2023 WPIAL football playoff picture heading into Week 8
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Sunday, October 15, 2023 | 5:22 PM
There are two weeks left in the 2023 WPIAL football regular season.
Already, 34 teams have guaranteed themselves a spot on the Playoff Path to the North Shore and to North Huntingdon.
That leaves 33 district playoff spots up for grabs over the next two weeks.
Here is the latest WPIAL football playoff picture heading into Week 8.
CLASS 6A
There are three more Class 6A games left in the season, one in Week 8 and two in Week 9.
Week 8 – Central Catholic at Seneca Valley
Week 9 – Seneca Valley at North Allegheny and Canon-McMillan at Mt. Lebanon
Current standings
Central Catholic, 3-0 (clinched)
North Allegheny, 2-1 (clinched)
Canon-McMillan, 1-2
Mt. Lebanon, 1-2
Seneca Valley, 0-2
Current tiebreaker points
Central Catholic, +30
North Allegheny, +10
Canon-McMillan, -10
Mt. Lebanon, -17
Seneca Valley, -13
• Central Catholic has clinched first place and will host a Class 6A semifinal in Week 11.
• North Allegheny has clinched a playoff spot and will finish in second place with a win in Week 9 at Seneca Valley or a Seneca Valley loss to Central Catholic in Week 8.
• The winner of Mt. Lebanon at Canon-McMillan in Week 9 will clinch a playoff berth and finish in third place.
• The loser of Mt. Lebanon at Canon-McMillan will clinch and finish in fourth place UNLESS Seneca Valley wins its final two games. Seneca Valley is at Central Catholic in Week 8 and home to North Allegheny in Week 9.
In the other five classifications below, only conference records and remaining conference games are shown for each team.
CLASS 5A
Total of eight playoff teams: Top two teams in the three conferences earn a playoff berth, plus two of the three third-place finishers earn a wild card.
Two Class 5A teams have clinched heading into Week 8.
Big East Conference
Gateway Gators (4-0) clinched
10/20 – at Norwin
Franklin Regional Panthers (3-1)
Winner of Penn-Trafford at Franklin Regional in Week 9 will clinch and finish in second place.
10/27 – host Penn-Trafford
Penn-Trafford Warriors (3-1)
Winner of Penn-Trafford at Franklin Regional in Week 9 will clinch and finish in second place.
10/27 – at Franklin Regional
Loser of P-T at FR in Week 9 will finish in third place and be alive for a wild card spot.
Norwin Knights (1-2), Hempfield Spartans (0-3) and Plum Mustangs (0-4) have been eliminated
Northeast Conference
Penn Hills Indians (3-0)
After missing the playoffs to tiebreakers in a jumbled Northeast last fall, the Indians are conference champs with two more wins.
10/20 – at Shaler
10/27 – host Woodland Hills
Woodland Hills Wolverines (3-0)
The Wolverines’ path to an outright conference crown is tough, but they’ll earn it with two more wins.
10/20 – host Pine-Richland
10/27 – at Penn Hills
Pine-Richland Rams (2-1)
The Rams control their own destiny and could forge a three-way tie for the conference title with two more wins and one more loss by both Penn Hills and Woodland Hills.
10/20 – at Woodland Hills
10/27 – at North Hills
North Hills Indians (2-2)
The Indians must win in Week 9 to have a shot at third place and wild card.
10/27 – host Pine-Richland
Shaler Titans (0-3) and Fox Chapel Foxes (0-4) have been eliminated
Allegheny 6 Conference
Peters Township Indians (4-0) clinched
10/27 – host Bethel Park
Moon Tigers (2-1)
The Tigers can clinch second place and a playoff spot by winning out in final two weeks.
10/20 – at Upper St. Clair
20/27 – host Baldwin
Bethel Park Black Hawks (2-1)
The Black Hawks can clinch second place and a postseason berth with two wins and a Moon loss. Two wins and two Moon wins would clinch third place and a wild card playoff spot.
10/20 – host South Fayette
10/27 – at Peters Township
Upper St. Clair Panthers (1-2)
The Panthers need to win out and may need some help to have a shot at second place or third place and a wild card spot.
10/20 – host Moon
10/27 – at South Fayette
South Fayette Lions (1-2)
The Lions needs to win out and may need some help to have a shot at second place or third place and a wild card spot.
10/20 – at Bethel Park
10/27 – host Upper St. Clair
Baldwin Highlanders (0-4) have been eliminated.
CLASS 4A
Total of 13 playoff teams: Top five teams in the Parkway Conference and the top four teams in the Big Seven Conference and the Greater Allegheny Conference earn a playoff berth.
Eight Class 4A teams have clinched heading into Week 8.
Parkway Conference
Aliquippa Quips (5-0) clinched
10/20 – host Chartiers Valley
10/27 – at Central Valley
Montour Spartans (4-1) clinched
10/20 – at Blackhawk
10/27 – host West Allegheny
Central Valley Warriors (4-1) clinched
10/20 – at West Allegheny
10/27 – host Aliquippa
West Allegheny Indians (4-1) clinched
10/20 – host Central Valley
10/27 – at Montour
Chartiers Valley Colts (2-3)
The Colts can clinch with a win at Aliquippa and an Ambridge loss to New Castle in Week 8. If the Colts lose in Week 8 and the Bridgers both win, the winner of Ambridge at Chartiers Valley in Week 9 will finish in fifth place and clinch a playoff spot.
10/20 – at Aliquippa
10/27 – host Ambridge
Ambridge Bridgers (1-4)
If the Bridgers beat New Castle in Week 8, the winner of Ambridge at Chartiers Valley in Week 9 will finish in fifth place and clinch a playoff spot.
10/20 – host New Castle
10/27 – at Chartiers Valley
Blackhawk Cougars (0-5) and New Castle Red Hurricanes (0-5) have been eliminated.
Big Eight Conference
McKeesport Tigers (4-0) clinched
10/20 – host Latrobe
10/27 – at Thomas Jefferson
Latrobe Wildcats (4-1) clinched
10/20 – at McKeesport
Trinity Hillers (3-2) clinched
10/27 – host Ringgold
Thomas Jefferson Jaguars (3-1)
The Jaguars clinch with a win at Connellsville in Week 8 or home to McKeesport in Week 9 or a Connellsville loss at Laurel Highlands in Week 9. If TJ wins out, the Jaguars can still earn a share of the Big Eight championship and be the top seed out of the conference.
10/20 – at Connellsville
10/27 – host McKeesport
Connellsville Falcons (1-3)
The Falcons need to win both games AND have Thomas Jefferson lose to McKeesport in Week 9.
10/20 – host Thomas Jefferson
10/27 – at Laurel Highlands
Laurel Highlands Mustangs (0-4) and Ringgold Rams (0-4) have been eliminated.
Greater Allegheny Conference
Mars Fighting Planets (4-0) clinched
10/20 – at Hampton
10/27 – at North Catholic
North Catholic Trojans (3-1)
The Trojans can clinch with one more win and can earn a share of the conference championship with two more wins.
10/20 – host Indiana
10/27 – host Mars
Hampton Talbots (3-1)
The Talbots can clinch with one more win and can earn a share of the conference championship with two more wins.
10/20 – host Mars
10/27 – at Highlands
Armstrong River Hawks (2-2)
The River Hawks control their own destiny and can earn a postseason berth with two more wins.
10/20 – host Highlands
10/27 – at Kiski Area
Kiski Area Cavaliers (2-3)
The Cavaliers can clinch a playoff berth with a win in Week 9 and one more win by Hampton and North Catholic.
10/27 – host Armstrong
Highlands Golden Rams (1-3)
To have a shot at the postseason, likely via tiebreakers, the Golden Rams need to win both games and get some help.
10/20 – at Armstrong
10/27 – host Hampton
Indiana Little Indians (0-5) have been eliminated.
CLASS 3A
Total of 12 playoff teams: Top four teams in the Western Hills Conference, Allegheny Six Conference and the Interstate Conference earn a playoff berth.
Eight Class 3A teams have clinched heading into Week 8.
Western Hills Conference
Avonworth Antelopes (4-0) clinched
10/20 – at Seton LaSalle
10/27 – at Quaker Valley
West Mifflin Titans (3-1) clinched
10/20 – host Hopewell
10/27 – at South Park
South Park Eagles (3-2) clinched
10/27 – host West Mifflin
Beaver Bobcats (2-2)
The Bobcats can clinch with one more conference victory.
10/20 – host Quaker Valley
10/27 – at Hopewell
Seton LaSalle Rebels (2-3)
The Rebels must upset Avonworth in Week 8 and hope Beaver loses out and Quaker Valley loses in Week 9.
10/20 – host Avonworth
Quaker Valley Quakers (1-3)
The Quakers need to win out and have Seton LaSalle lose in Week 8 or get lots of help to have a shot at earning a playoff berth via tiebreakers.
10/20 – at Beaver
10/27 – host Avonworth
Hopewell Vikings (0-4) have been eliminated.
Allegheny Six Conference
Knoch Knights (3-0) clinched
The winner of the East Allegheny at Knoch game in Week 8 is the conference champion.
10/20 – host East Allegheny
10/27 – at Valley
East Allegheny Wildcats (3-0) clinched
The winner of the East Allegheny at Knoch game in Week 8 is the conference champion.
10/20 – at Knoch
10/27 – host Shady Side Academy
Shady Side Academy Bulldogs (2-1)
The Bulldogs can clinch a playoff berth with a win over Deer Lakes in Week 8.
10/20 – host Deer Lakes
10/27 – at East Allegheny
Deer Lakes Lancers (1-2)
The Lancers can clinch a playoff spot with two more wins or a win in Week 9 and a Freeport loss to Valley in Week 8.
10/20 – at Shady Side Academy
10/27 – host Freeport
Freeport Yellowjackets (0-3)
The Yellowjackets’ best chance to qualify for the playoffs is by winning both remaining games.
10/20 – host Valley
10/27 – at Deer Lakes
Valley Vikings (0-3)
The Vikings’ best chance to qualify for the playoffs is by winning both remaining games.
10/20 – at Freeport
10/27 – host Knoch
Interstate Conference
Elizabeth Forward Warriors (3-0) clinched
10/20 – host Greensburg Salem
10/27 – at Belle Vernon
Belle Vernon Leopards (3-0) clinched
10/20 – at Southmoreland
10/27 – host Elizabeth Forward
Southmoreland Scotties (2-1) clinched
Scotties win tiebreakers with South Allegheny and Greensburg Salem, as well as possible three-way ties.
10/20 – host Belle Vernon
10/27 – at Mt. Pleasant
Mt. Pleasant Vikings (1-2)
Vikings can clinch with a win over South Allegheny in Week 8.
10/20 – at South Allegheny
10/27 – host Southmoreland
South Allegheny Gladiators (0-3)
The Gladiators must win both games to have a shot at a playoff berth.
10/20 – host Mt. Pleasant
10/27 – at Greensburg Salem
Greensburg Salem (0-3)
The Golden Lions must win both games to have a shot at a playoff berth.
10/20 – at Elizabeth Forward
10/27 – host South Allegheny
CLASS 2A
Total of 14 playoff teams: Top five teams in the Midwestern Athletic Conference and the Allegheny Conference and the top four teams in the Century Conference earn a playoff berth.
Six Class 2A teams have clinched heading into Week 8.
Allegheny Conference
Steel Valley Ironmen (5-0) clinched
10/20 – at Yough
10/27 – host Serra Catholic
Serra Catholic Eagles (3-1)
The Eagles can clinch with a win over Apollo-Ridge in Week 8.
10/20 – host Apollo-Ridge
10/27 – at Steel Valley
TBD – host Imani Christian
Imani Christian Saints (3-1)
The Saints can clinch with a win at Ligonier Valley in Week 8.
10/20 – at Ligonier Valley
10/27 – host Yough
TBD – at Serra Catholic
Burrell Buccaneers (3-2)
The Buccaneers can clinch with a win over Derry in Week 8.
10/20 – host Derry
10/27 – at Apollo-Ridge
Derry (2-3)
The Trojans can clinch with two more wins or a win over Ligonier Valley in Week 9.
10/20 – at Burrell
10/27 – host Ligonier Valley
Ligonier Valley Rams (1-4)
The Rams need to win out or have Derry lose out.
10/20 – host Imani Christian
10/27 – at Derry
Apollo-Ridge Vikings (1-4)
The Vikings need to win out and get some help.
10/20 – at Serra Catholic
10/27 – host Burrell
Yough Cougars (1-4)
The Vikings need to win out and get some help.
10/20 – host Steel Valley
10/27 – at Imani Christian
Midwestern Athletic Conference
Mohawk Warriors (5-0) clinched
10/20 – host Western Beaver
10/27 – at Neshannock
Neshannock Lancers (5-0) clinched
10/20 – at Ellwood City
10/27 – host Mohawk
Western Beaver Golden Beavers (4-1) clinched
10/20 – at Mohawk
10/28 – host Beaver Falls
Beaver Falls Tigers (3-2)
The Tigers can clinch with a win over Freedom in Week 8.
10/20 – host Freedom
10/28 – at Western Beaver
Ellwood City Wolverines (2-3)
The Wolverines can clinch with a win over Neshannock in Week 8 or Riverside in Week 9.
10/20 – host Neshannock
10/27 – at Riverside
Freedom Bulldogs (1-4)
The Bulldogs need to win out and have Ellwood City lose both games.
10/20 – at Beaver Falls
10/27 – host New Brighton
Riverside Panthers (0-5)
The Panthers can clinch with two wins AND two Ellwood City losses AND two Freedom losses.
10/20 – at New Brighton
10/27 – host Ellwood City
New Brighton Lions (0-5) have been eliminated
Century Conference
McGuffey Highlanders (5-0) clinched
The Highlanders can win the conference outright with a win over Washington in Week 9.
10/27 – host Washington
Washington Little Prexies (4-0) clinched
The Little Prexies can win the conference outright with two more wins.
10/20 – host Keystone Oaks
10/27 – at McGuffey
Waynesburg Central Raiders (2-2)
The Raiders can clinch a playoff spot with one more win and can finish in third place with two wins.
10/20 – host Sto-Rox
10/27 – at Charleroi
Keystone Oaks Golden Eagles (2-2)
The Golden Eagles can clinch a postseason berth with one more win.
10/20 – at Washington
10/27 – host Brentwood
Brentwood Spartans (1-3)
The Spartans can clinch with two more wins and one more Waynesburg Central win.
10/20 – host Charleroi
10/27 – at Keystone Oaks
Sto-Rox Vikings (1-4)
The Vikings can clinch with a win in Week 8 AND a loss in Week 9 by Waynesburg Central AND two losses by Brentwood
10/21 – host Waynesburg Central
Charleroi Cougars (0-4) have been eliminated
CLASS A
Total of 16 playoff teams: Top four teams in the Big 7 Conference, Eastern Conference, Black Hills Conference and the Tri-County South Conference earn a playoff berth.
Eight Class A teams have clinched heading into Week 8.
Big 7 Conference
South Side Rams (4-0) clinched
The winner of the South Side at Union game in Week 8 is the conference champion
10/20 – at Union
10/27 – host Rochester
Union Scotties (4-0) clinched
The winner of the South Side at Union game in Week 8 is the conference champion.
10/20 – host South Side
10/28 – at Summit Academy
Rochester Rams (2-2)
Rams can clinch with a win over Northgate in Week 8.
10/20 – host Northgate
10/27 – at South Side
Northgate Flames (2-3)
The Flames stay alive for a playoff berth with a win at Rochester in Week 8.
10/20 – at Rochester
Shenango Wildcats (2-3)
The Wildcats stay alive for a postseason spot with a win over Laurel in Week 9.
10/27 – host Laurel
Laurel Spartans (1-3)
The Spartans keep their playoff hopes alive with a win over Summit Academy in Week 8 and at Shenango in Week 9.
10/20 – host Summit Academy
10/27 – at Shenango
Summit Academy Knights (0-4) have been eliminated.
Eastern Conference
Clairton Bears (4-0) clinched
10/20 – host Frazier
10/27 – at Jeannette
Jeannette Jayhawks (3-1) clinched
10/20 – at Springdale
10/27 – host Clairton
Greensburg Central Catholic Centurions (3-1)
The Centurions will clinch with a win over Riverview in Week 8.
10/20 – host Riverview
10/27 – at Leechburg
Leechburg Blue Devils (3-2)
The Blue Devils clinch with a win over Greensburg Central Catholic in Week 9 or a Riverview loss to GCC in Week 8.
10/27 – host Greensburg Central Catholic
Riverview Raiders (1-3)
The Raiders must win out and hope Leechburg beats Greensburg Central Catholic in Week 9.
10/20 – at Greensburg Central Catholic
10/28 – host Springdale
Frazier Commodores (1-4) and the Springdale Dynamos (0-4) have been eliminated
Black Hills Conference
Fort Cherry Rangers (5-0) clinched
10/20 – at Carlynton
10/27 – host Burgettstown
Bishop Canevin Crusaders (4-1)
The Crusaders can clinch a playoff spot with a win at OLSH in Week 8.
10/20 – at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart
10/28 – host Carlynton
Cornell Raiders (3-2)
The Raiders can clinch with two more wins or a win in Week 9 over OLSH.
10/20 – at Chartiers-Houston
10/27 – host Our Lady of the Sacred Heart
Burgettstown Blue Devils (3-2)
The Blue Devils can clinch a playoff spot with two more wins or a win and some help.
10/20 – host Avella
10/27 – at Fort Cherry
Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Chargers (3-2)
The Chargers can clinch a postseason berth with two more wins or a win and some help.
10/20 – host Bishop Canevin
10/27 – at Cornell
Avella Eagles (1-4) and Carlynton Cougars (1-4) have been eliminated because they lose all tie-breakers. Chartiers-Houston Buccaneers (0-5) have also been eliminated.
Tri-County South Conference
California Trojans (5-0) clinched
10/20 – host Beth-Center
10/27 – at Bentworth
West Greene Pioneers (4-1) clinched
10/20 – host Jefferson-Morgan
10/27 – at Mapletown
Jefferson-Morgan Rockets (4-1) clinched
10/20 – at West Greene
10/27 – host Carmichaels
Beth-Center Bulldogs (3-2)
The Bulldogs can clinch with one more win.
10/20 – at California
10/27 – host Monessen
Monessen Greyhounds (1-4)
The Greyhounds must win both games and get some help.
10/20 – host Mapletown
10/27 – at Beth-Center
Bentworth Bearcats (1-4)
The Bearcats must win both games and get some help.
10/20 – at Carmichaels
10/27 – host California
Mapletown Maples (1-4)
The Maples must win both games and get some help.
10/20 – at Monessen
10/27 – host West Greene
Carmichaels Mighty Mikes (1-4)
The Mighty Mikes must win both games and get some help.
10/20 – host Bentworth
10/27 – at Jefferson-Morgan
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