PIAA Football Playoffs Preview

By: HSSN Staff
Thursday, December 2, 2010 | 12:00 AM

The regular season, the WPIAL playoffs, and now the start of the third season. The four football teams that won WPIAL football championships Saturday will begin play in the PIAA Quarterfinals Friday night at neutral sites around the state.

The PIAA championships will be December 17th and 18th in Hershey and WPIAL teams will have to win two more games just to get to the state finals. Here is a look at what is ahead for the four WPIAL champions.

CLASS AAAA

North Allegheny Tigers (12-1) vs. State College Little Lions (7-6) on Friday at Pine-Richland High School at 7:00pm:

It's not often that teams meet in the regular season and also the state playoffs. But that is the case here. North Allegheny defeated State College, 42-7, in the first game of the season.

The biggest news concerning North Allegheny is that star running back Alex Papson is done for the season. Papson suffered a dislocated right collarbone in the WPIAL final against Woodland Hills. He had more than 2,000 yards rushing this season and more than 4,000 in his career.

State College made it to the state title game last year, but this team is nowhere near as good, evidenced by their 7-6 record. The Little Lions started the season 0-5 and defense was the major problem, as they allowed 199 points in the first five games. They are 7-1 since, including a victory against City League champion Perry last week.

State College has a strong passing attack, led by quarterback Josh Weakland, who has completed 182 of 267 for 2,001 yards. Six receivers have 17 or more catches. The Little Lions don't have a running back with big statistics. Luke Jones has 677 yards on 88 carries.

What else is out there?

The North Allegheny-State College winner will play the winner of Red Lion and Cumberland Valley. Cumberland Valley beat State College, 52-27.

On the other side of the state, there are some strong teams in Philadelphia and the Philadelphia suburbs. Perennial powers Neshaminy and North Penn play for the District 1 championship this week. La Salle College won the PIAA title last year and has made it to the Class AAAA quarterfinals again.

CLASS AAA

Central Valley (10-3) vs. Erie Cathedral Prep (8-4)on Friday at Veterans Stadium in Erie at 7:00pm:

Cathedral Prep competed for years in Class AAAA, and won an AAAA title in 2000. But the Ramblers dropped down to AAA recently and lost in last year's PIAA quarterfinals to WPIAL champion West Allegheny, 36-21.

Cathedral Prep started the season 3-4, but has won five in a row. The Ramblers have scored 219 points during the streak. Cathedral Prep played a strong non-league schedule, losing to perennial power Cleveland St. Ignatius, 48-19. Cathedral Prep also lost to WPIAL AAAA member Erie McDowell, 34-7.

Cathedral Prep sophomore quarterback Damon Terry has thrown for more than 1,500 yards. Running back Anthony Jordan had 176 yards offense in the District 10 championship game against Grove City. Cathedral Prep standout running back Justin Wiley was lost for the season to an injury in the first game of the year.

What else is out there?

The Central Valley-Cathedral Prep winner will meet the Cocalico-Bishop McDevitt winner in the semifinals. McDevitt is expected to win that game. McDevitt played for years in Class AAAA and lost in the semifinals to WPIAL teams a few times.

But McDevitt dropped to Class AAA this season. The Crusaders feature one of the top running backs in the eastern part of the country in Jameel Poteat, who already has made a verbal commitment to Pitt.

On the eastern side of the state, Allentown Central Catholic is ranked No. 1 in Class AAA in most polls. Archbishop Wood, a Philadelphia Catholic League team, also is strong. Wood made it to the semifinals a year ago and lost in the 2008 title game to Thomas Jefferson.

CLASS AA

South Fayette (13-0) vs. Brockway (12-0) on Friday at West Allegheny High School at 7:00pm:

This is a showdown of top quarterbacks. South Fayette has senior standout Christian Brumbaugh, who is one of only five quarterbacks in WPIAL history to throw for 6,000 career yards.

On the other side, Brockway's Derek Buganza is the all-time leading passer in state history with 9,412 yards. He also has Pennsylvania records for most passing yards in a season and single game. Brockway beat Oliver in a PIAA first-round game last week and Buganza was bothered some by a sore thumb. He completed only 17 of 24 for 159 yards.

But District 9 usually doesn't fare too well in the PIAA playoffs, so it will be interesting to see how Brockway fares against a strong WPIAL team.

What else is out there?

The South Fayette-Brockway winner will play the winner of Sharon and Forest Hills. Sharon has a standout running back in Marc Martell, but also a good quarterback in Jesse Rodgers, who took over in week 10 for injured Jason Ondic. Rodgers rushed for 140 yards on 22 attempts in the District 10 championship game last week.

Forest Hills knocked off previously undefeated Tyrone in the District 5-6 championship last week. Forest Hills apprently has a good defense, limiting Tyrone to 80 yards rushing.

On the other side of the state, there is a big showdown this week between Northern Lehigh and West Catholic. Both teams have been ranked in the state's top five for weeks. Trinity and Lewisburg meet in the other quarterfinal in the east.

CLASS A

Clairton (13-0) vs. North Star (9-3) on Friday at Somerset School District Stadium at 7:00pm:

North Star hasn't played since Nov. 19, when it won the District 5 playoffs with a 36-20 victory against Northern Bedford. It is a little surprising North Star came this far because the team was the No. 4 seed for the District 5 playoffs

Clairton is a big favorite against North Star. But Clairton will have to face a pretty strong passing game. North Star quarterback Max Straisser has thrown for more than 1,900 yards and his favorite target is his brother. Tony Straisser is a 6-foot-5 sohomore.

What else is out there?

Clairton has been everyone's No. 1 team in the state all season. The Clairton-North Star winner will play the Farrell-Curwensville winner in the semifinals. Farrell is strong and shut out previously undefeated Mercyhurst Prep, 39-0, in the District 10 championship Friday. Farrell lost to Clairton in the semifinals the past two seasons.

On the eastern side of the state, perennial power Southern Columbia is out after betting blasted by Taylor Riverside, 36-0, last week. Riverside is now playing Schuylkill Haven.

Bishop Carroll is actually a Western Pennsylvania team, but Bishop Carroll is on the eastern side of the bracket and will play Holy Name this week.