WPIAL Class AAAA –
Fox Chapel at North Allegheny
**North Allegheny received the No. 1 seed over Central Catholic. The Tigers are
led by a power running attack and the strong arm of junior quarterback Mack Leftwich. The top target for Leftwich, will likely be junior Brendan Coniker,
who is also a stalwart at cornerback. Both lines are anchored by top junior
prospect Patrick Kugler. Fox Chapel will counter with Pittsburgh commit Adam Bisnowaty, who may get the unenviable task of trying to block Kugler.**
PREDICTION:
North Allegheny 28, Fox Chapel 7
Seneca
Valley at Penn Hills
**This could be an intriguing match-up, Penn Hills really struggled the first
half of the season and seems to be peaking at the right time. The Indians are
led by standout athlete and West Virginia commit Chaz Whittaker, Pittsburgh
four-star wide receiver Corey Jones and three-star two-way lineman Treyvon Hester. Seneca Valley will pin their hopes on junior quarterback Jordan Brown
and junior running back Forrest Barnes.**
PREDICTION:
Penn Hills 20, Seneca Valley 14
Bethel Park at Penn-Trafford
**Penn-Trafford may be the most dangerous team in this bracket. The Warriors are
led by senior running back Manny Simpson, senior lineman Bobby Mandish and
senior quarterback Zach Emerick. One weapon that could prove handy to the
Warriors if they advance is the strong leg of junior kicker Matt Loughnane.
Bethel Park features junior wide receiver Avery Dibble.**
PREDICTION:
Penn-Trafford 28, Bethel Park 6
Shaler at Gateway
**A month ago this would have been the most exciting match-up in the bracket,
but Shaler has struggled recently and Gateway appears to be firing on all
cylinders. The Gators are led by a number of talented juniors including
quarterback Tommy Woodson, running back Darin Franklin and tight end Jaymar Parrish. Shaler will rely heavily on Penn State tight end recruit J.P. Holtz who
has moved to tailback due to injuries.**
PREDICTION:
Gateway 35, Shaler 14
Peters Township vs. Central Catholic at Fox Chapel
**The Central Catholic Vikings may have caught a nice break by earning the No. 2
seed, the pressure is now on North Allegheny. The Vikings are led by five D-I
commits including quarterback Perry Hills (Maryland), safety/wide receiver
Anthony Nixon (Maryland), tackle Logan Dietz (Bowling Green), running back
Damion Jones-Moore (Toledo) and cornerback Juwan Haynes (Toledo). Peters
Township will rely on senior running back Andrew Erenberg, son of former
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Rich Erenberg.**
PREDICTION:
Central Catholic 35, Peters Township 0
Woodland Hills at Mt. Lebanon
**This game literally could go either way and it would be tough to pick a
winner. Woodland Hills is led by three-star wide receiver Shakim Alonzo, who
recently committed to Cincinnati. Mt. Lebanon is led by Cornell bound running
back Luke Hagy and Wisconsin pledge Arthur Goldberg who will lead both sides of
the line.**
PREDICTION:
Mt. Lebanon 18, Woodland Hills 15
Connellsville at Upper St. Clair
**Upper St. Clair may be one of the hottest teams in Class AAAA right now, led
by four-star Pittsburgh recruit Dakota Conwell at quarterback and safety, along
with Northwestern commits guard Ian Park and tight end Jack Schwaba.**
PREDICTION:
Upper St. Clair 34, Connellsville 12
McKeesport at McDowell
**This could end up being the best game of the first round. McKeesport is led on
defense by three-star linebacker T.J. Neal and the offense lives and dies by the
arm and legs of quarterback Eddie Stockett. McDowell is led by four-star running
back and one of the most explosive players in the state Greg Garmon.**
PREDICTION:
McDowell 21, McKeesport 14