. So, Penn Hills should know what’s coming. But lately, teams have had trouble stopping Pillar, who runs behind an excellent line.
Predicted winner: Pine-Richland
Thomas Jefferson (9-2) at Montour (9-1), Friday at 7 p.m.: How many times do you think a WPIAL playoff game has matched a coach with more than 300 wins and one with more than 200? But that’s what this Class 4A quarterfinal has with TJ’s Bill Cherpak and Montour’s Lou Cerro. The biggest key could be how well Thomas Jefferson controls Montour’s star dual-threat Jake Wolfe, who has thrown for 2,298 yards and rushed for 698.
Predicted winner: Montour
West Mifflin (7-4) at Elizabeth Forward (9-1), Friday at 7 p.m.: Does freshman Armand Hill continue to run downhill in this 3A quarterfinal? Or does Elizabeth Forward’s defense rise up and put the Warriors in the semifinals for the third time in four years? Hill has averaged 306 yards rushing the past four games, and DelRicco White is another threat in the backfield who rushed for 169 yards in a first-round playoff win. Only three teams have scored more than two TDs on EF’s defense.
Predicted winner: Elizabeth Forward
Moon (6-5) vs. Peters Township (11-0) at South Fayette, Friday at 7 p.m.: Moon’s old-fashioned, run-heavy offense has proven to be a success against most teams this year. But Peters Township isn’t like most teams. Peters Township has allowed only 65 points, the fewest in the WPIAL. These two teams met earlier in the season, and Peters Township had a 40-7 victory. Moon kept it close until the second half. Moon had 16 penalties in the game.
Predicted winner: Peters Township
Beaver (9-2) at Avonworth (10-0), Friday at 7 p.m.: Avonworth had a first-round bye in the Class 3A playoffs last week. Now, for their first postseason game, the Antelopes get a Beaver squad that is seemingly good enough to beat undefeated Avonworth. Beaver almost won the first meeting Oct. 6. The Antelopes needed a fourth-quarter touchdown to win, 33-28. A win puts Avonworth into the semifinals for the fourth time in five years.
Predicted winner: Avonworth
Last week: 2-3. Season: 39-16.
Mike White: mwhite@post-gazette.com and Twitter @mwhiteburgh
First Published: November 8, 2023, 11:00 a.m.
Updated: November 8, 2023, 12:59 p.m.
