Each week Mr. PA Football brings you a preview of the top high school football action in Pennsylvania. Here’s what you need to know about the biggest games this weekend, including #9 North Allegheny at #1 Pine-Richland.
#9 North Allegheny (7-1) @ #1 Pine-Richland (7-1) 07:00 PM District-7
A fantastic match-up with a top PIAA Class 6A team clashing with a prominent PIAA Class 5A team. This contest is perhaps the Game of the Week in the WPIAL and across Pennsylvania. Both of these squads lost by a similar margin to Pittsburgh Central Catholic earlier in the season and that loss to the Vikings is the only blemish on their records.
The Tigers (7-1) defeated Canon-McMillan 21-13 last week and Pine-Richland (7-1) rolled over Greater Latrobe 43-7 last Friday night. This sets up the big showdown on Friday and both teams are focused on gearing up for a potential run to the championship game in their respective classifications. Both squads already have WPIAL playoff berths locked up and need a big victory to create momentum going into the stretch run of the season.
North Allegheny is ranked #13 in our Power 20 Rankings and Pine-Richland is ranked #8 in our Power 20 Rankings for Week 8. The Tigers were 28-21 winners last year at home against the Rams. Pine-Richland will be energized to avenge last year’s defeat against North Allegheny.
- Pine-Richland Stadium on Friday
- Two fantastic coaches face off, North Allegheny’s Art Walker, Jr. and Pine-Richland’s Jon LeDonne.
Key Players to watch:
North Allegheny:
- 3-Star Senior DT/OG Lincoln Hoke, a Pitt recruit
- Senior CB/WR Korry Pitts Jr.
- Senior RB/LB Luke Rohan
- Junior QB/FS Brady Brinkley
Pine-Richland:
- 4-Star Senior WR/CB Jay Timmons, a Florida State commit
- 3-Star Senior OG/OT John Curran, a Pitt recruit
- Senior WR/DB Jalen Neals
- Senior HB/LB Grant Pillar
- Junior QB Aaron Strader
- 4-Star Junior WR/DB Khalil Taylor
Keys to the game:
This battle will be decided by which team plays sound fundamental football and minimizes costly mistakes.
We expect another very close game this week. Which team will play the most disciplined football and will eliminate costly turnovers? The team that capitalizes on the turnovers will win this week’s giant game. We think dynamic playmakers Khalil Taylor and Jay Timmons will be the difference on Friday night along with the Pine-Richland home crowd. We have the Rams over the Tigers 31-23 in a really good football game.
Quick Hitters Preview
Big School Class 4A-6A
Downingtown West (6-2) @ Coatesville (7-1) 07:00 PM District-1
The Whippets and Head Coach Tom Kline scored a huge 33-21 victory over Bishop Shanahan last week. Coatesville is looking to rebound this week after being shutout by Downingtown East 15-0 last Friday night.
#10 Exeter Township (7-1) @ Conestoga Valley (8-0) 07:00 PM District-3
Exeter Township is hoping to bounce back after being upset by Hempfield 30-28 last Friday night. Conestoga Valley crushed Elizabethtown 42-7 last week to remain undefeated on the season.
#9 Lampeter-Strasburg (7-1) @ #3 Twin Valley (8-0) 07:00 PM District-3
This is the top PIAA Class 4A game across Pennsylvania this week. The Pioneers have won six straight games after defeating ELCO 36-14 last week. Twin Valley is returning home after the gigantic 28-6 victory over Wyomissing last Saturday.
Warwick (7-1) @ New Oxford (8-0) 07:00 PM District-3
Warwick travels to New Oxford after blanking Conrad Weiser 20-0 last week. The Colonials return home after the huge 14-7 road victory at West York last Friday night.
#3 Parkland (8-0) @ Whitehall (7-1) 07:00 PM Thursday District-11
The Trojans and Head Coach Tim Moncman have been humming this season and smashed Allentown Central Catholic 37-7 last week. Whitehall hosts Parkland after destroying William Allen 48-8 last Friday night and has won six games in a row.
Small School Class 1A-3A
Bloomsburg (7-1) @ #5 Southern Columbia (7-1) 07:00 PM District-4
The Tigers and legendary Head Coach Jim Roth return home after defeating Montoursville 26-16 last Friday night. Bloomsburg travels to face the Tigers after beating Shikellamy 32-21 last week.
River Valley (7-1) @ Marion Center (8-0) 07:00 PM District-6
The Panthers and Head Coach Ed Dalton travel to Marion Center after thrashing Conemaugh Valley 46-14 last week. The Stringers beat Purchase Line 28-12 last Friday night to remain unbeaten on the season and expect another enormous home victory against River Valley.
Homer-Center (6-2) @ Cambria Heights (7-1) 07:00 PM District-6
The Wildcats smacked West Shamokin 30-0 last week and travel to Cambria Heights this Friday night. The Highlanders have been smoking and have won four straight games after beating Conemaugh Township 34-26 last Friday night.
Union-AC Valley (8-0) @ #5 Port Allegany (8-0) 07:00 PM District-9
A humongous match-up in District-9 between undefeated teams. Union/Allegheny-Clarion Valley clobbered Smethport 63-0 last Friday night and is led by senior RB/LB Max Gallagher. The Gators trounced Otto-Eldred/Oswayo Valley 71-16 last week and Port Allegany Head Coach Justin Bienkowski is anticipating another giant home victory.
#1 Avonworth (8-0) @ North Catholic (6-2) 07:00 PM District-7
Avonworth demolished McGuffey 49-0 last Friday night to remain unbeaten and is led by senior WR/LB Luca Neal. North Catholic got back on track last week with a 49-42 shootout victory over Beaver Area in overtime.
#7 Elizabeth-Forward (7-1) @ #9 Southmoreland (8-0) 07:00 PM District-7
The Warriors whipped Yough 55-7 last Friday night and takes on Southmoreland on the road this week. Head Coach Dustin Shoaf and his Scotties defeated Mt. Pleasant 14-0 last week to remain unbeaten and are hosting Elizabeth-Forward in what should be one of the better games in the WPIAL and across the Commonwealth this week.
#9 South Side Area (7-1) @ Laurel (7-1) 07:00 PM District-7
South Side routed Neshannock 35-7 on the road last week and travels to square off against Laurel on Friday night. The Spartans romped over Shenango 42-0 last Friday night and are hoping to pull off the upset over the Rams at home this week.
