分类: Southmoreland

11/1/2025 0 Comments

WPIAL First-round playoff rewind: Aliquippa qb returns to end trinity's season, Perkins sets Burrell rushing record, hopewell gets 1st playoff win since 2012

Burrell's Antonio Perkins celebrates after scoring a touchdown earlier this season against Shady Side Academy. Perkins set the Buccaneers' record for rushing yards in a season by piling up 220 in a loss to North Catholic in the first round of the WPIAL Class 3A playoffs. Josh Rizzo/Pittsburgh Preps and Colleges.

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

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8/11/2025 0 Comments

Southmoreland quarterback Anthony Smith's eligibility battle ends up in the courtroom

Preliminary injunction hearing in Westmoreland County Court Tues at 9:30 AM. @AnthonyMSmith13 @7Twice @The_hive_ath @210ths @PA_TodaySports @WPIAL_Insider @TheWPIALEdition @PRZVicCastillo @CoachMathis922 @PAELITE7v7 @PrepRedzonePA @PA_TodaySports @wpialsportsnews @mrpafootball pic.twitter.com/6Qf6mnUBux
— Steve Toprani (@SteveRSYSports) August 11, 2025

Will the Anthony Smith case set a precedent for Pennsylvania football? The Seton LaSalle sophomore quarterback was denied eligibility by the WPIAL and PIAA this offseason. But Smith's family hired an attorney, Steve Toprani, who posted on X Monday evening that he was seeking a preliminary injunction to allow him to play this season.

The WPIAL's offseason has been filled with eligibility battles. Smith was denied eligibility because the WPIAL felt the transfer was motivated at least partly by athletic intent. Smith appealed to the PIAA, which upheld the WPIAL's ruling.

Smith, who passed for more than 2,000 yards as a freshman, will have depleted options to throw to if he is allowed to play. Rebels standout Khalil Taylor, a Penn State commit, transferred to Pine-Richland this offseason and will have an eligibility hearing of his own.

Seton LaSalle also lost all-conference receiver Trey Littlejohn, who transferred to Penn Hills.

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.

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7/29/2025 0 Comments

WPIAL, PIAA transfer rulings make waves ahead of start of 2025-26 school year

Josh Pratt looks to pass the ball during his time at Aliquippa last season. Pratt, who helped the Quips reach the PIAA Class 3A semifinals last season, will play at Lincoln Park this season. Pratt won't be eligible for the postseason due to PIAA rules. Josh Rizzo/Pittsburgh Preps and Colleges

The annual wave of PIAA and WPIAL transfer hearing meetings are already causing a lot of headaches for athletes, administrators and sports fans around the area.

The WPIAL and PIAA agreed that Bishop Canevin's Brady Wagner will be ineligible for this football season after being ruled as having transferred due to "athletic intent." Wagner enrolled at Bishop Canevin and played baseball for the Crusaders last spring.

Another piece of transfer news is likely to cause waves soon. Former Seton LaSalle standout Khalil Taylor enrolled at Pine-Richland. There will be pressure on the district and state to be consistent with their rulings. There has already been plenty of clamoring about decisions made over the past few weeks.

Here's a look at some of the other notable decisions:

Former Steel Valley great Charlie Batch, who went on to a professional career with the Steelers and Detroit Lions, was vocal over his disappointment when Seton LaSalle sophomore quarterback Anthony Smith was ruled ineligible by the WPIAL for the 2025 season.
Lincoln Park's Josh Pratt was approved to transfer from Aliquippa to Lincoln Park, but is ineligible under PIAA rules to play in the postseason.
A pair of brothers who transferred from Knoch to Moon, Jackson and Brody Bauman, already had their postseason waivers denied. The Bauman boys moved schools after their dad, Alan, resigned as coach at Knoch

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.

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2/21/2025 0 Comments

Mohawk Boys Basketball Advances to WPIAL Class 3A Semifinals for Second Straight Year

The Mohawks boys basketball team lost six seniors last season. But despite the roster turnover, the Warriors have battled their way back to the WPIAL Class 3A semifinals. Mohawk took the next step in the process by beating Southmoreland 55-38 in the quarterfinals at North Catholic High School.

Bobby Fadden led the Warriors with 22 points.

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

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WPIAL First-round playoff rewind: Aliquippa qb returns to end trinity's season, Perkins sets Burrell rushing record, hopewell gets 1st playoff win since 2012

Southmoreland quarterback Anthony Smith's eligibility battle ends up in the courtroom

WPIAL, PIAA transfer rulings make waves ahead of start of 2025-26 school year

Mohawk Boys Basketball Advances to WPIAL Class 3A Semifinals for Second Straight Year

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