Kushner, DiLucia named WPIAL Players of the Year in 6A and 5A

Photo Credit: North Allegheny Sports Network

The quarterbacks of their respective WPIAL Championship teams and state finalist teams were named the TribLive HSSN Players of the Year for their respective classification.

CLASS 6A

Logan Kushner – North Allegheny

82/154, 1,636 yds, 23 TD, 147 carries, 1,373 yds, 9.3 ypc, 21 TD

Back-to-back WPIAL Class 6A Championships

2023 PIAA Runner-up

CLASS 5A

Nolan DiLucia – Peters Township

217/352, 3,036 yds (1st in WPIAL), 30 TD, 392 rushing yds, 8 TD

Led Peters Township to their first ever WPIAL Championship

Won the school’s first two state playoff games

State runner-up

PIAA Releases Classifications for 2024-25, 2025-26

On Tuesday, the PIAA released updated enrollments numbers for all sports for the 2024-25 and 2025-26 seasons. These lists are not finalized as teams have until Friday to decide to “play up” in classification. There will also be teams forced to move up because of the PIAA competitive-balance rule which is not determined until after each season is over. But for now here is what we have for classifications for the next two seasons:

PIAA releases State Semifinal sites and times

North Allegheny and Peters Township are still alive in the football state playoffs and PIAA decided their fates over the weekend. Both teams will be playing District 3 champions and both teams will be playing at Mansion Park in Altoona, PA. Peters Township will do battle on Friday night while North Allegheny will have to wait until Saturday afternoon to play their game.

5A PIAA STATE SEMIFINALS

(7-1) Peters Township (13-0) vs. (3-1) Cocalico (12-1) – Friday, 7 pm at Mansion Park, Altoona

This is Peters Township first ever appearance in the state semifinals after picking up their first ever state playoff win against Cathedral Prep (33-14) last Friday. The winner of this game moves onto the state championship at Cumberland Valley High School at 7 pm on Friday, December 8.

6A PIAA STATE SEMIFINALS

(7-1) North Allegheny (12-1) vs. (3-1) Harrisburg (12-1) – Saturday, 1 pm at Mansion Park, Altoona

This is North Allegheny’s first appearance in the state semifinals since 2012, the last time they won a state championship. The Tigers handled District 10 Champion McDowell (41-7) in the state quarterfinals to get to this point. The winner of this game moves onto the state championship at Cumberland Valley High School at 7 pm on Saturday, December 9.

Football PIAA Quarterfinals Recap

Photo Credit: North Allegheny Sports Network

FOOTBALL

PIAA 6A QUARTERFINALS

(7-1) North Allegheny 41, (10-1) McDowell 7

North Allegheny (12-1)

Logan Kushner – 6/9, 176 yds, 2 TD, 8 carries, 87 yds, TD

Evan Lyon – 3 rec, 81 yds, 2 TD

Liam Flaherty – 16 carries, 90 yds

Advances to the PIAA State Semifinals where they will take on District 3 champion Harrisburg on either Friday or Saturday at a site and time to be determined.

PIAA 5A QUARTERFINALS

(7-1) Peters Township 33, (10-1) Cathedral Prep 14

Peters Township (13-0)

Defense forced 2 interceptions and 4 turnover on downs

Carter Shanafelt – 4 field goals (29-yd, 30-yd, 26-yd, 29-yd)

1st state playoff win in school history. Advances to the PIAA State Semifinals where they will play District 3 champion Cocalico either Friday or Saturday at a site and time to be determined.

WPIAL 6A Football Championship Preview

Photo Credit: North Allegheny Sports Network

FOOTBALL

WPIAL 6A CHAMPIONSHIP

#2 NORTH ALLEGHENY (10-1) vs. #1 CENTRAL CATHOLIC (10-1) at NORWIN – 6 PM

#2 NORTH ALLEGHENY

SEMIFINALS: def. #3 Canon-McMillan 49-7

Logan Kushner – 104 passing yds, 125 rushing yds

STATISTICAL LEADERS

Passing Leader: Logan Kushner – 72/132, 1,308 yds, 18 TD, 3 INT

Rushing Leader: Logan Kushner – 88 att, 880 yds, 14 TD

Receiving Leader: Khiryn Boyd – 22 rec, 532 yds, 11 TD

WPIAL CHAMPIONSHIPS: 5 (1990, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2022)

#1 CENTRAL CATHOLIC

SEMIFINALS: def. #4 Mt. Lebanon 42-7

Elijah Faulkner – 13 carries, 192 yds, 5 TD

Payton Wehner – 17/25, 222 yds, TD

Vernon Settles – 8 catches, 115 yds

Peter Gonzalez – 5 catches, 54 yds

STATISTICAL LEADERS

Passing Leader: Payton Wehner – 153/223, 2,660 yds, 33 TD, 5 INT

Rushing Leader: Elijah Faulkner – 179 att, 1,350 yds, 17 TD

Receiving Leader: Peter Gonzalez – 40 rec, 928 yds, 12 TD

WPIAL CHAMPIONSHIPS: 8 (2003, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2019, 2020)

WHAT’S AT STAKE:

North Allegheny: looking to win back-to-back WPIAL Championships for the first time since they 3-peated (2010, 2011, 2012)

Central Catholic: making their 10th WPIAL Championship appearance in the last 11 seasons

PAST POSTSEASONS:

This is a rematch of the 2020 and 2022 WPIAL Championship games.

Central Catholic def. North Allegheny 38-24 in the 2020 WPIAL Championship

North Allegheny def. Central Catholic 35-21 in the 2022 WPIAL Championship

REGULAR SEASON:

Central Catholic def. North Allegheny 50-22 on Sept. 22

Central Catholic

Elijah Faulkner – 32 carries, 229 yds, 4 TD

Cole Sullivan – 2 rec TD

Payton Wehner – 11/17, 152 yds, 2 TD

Xxavier Thomas – 2 INT

North Allegheny

Tyree Alualu – 13 carries, 78 yds

Logan Kushner – 14/24, 170 yds, 2 INT, 16 carries, 72 yds, 2 TD

WPIAL 5A Football Championship Preview

Photo Credit: TribLive HSSN

FOOTBALL

WPIAL 5A CHAMPIONSHIP

#3 PINE-RICHLAND (9-3) vs. #1 PETERS TOWNSHIP (12-0) at Norwin – 12 PM

#3 PINE-RICHLAND

QUARTERFINALS: def. #6 Bethel Park 51-6

Ethan Pillar – 172 yds

Maclane Miller – 15 carries, 108 yds

SEMIFINALS: def. #2 Penn Hills 16-9

Ethan Pillar – 20 carries, 47 yds

Aaron “Oobi” Strader – 5/15, 58 yds, 13 carries, 47 yds, TD

189 yards of total offense

Evan Johnson – 25-yard scoop and score

Strader scored tying touchdown with 2 seconds left

Grant Argiro – 42-yard FG and go-ahead XP with 2 seconds left

STATISTICAL LEADERS

Passing Leader: Kanan Hoffman – 39/87, 540 yds, 3 TD, 3 INT
Aaron Strader – 25/54, 321 yds, 2 TD, 3 INT

Rushing Leader: Ethan Pillar – 257 att, 1,454 yds, 22 TD

Receiving Leader: Vasilios Balouris – 26 rec, 255 yds, 1 TD

WPIAL CHAMPIONSHIPS: 6 (2003, 2014, 2017, 2018, 2020, 2022)

#1 PETERS TOWNSHIP

QUARTERFINALS: def. #8 Franklin Regional 35-0

Nolan DiLuca – 18/27, 230 yds, 3 TD, 7 carries, 90 yds, 2 TD

SEMIFINALS: def. #5 Moon 41-18

Nolan DiLuca – 13/23, 196 yds, 3 TD

Thomas Aspinall – 4 catches, 104 yds, 2 TD

Vinny Sarcone – 14 carries, 72 yds, 2 TD

Preston Blair – 9 carries, 49 yds, TD

STATISTICAL LEADERS:

Passing Leader: Nolan DiLuca – 170/268, 2,356 yds, 23 TD, 6 INT

Rushing Leader: Vinny Sarcone – 131 att, 554 yds, 20 TD

Receiving Leader: Carter Shanafelt – 34 rec, 338 yds, 10 TD

WPIAL CHAMPIONSHIPS: 0

WHAT’S AT STAKE:

Pine-Richland: looking to win their 5th WPIAL Championship in 7 seasons

Peters Township: making their 3rd WPIAL title appearance in the last 5 seasons

PAST POSTSEASONS

This is a rematch of the 2020 WPIAL Championship game. Pine-Richland def. Peters Township 35-0 in that one.

Football WPIAL Semifinals Recap

Photo Credit: North Allegheny Sports Network

FOOTBALL

WPIAL 5A SEMIFINALS

#1 Peters Township 41, #5 Moon 18

Full story here

#3 Pine-Richland 16, #2 Penn Hills 9

Full story here

WPIAL 6A SEMIFINALS

#1 Central Catholic 42, #4 Mt. Lebanon 7

Full story here

#2 North Allegheny 49, #3 Canon-McMillan 7

Full story here

Football WPIAL 6A Semifinals Preview

Photo Credit: North Allegheny Sports Network

FOOTBALL

WPIAL 6A SEMIFINALS

#4 MT. LEBANON (5-5) vs. #1 CENTRAL CATHOLIC (9-1) at FOX CHAPEL – 7 PM

#4 MT. LEBANON

LAST REGULAR SEASON GAME: lost 41-28 to #3 Canon-McMillan

STATISTICAL LEADERS

Passing Leader: Michael Malone – 30/69, 443 yds, 6 TD, 2 INT

Rushing Leader: Fred LaSota – 101 att, 474 yds, 6 TD

Receiving Leader: Noah Schareli – 12 rec, 233 yds, 4 TD

#1 CENTRAL CATHOLIC

LAST REGULAR SEASON GAME: def. #4 (5A) Gateway 51-7

STATISTICAL LEADERS

Passing Leader: Payton Wehner – 134/196, 2,456 yds, 32 TD, 4 INT

Rushing Leader: Elijah Faulkner – 165 att, 1,152 yds, 17 TD

Receiving Leader: Peter Gonzalez – 34 rec, 891 yds, 12 TD

REGULAR SEASON

Central Catholic def. Mt. Lebanon 49-0 on Sept. 15

Central Catholic

Elijah Faulkner – 9 carries, 72 yds, 2 TD

Payton Wehner – 12/20, 170 yds, 2 TD

PAST POSTSEASONS:

Central Catholic def. Mt. Lebanon 28-7 in the 2022 WPIAL Semifinals

Mt. Lebanon def. Central Catholic 47-7 in the 2021 WPIAL Championship

Central Catholic def. Mt. Lebanon 35-0 in the 2020 WPIAL Semifinals

Central Catholic def. Mt. Lebanon 31-14 in the 2019 WPIAL Semifinals

WHAT’S AT STAKE

Mt. Lebanon – looking to get back to the WPIAL Championship for the first time since 2021

Central Catholic – looking to get to the WPIAL Championship for the 5th straight season

#3 CANON-McMILLAN (6-4) at #2 NORTH ALLEGHENY (9-1) – 7 PM

#3 CANON-McMILLAN

LAST REGULAR SEASON GAME: def. #4 Mt. Lebanon 41-28

STATISTICAL LEADERS

Passing Leader: Mike Evans – 92/181, 990 yds, 4 TD, 7 INT

Rushing Leader: Zach Welsh – 209 att, 1,291 yds, 10 TD

Receiving Leader: Zyan Howard – 26 rec, 300 yds, 1 TD

#2 NORTH ALLEGHENY

LAST REGULAR SEASON GAME: def. Seneca Valley 49-14

STATISTICAL LEADERS

Passing Leader: Logan Kushner – 67/119, 1,207 yds, 17 TD, 3 INT

Rushing Leader: Logan Kushner – 77 att, 755 yds, 12 TD

Receiving Leader: Khiryn Boyd – 20 rec, 448 yds, 10 TD

REGULAR SEASON

North Allegheny def. Canon-McMillan 30-6 on Sept. 1

North Allegheny

Logan Kushner – 10/18, 121 yds, TD, 13 carries, 167 yds, 3 TD

Canon-McMillan

Mike Evans – 15/27, 118 yds

Zach Welsh – 8 carries, 42 yds

PAST POSTSEASONS

North Allegheny def. Canon-McMillan 7-0 in the 2022 WPIAL Semifinals

North Allegheny def. Canon-McMillan 49-26 in the 2021 WPIAL Quarterfinals

North Allegheny def. Canon-McMillan 48-7 in the 2019 WPIAL Quarterfinals

WHAT’S AT STAKE

Canon-McMillan – looking for their first playoff win since the 2004 AAA First Round

North Allegheny – the defending champions are looking to get to the WPIAL Championship for the 2nd straight season and 3rd time in 4 years

Football WPIAL 5A Semifinals Preview

Photo Credit: TribLive HSSN

FOOTBALL

WPIAL 5A SEMIFINALS

#5 MOON (6-5) vs. #1 PETERS TOWNSHIP (11-0) at SOUTH FAYETTE – 7 PM

#5 MOON

QUARTERFINALS: def. #4 Gateway 35-31

Josh Bladel – 32 carries, 167 yds, 3 TD

Andrew Cross – 2 TD

STATISTICAL LEADERS

Passing Leader: Andrew Cross – 25/64, 376 yds, 4 TD, 3 INT

Rushing Leader: Josh Bladel – 164 att, 988 yds, 13 TD

Receiving Leader: Paul Bronaugh – 7 rec, 156 yds, 4 TD

#1 PETERS TOWNSHIP

QUARTERFINALS: def. #8 Franklin Regional 35-0

Nolan DiLuca – 18/27, 230 yds, 3 TD, 7 carries, 90 yds, 2 TD

STATISTICAL LEADERS

Passing Leader: Nolan DiLucia – 158/245, 2,168 yds, 20 TD, 6 INT

Rushing Leader: Vinny Sarcone – 131 att, 554 yds, 18 TD

Receiving Leader: Nate Miller – 33 rec, 311 yds

REGULAR SEASON

Peters Township def. Moon 40-7 on Oct. 6 (13-7 at halftime)

Peters Township

Nolan DiLucia – 10/21, 220 yds, 3 TD, 8 carries, 87 yds, TD

Carter Shanafelt – 5 rec, 166 yds, 4 TD (1 defensive)

Moon

Nazir Brookins – 14 carries, 57 yds

Andrew Cross – 8/20, 47 yds, INT

WHAT’S AT STAKE

Moon – looking to get to the WPIAL Championship for the first time since 2021

Peters Township – looking to get to the WPIAL Championship for the first time since 2020

#3 PINE-RICHLAND (8-3) vs. #2 PENN HILLS (9-2) at NORTH HILLS – 7 PM

#3 PINE-RICHLAND

QUARTERFINALS: def. #6 Bethel Park 51-6

Ethan Pillar – 172 yds

Maclane Miller – 15 carries, 108 yds

STATISTICAL LEADERS

Passing Leader: Kanan Huffman – 36/78, 495 yds, 3 TD, 3 INT

Rushing Leader: Ethan Pillar – 221 att, 1,232 yds, 22 TD

Receiving Leader: Vasilios Balouris – 24 rec, 245 yds, 1 TD

#2 PENN HILLS

QUARTERFINALS: def. #7 Penn-Trafford 63-28

Julian Duggar – 6/7, 171 yds, 4 TD

Cameron Thomas – 2 TD

Martel Palmer – 2 TD

STATISTICAL LEADERS

Passing Leader: Julian Duggar – 95/182, 1,585 yds, 20 TD, 3 INT

Rushing Leader: Amir Key – 165 att, 901 yds, 9 TD

Receiving Leader: Cameron Thomas – 23 rec, 540 yds, 10 TD

REGULAR SEASON

Penn Hills def. Pine-Richland 26-20 on Sept. 8

Penn Hills

Julian Duggar – 6/21, 68 yds, 2 TD, 12 carries, 150 yds, TD

Amir Key – 127 yds

Pine-Richland

Ethan Pillar – 32 carries, 127 yds

WHAT’S AT STAKE:

Pine-Richland – the defending champions are looking to get to the WPIAL Championship for the 2nd straight season and 6th time in the last 7 seasons

Penn Hills – looking to get to the WPIAL Championship for the first time since 2018

2023 Big 56 Class 6A Football All-Conference Teams

6A FOOTBALL PHOTO GALLERY

2023 Class 6A Football All-Section Teams

FIRST TEAM OFFENSE
NAME	SCHOOL	POSITION	GRADE
Sam Brackney	Central Catholic	Center	Junior
Lincoln Hoke	North Allegheny	Guard	Sophomore
Tanner Fuchs	Central Catholic	Guard	Senior
Cameron Chmura	North Allegheny	Tackle	Senior
Jack Yatchenko	North Allegheny	Tackle	Junior
TJ Sabatucci	Canon-McMillan	Tight End	Sophomore
Peyton Wehner	Central Catholic	Quarterback	Senior
Zach Welsh	Canon-McMillan	Running Back	Senior
Elijah Faulkner	Central Catholic	Running Back	Junior
Peter Gonzales	Central Catholic	Receiver	Senior
Vernon Settles	Central Catholic	Receiver	Senior
Logan Kushner	North Allegheny	At-Large	Senior
Jake Sassic	Central Catholic	At-Large	Senior
Peter Notaro	North Allegheny	Kicker	Junior
FIRST TEAM DEFENSE
NAME	SCHOOL	POSITION	GRADE
Kaeden Singleton	Canon-McMillan	Defensive End	Senior
Daniel Sellers	North Allegheny	Defensive End	Senior
Matt McMahon	Canon-McMillan	Defensive Tackle	Junior
Ty Yuhas	Central Catholic	Defensive Tackle	Senior
Geno Calgaro	Canon-McMillan	Linebacker	Senior
Tyree Alualu	North Allegheny	Linebacker	Senior
Anthony Speca	Central Catholic	Linebacker	Senior
Cole Sullivan	Central Catholic	Linebacker	Senior
Khiryn Boyd	North Allegheny	Defensive Back	Senior
Amari Shields	Central Catholic	Defensive Back	Junior
Xxavier Thomas	Central Catholic	Defensive Back	Junior
Jayden Price	Seneca Valley	Defensive Back	Junior
Aidan Buggey	North Allegheny	At-Large	Senior
Nick Van Winkle	North Allegheny	Punter	Senior
COACH OF THE YEAR
Ryan Lehmeier	Central Catholic

SECOND TEAM OFFENSE
NAME	SCHOOL	POSITION	GRADE
Ryan Ranallo	North Allegheny	Center	Senior
Mason Williams	Canon-McMillan	Guard	Senior
Roman Kane	Central Catholic	Guard	Junior
Liam Reamer	Canon-McMillan	Tackle	Senior
Anthony Shovlin	Central Catholic	Tackle	Senior
Adam Gehm	Seneca Valley	Tight End	Sophomore
Mikey Evans	Canon-McMillan	Quarterback	Senior
Fred Lasota	Mt. Lebanon	Running Back	Senior
Kai West	Seneca Valley	Running Back	Senior
Jayden Baxter	Canon-McMillan	Receiver	Sophomore
Noah Schaerli	Mt. Lebanon	Receiver	Junior
Beckham Dee	Mt. Lebanon	At-Large	Senior
Ezra Heidenreich	Mt. Lebanon	At-Large	Senior
Billy Lech	Central Catholic	Kicker	Junior
SECOND TEAM DEFENSE
NAME	SCHOOL	POSITION	GRADE
Carmen Petraglia	Central Catholic	Defensive End	Senior
Cayden Parker	Seneca Valley	Defensive End	Sophomore
Daisean Lacks	Canon-McMillan	Defensive Tackle	Junior
Connor Young	Mt. Lebanon	Defensive Tackle	Senior
Liam Flaherty	North Allegheny	Linebacker	Junior
Marco Faieta	Canon-McMillan	Linebacker	Sophomore
James Donaldson	North Allegheny	Linebacker	Junior
Colsen Gatten	Central Catholic	Linebacker	Sophomore
Zyan Howard	Canon-McMillan	Defensive Back	Senior
Evan Lyon	North Allegheny	Defensive Back	Senior
Nick Humphries	North Allegheny	Defensive Back	Junior
Gavin Stanek	Central Catholic	Defensive Back	Senior
Tyler Armstead	Canon-McMillan	At-Large	Senior
Paul Koupiaris	Central Catholic	Punter	Senior
HONORABLE MENTION OFFENSE
NAME	SCHOOL	POSITION	GRADE
Maddux Metzger	Mt. Lebanon	Guard	Senior
Joseph Booth	North Allegheny	Guard	Senior
Roman Mollenauer	Canon-McMillan	Tackle	Senior
Grayson Nugent	Central Catholic	Tackle	Senior
Roman Royal	Seneca Valley	Tackle	Senior
Tom Wuchek	Seneca Valley	Tackle	Sophomore
Kyle Langdon	North Allegheny	Tight End	Junior
Sean O’Shea	Seneca Valley	Quarterback	Senior
Luke Challingsworth	Seneca Valley	Receiver	Senior
Zach Barzd	Canon-McMillan	Punter	Junior

HONORABLE MENTION DEFENSE
NAME	SCHOOL	POSITION	GRADE
Brody Thomas	North Allegheny	Defensive End	Senior
Da’Ron Goodwine	Central Catholic	Defensive Tackle	Junior
Dylan Langdon	North Allegheny	Linebacker	Junior
Dylan Deasy	Central Catholic	Linebacker	Senior
Larry Moon	Central Catholic	Defensive Back	Freshman
Ben McAuley	Mt. Lebanon	Punter	Senior

Kushner, DiLucia named WPIAL Players of the Year in 6A and 5A

PIAA Releases Classifications for 2024-25, 2025-26

PIAA releases State Semifinal sites and times

Football PIAA Quarterfinals Recap

WPIAL 6A Football Championship Preview

WPIAL 5A Football Championship Preview

Football WPIAL Semifinals Recap

Football WPIAL 6A Semifinals Preview

Football WPIAL 5A Semifinals Preview

2023 Big 56 Class 6A Football All-Conference Teams

2023 Class 6A Football All-Section Teams

Calendar

April 2024

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