The Clairton football team are kings of Pennsylvania Class A football again. But Bears coach Wayne Wade and his team understood the warning signs that could have derailed such an event.

For as excellent as the Bears' defense was -- Clairton limited Bishop Guilfoyle to minus-1 rushing yards during a 35-3 win over the Marauders in the Class A final Thursday at Cumberland Valley High School -- a few lapses could have sunk the season. Of all the results, the one that stands out the most is Clairton's 38-33 WPIAL quarterfinal win over Jeanette Nov. 7 at Franklin Regional High School.

The Jayhawks made the Bears work. It showed signs that Clairton would have a few brawls on its way to lifting any hardware. The Bears hadn't allowed any points to be scored against them since Aug. 31, during a 19-12 loss to Imani Christian. 

But after recording nine consecutive shutouts, Jeannette found ways to score points. Clairton, which had beat the Jayhawks 57-0 during the regular season, needed some luck to survive during a 38-33 victory in the playoffs. Jeannette was the only team to score more than 22 points against the Bears.

"If you look at the last few weeks, the Jeannette game, I think that was a letdown for us," Wade said following the Bears' 8-6 win over Laurel in the WPIAL title game. "We had beaten them 57-0 in the regular season and we kind of had a lull that week. I told the kids after that game we have to be laser-sharp with our focus."

The locomotive wouldn't truly get back to full speed until the Bears' 57-0 win over District 10 champion Greenville in the PIAA semifinals. In the WPIAL semifinals, Bishop Canevin had its moments, being only the second team to crack 20 points against Clairton. The Bears ultimately prevailed 42-22.

"The Bishop Canevin game, we gave them 14 points," Wade said. "There were a lot of penalties in that game. There were pass interference calls and stuff to help them move the ball. Our defense got back on track."

Clairton's defense was able to save its skin in the WPIAL championship game. Against a game Laurel team, the Bears had to force a fumble late in the fourth quarter to escape with an 8-6 win. Brandon Murphy forced the fumble and Donte Wright fell on it to seal the victory.

Once the Bears got into the state tournament, Clairton had no issues wrapping up its fifth state title. Deon Lovelace-Pompey gave the defense a splash play in the state title game by returning an interception 24 yards for a touchdown right after halftime.

The Bears' defense deserves its spot in history among the great all-time WPIAL defenses. The imperfections it smoothed out along the way help give it some character.

Forry Cherry senior Matt Sieg caught many offguard by committing to play football at West Virginia University Wednesday morning. The Rangers standout had originally committed to play at Penn State and many people believed he would follow James Franklin to Virginia Tech. But the desire to stay close to home led the Washington County star to Morgantown.

Sieg led the Rangers through the most successful period in their program's history. Fort Cherry won the WPIAL football championship in 2023 and 2024. The Rangers reached the PIAA final in 2023 before losing to Steelton-Highspire. During Sieg's career, he piled up 7,958 rushing yards, which broke the school record set by Mike Vernillo.

Sieg also passing for more than 4,600 yards in his career.

Sieg finished his career as the WPIAL's second all-time leading rusher beyond former Hopewell standout Rushel Shell, who went on to play at Pitt and WVU.

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 Central Catholic football team opened up the season by testing itself against La Salle College at the Wolvarena. Thanks to a 32-14 win over Harrisburg in the PIAA Class 6A semifinals Saturday night, the Vikings will end their season against the Explorers, but at a different venue.

Pittsburgh Central Catholic (12-1) hasn't lost since La Salle College handed them a 23-6 defeat in the season opener. The Explorers are led by Mizzou commit Gavin Sidwar at quarterback. This will be the third time that Central Catholic has reached the final since the PIAA expanded to six classes in 2016.

The Vikings previously lost to St. Joseph's Prep in 2016 and 2024. Central Catholic has four state championship wins, including the first-ever Class 4A title in 1989. The Vikings last brought home the crown in 2015, when it knocked off Parkland, 21-18.

Farrell rolls over Seton LaSalle
The District 10 champion Steelers flexed their offensive muscles in a 40-19 win over Seton LaSalle. Farrell leaned on Juelz Johnson, who rushed for more than 200 yards.

The Rebels (12-2) fell behind 24-0.

Bishop McDevitt breaks Peters Township's heart
Crusaders kicker Aidan Greall made a 24-yard field goal as time expired to help District 3 champion Bishop McDevitt beat Peters Township, 31-28. The Indians nearly had another wild comeback win. Peters Township trailed 14-0 and 21-10.

The Indians took their only lead, 25-21, when quarterback Nolan DiLucia threw a 70-yard touchdown pass to P.J. Luke.

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 Clairton Bears got back on track offensively after a minor speed bump during the WPIAL Class A championship last Saturday at Acrisure Stadium. The Bears beat up District 10 champion Greenville Friday night at Ellwood City  to clinch a spot in the state championship game with Bishop Guilfoyle.

This will be the third meeting between the Bears and Marauders in the PIAA final. Bishop Guilfoyle won the two previous meetings. The Bears (14-1) never let Greenville get any ideas about springing an upset. After being limited to six points by Laurel last week, the Bears scored six first-half touchdowns.

Brandon Murphy returned two punts for touchdowns against the Trojans. Deon Lovelace-Pompey ran for 109 yards for Clairton.

Avonworth will get familiar foe
The Antelopes improved to 14-0 by sliding by Penn Cambria 41-15 in a Class 3A semifinal. Avonworth will now get to face off against Nothwestern Lehigh, which knocked off the Antelopes 36-33 in the championship game last season. Avonworth beat Penn Cambria despite playing without running back Dimitri Velisaris, who was out with a bruised leg.

Avonworth quarterback Carson Bellinger passed for 258 yards and two touchdowns.

Quips come up just short
Twin Valley will know that it deserved its opportunity to play in its first-ever PIAA Class 4A final. The Raiders built a 28-6 lead at halftime, but allowed Aliquippa to score three unanswered touchdowns in the second half of what ended up being a four-point victory.

The Quips rallied in the second half behind two touchdown passes from Yale commit Marques Council Jr. He threw touchdown passes to Qa'Lille Goode and Antonio Reddic. Akiva Woods also returned an interception for a touchdown for the Quips. Aliquippa, which finished 10-4, wrapped up an improbable WPIAL title with a memorable playoff run.

Matt Sieg's college commitment should create some interesting local ripples in the recruiting scene. Sieg was one of many recruits who had previously chosen Penn State who wanted to take a look at other options when James Franklin was let go. While Nittany Lions interim coach Terry Smith is a legendary local recruiter, there are no guarantees what his future will be.

Sieg announced that on Dec. 3 he will choose between Pitt, Penn State, Indiana, Virginia Tech and Notre Dame. Franklin recently took over as the coach at Virginia Tech, so there is a Franklin connection there.

Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi has also recently turned up his pursuit of the Rangers' star quarterback/safety. Sieg helped Fort Cherry win two WPIAL titles and set the school record for rushing set by Mike Vernillo. Sieg is second all-time in WPIAL history in rushing yards behind former Hopewell start. Rushel Shell.

Leechburg graduate Braylan Lovelace has shown during his career with the Pitt football team it is possible to make the transition from small-school football to the big team. During a wild game Saturday night, Lovelace intercepted a pass in the third quarter and returned it 100 yards for a score to help Pitt upend No. 16 Georgia Tech, 42-28, to help keep its hope of an ACC title alive.

The Panthers (8-3, 6-1) were combing off an embarrassing loss to Notre Dame before it headed south to take on the Yellowjackets. Pitt caught everyone off guard by scoring the first 28 points against Georgia Tech. The Yellowjackets scored two quick touchdowns before halftime to put pressure on the underdogs.

Georgia Tech had moved the ball inside the 10-yard line against when Yellowjackets quarterback Haynes King dropped back to pass to try and cut the lead to seven. Instead of finding a receiver, King's pass was undercut by Lovelace on the goal line. Lovelace ran 100 yards for a touchdown.

It was Lovelace's second career pick-six. Lovelace has seen his numbers increase every year since he arrive in Oakland. Lovelace has 61 tackles this season after having 53 last year and 24 in 2023. 

PITTSBURGH - Wayne Wade didn't need to worry about the Clairton football team tuning him out about their being more meat on the bone after winning the WPIAL Class A football championship Saturday afternoon at Acrisure Stadium.

The Bears needed all of their mettle to trip up fourth-seeded Laurel, 8-6. Clairton (13-1) now has 15 WPIAL championships to its name, but Wade would like to see this Bears squad be the first one not led by Tyler Boyd to win a state championship. Boyd, who went on to play in the NFL for the Cincinnati Bengals and Tennessee Titans, was on the sidelines and spoke to the team after the game.

The Bears won four consecutive PIAA titles during Boyd's career.

​"Tyler was just telling the kids in the locker room, it's not over," said Wade, who has led Clairton to five WPIAL titles in 12 seasons as coach. "He was saying that we did this four times and we had this (WPIAL championship), but the big one is in two weeks."

The Bears will try to return to the final by knocking off District 10 champion Greenville in the semifinals next weekend. Clairton has made the state finals seven times, winning four times between 2009-12. The Bears lost to Steelton-Highspire in 2008 and Bishop Guilfyole in 2014 and 2016.

This current group of players hasn't experience the type of that some of their previous classes had. Clairton's win over Laurel gave the Bears first WPIAL championship since 2019. After losing by one point to Fort Cherry in the final last season, everyone was feeling the pain.

Clairton senior quarterback Jeff Thompson found Brandon Murphy for a 12-yard touchdown right before halftime to give the Bears their only points against Laurel. Last season, Thompson had injured his shoulder during the playoffs and couldn't throw in the championship game.

"I feel like I let the city down last year," Thompson said. "I wasn't healthy. I couldn't throw the ball, like there was just nothing I could do. But I still stayed out there and ran the offense, but we came out short. It feel good to be back out there throwing the ball and just being myself, man. I got my guys here with me and they help me out too."

Wade said this championship started with all of the players getting in the weight room back in February. The Bears have chipped away at the things that caused their close calls in the past to fall short.

Wade also said he was encouraged with a lot of the things that has happened for Clairton off the field. The Bears have received a few shots in the arm.

Money was raised to renovate Neil C. Brown Stadium, a total of $10 million through donations and a taxpayer bond, which has been rechristened Tyler Boyd Field. Recently, Pittsburgh Steelers minority owner Thomas Tull announced that $2 million was being donated through the Tull Family Foundation to help out schools in the Pittsburgh area with high school athletics.

The Bears received $100,000.

"We've had a lot of adversity," Wade said. "We stood here as runners up last year and this group of seniors decided since Feb. 5 that they were going to help us win a championship and they did it. I don't know I can even name everyone who truly helped us get here this year."

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.

Jack Miles first role with the Laurel football program was as an eager observer. Jack's grandfather, George, led the Spartans from 1982 to 2003 and compiled a record of 201-128-4.

George led Laurel to its only WPIAL title in 1980. Jack used to go and sit and watch practice when he was 3-years-old.

"I have been around football my entire life," said Jack, who rushed for 109 yards in the Spartans' upset win over Fort Cherry last Friday. "I have always been passionate about football, so there wasn't really a time or age I wasn't interested. I would always talk to my dad and grandfather about how I wanted to be as big or as good as the football players."

Jack and his Laurel teammates will have an opportunity to leave a new chapter in the program's legacy when it takes on No. 2 seed Clairton at 11 a.m. Saturday at Acrisure Stadium. George and Jack's dad, Ryan, are assistant coaches for the Spartans.

Making trips to Pittsburgh's North Shore to play for titles has been a tradition for his family.

In 1989, Laurel and Clairton met at Three Rivers Stadium for the Class A crown. Ryan, played for George in that game. The Bears came away with a 27-20 win. Clairton was quarterbacked that day by Wayne Wade, who is now the Bears long-time head coach.

George's lone WPIAL title win also came against Clairton in 1980, but the Spartans' 14-12 win was played at Mt. Lebanon High School. 

"It's was a blessing to be able to have my family as coaches," Jack said. "Not just for them to see my become successful, but also for them to push me even farther to be this successful."

The Spartans earned their spot with a balanced offensive effort in a 24-14 semifinal win over the two-time defending WPIAL champion Rangers. Laurel didn't have any negative plays and used all of their backs to move the ball methodically down the field.

​Jack, who recovered a fumble in addition to scoring on a 33-yard rush in the third quarter, said Laurel didn't go overboard in celebrating an upset win. Fort Cherry had won 40 consecutive games against WPIAL opponents.

"I didn't do anything special after the game because the job is not done," Jack said. "Our goal was to win the WPIAL championship and Fort Cherry was a boulder we had to climb. I look forward to the community coming and watching such a big game."

Clairton (12-1) is another boulder in a similar size to Fort Cherry. The Bears made the WPIAL final last year and lost a one-point heartbreaker. Clairton has the second-most championships in the district's history with 14, but haven't raised a trophy since 2019.

The Bears' defense is led by sophomore linebacker Brandon Murphy, who has drawn Division I interest. Clairton (12-1) lost its season opener to Imani Christian before shutting out its next nine opponents. The Bears' defense hasn't looked quite so invincible in the WPIAL playoffs.

In the quarterfinals and semifinals, the Bears allowed 33 and 22 points, respectively. Clairton only conceded 19 points in the regular season.

Jack is excited for the challenge ahead. There is still work left to be done.

"When it comes to playing for Laurel, I think of it like repaying the people that helped me throughout my life," Miles said.

Seton La Salle, Steel Valley eager to get back on top
The Rebels had one of the most difficult offseasons in recent memory. Seton LaSalle thought Southmoreland transfer Anthony Smith may start at quarterback. Then his eligibility was denied.

The Rebels were set to have Khalil Taylor and Trey Littlejohn return at wide receiver. They transferred to Pine-Richland and Penn Hills, respectively. After losing its season opener to North Catholic, the Rebels haven't lost since, displaying an explosive offense.

Steel Valley is led by Pitt recruit Da'Ron Barksdale. Read about the game in my preview for the Tribune Review.

Can the Avonworth train be derailed?
The Antelopes have a strong argument to be in the top five pound-for-pound teams in the WPIAL. There is a thought that Avonworth, which came close to winning the state title last season, may be capable of making another run to Mechanicsburg.

The Antelopes (12-0) have been outscoring opponents by an average margin of 42-10. Avonworth went on the road and beat WPIAL Class 4A champion Aliquippa and has another win over perennial power Thomas Jefferson. Antelopes quarterback Carson Bellinger threw for 1,934 yards and and 26 touchdowns.

Dimitri Velisaris has been the Antelopes' top running back, picking up 1,449 yards on the ground. The Antelopes will seek their fourth WPIAL crown and to go back-to-back for the first time in program history against Imani Christian.

The Saints (12-0) were undefeated last season when Avonworth knocked them out in the WPIAL semifinals. Imani should be a worth challenger. The Saints have outscored their opponents by an average margin of 49-7. Gabe Jenkins, who decommitted from Penn State after James Franklin was let go, has passed for 1,646 yards and thrown for 29 touchdowns against five interceptions.

Jenkins has also rushed for 1,357 yards. David Davis, another player who has drawn Division I interest, has 515 receiving yards.

Pine-Richland, Peters Township set to square off again
There is a real argument to be made that Class 5A has been the most balanced division in the WPIAL since the PIAA chose to expand to six classes in 2016. But Pine-Richland and Peters Township have risen to the top of the heap. This will be the third consecutive year the two programs meet in the finals and the fourth time overall.

Pine-Richland won last year's matchup 20-9. The Rams also beat the Indians in 2020 and 2022. Peters Township is 1-3 in in the 5A title games, with their lone win coming in a 43-17 win over Pine-Richland in 2023.

The Rams are 11-1 this season, with their lone defeat coming at the hands of 6A state title contender Pittsburgh Central Catholic. The Indians (12-0) are undefeated. Pine-Richland is loaded with stars, including Jay Timmons, the son of former Steelers linebacker Lawrence Timmons, who recently committed to Ohio State.

Taylor is one of the top-recruited juniors in the country. Pine-Richland quarterback Aaron "Oobi" Strader has also put up good numbers.

Peters Township is led by quarterback Nolan DiLucia, who has passed for 2,449 yards and 22 touchdowns. Cole Neupaver has rushed for 1,314 yards. The Indians defense is led by Pitt commit Reston Lehman. This should be a worthy nightcap for the four-game Saturday slate.

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

PINE TWP - Qa'Lil Goode articulated a position Aliquippa rarely gets to occupy. The Quips won as underdogs in the WPIAL Class 4A title Saturday afternoon at Pine-Richland High School.

It's an absurd position on its face. Aliquippa won its WPIAL record 21st crown by beating McKeesport 21-12. 

"We love it when people doubt us," Goode said. "We love proving them wrong."

The success of the Aliquippa football program is envious. How a small public school can continue winning despite seeing a severe population decline isn't easy to put a finger on.

Perhaps the Quips' success is driven by the fear of no longer having it. Aliquippa failed to reach the WPIAL final last season, ending a stretch of 16 consecutive appearances.

That motivated Aliquippa senior quarterback Marques Council, a Yale commit, to come back from a knee injury thought to be season-ending for this year's playoffs. The seventh-seeded Quips responded by beating No. 2 Trinity, No. 3 New Castle and the top-seeded Tigers on the way to the title.

"I was so hurt," Council said. "I was so hurt. We hurt as a team. We came into the offseason knowing what we had to do. We were very well-prepared and understood the assignment overall. Losing in the semifinals isn't the best feeling in the world, you know? When you get a chance to come back next year, improve, do better and make it to the championship and win it's the best feeling in the world."

McKeesport seems to be cursed. The Tigers, who are four-time WPIAL champions, won their last title in 2005. The Tigers have lost four times in the WPIAL final since 2016. McKeesport lost the 5A final to West Allegheny in 2016, while dropping the Class 4A games in 2023 and 2024 to Aliquippa and Thomas Jefferson, respectively. The gut punch for McKeesport in this year's title game came in the fourth quarter.

​Trailing by two, 14-12, Aliquippa was facing a 4th-and-9 a the McKeesport 24 with 2 minutes, 15 seconds remaining. McKeesport did everything right. The Tigers got pressure on Council, who was forced to throw off his back foot.

​"We knew we had to take a shot," Aliquippa coach Mike Warfield said. "I was just concerned he would take a sack. I wanted to keep the clock running, but on fourth down the clock was going to stop anyway. We decided to throw it and give 14 a chance to make a play."

Goode had three McKeesport defenders within breathing distance of him.

Didn't matter, touchdown Quips.

"They must have a four-leaf clover," McKeesport coach Matt Miller said. "They win in weird ways, that's for sure. We need to figure it out."

The Quips got a boost when Warfield returned as coach this season. Warfield has led Aliquippa to three state championships and five WPIAL titles in his seven seasons with the program. Warfield helped guide Aliquippa to a transition to Class 4A in 2020.

The Quips, who already elected to play above their enrollment in 3A, were moved up due to the PIAA's competitive balance rule, which is a formula based on transfers into the program and success on the field.

​But Warfield insists he wasn't really gone. No one truly leaves Aliquippa.

"It felt the same, like I said before I wasn't gone, gone," Warfield said. "I just took a little break as far as the every day. Coach (Vashawn) Patrick did a great job. I missed the kids and I missed the preparation. This is great, but I miss the Saturdays through Thursdays with me being with the coaches and trying to figure out how we can put these kids in the best situations to win. We tried to flood them with football all week."

The flood helped Aliquippa break down the dam. McKeesport scored on the first play, but the Quips' methodical offense was able to push them ahead 14-12 by halftime. Goode's touchdown sealed the deal.

Things are different in Aliquippa, but the result is always the same.

The Quips are champs.

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.

HOPEWELL TWP - Laurel coach Brian Cooper, according to a nearby family member shouting after the game, was celebrating his birthday on Saturday morning. It's hard to believe that Cooper would be able to sleep after leading the Spartans to an upset win over Fort Cherry, 24-14, Friday night.

The Spartans stopped a 40-game winning streak the Rangers had against WPIAL competition. Laurel out physicaled Fort Cherry to punch its ticket to the WPIAL Class 1A final for the first time since 1989. Cooper indicated that the Spartans were taking a calm approach to heading to Acrisure Stadium and taking on Clairton.

"We're exited for the opportunity," Cooper said. "We're going to enjoy tonight. We're going to refocus."

Laurel (12-1) didn't have to completely shut out Fort Cherry quarterback Matt Sieg. The Spartans just needed to bottle him up as much as possible. Laurel allowed Sieg to rush for 152 yards and scored two touchdowns on the ground, but didn't allow Fort Cherry to score in the second half.

"Matt Sieg is a 4-four star, hell of a player," Laurel linebacker Jack Miles said. "But he's human and he's going to make mistakes just like we all are."

Imani Christian and Avonworth set for star-powered final
The Saints were undefeated last year when Imani met with Avonworth in the WPIAL Class 3A semifinals. The Antelopes, who lost four times during the regular season, didn't appear like a threat to Imani. But Avonworth heated up in the playoffs, knocking off the Saints 14-6 and made a run all the way to the PIAA final.

This time around, Avonworth (11-0) will be a heavy favorite to beat Imani. The Antelopes have blown by every team they've run into, including a 44-24 win over North Catholic in the semifinals. Avonworth is led by Dimitri Velisaris, who averages 7.7 yards per carry and has run for 1,348 yards.

The Antelopes also have a reliable quarterback in Carson Bellinger, who has thrown for 25 touchdowns against one interception. Imani Christian has North Carolina commit David Davis and highly-sought after Gabe Jenkins to power their offense. Davis ran for 242 yards and scored three touchdowns in the Saints' semifinal win over Montour.

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.