North Hills took a devastating loss to Shaler last week that seemed to have the Indians on the outside looking in on the WPIAL Class 5A playoffs. But North Hills didn't pack up its tents and head home.

Instead the Indians were able to trip up Penn Hills 17-6 to set up a chaotic final week for the Northeast Conference. The top three teams in the conference automatically qualify for the WPIAL playoffs, while any other playoff hopefuls would need to secure a wild card.

Pine-Richland (8-1, 4-0) has already qualified for the playoffs. The Rams, theoretically, could not win the conference title outright if it lost to the Titans next week, but that is highly unlikely. Shaler (3-6, 3-1) did its job by beating Fox Chapel 35-14 Friday night, but could risk falling into a three-way tie for third should Penn Hills (3-6, 2-2) beat Plum.

The Wild Card picture is murky for all of these teams, as the Northeast Conference is weaker than the other two 5A Conferences, the Allegheny Six and Big East. All of the teams will be eager to grab the third-place spot and avoid the Wild Card.

Trinity clinches first conference title since 1986
The Hillers built a 34-0 lead by halftime en route to a 48-0 win over Laurel Highlands. Trinity (5-4, 4-0) has flexed its muscles in Big Six Conference play. Owen Gardner opened up the scoring with a 49-yard touchdown run.

Jonah Williamson then threw two touchdown passes to stretch the lead to 21-0.

Moon trips up Upper St. Clair
The Panthers weren't able to maintain their spot in second place in the Allegheny Six Conference, losing 20-13 to Moon in double overtime. Andrew Cross gave the Tigers a lead by scoring on a 2-yard run in overtime.

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

Jake Casey, a 2021 Upper St. Clair graduate, was recently drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays. Casey, who played at Kent State, made a major jump between his junior and senior seasons. Jake, whose dad Sean played in Major League Baseball most notably with the Cincinnati Reds, hit .356 as a senior after batting .216 as a junior.

Casey, an outfielder, was picked in the 15th round. Casey was one of several former WPIAL products selected by MLB teams. Dylan Mathiesen, a 2022 Montour graduate, was picked in the 13th round by the Pittsburgh Pirates. Mathiesen had more of a climb to the professional ranks.

He pitched during his first season at Division II California (Pa.). He was 5-2 with the Vulcans, compiling a 3.31 ERA in 12 appearances. Mathiesen then went to Liberty and pitched two seasons for the Flames.

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 Pittsburgh Riverhounds were disappointed to have to settle for a 2-2 tie with Loudon United on Sunday evening. However, Riverhounds midfielder Robbie Mertz produced a memorable momentum at Highmark Stadium. Mertz, an Upper St. Clair graduated, scored on a night where the team had a bobblehead giveaway in his honor.

Mertz has scored 18 goals in 111 appearances with his hometown professional club. Mertz initially played for the Riverhounds from 2019-20 and scored 11 goals in 40 games. He then spent 2021-22 with Atlanta United 2 before returning to Pittsburgh.

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 PIHL Class 3A finals is set for next Monday at the UPMC Lemieux Complex. Seneca Valley and South Fayette will battle for the Penguins Cup. The Raiders being in the final should come as no surprise. Seneca Valley was the top seed in the tournament, but needed overtime to best Upper St. Clair in the semifinals.

The Lions, who were seeded seventh, won comfortably by toppling North Allegheny 4-2.

Josh Rizzo is editor and publisher of Pittsburgh Preps and Colleges. Story ideas can be submitted to Rizzo42789@Gmail on @J_oshrizzo on X.