Football Class 6A WPIAL Championship Game Preview
It will be a busy day at Heinz Field today with four WPIAL Football Championship Games being played, but non will be bigger than the prime time event in Class 6A between Pine-Richland and Seneca Valley.
No. 2 Pine-Richland Rams (9-2) vs. No. 5 Seneca Valley Raiders (9-3), 8 p.m.
Both these teams are familiar with the bright lights of Heinz Field. Pine-Richland is the defending WPIAL champions and although Seneca Valley is seeking its first WPIAL championship in program history, the Raiders were at this stage two years ago when they lost to Central Catholic, 42-7. The Rams enter the championship game with an easy victory in the semifinals at home against No. 3 Mt. Lebanon, 46-16. Pine-Richland enforced the Mercy Rule by the start of the second half with a 46-0 lead at the break. Mt. Lebanon hung in there for the first quarter, but it was too much power for the Rams, as they scored 39 points in the second quarter. Sophomore Cole Spencer and junior Luke Meckler led the offense in the first half. Spencer threw for three touchdowns and rushed for another and Meckler, a first-team defensive back, rushed for two scores. In last year’s championship game, Pine-Richland defeated Central Catholic, 42-7…Seneca Valley went on the road and knocked off top-seed North Allegheny in the semifinals, 31-14. The Raiders led 17-14 at halftime, and used their stout defense like they have all season long to limit the Tigers. Senior Jake Mineweaser, an honorable mention pick in Class 6A, led the offense with 142 rushing yards and two scores. It was the second playoff game in a row Seneca Valley has only allowed 14 points after defeating Central Catholic, 15-14, in the quarterfinals…In the first meeting of the season, Pine-Richland defeated Seneca Valley at home, 21-7, on Oct. 19.
For a complete look at the Class 6A bracket, click here.