Trib HSSN don’t miss high school football matchups for 2024 Week 5

By: Don Rebel
Thursday, September 26, 2024 | 7:36 PM

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Welcome to Week 5 of the 2024 WPIAL football regular season and the midway point of the regular season.

Friday night finally marks the start of section play for five district conferences.

Conference action kicks off in all three Class 4A conferences.

In the first five weeks of the season, the combined nonconference record of the teams in the Parkway Conference was 16-6. It was 13-3 in the Big Six Conference and 8-21 in the (not so) Greater Allegheny Conference.

The six teams in the Class 3A Interstate Conference were a combined 17-13 in nonconference games.

However, the dominant conference by far this season has been the Class 5A Allegheny Six Conference.

Take Baldwin and its 0-5 record out of the mix, and the combined record of Peters Township, Bethel Park, Upper St. Clair, South Fayette and Moon is 23-1.

Here is a look at some of the top high school football matchups for Friday in Week 5.

Class 6A

No. 4 Seneca Valley (1-3, 1-0) at Mt. Lebanon (0-5, 0-2)

7 p.m. Friday, Mt. Lebanon HS Stadium

Coaches: Ron Butschle, Seneca Valley; Greg Perry, Mt. Lebanon

On the air: Video stream on Trib HSSN

Last week: Moon 42, Seneca Valley 13; Canon-McMillan 17, Mt. Lebanon 14 in overtime

Players to watch: Andrew Loebig, Seneca Valley (Jr., 5-9, 160, QB/DB); Patrick Smith, Mt. Lebanon (Jr., 6-3, 215, QB/LB)

Team notes

Seneca Valley: The Raiders are 0-3 outside of Class 6A and have been outscored in those losses by a combined 105-33. However, the good news for Seneca Valley fans is they are 1-0 in 6A following a big 26-6 win at Norwin two weeks. Last week in a loss to Moon, Raiders junior quarterback Andrew Loebig completed only three passes, but one of them was a 68-yard scoring pass to senior Jayden Price. Sophomore Jamen Alwine connected with junior Drew Williams on a 24-yard touchdown pass for SV’s other scoring play.

Mt. Lebanon: Following three nonconference losses to start the season, the Blue Devils’ fortunes have not turned once the Class 6A schedule began two weeks ago. They lost big to Central Catholic in Week 3, and then last week lost a heartbreaker at home to Canon-McMillan in overtime. Lebo junior quarterback Patrick Smith was 18 of 31 passing for 192 yards and a 13-yard scoring toss to senior wide receiver Noah Schaerli. The Blue Devils’ other touchdown came on a fourth-quarter 2-yard run by junior running back Kris Kambitsis.

Historic factoids

• With the ever-thinning ranks of Class 6A teams, these two teams from the north and south of the district have become rivals, playing for a seventh straight year. It is the 19th all-time meeting between Mt. Lebanon and Seneca Valley with the Blue Devils holding the edge, 12-6.

• Last year in Week 4, the Blue Devils squeezed by the Raiders at Seneca Valley, 17-14. Matthew Nguyen returned a kickoff 80 yards for a touchdown as Mt. Lebanon scored 14 points in the fourth quarter, then held on for the win.

• These teams have met a total of six times in the WPIAL playoffs with each team claiming three victories. Mt. Lebanon claimed postseason wins over Seneca Valley in their first meeting in 1991 and again in 1999 and 2019. The Raiders eliminated the Blue Devils from the postseason 1997, 2012 and 2016.

Class 5A Allegheny Six Conference

No. 1 Peters Township (5-0) at No. 3 Upper St. Clair (5-0)

7 p.m. Friday, Panther Stadium at Upper St. Clair

Coaches: T.J. Plack, Peters Township; Mike Junko, Upper St. Clair

Last week: Peters Township 38, West Allegheny 0; Upper St. Clair 31, McKeesport 14

Players to watch: Nolan DiLucia, Peters Township (Jr., 6-2, 190, QB/DB); Dante Coury, Upper St. Clair (Jr., 5-8, 175, RB/DB)

Team notes

Peters Township: The defending WPIAL Class 5A champions and PIAA runners-up in 2023 have continued to roll downhill in 2024, outscoring their opponents in five victories, 185-30. The Indians have only allowed six points in the last three weeks after registering the second shutout of the season against West Allegheny in Week 4. Junior quarterback Nolan DiLucia continues to shine, connecting on 14 of 23 passes for 352 yards against West A and four touchdown tosses, with two of those scoring tosses going to senior wide receiver Nick McCullough, who ended up with 129 yards on only three receptions.

Upper St. Clair: With Aliquippa losing last week, the Panthers now own the longest current winning streak in the WPIAL with eight consecutive victories. USC’s latest win was an impressive tuneup for a tough conference schedule with a rare win at McKeesport. This game was won with a lethal ground attack led by junior running back Dante Coury, who rushed for 187 yards on 32 carries and a touchdown. Senior Julian Dahlem ran for 104 yards on nine carries and a touchdown as Upper St. Clair led 28-0 after three quarters before closing out a 17-point victory.

Historic factoids

• This is the 20th all-time meeting between the schools separated by Route 19. They have met each year since 2008 with the exception of the 2016 and 2017 seasons when Peters Township was in 6A and Upper St. Clair was in 5A. USC leads the all-time series, 16-3.

• The teams have split the last six meetings with the Panthers winning in 2018, 2021 and 2022, while the Indians were victorious in 2019, 2020 and last year, winning 31-0. Prior to that, USC won the 13 previous meetings. This season marks the 60th anniversary of the first time Upper St. Clair and Peters Township squared off. The Panthers crushed the Indians in the fall of 1964, 41-6.

• The win last week for Upper St. Clair was program victory No. 499. A home win against Peters Township will be win No. 500 in 67 years. Since 1981, the Panthers have qualified for the playoffs an amazing 41 times in the last 43 years. The only seasons they missed out were in 1999 and a year ago in 2023.

Class 4A Parkway Conference

No. 4 New Castle (4-0) at No. 1 Aliquippa (2-1)

7 p.m. Friday, Heinz Field at Aliquippa

Coaches: Fred Mozzoccio, New Castle; Vashawn Patrick, Aliquippa

Last week: New Castle 42, Knoch 32; Penn Hills 21, Aliquippa 13

Players to watch: Kaevon Gardner, New Castle (Sr., 5-11, 195, RB); Tiqwai Hayes, Aliquippa (Sr., 5-10, 190, RB/DB)

Team notes

New Castle: It has been a perfect tuneup for the Red Hurricanes; now we’ll see if they can continue to produce wins in the rugged Class 4A Parkway Conference. Their first conference test will be tough, but they are playing with house money at 4-0 following a one-win season a year ago. First-year coach Fred Mozzoccio has brought a winning attitude from Neshannock to New Castle thanks to the play of many, including senior running back Kaevon Gardner, who rushed for 192 yards on 18 carries and four TDs as the ‘Canes scores three times in the final four minutes to remain perfect last week in a win over Knoch.

Aliquippa: Anytime the Quips don’t come away with a win nowadays, eyebrows definitely go up. A rare loss for Aliquippa last week at Class 5A Penn Hills ended a district-best 16-game winning streak and marked the first time the Quips lost in the regular season since 2021. Junior quarterback Marques Council Jr. connected on 11 of 22 passes for 123 yards and a 13-yard touchdown pass to sophomore Larry Moon. Aliquippa was without star running back Tikey Hayes, who may return from injury this week. Hayes is averaging 8 yards a carry this season.

Historic factoids

• This is the 49th meeting between these old rivals. While Aliquippa has dominated the series recently, winning the last nine head-to-head games, New Castle still has the advantage, 25-20-3.

• This is the fifth straight season these teams have clashed in Parkway Conference play. The Quips have outscored the Red Hurricanes since 2020 by a combined score of 216-47. That includes a 55-7 win last year.

• The Quips and ‘Canes have met twice in a WPIAL championship game with each team winning once. Aliquippa won in the 1987 WPIAL 3A title game, 26-14, while New Castle claimed gold in the district 3A finals in 1942, 25-0. The first game between the two was 106 years ago when the Red Hurricanes edged the Quips, 9-6, in 1918.

Class 3A Western Hills Conference

Central Valley (2-3, 2-0) at Avonworth (3-2, 1-0)

7 p.m. Friday, Lenzner Stadium at Avonworth

Coaches: Mark Lyons, Central Valley; Duke Johncour, Avonworth

On the air: Video stream on Trib HSSN

Last week: Central Valley 51, Beaver 37; Avonworth 50, Hopewell 19

Players to watch: Mason Dixon, Central Valley (Sr., 6-0, 200, RB/OLB); Carson Bellinger, Avonworth (Jr., 5-10, 170, QB);

Team notes

Central Valley: Three straight competitive losses to start the season did not dampen the spirits of the Class 3A Western Hills Conference favorites, who are now tied for first place at 2-0. The Warriors defeated Beaver with an all-out ground assault. Senior running back Mason Dixon has bounced back from injury plagued seasons in 2022 and 2023 to rush for 204 yards on 15 carries and three touchdowns while sophomore running mate Jance Henry gained 130 yards on 18 carries and two touchdowns in a 14-point win. CV has scored 100 points in its two conference wins.

Avonworth: The Antelopes began the season with two wins, then dropped back-to-back contests against Class 4A powers Aliquippa and Thomas Jefferson. However the ‘Lopes bounced back nicely in their 4A Western Hills Conference opener at Hopewell with a 31-point victory. Avonworth junior quarterback Carson Bellinger was 10 of 15 passing for 212 yards and a touchdown pass of 44 yards to junior wide receiver Luca Neal. Sophomore running back Bryce Metz had 60 yards rushing and three touchdowns while senior Justin Beck led the Antelopes with 90 yards rushing.

Historic factoids

• This is only the fourth meeting between the schools. Central Valley won the first two games, winning 43-6 in 2021 37-22 in 2022. Avonworth won a year ago, 28-20. The teams were supposed to play in 2020, but the game was postponed due to covid-19.

• Five years ago, both of these teams were champions and PIAA runners-up. In Class 3A, Central Valley won a thriller in overtime over Aliquippa, 13-12, to win WPIAL gold while Avonworth upended Washington in the district 2A title game. Both reached the 2019 PIAA championship game where the Warriors lost to Wyoming Area and Avonworth was defeated by Southern Columbia.

• Avonworth was 6-11 against the two schools that merged in 2010 to create Central Valley. The Antelopes were 1-0 against Center, winning a 1972 matchup. The ‘Lopes were 5-11 against Monaca, which included a 2008 playoff loss to the Indians, 17-6, and revenge in the postseason the following year as Avonworth won, 27-0, in the 2009 postseason which was the final football game in Monaca history.

Class 2A Midwestern Athletic Conference

Western Beaver (3-1, 2-0) at Riverside (3-2, 2-0)

7 p.m. Friday, Riverside Stadium

Coaches: Ron Busby, Western Beaver; Rob Magnifico, Riverside

Last week: Western Beaver 33, Union 6; Riverside 20, New Brighton 13

Players to watch: Jaivin Peel, Western Beaver (Soph., 6-0, 185, QB); Ayden Garcia, Riverside (Sr., 6-0, 180, QB)

Team notes

Western Beaver: The Golden Beavers have won three straight, including their first two Class 2A Midwestern Athletic Conference contests since suffering their only loss back in Week Zero to Ambridge. Sophomore quarterback Jaivin Peel is picking up where he left off in his rookie season when he threw for 2,898 yards and 32 touchdowns. Last week against Union, Peel was 12 of 18 for 194 yards and a touchdown pass of 26 yards to freshman Avon Pressley. Sophomore Wyatt Sparbanie led Western Beaver on the ground with 90 yards on only four carries and two TDs.

Riverside: Count the Panthers as one of the many teams that have done an about face this season after enduring a tough 2023 campaign. Riverside finished 1-8 overall a year ago but has already topped that total, winning three straight games, including its first two MAC games. Last week, the Panthers scored two third-quarter touchdowns to stretch a one-point advantage to a 15-point lead and won by seven. Senior quarterback Ayden Garcia hit on 10 of 17 passes for 168 yards and three touchdown tosses, two to junior wide receiver Joe Chill and the eventual game winner to senior tight end Zack Hare.

Historic factoids

• This is the 10th meeting between the schools. Riverside won the first six while Western Beaver has been victorious in the last three head-to-head contests.

• Offense has dictated the success for the Golden Beavers in this series. In their six losses, they scored a combined 30 points; however, they have tallied 133 points in the three wins against the Panthers.

• These teams have battled in each of the last three years and this is the eighth meeting between the two since 2014. The first time these teams met was in 1980 when the Panthers defeated the Golden Beavers, 20-8.

Class A Tri-County South Conference

West Greene (2-3, 2-0) at Jefferson-Morgan (5-0, 2-0)

7 p.m. Friday at Parker Field at Jefferson-Morgan

Coaches: Beau Jackson, West Greene; Shane Ziats, Jefferson-Morgan

Last week: West Greene 37, Mapletown 8; Jefferson-Morgan 21, Carmichaels 6

Players to watch: Lane Allison, West Greene (Sr., 6-1, 155, QB/FS); Houston Guseman, Jefferson-Morgan (Sr., 5-10, 180, QB/S)

Team notes

West Greene: The 2021 Tri-County South Conference champions and 2023 TCS runners-up scored only 13 points while allowing 145 in losses in each of their first three games this season. However, the Pioneers have taken care of business with two straight conference wins to sit in a tie for first place alongside Jefferson-Morgan and California. Senior quarterback Lane Allison enjoyed a big game last week against Mapletown, throwing for 242 yards and a TD while scoring twice on the ground.

Jefferson-Morgan: The Rockets continue to fly high with five wins in five games, outscoring their opponents by an average score of 40-13. Jefferson-Morgan won a battle on unbeaten teams last week on the road at Carmichaels thanks again to the strong play of senior quarterback Huston Guesman. He only threw for 54 yards, but he rushed for 140 yards on 22 carries and a touchdown in the 15-point win while junior running back John Woodward added 96 yards on the ground and a scoring run.

Historic factoids

• This will be the 61st meeting between Jefferson-Morgan and West Greene, who have met every year since 1986. The Rockets hold the edge over the Pioneers, 43-16-1.

• West Greene has won eight straight in this series, including a 31-16 victory in 2023. Prior to 2016, Jefferson-Morgan had won 20 consecutive games in this series. The first clash between the Rockets and Pioneers was 65 years ago when the teams tied 7-7 in 1959.

• There have not been a lot of close games in this series. In the last 23 years, there has only been one game in this series decided by less than 10 points. Jefferson-Morgan edged West Greene in 2011, 14-6.

Tags: Aliquippa, Avonworth, Central Valley, Jefferson-Morgan, Mt. lebanon, New Castle, Peters Township, Riverside, Seneca Valley, Upper St. Clair, West Greene, Western Beaver