What to watch for in high school sports on Aug. 28, 2024: Westinghouse looks to get in win column

By: Don Rebel
Wednesday, August 28, 2024 | 10:30 PM

Over the last two seasons, the Westinghouse football program has proven to be a dominant force, not only in the City League but also across the state.

The Bulldogs are a combined 27-2 in 2022 and 2023, with both losses coming in the PIAA Class 2A championship game against Southern Columbia.

Westinghouse plays its 2024 home opener Thursday, hoping to avoid matching its loss totals from the last two years in the first two weeks.

Senior quarterback Khalil Green threw for 139 yards and two touchdowns, plus he rushed for 50 yards, but the Bulldogs lost their season opener to Beaver in Week Zero, 28-26.

At Cupples Stadium on the South Side, Westinghouse opens up the Week 1 high school football schedule with a game against the Linsly School out of Wheeling, W. Va.

This will be the season opener for the Cadets.

Last year, Linsly defeated Trinity in a Week 7 game, 27-3.

Not so little

A team worth watching in the early stages of the 2024 WPIAL boys soccer season might be Indiana.

Last season, the Little Indians won only six matches, finishing 6-11-1 overall, but they finishing in fourth place in Section 1-3A to qualify for the playoffs.

There, Indiana stunned Section 3-3A champion Bethel Park in the first round before falling to Montour in the 3A quarterfinals, 2-1.

This season, Indiana is off to a 3-0 start, including a 5-0 victory over Obama Academy in its section opener Tuesday.

On Thursday, the Little Indians visit a Knoch team still searching for their first victory.

The other two teams locked in an early tie for first place in Section 1-3A with Indiana are Armstrong and Shaler.

The River Hawks visit the Titans on Thursday.

Success by the dozen

Early days in Section 2-2A boys soccer has four teams even at 1-0 following victories in section opening matches Tuesday.

All four will square off Thursday.

Two of the four teams enjoyed convincing wins Tuesday in what was also their season opener.

Avonworth crushed Riverside, 12-0, while Keystone Oaks rolled past Ellwood City by the same score, 12-nil.

Thursday’s matches for a share of first place will be a tad tougher for the Antelopes and Golden Eagles.

Avonworth hosts Quaker Valley (1-2) in a battle of Section 4-2A co-champions from a year ago while Keystone Oaks visits Central Valley (3-0).