Football
Battle within the battle: A-K Valley defenses have challenge of facing various schemes, formations
August 20, 2023
Legendary Alabama football coach Paul “Bear” Bryant once said, “Offense sells tickets. Defense wins championships.”
After a long offseason, the Birdie is ready to stick to football and Westmoreland County picks
The Birdie
2023 WPIAL Class 6A football breakdown: New coaches add intrigue to competitive field
Nearly half of the teams in the WPIAL’s largest classification have new football coaches in 2023.
2023 WPIAL Class 5A football breakdown: Reaching postseason no easy task
In WPIAL Class 5A, there’s no room for error.
2023 WPIAL Class 4A football breakdown: Aliquippa begins quest for 3-peat
No team has three-peated as WPIAL champion in Class 4A since the WPIAL went to six classifications in 2016.
2023 WPIAL Class 3A football breakdown: Belle Vernon heavily favored to repeat
If you ask any coach which team is considered the best in WPIAL Class 3A, the unanimous choice is returning WPIAL and PIAA champion Belle Vernon.
2023 WPIAL Class A football breakdown: Strength of Big 7 Conference on display
It’s popular coachspeak to say that a meat-grinder conference schedule prepares teams for the postseason.
After losing playmakers to graduation, expectations remain high at Sto-Rox
August 19, 2023
Ever notice how Aliquippa never really has a rebuilding year?
McGuffey counting on experience, depth to advance to next level
Coach Ed Dalton was pleased with McGuffey’s 2022 season. His Highlanders went 8-4 and finished third in the Century Conference, but he felt his team could have accomplished more.
Keystone Oaks eyes deep playoff run with veteran roster
Keystone Oaks will look for another deep playoff run as most of its starters return from a team that advanced to the WPIAL Class 2A quarterfinals last season.
New coaching regime looks to get Brentwood back to playoffs
Brentwood’s football team finished 2-4 in the Class 2A Century Conference last season and 3-7 overall.
Clairton seeking donations to renovate 93-year-old football stadium
August 18, 2023
Before next football season, Clairton’s nearly century-old stadium could undergo a major renovation with new seats, locker rooms and restrooms, artificial turf, modern lighting and a brickwork entrance.
Bill Hand returns to Riverside sidelines as Panthers aim to contend in MAC
More than two decades since the last time they had a chance to welcome their new head coach with the phrase, the Riverside football team is ready to again say, “Aloha, Mr. Hand.”
New coach hopes to guide Freedom to success
It was mid-March when Ron Balog took the reins of the Freedom football team. It’s been full-speed ahead since.
Western Beaver driven to erase memory of disappointing finish to 2022
Forgive the Western Beaver football team if it comes into the 2023 season with a chip on its shoulder.
Yough aims to build on positives from last season
August 17, 2023
Ben Hoffer was part of a Yough football team that won three conference titles and compiled 24-15 record.
With young roster, Ligonier Valley works to come together quickly
Since Roger Beitel became football coach at Ligonier Valley 20 years ago, he has taken his squad to a team camp at Shippensburg University in July.
Burrell ready to run back into WPIAL playoffs
While some WPIAL offensive attacks look to incorporate both ground and air assaults, Burrell often loads up its tanks with the hopes of steamrolling opponents.
Apollo-Ridge aims to gain experience in a hurry
When asked to appraise his team’s expectations for this season, Apollo-Ridge coach John Skiba didn’t pull any punches.
