Apollo-Ridge bullied Greensburg Central Catholic 42-6 on Friday night at Owens Field. Chris Dailey has a big night for the Vikings passing for 197 yards and two touchdowns. The Vikings built a three-touchdown lead in the first half and never trailed.

PENN HILLS - Kevin Truman plans to make an introduction to the Penn Hills boys soccer team Wednesday. Truman would like to emphasize that space is their friend and they should plan to utilize it when necessary. Penn Hills had a nervous final 10 minutes during its non-conference game with Obama Academy Tuesday at Nate Ferraco Field.

The Indians picked up their first win, 1-0, but showed they are still working their way into what they hope will be an improved season.

"We have a 72-yard wide pitch," Truman said. "When we win the ball in the middle of the field, we need to let the ball do the work. Play a diagonal ball into the middle of the pitch. But it's hard to see that live sometimes. When we do our video sessions, we will see that. The last 10 minutes was bend, don't break."

Obama Academy coach Luke D'Amico was happy to see the Eagles apply so much pressure late. It was Obama's season opener and the Eagles had a freshman, Nehemiah Sun Oo, in the starting lineup.

"I like that kind of grit and mentality," D'Amico said. "We might be chasing games a lot. We've lost a lot of scoring from previous years, so we are trying to find that answer."

Neither team found many answers in the first half. The Eagles (0-0) found the most dangerous scoring opportunities. Zephyr Cook force Penn Hills keeper Jesse Truman to make a diving save to parry away his effort off a free kick. Obama Academy also had another corner kick attempt punched out of danger by Truman.

It was a physical first half. Penn Hills committed seven fouls and received a yellow card. The Eagles also had two yellow cards awarded to them.

The result was a scoreless game at halftime.

The game was scoreless at halftime. Penn Hills broke through early in the second piece on a set piece of their own. Thomas Quirk's corner kick was headed in by Anthony Booker, who had his bouncing effort land in the right-side of the net.

"I wanted it more," Booker said. "There were three guys around me, but I was at the back post and I wanted it."

D'Amico said Obama Academy had a hard time getting back on track after conceding the goal. The Eagles are still working to find the right combinations for their attack. 

"We talked at half about trying to play our striker as a holding striker so we can play off of him," D'Amico said. "That fell through quickly. We tried to chase the game. We felt the pressure of going down 1-0 in the first eight minutes or so in the second half."

Penn Hills also seemed the feel the pressure late. The Indians had several opportunities to hold onto the ball and eat clock, but seemed eager to push the ball forward. Obama Academy took advantage and earned a few corner kicks and set pieces in the waning minutes to put the pressure on.

But the Indians (1-0-1) kept the Eagles out of the net. Booker said Penn Hills learned a lesson about keeping possession more.

"Most definitely, we want to keep possession," Booker said. "We got the job done today and that's all that matters."

​Josh Rizzo is the editor and publisher of Pittsburgh Preps and Colleges. Story ideas can be submitted to [email protected] or on X @J_oshRizzo.

Jaden Dugger's journey has gone from Penn Hills to Georgetown to Louisiana. After being drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in the NFL Draft this past spring, his stay in the Bay Area will be a little longer.

Dugger, who recently drew praise from the San Francisco Chronicle, was drafted in the 5th round with the 154th pick. Dugger will be a linebacker for the 49ers, who will open the season against the Los Angeles Rams at 8:35 p.m. on Sept. 10. Dugger finished with 13 tackles for loss during his senior year with the Ragin' Cajuns.

Josh Rizzo is the editor and publisher of Pittsburgh Preps and Colleges. Story ideas can be submitted to [email protected] or on X @J_oshRizzo.

The Wolvarena is one of the best places to see a game. Trying to navigate around the stadium in Turtle Creek isn't something that is enjoyable. One motorist forced notable changes to the third annual KDKA Kickoff Classic on Saturday afternoon. Someone struck a light pole that knocked out the scoreboard during the game between Westinghouse and Hickory.

A decision was made to push Woodland Hills' contest with New Castle from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.  The games themselves weren't two close on the second day of the event. Farrell, a District 10 Class 2A powerhouse, beat up defending 1A state champion Clairton, 33-6. Westinghouse picked up a 20-6 win over Hickory and Woodland Hills powered past the Red Hurricanes.

Mason picks up first win
Jaysen Booker passed for 123 yards and threw two touchdown passes to collect a win for interim coach Dan Mason. Richard Littlejohn, who transferred to Penn Hills from Seton La Salle last season, scored twice. Penn Hills knocked off Franklin Regional, 34-21.

The Indians will have a tough test in Week 2, taking on Gateway, which beat Kiski, 31-10.

Valley, Knoch snap losing skids

The Vikings lost 25 consecutive game, a string that stretched back to 2023 season. But thanks to first-quarter touchdowns from Roman D'Argan and Davell McWright, Valley was able to hold on for a 14-12 over Serra Catholic to get back in the win column.

​Knoch opened the season with a 71-8 win over Summit Academy Friday at home. The Knights were 0-10 last season.

Stadium safety
There was a shooting incident -- where thankfully no one was hurt -- during the South Allegheny Elizabeth Forward game Friday night. There was another incident out east where there were issues with rumors of someone having a gun. Following the event at the Wolvarena, there were reports of fights outside the stadium following Woodland Hills' win.

There's really no solution I have to solve the problem, just wild these things continue to happen.

Josh Rizzo is the editor and publisher of Pittsburgh Preps and Colleges. Story ideas can be sent to [email protected] or on X @J_oshRizzo.

The 2026 Pennsylvania High School football season is finally upon us. When it comes to Western Pennsylvania, the WPIAL saw two teams - Class 3A Avonworth and Class 1A Clairton -- bring home state championships last season. Pittsburgh Central Catholic made it to the 6A final before falling to La Salle College in a rematch of their contest to open last season.

The Antelopes -- who have reached the state final in consecutive seasons -- will have a new crop of contenders to deal with after they ran the table and finished 15-0 last year. Aliquippa won its appeal to the PIAA and will again be aligned in Class 3A. Avonworth beat the Quips in non-conference play last year. Propel Braddock Hills, a new co-op that will include Imani Christian, which challenged the Antelopes for the WPIAL crown last season.

There are plenty of games and storylines that should provide color over the next few months. Here's a look at a few games of interest to open the season.

Hopewell seeks to cement status as contender
The Vikings didn't just make a cameo in the WPIAL Class 3A playoffs in 2025. Hopewell fought through a difficult Western Hills Conference to earn a playoff bid for the first time in 13 years. The Vikings then beat up Southmoreland in the first round before bowing out to Imani Christian. 

There will be high expectations for Hopewell, which returns junior quarterback James "BooBoo" Armstrong. Armstrong recently committed to Penn State and led a dynamic offense last season. Hosting the defending state champions to open the season will be a good stress test for where the Vikings are at.

Avonworth returns star receiver Jaden Jones and have reached the WPIAL final in every season since 2021.

Central Catholic seeks premiere victory
Life in the six-class world of PIAA football has been unkind to Pittsburgh Central Catholic. The Vikings won their fourth state championship in 2015, when they won the 4A crown by knocking off Parkland. Since then, PCC has reached the state final three times -- in 2016, 2024 and 2025 -- but have struggled to find success against the Philadelphia powerhouses.

​The Vikings will have their resolve tested in the season opener against Bergen Catholic (N.J.). Bergen Catholic finished last season 8-3 and reached the semifinals of the New Jersey state playoffs before losing to Don Bosco. Vikings junior quarterback Owen Herrick is a hotly-touted prospect.

PCC would like a win over an out-of-state power to jump start its state title ambitions.

Gateway wants fast start
Gators coach Don Holl was disappointed that Gateway was left out of the Class 5A playoffs last year thanks to the WPIAL's convoluted tiebreaker system. The Gators had a difficult time finding footing during its 3-7 season, starting a freshman quarterback. Mayson Mitchell gained valuable experienced after being thrown into the fire, including leading Gateway to a Big East Conference win over Kiski last season at home.

The Gators will try to replicate that success again against the Cavaliers. Kiski went down to Class 4A for the next two-year enrollment cycle. The Cavaliers are also breaking in a new coach in former Highlands standout Brayden Thimons.

Other things to watch for

Knoch, which finished 0-10 last season, will hope to end a 12-game losing overall with a win over Summit Academy. The Knights, a school for at-risk youth, typically turns over 100 percent of its roster every season. ... Norwin will play at Penn-Trafford to open the season, making a different season for the Knights. Norwin will have six games at its rival's homefield due to construction at its stadium. ... The Wolvarena will again host a kick-off classic. The Wolverines will open against New Castle, while USO will take on Bishop Canevin and Westinghouse will attempt to beat Hickory. Clairton will take on District 10 power Farrell.

Josh Rizzo is the editor and publisher of Pittsburgh Preps and Colleges. Story ideas can be submitted to [email protected] or on X @J_oshRizzo.

​Shady Side Academy graduate Maria Ravotti hasn't totally settled into the college lifestyle yet.  But Ravotti proved her penchant for making stylish saves made the trip to Rhode Island with her. Ravotti made a lunging save in the 26th minute last Saturday to help the Friars women's soccer team pick up a 3-0 win over Rhode Island.

Ravotti, a true freshman, made three stops in the victory. She also earned the start in the Friars' season opener, a 1-1 draw with UMASS Lowell.

Josh Rizzo is the editor and publisher of Pittsburgh Preps and Colleges. Story ideas can be submitted 

It was a moving night in the Professional Fighters League middleweight division Friday at Bojangles Coliseum in Charlotte. Josh Fremd, a Connellsville graduate, continued his ascent in 2026.

Dalton Rosta, a Laurel graduate, suffered a split-decision loss to drop his third consecutive defeat.

Fremd had a war with Brazilian Jhony Gregory, who has a penchant for finishing fights in the first round. Fremd had to work his way out of a choke to move into the second round. With Gregory exhausted, Fremd used his striking to score a technical knockout.

Fremd (13-6) has now won three fights via knockout in 2026. Two of those wins came in the PFL, where Fremd was ranked ninth in the division before his fight with Gregory, and one was in the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship.
​

Rosta (11-4) had a colorful walkout before the fight. He started in a Carolina Panthers jersey, before taking it off to reveal a Steelers jersey underneath. Rosta drew the ire of the Charlotte crowd, which was behind Battle in his hometown.

Before the fight, the fighters didn’t touch gloves. When the fight started, however, the action was lacking.

Rosta, who was ranked fourth in the division, employed a grappling-heavy approach and couldn’t hold battle down as the fight wore on. Despite Rosta’s inability to land heavy strikes, Battle also couldn’t employ much of his striking either.

Battle told Dan Hardy during his post-fight interview that he wanted to look for more openings to counter.

“It’s a pleasure to fight at home,” Battle said. “It’s hard to fight a tough guy like Dalton. I was hoping he would give me a few openings, but he kept it technical tonight. We were both trying to bounce back.”

Battle and Rosta had both fought on the PFL Pittsburgh card in March. Battle was submitted by PFL interim middleweight champion Johnny Eblen.

Rosta was knocked out by former PFL Tournament winner Impa Kasanganay in the first round.

Battle wants to quickly climb into the title picture as the PFL starts to inch closer to its rebranding under the MVP Promotions umbrella in 2027.

​“I’m not going to sit around and wait for something,” Battle said. “Let me whoop someone’s ass, please.”

Josh Rizzo is the editor and publisher of Pittsburgh Preps and Colleges. Story ideas can be submitted to [email protected] or on X @J_oshRizzo.