McKeesport Avoids Upset With Fourth Quarter Comeback

McKeesport trailed for the almost all Class 5A WPIAL First Round matchup against Baldwin.

The No. 6 Tigers (8-3) scored the game-winning touchdown with 1:04 left in regulation to hold off the No. 11 upset-minded Fighting Highlanders (5-6) and hold onto a 21-20 win.

Senior Davari Robinson found the end zone from 25 yards out and senior Anthony Beitko knocked in his third extra point of the night to seal the victory.

Baldwin jumped out to a 14-0 lead in the first half on two Mason Stahl touchdown runs. The Fighting Highlanders held that lead into halftime.

McKeesports finally cracked the scoreboard in the third quarter on a Robinson’s first touchdown of the game, an 81-yard run to cut the deficit in half.

Baldwin responded with its third touchdown of the game, a 42-yard pass from Stahl to Naseer Penn. In what would be the deciding factor, Baldwin missed the 2-point conversion to keep it at 20-7.

The Tigers dominated the fourth quarter, outscoring the fighting Highlanders 14-0.

Senior Deamontae Diggs started the comeback with a 3-yard touchdown run before Robinson’s game-winning.

Robinson finished the game with 235 rushing yards on 22 carries and two touchdowns.

McKeesport will take on No. 3 Penn Hills (10-1) in the Class 5A WPIAL Quarterfinals on Friday at 7 p.m. at a site to be determined.

Class 5A Boys Basketball WPIAL First Round Preview

The WPIAL basketball playoffs get revved up today, including the start of the Class 5A boys basketball playoffs. The 13 team field will feature byes for the top three seeds, Mars, Penn Hills, and Moon, respectively.

All games will begin at 8 p.m. and will be played on a neutral court.

No. 4 Woodland Hills Wolverines (17-5) vs. No. 13 West Allegheny Indians (9-13) At Mt. Lebanon

West Allegheny tying for fourth place in Section 2 is the reason Woodland Hills doesn’t have a bye in the first round. The Wolverines finished second in Section 1 behind Penn Hills. Woodland Hills started the season hot, winning nine out of its first 10 games. They are led by the leading scorer in the WPIAL and first-team all-section, senior Keandre Bowles. Bowles is averaging 29.4 points per game. The Wolverines advanced to the semifinals in the Class 6A playoffs last year…West Allegheny snuck into the last spot in the playoffs. Entering tonight’s game, the Indians have won three of four games. They are led by junior first-team all-section, Jackson Faulk. Faulk is averaging 20.8 points per game. West Allegheny defeated Laurel Highlands, 63-54, in the first round last year…This is the first meeting of the season between these two teams.

No. 5 Chartiers Valley Colts (16-5) vs. No. 12 Albert Gallatin Colonials (5-14) At Peters Township

Chartiers Valley endured a coaching change at the beginning of the season, and it has paid off as they enter the playoffs as one of the contenders to win it all. The Colts have a season long winning streak of seven games, including handing Moon its only defeat of the season. They are led by senior first-team all-section, Joe Pipilo. Pipilo is averaging 18 points per game. The Colts missed the playoffs a year ago…Albert Gallatin only had five wins this year, but they were all in section and it was enough to get them into the playoffs. The Colonials lost their last two regular season games. They are led by sophomore all-section first-team, Nate English. English is averaging 18.4 points per game. The Colonials lost in the first round last year to Moon, 59-44…This is the first meeting of the season between these two teams.

No. 6 Franklin Regional Panthers (16-6) vs. No. 11 Thomas Jefferson Jaguars (11-10) At Norwin

Franklin Regional finished second in Section 3 to undefeated Mars. The Panthers enter tonight’s game on a three game winning streak. They are led by senior all-section first team, Nick Leopold. The Panthers advanced all the way to the WPIAL Championship game last year before falling to Mars…Along with West Allegheny, Thomas Jefferson tied for fourth place in their section to sneak into the playoffs. The Jaguars have lost three out of their last five games entering tonight’s game. They are led by junior second-team all-section, Isaac McNeil. Thomas Jefferson did not make the playoffs last year…This is the first meeting of the season between these two teams.

No. 7 Montour Spartans (14-8) vs. No. 10 Hampton Talbots (12-9) At North Allegheny

Montour was one of three teams to finish with double-digit wins in their section and ended up in third place. The Spartans are one of the hottest teams entering the playoffs, winning seven out of eight games entering tonight. They are led by senior first-team all-section guard, Jaden Nelson. Nelson is averaging 17.9 point per game. Montour did not make the playoffs last year…Hampton finished fourth in their section but did so by still winning eight section games. The Talbots have lost two straight games entering tonight, but those losses came to No. 1 Mars and Class 6A No. 5 Butler. They are led by junior first-team all-section forward, Ben Ringeisen. Ringeisen is averaging 18.7 points per game. Hampton defeated Gateway in the first round last year, 52-50…This is the first meeting of the season between these two teams.

No. 8 Shaler Titans (15-7) vs. No. 9 McKeesport Tigers (11-9) At Fox Chapel

Shaler dropped down from Class 6A this year and the move has paid off as they finished third in its section and finished with 10 section wins. The Titans have won four of six games entering tonight’s first round matchup. They have two players who made first-team all-section with senior Justin DeSabato and junior Mekhi Reynolds. Reynolds is averaging 17.2 points per game and DeSabato has 16.4. Shaler missed the playoffs last year…McKeesport also finished third in its section as well behind Penn Hills and Woodland Hills. The Tigers have won five of seven games entering tonight. They are led by junior first-team all-section forward, Deamontae Diggs. Diggs is averaging 20.1 points per game. McKeesport defeated Armstrong in the first round last year, 61-42…This is the first meeting of the season between these two teams.

For a complete look at the bracket, click here.

Class 5A Boys Basketball All-Section Teams Announced

First-Team Photo Gallery

2018-19 Class 5A Boys Basketball All-Section Teams

SECTION 1
FIRST TEAM
NAMESCHOOLPOSITIONGRADE
Nate EnglishAlbert GallatinPoint GuardSophomore
Dante ParsonsGreensburg SalemGuardJunior
Deamontae DiggsMcKeesportForwardJunior
Tyree SpencerPenn HillsGuard/ForwardSenior
Wes KroppPenn HillsForwardSophomore
Kyree Hairston-MitchellPenn HillsPoint GuardJunior
Keandre BowlesWoodland HillsGuardSenior
COACH OF THE YEAR
Dan DeRosePenn Hills
SECOND TEAM
NAMESCHOOLPOSITIONGRADE
RJ StevensonGateway GuardJunior
Keandre CookLaurel HighlandsGuard/ForwardJunior
Chris MooreMcKeesportGuardSenior
Brison KisanMcKeesportPoint GuardSophomore
Marshall McArthurPenn HillsGuard/ForwardSenior
Markiefe HarveyWoodland HillsGuard/ForwardSenior
Tre'Mon JoseyWoodland HillsGuardSenior
HONORABLE MENTION
NAMESCHOOLPOSITIONGRADE
Dylan SheaAlbert GallatinForwardSophomore
Bonzi ParksGatewayGuardSophomore
Ryan ThomasGreensburg SalemForwardJunior
Ilisea SalaucaLaurel HighlandsCenterSenior
Thomas WyattMcKeesportForwardSenior
SECTION 2
FIRST TEAM
NAMESCHOOLPOSITIONGRADE
Joe PipiloChartiers ValleyGuardSenior
Donovan JohnsonMoonForwardJunior
Connor RyanMoonGuardSenior
Jaden NelsonMontourGuardSenior
Connor MislanSouth FayetteGuardJunior
Michael KorolyTrinityGuardJunior
Jackson FaulkWest AlleghenyGuardJunior
COACH OF THE YEAR
Adam KaufmanMoon
SECOND TEAM
NAMESCHOOLPOSITIONGRADE
Jared GoldstromChartiers ValleyGuardJunior
Brayden ReynoldsChartiers ValleyPoint GuardSophomore
Austin RyanMoonGuardSenior
Jioni SmithMoonGuardSenior
James EubanksMontourGuard/ForwardJunior
Isaac McNeilThomas JeffersonGuardJunior
Dylan KingTrinityForwardJunior
HONORABLE MENTION
NAMESCHOOLPOSITIONGRADE
Tyler ShawChartiers ValleyGuardSenior
Taru JonesMoonForwardSenior
Andrew FranklinSouth FayetteGuardJunior
Josh BrownWest MifflinGuardSenior
SECTION 3
FIRST TEAM
NAMESCHOOLPOSITIONGRADE
Nick LeopoldFranklin RegionalGuardSenior
Ben RingeisenHamptonForwardJunior
Andrew RecchiaMarsGuardSenior
Michael CarmodyMarsForwardJunior
Khori FuscoMarsGuardSenior
Justin DeSabatoShalerGuardSenior
Mekhi ReynoldsShalerGuardJunior
COACH OF THE YEAR
Rob CarmodyMars
SECOND TEAM
NAMESCHOOLPOSITIONGRADE
Isaiah PriceArmstrongGuardJunior
Thomas MeranteFranklin RegionalGuardSenior
Colby MignognaHamptonGuardJunior
Kyrell HutchersonKiski AreaGuardFreshman
Ryne WallaceKiski AreaForwardSenior
Brandon CarusoMarsGuardSenior
Lamar WhitingPlumGuardSenior
HONORABLE MENTION
NAMESCHOOLPOSITIONGRADE
Jalen PriceArmstrongGuardSenior
Adam RudzinskiFranklin RegionalForwardSenior
Johnny O'TooleFranklin RegionalForwardJunior
Josh WinekHamptonGuardSenior
Jack ColecchiKiski AreaForwardSenior
Connor MossPlumGuard/ForwardSophomore
Matt BendelShalerForwardSenior
Brennan FughShalerGuardSenior

McKeesport Gets Revenge On Woodland Hills

Back on Jan. 8, the McKeesport boys basketball team scored a season-high 91 points, Unfortunately for the Tigers, it came in a 96-91 loss at Woodland Hills.

McKeesport has been waiting to avenge that loss and they did so on Saturday, upsetting the Wolverines 77-73.

Just like last game, the two teams traded blows throughout the game. Woodland Hills led 22-19 after the first quarter. McKeesport flipped the deficit to take a 41-38 lead at halftime.

The teams continue to go back-and-forth with neither team holding a lead more than five points in the second half.

Up 74-73, the Tigers controlled the rebound after a missed go-ahead 3-pointer and made both free throws to seal the win.

McKeesport had a big advantage on the glass, out-rebounding Woodland Hills, 44-31.

For the Tigers, junior Deamontae Diggs led the way with a big 18-point, 19-rebound effort. Senior Thomas Wyatt finished with 16 points and senior Christian Moore and sophomore Robert Robinson added 13 and 11 points, respectively.

Woodland Hills was once again led by the WPIAL leading scorer, senior Keandre Bowles. Bowles finished with a game-high 40 points to up his average. Senior Markeife Harvey finished with 13 points and 13 rebounds.

With the win, McKeesport improves to 10-8 overall and 7-3 in the section. The Tigers will travel to first place Penn Hills on Tuesday for a section game at 7:30 p.m.

Woodland Hills still sits in second place with a 15-4 overall record and 9-2 in the section. The Wolverines had their five game win streak snapped with the loss. They will host Hempfield in a non-section game on Monday at 7:30 p.m.

Penn Hills Runs Through McKeesport To Remain Undefeated In Section

Despite it being a loss, McKeesport is coming off its best offensive performance of the season, scoring 91 points against Woodland Hills.

That didn’t phase Penn Hills as the Indians went into Tiger Country and came away with a 81-48 Section 1-5A win on Friday night.

The Indians had a comfortable lead throughout the game, leading 26-12 after the first quarter.

Penn Hills clamped down on defense, allowing only 9 and 8 points in the second and third quarters, respectively, to build a 36-point lead entering the final eight minutes. The Indians finished the game with 17 steals.

Wes Kropp and Tyree Spencer led Penn Hills with 18 points apiece. Kropp also finished with 10 rebounds. Marshall McArthur and Eddie Daniels finished with 13 and 10 points, respectively.

Penn Hills did an outstanding job containing Deamontae Diggs, limiting him to 10 points after he scored a single game school record 42 points a game ago. Thomas Wyatt led McKeesport with 15 points.

With the win, Penn Hills improves to 10-2 overall and 5-0 in the section. The Indians will seek its fifth straight win and sole possession of first place in the section when they host Woodland Hills on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m.

McKeesport drops to 6-7 overall and 3-2 in the section. The Tigers will travel to Gateway on Tuesday for a section game at 7:30 p.m.

Scoring Records Fall In Woodland Hills Win Against McKeesport

Heading into Tuesday night’s Section 1-5A showdown between Woodland Hills and McKeesport, both teams were still looking to stay undefeated in section play.

Both teams played their hearts out, but I don’t think anyone could predict what was about to unfold.

Junior Deamontae Diggs scored 42 points and recorded 20 rebounds to break the McKeesport single game scoring record.

For Woodland Hills, senior Keandre Bowles scored 43 points and brought in 13 rebounds, breaking the single game scoring record for the Wolverines, which was previously set at 39 points.

The Wolverines ended up coming away with the victory, 96-91.

Woodland Hills jumped out to an 18-2 lead in the first quarter, but McKeesport never felt out of it behind Diggs’ performance. Diggs rallied the Tigers back into it, eventually taking the lead early in the fourth quarter.

The Wolverines would responded, with Bowles scoring nine of his points in the fourth quarter. Senior Tre’Mon Josey also played big part in the victory, scoring 10 of his 17 points in the fourth quarter. Junior Raelon Robertson and senior Jay Smith also finished in double figures with 10 points a piece.

Joining Diggs in double figures for McKeesport was senior Christian Moore with 14 points and sophomore Brisan Kison with 11 points.

With the win, Woodland Hills remains in first place in the section with a 9-1 overall record and 5-0 section record. The Wolverines will go for their ninth straight win next Tuesday when they travel to Penn Hills for a section game at 7:30 p.m.

McKeesport drops to 6-6 overall and 3-1 in the section. The Tigers will host Penn Hills in a section game on Friday at 6 p.m.

Football Class 5A Big East Conference All-Section Teams Announced

Class 5A Big East Conference First-Team Photo Gallery

2018 Football Class 5A Big East All-Conference Teams

FIRST TEAM OFFENSE
NAMESCHOOLPOSITIONGRADE
Bryce WashingtonGatewayCenterSenior
Andy MellingerMcKeesportGuardJunior
Amir WahidGatewayGuardSenior
Dylan VanielMcKeesportTackleSenior
Derek SutherlandPenn-TraffordTackleJunior
Tui Faumuina-BrownGatewayTight EndJunior
Jalen RogersConnellsvilleWide ReceiverSenior
Courtney JacksonGatewayWide ReceiverSenior
Brendan MajochaGatewayQuarterbackSenior
Caleb LisbonPenn-TraffordRunning BackJunior
Derrick DavisGatewayRunning BackSophomore
Zakharee WilliamsLatrobeMulti-Purpose BackSenior
Keaton HierPenn-TraffordKickerSenior
COACH OF THE YEAR
Don HollGateway
FIRST TEAM DEFENSE
NAMESCHOOLPOSITIONGRADE
Trent HollerLatrobeDefensive EndSenior
Dylan SchmidtPenn-TraffordDefensive EndJunior
Josh CheplickPenn-TraffordDefensive TackleJunior
Kelvon NelsonGatewayDefensive TackleSophomore
Niko RossoPenn-TraffordInside LinebackerSenior
Thomas WyattMcKeesportInside LinebackerSenior
Adam RudzinskiFranklin RegionalOutside LinebackerSenior
Devin SimsMcKeesportOutside LinebackerSenior
Dimitri GeorgePenn-TraffordDefensive BackSenior
Jeremiah JosephsGatewayDefensive BackSenior
Nick LeopoldFranklin RegionalDefensive BackSenior
Konota GaskinsMcKeesportDefensive BackSenior
Nathan ClairLatrobePunterSenior
SECOND TEAM OFFENSE
NAMESCHOOLPOSITIONGRADE
Branden BrooksMcKeesportCenterSenior
Michael RitterPenn-TraffordGuardJunior
Caleb DomenickLatrobeGuardSenior
Trey SweeneyLatrobeTackleSenior
Chris SmileyConnellsvilleTackleSenior
Reese MueselerLatrobeTight EndSenior
Deamontae DiggsMcKeesportWide ReceiverJunior
Michael EvansFranklin RegionalWide ReceiverSenior
Gabe DunlapPenn-TraffordQuarterbackJunior
Quaran SaylesMcKeesportRunning BackSenior
Billy GuzziPlumRunning BackSophomore
Devon PowellFranklin RegionalMulti-Purpose BackSenior
Anthony DiFalcoFranklin RegionalKickerFreshman
SECOND TEAM DEFENSE
NAMESCHOOLPOSITIONGRADE
Zach CrosslandFranklin RegionalDefensive EndSenior
Marcquis ButlerMcKeesportDefensive EndSenior
Tyler MetzgerConnellsvilleDefensive TackleSenior
Paul SimonovitchLatrobeDefensive TackleSenior
Justin JohnsFranklin RegionalInside LinebackerJunior
Jordan StancovichGatewayInside LinebackerJunior
Jon PeduzziPenn-TraffordOutside LinebackerSenior
Maximos MatolcsyPlumOutside LinebackerSophomore
Blake LancasterConnellsvilleDefensive BackSenior
Noah AllenPenn-TraffordDefensive BackJunior
Torry RobinsonAlbert GallatinDefensive BackJunior
Reed MartinPlumDefensive BackSophomore
Gage GillottConnellsvillePunterSophomore
HONORABLE MENTION OFFENSE
NAMESCHOOLPOSITIONGRADE
Anthony BonacciFranklin RegionalCenterJunior
Adam GarvinPlumGuardSenior
Cameron KingConnellsvilleGuardSophomore
Anthony YoungoPenn-TraffordGuardJunior
CJ CiecierskiFranklin RegionalTackleJunior
KeVonte SimpsonMcKeesportTackleJunior
Cooper AubelePlumTackleSenior
Evan AzzaraPlumTackleSophomore
Andrew SnyderFranklin RegionalTight EndSenior
Ethan FrenchikGatewayWide ReceiverSenior
Jared OziasConnellsvilleWide ReceiverSenior
Josh MaherConnellsvilleQuarterbackSenior
Hunter LinhartPlumQuarterbackSenior
Jimmy SchroppPlumRunning BackSenior
Zach GordonFranklin RegionalRunning BackJunior
Sam FanelliPenn-TraffordRunning BackJunior
Braeden MoodyAlbert GallatinMulti-Purpose BackSenior
Ethan CarrPenn-TraffordMulti-Purpose BackSophomore
Anthony BeitkoMcKeesportKickerJunior
Jayson JenkinsGatewayKickerSophomore
HONORABLE MENTION DEFENSE
NAMESCHOOLPOSITIONGRADE
Peyton KellyPenn-TraffordDefensive EndJunior
Jacques TaylorGatewayDefensive EndSophomore
Jack PedroskyFranklin RegionalDefensive EndSophomore
Jaden NicholsPlumDefensive EndSophomore
Cameron WormackConnellsvilleDefensive EndSenior
Dylan SheaAlbert GallatinDefensive EndSophomore
Tomi WoodsonGatewayDefensive EndSenior
Josh PelusiFranklin RegionalDefensive TackleFreshman
Chandler DeWittConnellsvilleInside LinebackerSenior
Cole DupontAlbert GallatinInside LinebackerSenior
Jay Johnson GatewayInside LinebackerJunior
Seth NorcuttPlumInside LinebackerSenior
Tucker KnuppLatrobeInside LinebackerSophomore
Jack PolingFranklin RegionalInside LinebackerSenior
Jake CardiffPenn-TraffordInside LinebackerSenior
Chase BurkPenn-TraffordOutside LinebackerJunior
Nicolas SlukaPlumDefensive BackJunior
Trevor BrncicFranklin RegionalPunterSophomore

Football Class 5A Quarterfinal Round Preview

There weren’t many upsets in the first round of the Class 5A football playoffs last week, with only two lower seeded teams advancing and one double-digit team advancing.

Tonight’s games will pose a different threat for the higher seeded teams as all games will now be played at a neutral site. All four quarterfinal games will kickoff at 7:30 p.m.

No. 1 Gateway Gators (11-0) vs. No. 9 Franklin Regional Panthers (7-3) At Norwin

As expected, Gateway rolled in its first round win against No. 16 Kiski Area, 63-7. The defending WPIAL champions jumped out to a 49-0 lead at halftime before slowing down in the second half. In the first quarter, the Gators got two touchdown runs by sophomore Derrick Davis and another one by senior quarterback, Brendan Majocha. Davis led the offense with 116 rushing yards and three touchdowns. Junior Jaquan Thomas also eclipsed the century mark with 110 rushing yards and two touchdowns. In last year’s quarterfinal round, Gateway defeated Woodland Hills, 40-28…Franklin Regional went on the road last week and thumped No. 8 Bethel Park, 56-28. The Panthers and Black Hawks were tied 14-14 after the first quarter, but Franklin Regional opened the game up in the second quarter with three touchdowns to take a 35-14 halftime lead. Senior Adam Rudzinski led the offense, throwing for 214 yards and three touchdowns and two more touchdowns on the ground. Senior Michael Evans had a career day at wideout, hauling in seven receptions for 237 yards and three touchdowns. Franklin Regional lost to Upper St. Clair, 6-3, in last year’s quarterfinals…This is a rematch from the regular season that saw Gateway control Franklin Regional, 63-3. It was the first loss of the season for the Panthers.

No. 2 Penn Hills Indians (11-0) vs. No. 7 McKeesport Tigers (9-2) At Fox Chapel

Just like Gateway, Penn Hills breezed past its first round opponent, No. 15 Latrobe, with a 55-7 win. The Indians led 35-0 at halftime and didn’t allow their only points of the game until the fourth quarter. Seniors Terry “Tank” Smith and “Daequan Hardy led the Indians with a pair of touchdowns each. Smith finished the game with 101 rushing yards. In last year’s Class 6A quarterfinal game, Penn Hills defeated Bethel Park, 30-28…McKeesport had a harder test in the first round, pulling out a narrow 13-7 win against No. 10 Upper St. Clair. The Tigers fell behind 7-0 early before tying it up in the second quarter and getting the game-winning touchdown in the fourth quarter. Both touchdowns were scored by senior Konota Gaskins. Senior Devin Sims led the team in rushing with 108 yards. In last year’s quarterfinal round, McKeesport edged West Allegheny, 22-21…This is the first meeting of the season between the two teams.

No. 3 Peters Township Indians (9-2) vs. No. 6 Penn-Trafford Warriors (9-2) At West Mifflin

Peters Township continued to stay hot in the first round with a 35-7 win against No. 14 Armstrong. The Indians scored the first 35 points of the game before allowing a touchdown in the fourth quarter. Junior Ryan Magiske led the scoring for Peters Township with two rushing touchdowns. He also finished the game with an even 100 yards rushing. In last year’s Class 6A quarterfinal game, Peters Township lost to Central Catholic, 27-20…Penn-Trafford made easy work of the first Indian squad they faced this postseason, defeating No. 11 North Hills in the first round, 42-7. Just like Peters Township, Penn-Trafford scored all of its points before allowing a touchdown in the fourth quarter. Junior Caleb Lisbon led the Warriors with three rushing touchdowns in the game. Fellow junior Gabe Dunlap added a pair of short yardage rushing touchdowns. Dunlap finished the game 7 of 15 passing for 100 yards. Lisbon rushed for 182 yards. Penn-Trafford defeated Fox Chapel, 28-21, in the quarterfinal round last year…This is the first meeting of the season between the two teams.

No. 5 West Allegheny Indians (8-2) vs. No. 13 Woodland Hills Wolverines (5-6) At North Hills

Both of these teams are coming off of shutout wins in the first round. West Allegheny defeated No. 5 Shaler, 37-0. Junior Kam Kruze led the offense with a rushing touchdown and a passing touchdown. It was the second straight shutout for West Allegheny, who defeated Moon, 7-0, in the regular season finale. The Indians are looking to get past the quarterfinal round after losing 22-21 agains McKeesport a year ago…Woodland Hills was the surprise of the first round, upsetting No. 4 Mars on the road, 14-0. The Wolverines scored a touchdown in each the second and third quarter. The dagger was their 57-yard run to open the scoring by senior Anthony Merideth. He finished the game with 148 yards rushing. Junior William Clark finished the game with 116 yards rushing. Woodland Hills lost to Gateway, 40-28, in last year’s quarterfinal game…This is a rematch of a game earlier this season that West Allegheny won, 14-13.

For a complete look at the Class 5A bracket, click here.

Football Class 5A First Round Preview

The WPIAL held its pairings meeting on Monday and with an expanded Class 5A from a year ago, had its work cut out for them. With three sections, the 16-team field will feature no byes and all eight first round matchups occurring tonight at the location of the higher seed. All games will kickoff at 7:30 p.m.

No. 1 Gateway Gators (10-0) vs. No. 16 Kiski Area Cavaliers (3-7)

The defending Class 5A WPIAL champion and PIAA runner-up were back at it again this year, blowing away its competition in every game. The Gators averaging 49.5 points per game and gave up an astounding 4.3 points per game. They scored over 50 points in five games, including a season-best 76 against Connellsville. The Gators have also recorded five shutouts on the season. Senior Brendan Majocha was second in 5A with 1,916 passing yards and 29 touchdown passes. Senior Courtney Jackson hauled in 27 catches for 771 yards and 16 touchdowns. Sophomore Derrick Davis rushed for 1,005 yards and 18 touchdowns on 90 carries. The Gators had a bye in in the first round last year…Kiski only one three games the whole season, but was able to qualify for the playoffs. The Cavaliers lost their last six games after starting the season 3-1. They are averaging 20.6 points per game and are allowing 33.1 points per game. Senior Ryne Wallace was third in Class 5A with 1,666 passing yards. He also threw for 14 touchdowns. Senior Jack Colecchi led the team with 34 receptions and 636 yards and eight touchdowns. Kiski Area last made the playoffs in 2015, a 34-26 lost to Bethel Park in the first round…This is the first meeting of the season between these two teams.

No. 2 Penn Hills Indians (10-0) vs. No. 15 Latrobe Wildcats (4-6)

The move down to Class 5A has benefitted Penn Hills this season, who was able to run the table with an undefeated record, including picking up win No. 500 in program history. The Indians averaged 40.5 points per game and only allowing 10 points per game. Penn Hills have recorded three shutouts, including its past two games. Senior Hollis Mathis was the top passer in Class 5A with 2,097 passing yards and 28 touchdowns. Senior Daequan Hardy was the top receiver with 610 yards and 27 receptions and 15 touchdowns. The Indians stayed balanced with a stellar ground game led by senior Terry “Tank” Smith with 1,043 yards on 122 carries and 16 touchdowns…Latrobe finished below .500 but were able to qualify for the playoffs. The Wildcats enter the playoffs with momentum on their side, winning their last three games of the regular season. Offensively, Latrobe is averaging 24.6 points per game and is allowing 27 points per game. Junior Branden Crosby threw for 961 yards for the Wildcats this season. Senior Zakharee Williams found the end zone more than any other Wildcat with 14 touchdowns. Latrobe last made the playoffs in 2009…In the first matchup of the season, Penn Hills defeated Latrobe, 50-13, on Aug. 31 at home.

No. 3 Peters Township Indians (8-2) vs. No. 14 Armstrong River Hawks (5-5)

For the first time since 1975, Peters Township can call themselves conference champions in football. The Indians did so by winning their last seven conference games after starting 0-1. Overall, they enter tonight’s game on a four-game win streak. Like Penn Hills, Peters Township also benefitted from dropping down to Class 5A this season. Sophomore quarterback Logan Pfeuffer has stepped up this year, passing for 1,487 yards and nine touchdowns. Junior Josh Casilli was his top receiver with 34 receptions for 614 yards. Junior Ryan Magiske led the team with 17 touchdowns. On the season, the Indians are averaging 33.1 points per game and are allowing 14.5 points per game…Armstrong finished fourth in its conference to qualify for the playoffs. The River Hawks do have some momentum heading into tonight’s game, winning their last two games. Armstrong is averaging 26 points per game and are allowing 23.3 points per game. Senior Jalen Price has led the offense with 686 yards on 134 carries. He also leads the team with nine touchdowns. Armstrong is back in the playoffs after missing it a year ago…This is the first meeting of the season between the two teams.

No. 4 Mars Planets (9-1) vs. No. 13 Woodland Hills Wolverines (4-6)

Although Mars only suffered one loss, they still finished in second place in its conference to Penn Hills. Since their loss to the Indians, the Planets have rattled off six straight wins entering tonight’s game. On the season, Mars is averaging 30.2 points per game and is only allowing 12.3 points per game. Senior Tyler Kowalkowski threw for over 1,000 yards this season, going for 1,059 yards and 11 touchdowns. Senior Garrett Reinke was the leading rusher in Class 5A for the Planets, accumulating 1,747 yards on 226 carries and 22 touchdowns, which also led Class 5A. Mars made the jump up from Class 4A a year ago and has shown they can hang with the big boys…Normally one of the top teams, Woodland Hills has struggled the last couple of years but the Wolverines were still able to claw their way into the playoffs by finishing fifth in its conference. The Wolverines have won their final two games of the regular season entering tonight. They are only averaging 16.8 points per game, but have been able to rely on its defense, giving up 15.9 points per game. Woodland Hills were led on the ground by the duo of junior William Clark and senior Anthony Meridith. Both have amassed over 700 yards on the ground this season. Clark leads the team with seven touchdowns…This is the first meeting of the season between these two teams.

No. 5 West Allegheny Indians (7-2) vs. No. 12 Shaler Titans (4-6)

West Allegheny was co-conference champions in the Allegheny Eight Conference with Peters Township. It was another productive year for the Indians, their last one under future Hall of Fame head coach Bob Palko. West A averaged 25.3 points per game and allowed 19.4 points per game. Its lone section loss of the season came against Peters Township. Senior Dante Flati led the Indians’ ground attack with 734 yards on 139 carries and nine touchdowns…Entering the season, Shaler was in the midst of a 24-game losing streak, spanning over three years. While the Titans may not have a winning record, four wins shows a lot of growth from their recent struggles. The Titans clinched their playoff spot with a 62-0 win against Fox Chapel at home. Shaler is averaging 22.7 points per game and are allowing 28.2 points per game. Junior quarterback Darin Mizgorski was fourth in Class 5A with 1,514 passing yards. The Titans also had the top receiver in Class 5A in senior Brennan Fugh. Fugh caught 43 passes for 695 yards. Shaler also had a 1,000 yard rusher in senior Joe Kremer. Kremer rushed for 1,012 yards on 189 carries and 10 touchdowns. This is Shaler’s first playoff appearance since 2011…This is the first meeting of the season between the two teams.

No. 6 Penn-Trafford Warriors (8-2) vs. No. 11 North Hills Indians (6-4)

Its been awhile since Penn-Trafford has lost a game. After starting the season 0-2, the Warriors have rattled off eight straight wins to finish in second place behind top-seed Gateway in the Big East Conference. Penn-Trafford is averaging 37.6 points per game, but are led by its defense who is allowing 11.9 points per game. Junior Gabe Dunlap eclipsed the 1,000 passing mark with 1,102 yards and 12 touchdowns. Senior Dmitri George was his top receiver, accounting for 646 yards and 33 receptions. Junior Caleb Lisbon has the opportunity to go over 1,000 rushing yards on the season tonight, as he enters the game with 963 yards. He also leads the team with 13 touchdowns…North Hills has slipped a little bit since starting the season 4-0. They finished the regular season with a 38-0 loss against No. 2 Penn Hills, finishing in third place in the Northern Conference. The Indians are averaging 18.4 points per game and are allowing 23.5 points per game. Most of the Indians success on offense has come via the ground game, led by senior Tyler Brennan. Brennan has 784 yards on 109 carries and 18 touchdowns on the season. North Hills has returned to the playoffs after missing out on it last year…This is the first meeting of the season between the two teams.

No. 7 McKeesport Tigers (8-2) vs. No. 10 Upper St. Clair Panthers (8-2)

McKeesport had one of the top offenses in Class 5A during the regular season, but they couldn’t even keep up with Gateway in a 34-6 loss to end the regular season. The Tigers finished in third place in the Big East Conference. They are averaging 41.8 points per game and are allowing only 13.7 points per game. The Tigers stayed balanced on offense this year with seniors Devin Sims and Konota Gaskins scoring 12 and 10 touchdowns, respectively, and junior Devari Robinson scoring nine…Upper St. Clair had an opportunity to claim a piece of the section title, but stumbled against Bethel Park in the final game of the regular season, 20-14. The loss dropped them to third place in the Allegheny Eight Conference. The Panthers are averaging 24.3 points per game and are allowing 19.2 points per game. Senior Jason Sweeney led the offensive onslaught this season with 1,458 passing yards and 14 touchdowns. The Pantellis brothers, senior Chris and sophomore David were his main targets. Chris Pantellis was second in Class 5A with 40 receptions for 628 yards. David Pantellis was sixth in Class 5A with 34 receptions for 497 yards. Senior Antonio Orsini balances out the attack on the ground with 948 rushing yards. He also leads the team with eight touchdowns…This is the first meeting of the season between these two teams.

No. 8 Bethel Park Black Hawks (6-3) vs. No. 9 Franklin Regional Panthers (6-3)

Bethel Park benefited from a win last week against Upper St. Clair to help its seeding and earn a home playoff game. The Black Hawks finished in fourth place in the Allegheny Eight Conference. They won four of their last five games after starting the season 2-2. They are averaging 28.8 points per game and are allowing 17.9 points per game. Behind their big offensive line, Bethel Park relies on the ground game with three running backs rushing for over 500 yards. Senior Luke Surunis leads the team with 692 yards. Junior Sean McGowan is second with 619 yards and junior Jehvonn Lewis rounds it the three-headed monster with 524 yards. Lewis leads the bunch with 11 touchdowns. Surunis has 10 and McGowan with eight…Franklin Regional has cooled off after a hot start. The Panthers have lost three of four games entering tonight’s game after starting the season 5-0. They finished in fourth place in the Big East Conference. They are averaging 29.4 points per game and are allowing 20.7 points per game. Offensively, senior quarterback Adam Rudzinski has led the Panthers with 1,196 yards and 16 touchdowns. Senior Nick Leopold leads the team with eight touchdowns…This is the first meeting of the season between these two teams.

For a complete look at the Class 5A bracket, click here.

 

McKeeport Remains in Hunt For Section Title

Gateway remains in the driver seat for the Class 5A Big East Conference, but McKeesport remained in the passenger seat with a chance to claim at least a share of a section title next week when the two teams face off.

The Tigers gave themselves a shot at that with a 36-16 at home against Franklin Regional on Friday night. McKeesport jumped out to a 36-0 lead through three quarters.

In the first quarter, the Tigers led 15-0 on a 1-yard run by senior Konota Gaskins. Gaskins ran in the 2-point conversion as well. McKeesport’s defense made themselves known later in the quarter with a fumble recovery in the end zone by senior Devin Sims.

The Tigers erupted for three touchdowns in the second quarter, that accounted for the rest of their points in the game. Gaskins rushed for his second touchdown of the game from three yards out before throwing two more touchdowns in the quarter, both going to junior Deamontae Diggs from 41 yards and 35 yards, respectively. Gaskins finished the game 3 of 6 for 133 yards.

Franklin Regional scored all its points in the fourth quarter, but it was too little too late.

McKeesport improves to 8-1 overall and 5-1 in the conference. They will travel to Gateway (9-0, 6-0) next week for the conference championship game at 7 p.m.

Franklin Regional drops to 6-2 overall and are in fourth place in the conference with a 4-2 record. The Panthers will travel to Penn-Trafford in the regular season finale at 7:30 p.m.