WPIAL Class AAA --
Laurel Highlands at Central Valley
**Central Valley is loaded with weapons on both sides of the ball, teams will
have to play their best game to knock off the defending WPIAL Champions.
Five-star junior wide receiver Robert Foster leads the attack. He holds offers
from Pittsburgh, Penn State and West Virginia. Talented freshman cornerback
Jordan Whitehead has made a name for himself this season. Seniors Aaron Lewis
and Curtis Law are a dynamic duo for the Central Valley offense as well.
PREDICTION: Central Valley 42, Laurel Highlands 6
Highlands at Ringgold
**Highlands will go as far as senior athlete Gage Clark will take them. Kent State recruit Jake Witucki anchors the line for Highlands. Ringgold has athletes
everywhere, but none as dangerous as Quad Law.**
PREDICTION: Ringgold 33, Highlands 14
Mars at West Mifflin
**West Mifflin could be the surprise team in this bracket that has a chance
to go the distance and land at Heinz Field in the final. You won't see a lot of
prospects in this game, but it should be a battle.**
PREDICTION: West Mifflin 21, Mars 15
Chartiers Valley at Montour
**It's ashame that this is an opening round match-up, Chartiers Valley is a
solid team, but they are a better team with talented athlete Wayne Capers in the
line-up. if Capers is healthy, the Colts have a shot. Montour is loaded and most
of their talent from last seasons WPIAL Runner-Up squad is back including
quarterback Dillon Buechel, wide receiver Darren Massey, center Domenic Martinelli and Kent State commitment running back Julian Durden. The main weapon
through the air for Montour will be junior phenom Devin Wilson.**
PREDICTION: Montour 24, Chartiers Valley 17
Belle Vernon at Franklin Regional
**There is no secret formula for the success of Franklin Regional, it is
junior running back Dane Brown. For Belle Vernon to have a shot, the Leopards
must contain Brown. Belle Vernon will look to run behind D-I junior prospect
Dorian Johnson.**
PREDICTION: Franklin Regional 18, Belle Vernon 12
Hopewell at Indiana
** Hopewell begins and ends with five-star running back and Pittsburgh
commitment Rushel Shell. Shell is on pace to break the state rushing record.
Indiana has a big play weapon of its own in wide receiver Tyrayl Veney. The
Indians also feature a talented junior lineman Justin Spencer who check in at
6-foot-5 and 275-pounds, along with senior running back Maurico Mann, who is the
son of legendary Indiana University of Pennsylvania tailback Michael Mann.**
PREDICTION: Hopewell 24, Indiana 17
West Allegheny at Knoch
**Bob Palko is a playoff veteran and his team is led by senior quarterback
Dylan Bongiorni. Knoch has had an amazing run on a team with solid players that
not a lot of people know. Led by senior running back Andrew Rumberg-Goodlin.**
PREDICTION: Knoch 21, West Allegheny 14
Greensburg Salem at Thomas Jefferson
**Bill Cherpak with have Thomas Jefferson ready to play, as he always does.
Expect to see a lot of senior running back Ryan Ruffing. Greensburg Salem has a
prolific offense led by Josh Kizzie and Waylon Fink.**
PREDICTION: Thomas Jefferson 17, Greensburg Salem 14