Norwin eager to host WPIAL Class 5A football championship

By: HSSN Staff
Wednesday, November 21, 2018 | 3:18 PM

After hosting WPIAL football playoff games the last two weeks, Norwin is set to welcome the Class 5A championship on Friday night.

West Allegheny (10-2) will play Penn Hills (13-0) at 7:30 p.m.

A WPIAL football final has not been played at a high school stadium since 1985.

Norwin hosted the Class 5A quarterfinal between Gateway and Franklin Regional and last week’s semifinal that featured Penn Hills and Peters Township.

”We are certainly looking forward to the opportunity to host. … We appreciate the WPIAL’s vote of confidence,” Norwin athletic director Brandon Rapp said. “We have been fortunate to host a lot of big events not only this year, but in years past, so we feel as though we have the necessary plans in place to operate a successful event.”

North Allegheny and Geneva College were also considered for the Class 5A final but Norwin was selected for its location, parking room and sufficient seating on both sides of Knights Stadium, which holds over 5,000.

Dozens of people from Norwin and the North Huntingdon area will work the game, from gate and press box personnel to security.

It may not be the same atmosphere as Heinz Field but Norwin aims to make it a close second.

”We have an outstanding staff and a lot of great support from our community partners like Rescue 8 and NHTPD as well,” Rapp said. “We feel it is our responsibility to make sure that all of those in attendance leave Norwin Knights Stadium with a positive experience. I would be mistaken, though, if I didn’t say this event adds some additional excitement. We are honored to have the opportunity to host and our staff is looking forward to Friday.”

Penn Hills senior quarterback Hollis Mathis said the venue for the 5A title game did not matter.

“We want that ring regardless of where we play,” Mathis said. “We could play at the Penn Hills midget football field. We’re going to go out there and play our game.”

The game, by all accounts, will be the last WPIAL final for Bob Palko of West Allegheny. The acclaimed coach said this would be his final season with the Indians.

Bill Beckner is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Bill at bbeckner@tribweb.com or via Twitter @BillBeckner.

Tags: Norwin, Penn Hills, West Allegheny