Football

Plum and Shaler square off Sept. 8, 2023, at Shaler.

Shaler uses big second half to topple Plum

September 8, 2023

The Shaler and Plum football teams entered Friday’s game undefeated, looking to take a big step forward in the Class 5A playoff picture.

Franklin Regional’s Cole Brinker (left) closes in on Connellsville’s Capone Mickens during their game Sept. 8, 2023, at Franklin Regional.

Running game, special teams help Franklin Regional blank Connellsville

With its special teams unit flying to the football and setting field position and its running game in high gear, Franklin Regional handed upstart Connellsville a humbling 38-0 defeat in a nonconference matchup Friday night at Panther Stadium in Murrysville.

Captains for Chartiers Valley and Highlands meet at midfield for the coin toss before their game Friday.

Highlands overcomes penalties to beat Chartiers Valley

When Chartiers Valley and Highlands met for the first time last year, they played a tight contest with the Golden Rams prevailing by eight points.

Deer Lakes’ Zier Williams runs against Apollo-Ridge on Friday at Apollo-Ridge’s Owens Field.

Deer Lakes football settles down in rout of Apollo-Ridge

After Apollo-Ridge went right down the field on its opening drive, it looked like Deer Lakes was in for a long night.

Thomas Jefferson receiver Sean Sullivan goes in motion behind quarterback Luke Kosko during practice on Friday, Aug. 11, 2023, in Jefferson.

5 things to watch in Week 2: WPIAL teams are winning with multiple QBs

There’s an old saying about football teams with two starting quarterbacks actually having none, but Thomas Jefferson coach Bill Cherpak clearly disagrees.

Penn Hills’ Amir Key catches a pass during preseason practice.

‘Champs until proven otherwise:’ Penn Hills challenges Pine-Richland in No. 1 vs. 2 clash

September 7, 2023

Penn Hills is ranked No. 1 in WPIAL football, but Pine-Richland is the reigning conference, WPIAL and PIAA champion until someone takes those titles away.

Bethel Park quarterback Tanner Pfeuffer takes the field with his team before the Black Hawks’ game against Mt. Lebanon last Friday.

Trib HSSN don’t-miss high school football matchups for Week 2 2023

The avalanche of conference openers is coming for most WPIAL football teams next week. However, here in Week 2, we triple the amount of conference games from last week, going from one to three.

Westinghouse’s Khalil Taylor runs past Southern Columbia’s Louden Murphy during the 2022 PIAA Class 2A state championship game.

What to watch for in Western Pa. high school sports on Sept. 7, 2023: City League blue bloods to collide

September 6, 2023

The two most successful football programs in City League history will kick off the District 8 schedule at George Cupples Stadium on the South Side to get the ball rolling on Week 2 of the high school football season Thursday.

Highlands’ Aaran Randolph is a member of the 2023 football team.

A-K Valley football players to watch in 2023 Week 2

Player of the week

Deer Lakes celebrates with Aiden Fletcher (12) after he pulled in a one-handed touchdown catch against Burrell Friday Sept. 1, 2023, at Lancers Stadium.

2023 Western Pa. high school football schedule for Week 2

Thursday

Franklin Regional’s Kyle Dupill carries the ball during a game against Latrobe on Friday, Sept. 1, 2023, at Latrobe Memorial Stadium.

Westmoreland County high school football matchups for 2023 Week 2

Connellsville (2-0) at Franklin Regional (1-1)

Belle Vernon’s Quinton Martin runs for a touchdown early in the first half against Penn-Trafford last season.

Trib HSSN Pennsylvania high school football rankings for Sept. 5, 2023

September 5, 2023

Not a lot has changed in the weekly Trib HSSN PIAA football rankings in the first few weeks of the 2023 season as the elite across the state have taken care of business.

Valley’s Tristin Goodwin fights for yardage against Apollo-Ridge on Friday, Sept. 1, 2023, at Valley High School.

This week on Trib HSSN for week of Sept. 4, 2023

September 3, 2023

We labor our way through another week that leads up to another weekend of WPIAL football here on the TribLive High School Sports Network.

Quaker Valley grad Dean Cvitkovic (right) will be inducted into the school’s hall of fame in the Class of 2023. He is pictured riding his horse alongside his granddaughter, Anna Cvitkovic.

Former football standout Dean Cvitkovic took unusual path to Quaker Valley Hall of Fame

Dean Cvitkovic graduated from Quaker Valley almost 50 years ago.

Penn Hills coach Charles Morris watches practice Aug. 7.

Receiver Martel Palmer brings big-play dimension to Penn Hills offense

Penn Hills junior Martel Palmer’s two timely touchdowns in Week Zero likely didn’t catch many of the spectators at Yuhas-McGinley off guard. At least one person standing on the sidelines certainly didn’t blink an eye at the development.

Rochester’s Antonio Laure practices next to quarterback Jayden Norman on Aug. 18.

High school roundup for Sept. 2, 2023: Antonio Laure powers Rochester past OLSH

September 2, 2023

Antonio Laure ran for three touchdowns, including a 37-yarder in the first quarter, as Rochester took care of OLSH, 36-12, in a nonconference game Saturday night.

Riverview’s Carlo Buzzatto (21) carries against Carlynton on Saturday.

Riverview keeps rolling in rout of Carlynton

Turning a program around is never easy, but those who pull it off usually lean on the fundamentals. Blocking, tackling and winning the line of scrimmage.