The Trinity football program seemed set for a dream season. The Hillers beat Thomas Jefferson for the second time in three seasons to win their first conference championship since the 1980s. Then, Trinity was presented with a matchup in the first round of the WPIAL Class 4A playoffs with Aliquippa.

Usually, mentioning the Quips late in the season spells doom for the opposition. But Aliquippa wasn't supposed to have quarterback Marques Council available for the playoffs. Turns out, Council was ready to play and the Yale commit led the No. 7 Quips to a 21-14 upset win over Trinity.

Council threw a 30-yard touchdown pass to Josh Lay with 20 seconds remaining to seal the win. Aliquippa's revenge tour will continue in the semifinals when it takes on New Castle, which tripped up the Quips 18-12 earlier this season. The Red Hurricane advanced with a 14-13 win over Montour.

Southmoreland's Drought Continues
Beaver County teams had a big night on the WPIAL scene. Hopewell picked up its first playoff win since 2012 by knocking off Southmoreland, 42-6.

The Scotties have never won a playoff game in their history, which dates back to 1961. Hopewell survived in the brutal Western Hills Conference to reach the postseason. Vikings quarterback James Armstrong threw two touchdown passes and ran for another.

Leechburg struggles with Neshannock
The Blue Devils have been to the playoffs for a school record five consecutive seasons. Leechburg hasn't picked up a playoff win since 2021. That stretch will continue following a 49-14 at the hands of the Lancers. Neshannock quarterback Jino Mozzocio ran for two touchdowns and threw for another.

Perkins breaks record
Burrell sophomore quarterback Antonio Perkins could lead the Buccaneers past North Catholic in the first round of the WPIAL Class 3A playoffs. But the Buccaneers standout was able to add a few more accolades to his strong first season with the program. Perkins finished with 220 rushing yards in the loss to bring his season total to 1,872 yards.

Perkins broke the school record set by Cole Bush in 2012. Perkins transferred in to Burrell after playing at Valley last season.

​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

FOX CHAPEL - A pair of sophomore quarterbacks made a strong impression during the Burrell and Shady Side Academy game Friday night at Michael J. Farrell Field. Buccaneers quarterback Antonio Perkins dazzled on the ground, while Javon Johnston had a strong overall performance during a 56-26 win by Shady Side Academy.

Perkins, who transferred in from Valley, ran for 174 yards and scored four touchdowns. He also passed for 53 yards, including a 43-yard connection with Trey Coury. Shady Side Academy coach Andrew Geisler said the Bulldogs had to adjust to slow down Perkins' running.

"Honestly, they did a tremendous job," Geisler said. "They exploited where we were a helmet short."

Johnston threw four touchdown passes and ran for four more. Cam Mallory was Johnston's top target, finishing with 142 yards and two touchdowns. BJ Mallory also caught two touchdown passes and finished with 147 yards through the air.

First-year Burrell coach Dom Girardi said it was hard to slow down Shady Side Academy's offense. The Bulldogs were a threat to score every time they touched the ball.

"It's just that," Girardi said. "They have some great athletes. (BJ Mallory) is a real legitimate receiver threat. () is quick and shift. (Cam Mallory is phenomenal. It was a tough matchup for us."

Burrell led briefly in the second quarter, 20-16, following a touchdown run by Johnston. The Buccaneers ended up giving the ball away on three possession with fumbles. Shady Side Academy converted all of them into touchdowns and led 38-20 at the half.

"I think our mentality changed," Johnston said. "We doubted them in the beginning. Then we focused up and went from there. We got better and better."

Girardi said Shady Side Academy wanted to pressure Johnston, but he was able to thwart their pressure.

"Johnston throws a nice ball," Girardi said. "If we did get some pressure, he was able to make plays."

The Bulldogs have started slow in consecutive games. Geisler said he would like to see that improve as the season rolls on.

"We've been sluggish our first two games out," Geisler said. "It's something we need to break habit wise. They've risen to the occasion and they understand we are never out of the ball game."

Central Catholic gets revenge on Pine-Richland
There was some thought Pine-Richland may be the best team in the WPIAL regardless of class. But the Vikings got revenge on their northern rival Friday night. Central Catholic took the lead just before halftime on a 13-yard touchdown catch by Maceo Watkins from Owen Herrick.

The Vikings never gave the lead back. Central Catholic benefitted from three touchdowns from Roman Thompson. The Rams (2-0) were shut out after halftime.

There was no magic in McKeesport
Kemon Spell let the news leak out Thursday night in a post that was quickly deleted off X. The Penn State recruit didn't play after suffering an ankle injury. McKeesport didn't fare well without its top running back, who is a junior. 

Peters Township's defense exploited the Tigers, handing McKeesport a 35-0 shutout defeat. 

Mars finds way to beat Bethel Park
The Black Hawks offense steamrolled Seneca Valley in Week Zero, putting up more than 50 points in a win. Bethel Park came back down to Earth this Friday, allowing Mars running back Liam Corcoran to score on a 2-yard run with 15 seconds remaining in a 17-13 defeat.

The Planets improved to 2-0.
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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.

July is the dog days of the summer for people interested in reading about -- or reporting on -- high school sports. But Fox Chapel is holding a series of 7-on-7s to help get ready for the upcoming football season. Six teams from across the Alle-Kiski Valley battled in out Wednesday night in O'Hara Township.

No score was kept at the the event that featured Armstrong, Burrell, Fox Chapel, Freeport, Highlands and Knoch High Schools.

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

fThe Pennsylvania State Hockey Finals wrapped up Saturday at Clearview Arena on Neville Island. Burrell won the inaugural Division 2 Challenge Cup, Garnet Valley won in Class A, North Penn in 2A and Seneca Valley in 3A. the question for hockey's governing body is will the Challenge Cup continue?

It is a two-year experiment for what used to be known as the Open Class. There was a subdued energy to the game, but that may be because the game started at 11 a.m. Some of the Pope John Paul II players drove through the night to get to Pittsburgh for the game.

​Such is life for club sports. 

Here's my story on the Division 2 Challenge Cup for the Tribune Review. Also, wrote about Garnet Valley's title for High School on SI.

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 Penguins Cup finals were hotly contested Tuesday night at the UPMC Lemieux Complex. Cathedral prep won its fifth Pens Cup title and collected a title for the first time since 2016 by tripping up top-seeded Fox Chapel 5-4 in overtime.

Morgantown (W.Va.) rolled over Burrell 5-1 to win its first Penguin Cup title. The Mohawks were the West Virginia team to win a PIHL title in 14 years.

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

The Burrell girls basketball team did it needed to do in order to move past Highlands 55-27 Thursday night at home. The Buccaneers held Highlands without a point in the first quarter. Burrell's defense has been excellent all season.

The Buccaneers have held nine of their opponents to 30 points or less. Burrell is in fourth place in Section 1-4A.

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

Here are the results from the Section 9-2A match between Valley and Burrell. The Buccaneers cruised to a 67-6 win Wednesday night on the road.

Burrell 67, Valley 6
139: Julian Bertucci (B) pinned Brendon Knuckles, :38
145: Caydn Crawford (B)  p. Chance Johnson, 1:40
152: Calio Zanella tech. fall (B) Antonio Perkins 19-3, 5:06
160: Ben Catullo (B) t.f. Jaron Reid, 1:12
172: Isaac Lacinski (B) p. Isaiah Cain, :27
189: Logan Shank (B) p. Caden Shurina, :40
215: Luke Boylan (B) p. Omar Sanchez, 1:01
285: Ayden Kun (B) p. Brendan Andrzejczuk, :32
107: Logan Barrett (B) win by forfeit
114: Radyn Thomas (V) p. Vincent Guerrini, 3:31
121: Carter Thomas (B) p. Xavier Ross, 2:24
127: Cameron Baker (B) wbf
133: Jacob Stewart (B) decision Juzef Betts, 7-6

Burrell and Kiski has long been the best among the WPIAL's rivalry matches in Westmoreland County. The Buccaneers didn't fold in the face of pressure Saturday at Kiski. Facing a 33-point deficit, Burrell picked up six wins and forfeit to rally past Kiski 35-33.

​The Buccaneers have now beat the Cavaliers in three straight seasons. Before this current streak, Kiski had won 10 in a row.