WPIAL football games to Look for in Week Zero 2025

Jeannette quarterback Kymone Brown reads the defense before giving the ball to running back Eli Jones last season in Oakmont. Both players will return for the Jayhawks, who reached the WPIAL Class A semifinals last season. Josh Rizzo/Pittsburgh Preps and Colleges

 Clairton's football team appeared set to return to the WPIAL Class A summit last season. But the Bears had an injury to quarterback Jeffrey Thompson in the postseason. He wasn't able to throw the ball in the WPIAL Championship game, which played a key role in Clairton's loss to a talented Fort Cherry team.

The Bears will christen Tyler Boyd Stadium this Friday at 7 p.m. against Imani Christian. Clairton coach Wayne Wade said the new turf should make the Bears faster. Imani Christian, which also has its eyes set on WPIAL and PIAA gold, will be an excellent first test for both sides.

The Saints won their first 11 games last season before falling to eventual WPIAL champion Avonworth in the Class 3A finals. Imani brings back plenty of Division I talent in junior defensive back Gabe Jenkins, who is a four-star recruit and defensive back. Senior athlete David Davis has committed to Penn State.

Clairton, which finished 13-1 last season, shut out 10 of its 14 opponents last season. Sophomore linebacker Brandon Murphy has already drawn plenty of Division I interest. The Bears also return Thompson under center.

Here's a look at a few other games worth keeping an eye on for Week Zero:

Vikings Ready for Tough Test
La Salle College is seen as one of the handful of teams with a chance to knock St. Joseph's Prep off its perch as the PIAA's top team in Class 6A. Pittsburgh Central Catholic would like to throw its hat in that ring. The Vikings reached the 6A final before falling to St. Joseph's Prep last season.

The Vikings have plenty of beef returning up front. Matt Bowers, who is 6-foot-4 and 290 pounds, Jimmy Kalis (6-7, 280) and Jon Sassic (6-6, 280) will provide protection up front. The Vikings have won a state title since 2015 when they beat St. Joseph's Prep in a Class 4A game to claim their fourth crown.

The Explorers turned heads last season by beating St. Joe's in the regular season. However, St. Joe's upended La Salle in the district playoffs. Explorers quarterback Gavin Sidwar will test Central Catholic's resolve. The Mizzou commit passed for 2,747 yards and 31 touchdowns last season.

Jeannette, Mt. Pleasant ready for rematch
The Jayhawks fought off a three-game slide toward the end of the regular season to reach the WPIAL Class A semifinals. Jeannette started last season with a bang. The Jayhawks erased a late deficit to stun Mt. Pleasant, 28-27, on a 74-yard touchdown catch by Jayce Powell with 3 minutes,15 seconds remaining.

Jeanette will bring back quarterback Kymone Brown and running back Eli Jones. Mt. Pleasant saw its roster swell to 60 players and is hoping to make a splash in Class 3A. The Vikings saw a major exodus in the backfield. Quarterback Cole Chatfield graduated and the Vikings lost three players from the program.

The two Westmoreland County rivals should produce another interesting contest.

Can Gateway get its groove back?
The Gators missed the playoffs last season, which was the first time in Don Holl's nine seasons leading the program. Gateway finished 3-7, but the Gators also were able to get freshman Elvis Koutsakis a year of experience under center. Koutsakis threw for 1,587 yards and 14 touchdowns.

The Gators will hit the road to take on State College, which won District 6 and reached the PIAA Class 6A quarterfinals. The Little Lions are getting a boost this season as running back D'Ante Sheffey, who spent the last two seasons with Harrisburg returns to the program. Sheffey ran for 1,725 yards and scored 24 touchdowns as a freshman for the Little Lions.

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.