Here are some top games on the slate for district high school football this weekend:
Game of the Week
Penn Hills (3-3 overall, 2-0 in conference) at Pine-Richland (5-0, 3-0), Friday at 7 p.m.: What’s that noise in WPIAL football? It’s the Penn Hills Indians charging up the ranks in Class 5A. After a 0-3 start against some tough non-conference foes, Penn Hills has won three in a row, including a big victory against vaunted Aliquippa. Now Penn Hills faces the No. 1 team in WPIAL Class 5A.
Penn Hills’ defense has been impressive lately, allowing only 13 points during the past three games. Now the Indians face a Pine-Richland team that averages 40 points, third-best in Class 5A. Pine-Richland seems to be at its best when the Rams are running successfully. But don’t overlook sophomore QB Aaron Strader’s passing, either. If Pine-Richland wins, the Rams clinch the No. 1 seed in the Class 5A Northeast Conference.
Predicted winner: Pine-Richland
And four more …
Upper St. Clair (6-0, 1-0) at South Fayette (6-0, 1-0), Friday at 7 p.m.: Another huge game in the Class 5A Allegheny Six Conference. Upper St. Clair is 6-0 for the second time in three years while first-year coach Marty Spieler has South Fayette 6-0 for the first time since Joe Rossi was at the helm in 2017. A big question is how South Fayette QB Drew Welhorsky will do against the USC defense, which has allowed seven points or less in the past five games.
Predicted winner: Upper St. Clair
Peters Township (5-1, 0-1) at Moon (3-2, 0-1), Friday at 7 p.m.: This Allegheny Six game is all about which team can rebound the best. Both teams suffered tough losses last week. Peters Township lost the No. 1 ranking in WPIAL Class 5A after being defeated by Upper St. Clair. Moon lost in the final seconds to undefeated Bethel Park. Peters Township had trouble controlling USC’s run last week. Moon thrives on the run. The loser faces an uphill climb in making the WPIAL playoffs.
Predicted winner: Peters Township
Cornell (5-1, 2-1) at Fort Cherry (6-0, 3-0), Friday at 7 p.m.: Fort Cherry is the No. 1-ranked team in Class 1A and Cornell isn’t ranked. But don’t sleep on Cornell. The Raiders’ only loss was a 29-22 setback to a good Bishop Canevin team. Cornell’s defense has been impressive, allowing no more than nine points in five other games. But that defense will have to be on its A-game and then some to play with Fort Cherry. Fort Cherry standout QB Matt Sieg has the cast off a broken right thumb.
Predicted winner: Fort Cherry
Ellwood City (5-0, 3-0) at Western Beaver (4-1, 2-0), Saturday at 12:30 p.m.: One of the best games this week is a Saturday matinee in the Class 2A Midwestern Conference. Ellwood City is 5-0 for the first time since 1986. That team started 6-0 before losing. Ellwood City features running back Elijah Palmer-McCane, who needs only 34 yards rushing to reach 3,500 for his career. But the Ellwood City defense will be tested by Western Beaver QB Jaivin Peel, a sophomore who already has 4,041 career yards passing.
Winner: Ellwood City
Last week: 3-2. Season: 18-11.
First Published: October 2, 2024, 1:52 p.m.
