Football

Kansas City Chiefs backup quarterback Chad Henne played in the 2004 Big 33 game.

George Guido: Big 33 streak in Super Bowl intact

January 21, 2020

The incredible Big 33 Super Bowl streak continues as San Francisco and Kansas City get ready for Super Bowl LIV.

Southmoreland’s Bailey Kuhns scores past Apollo-Ridge’s Madison Marks during their WPIAL Class 4A playoff game Monday, Feb. 18, 2019, at Norwin High School.

WPIAL rules GCC transfers Bailey Kuhns, Mark Mizerak ineligible

The WPIAL ruled a pair of Greensburg Central Catholic transfers ineligible Monday.

Pennsylvania and Maryland watch the coin toss during the Big 33 Football Classic between Pennsylvania and Maryland on Saturday, June 18, 2016 at Hersheypark Stadium. Pennsylvania won 26-14.

Big 33 sees 3 alumni reach Super Bowl, extends streak to 54 years

January 19, 2020

The Big 33 Football Classic’s Super Bowl streak continues with help from a former WPIAL athlete.

Penn Trafford’s Noah Allen pulls in a pass over Peters Township’s Ryan Magiske in the first half during the 5-A WPIAL semifinal Friday, Nov. 15, 2019 at West Mifflin High School.

Westmoreland high school notebook: Penn-Trafford’s Allen gets another scholarship offer

January 18, 2020

Penn-Trafford senior football player Noah Allen is drawing Division I attention as national signing day (Feb. 5) approaches.

Central Catholic’s Eddy Tillman stiff-arms St. Joseph’s Prep’s Julian Talley during their PIAA Class 6A state semifinal in November. As the PIAA considers changing its playoff pairings, Class 6A teams from the WPIAL and Philadelphia Catholic League might be on different halves of the bracket next season.

Important questions remain as WPIAL football realignment process continues

January 17, 2020

The WPIAL has already requested a weekend at Heinz Field for the football finals, but it’s too early to say which classifications will play their championships at the North Shore stadium.

West Allegheny head coach Chris Lucas talks with his team during practice on Wednesday, Aug. 14, 2019.

West Allegheny football coach Chris Lucas resigns after 1 season

January 10, 2020

West Allegheny is searching once again for a new football coach.

Central Catholic’s Matt Altsman celebrates with the student section after beating Pine-Richland in the WPIAL Class 6A championship game Saturday, Nov. 17, 2019 at Heinz Field.

Don Rebel: How about a compromise between WPIAL’s football realignment plans?

January 9, 2020

The WPIAL held a “town meeting” on Wednesday and unveiled two plans to district football coaches and administrators to determine the conference landscape for the upcoming 2020 and 2021 seasons.

Thomas Jefferson coach Bill Cherpak, who guided the Jaguars to WPIAL and PIAA Class 4A titles this past fall, is among 32 nominees for the NFL’s Don Shula Award to honor the nation’s top high school coaches.

Thomas Jefferson’s Bill Cherpak nominated for Shula award as nation’s top high school football coach

Thomas Jefferson coach Bill Cherpak, who last fall won his record-tying eighth WPIAL football title, is among 32 nominees for the NFL’s Don Shula Award to honor the nation’s top high school coaches.

Burrell’s Trent Valovchik pulls in a pass in the second half as Derry’s Justin Huss defends and stops Valovchik at the 2-yard line Friday,Oct 25, 2019, at Burrell.

George Guido: Plenty of intrigue surrounding WPIAL football scheduling

January 7, 2020

As Rod Stewart once sang, “Tonight’s the Night.”

Westmoreland high school notebook: Weather slows work on Penn-Trafford baseball field

January 4, 2020

Look to the right while cruising up the driveway to Penn-Trafford High School, and it is clear change is happening at the baseball field.

South Fayette head coach Joe Rossi is drenched by the water cooler after defeating Dunmore, 28-16, in the PIAA Class AA state championship game against Dunmore Satuday, Dec. 13, 2014, at Hersheypark Stadium in Hershey.

2010s TribLive HSSN All-Decade Football Team: Coaches

The WPIAL awarded 48 football titles during the past decade and most of them went to the same 10 coaches.

Butler head coach Eric Christy talks with Cooper Baxter (left) and Dylan Fediaczko during practice on Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2019.

Struggling Butler football program leaving WPIAL for independent schedule

January 3, 2020

Worried that years of losing will force its program to someday fold, Butler decided it won’t play WPIAL football next season and instead will put together an independent schedule.

Mt. Lebanon head coach Bob Palko talks to his team before playing Gateway Friday, Aug. 23, 2019 at Antimarino Stadium at Gateway High School.

Top 19 of ’19: Trib HSSN breaks down the top stories of the year — No. 4

December 28, 2019

The 2019 high school sports season is nearly in the books.

Ligonier Valley’s Mike Petrof (54) and John Beard (88) celebrate after the Rams recover a Richland fumble in the PIAA District 6 Class 2A championship game on Friday, Nov. 15, 2019, at Mansion Park Stadium in Altoona. Richland beat Ligonier Valley 34-6.

Players from Ligonier Valley, Belle Vernon garner all-state football honors

WPIAL-bound Ligonier Valley’s days of dominating the District 6 Heritage Conference might be over, but the Rams left lasting memories.

Avonworth head coach Duke Johncour gets doused by the water cooler from Josh Elm as time winds down in the WPIAL Class AA championship game against Washington Saturday, Nov. 23, 2019, at Norwin High School.

Class 2A all-state football: Avonworth’s Duke Johncour named Coach of the Year

Fresh off their team’s first PIAA championship appearance, two Avonworth players earned all-state honors Saturday and Duke Johncour was named Pennsylvania’s Coach of the Year in Class 2A.