Week 3 is here, and Mr. PA Football is bringing you the top high school football matchups across Pennsylvania and beyond. This week’s schedule features several important games, including three featured matchups involving some of the state’s top programs. The featured games include #1 (5A) Pine-Richland at #1 (6A) Central Catholic in Western Pennsylvania, #5 State College at #6 Bishop McDevitt in Central Pennsylvania, and the Eastern Pennsylvania featured matchup, #2 St. Joseph’s Prep at #3 Bergen Catholic (NJ) in New Jersey.
Here’s our look at the biggest games across Pennsylvania.
#1 (5A) Pine-Richland (2-0) @ #1 (6A) Central Catholic (2-0)
Friday 7:00 PM District-7
A major Week 3 showdown is set for Friday night as two of Western Pennsylvania’s top programs meet at U.S. Steel Community Field. Pine-Richland travels to Pittsburgh to face Central Catholic in a highly anticipated matchup featuring two undefeated teams.
Pine-Richland has been impressive through the first two weeks of the season, opening with a 48-18 victory over Avon before rolling past West Allegheny, 59-20. The Rams have shown plenty of offensive firepower early in the season and enter Friday night with one of the most talented rosters in Western Pennsylvania.
Senior quarterback Aaron “Oobi” Strader, a Kent State commit, leads the Pine-Richland attack. Senior wide receiver/defensive back Khalil Taylor, a Nebraska commit, gives the Rams one of the most explosive playmakers in the state. Taylor was also one of the key contributors in Pine-Richland’s Week 2 win over West Allegheny and is a Mr. PA Football player of the week nominee.
Colten Andrighetti provides Pine-Richland with another important two-way contributor at RB/LB, while junior Elijah Hill and the Rams’ young defensive players give the team plenty of athleticism on that side of the football.
Central Catholic is also 2-0 and enters the matchup after impressive victories over Bergen Catholic and Woodland Hills. The Vikings opened the season with a 45-30 win over Bergen Catholic before shutting out Woodland Hills, 45-0.
Junior quarterback Owen Herrick directs the Central Catholic offense and has already established himself as one of the top young quarterbacks in Western Pennsylvania. Junior running back/defensive back Chrys Black Jr. is another major weapon and a dynamic two-way player who can impact the game in multiple ways.
Central Catholic also has plenty of experience and Division I talent surrounding its young stars, including senior running back/linebacker Roman Thompson, senior wide receiver/defensive back Jordan Ray and senior OT/DT Jimmy Kalis, an Ohio State commit.
- S. Steel Community Field at Hazelwood Green on Friday night.
- Two outstanding coaches face off: Pine-Richland’s Jon LeDonne and Central Catholic’s Ryan Lehmeier.
- Both teams enter the matchup undefeated at 2-0, making this one of the biggest games in Western Pennsylvania this week.
Key Players to watch:
Pine-Richland
- Senior QB Aaron “Oobi” Strader, a Kent State commit
• Senior WR/DB Khalil Taylor, a Nebraska recruit
• Senior RB/LB Colten Andrighetti
• Junior CB/FS Elijah Hill
Central Catholic
- Junior QB Owen Herrick
- Junior RB/FS Chrys Black Jr.
- Senior RB/LB Roman Thompson, a Miami (OH) recruit
- Senior CB Zachary Gleason, a West Virginia commit
- Senior OT James Halter, a Notre Dame recruit
- Senior FS/WR Jordan Ray, an Army commit
- Senior OT/DT Jimmy Kalis, an Ohio State recruit
Keys to the game:
This game could come down to which team wins the line of scrimmage and which offense is able to create explosive plays without turning the football over. Pine-Richland has plenty of firepower with Strader and Taylor leading the way, while the Rams will need their offensive line and running game to keep Central Catholic’s defense from controlling the game.
Central Catholic will look to establish its physical rushing attack and take advantage of Black’s versatility. Herrick will also be challenged to make plays against a talented Pine-Richland defense. With two undefeated teams, talented rosters and plenty of Division I-caliber players on both sides, this should be one of the most competitive games of the weekend. We have Central Catholic over Pine-Richland, 35-31, in what should be one of the best games of the weekend.
#2 St. Joseph’s Prep (1-0) @ #3 Bergen Catholic (0-2)
Saturday 1:00 PM
St. Joseph’s Prep travels to New Jersey Saturday afternoon to take on Bergen Catholic in one of the top out-of-state matchups of Week 3. The Hawks enter the game 1-0 after a 31-23 victory over Brentwood Academy, while Bergen Catholic is looking for its first win after opening the season with two close losses.
St. Joseph’s Prep, coached by Tim Roken, enters the matchup ranked No. 2 in Pennsylvania. Junior quarterback Maxwell Rogers leads the Hawks offense, while junior WR Jett Harrison, an Ohio State commit, is coming off a big Week 1 performance with five receptions for 171 yards and two touchdowns. Defensively, Syracuse commit Masiia Acrey and Oregon recruit Brandon Lockley Jr. headline an experienced unit.
Bergen Catholic, coached by Vito Campanile, has plenty of offensive firepower despite its 0-2 record. Junior quarterback Trey Tagliaferri, an Oklahoma commit, leads the Crusaders and has thrown for six touchdowns through two games. Senior wide receivers Bryan Porter and Austin Busso give Tagliaferri two outstanding targets, while junior running back Anthony Cristiano provides a strong presence in the backfield.
- Crusader Stadium and Jack McGovern Field on Saturday
- Two fantastic coaches square off: St. Joseph’s Prep’s Tim Roken and Bergen Catholic’s Vito Campanile.
- Joseph’s Prep enters 1-0 and ranked No. 2 in Pennsylvania, while Bergen Catholic is looking for its first win of the season.
Key Players to watch:
St. Joseph’s Prep
- Junior QB Maxwell Rogers
- Junior WR Jett Harrison, an Ohio State commit
- Senior CB/ATH Masiia Acrey, a Syracuse recruit
- Senior LB Brandon Lockley Jr., an Oregon recruit
- Senior TE Jake Wilson
- Senior LB John Boggs
- Senior FS Dariel Jaquez
Bergen Catholic
- Junior QB Trey Tagliaferri, an Oklahoma commit
- Senior WR Bryan Porter, a Georgia Tech recruit
- Senior WR Austin Busso, a South Florida commit
- Junior RB Anthony Cristiano
- Freshman RB Gavin Anderson
- Sophomore OL Justin Golden
Keys to the game:
St. Joseph’s Prep will need to slow down Tagliaferri and Bergen Catholic’s talented receiving corps while continuing to get the ball to Harrison and its other playmakers. Bergen Catholic will need to find a way to finish after coming up short in each of its first two games.
This should be another competitive game between two talented programs. St. Joseph’s Prep has the momentum coming off its opening-week victory, while Bergen Catholic has enough offensive firepower to keep this one close. We have St. Joseph’s Prep over Bergen Catholic, 38-34, in what should be another high-scoring battle and one of the best games this weekend between two nationally recognized programs.
#4 State College (2-0) @ #5 Bishop McDevitt (2-0)
Friday 7:00 PM
State College travels to Harrisburg Friday night to face Bishop McDevitt in one of the biggest games in Central Pennsylvania during Week 3. Both teams enter the matchup undefeated, with State College coming off a 35-28 victory over Central York and a 38-0 shutout of Chambersburg. Bishop McDevitt has opened the season with wins over Our Lady of Good Counsel and Central Dauphin East.
State College, coached by Matt Lintal, has shown plenty of balance on offense through the first two weeks. Junior quarterback Connor Kulka leads the Little Lions, while senior running back Rowan Walker has been one of the team’s top offensive playmakers. Senior FS/ATH Kellen Williams, senior WR/DB Anderson “A.J.” Fry and senior WR/DB Ethan Prenatt give State College additional weapons on both sides of the ball.
Bishop McDevitt, coached by Jeff Weachter, is also 2-0 and has been impressive to start the season. Senior quarterback Sebastian Williams leads the Crusaders and has thrown for 440 yards and 10 touchdowns through two games. Senior WR/DB Jontai Quick, junior WR/DB Howard Holton Jr. and junior TE/WR Thacher Hanzely give the Crusaders plenty of talent in the passing game, while junior OLB/DE Creighton Miltsch leads a talented defense.
- Rocco Ortenzio Stadium on Friday
- Two terrific coaches face off: State College’s Matt Lintal and Bishop McDevitt’s Jeff Weachter.
- Both teams enter 2-0, making this one of the biggest early-season games in Central Pennsylvania.
Key Players to watch:
State College
- Junior QB Connor Kulka
- Senior FS/ATH Kellen Williams
- Senior RB Rowan Walker
- Senior WR/DB Anderson “A.J.” Fry, an Old Dominion commit
- Senior WR/DB Ethan Prenatt
- Junior DL/TE Cohen Johnson
- Sophomore WR/DB Max Vendemia
- Senior OG/NG Anthony Sheffey
- Senior DT/NG Matt Gaul
Bishop McDevitt
- Senior QB Sebastian Williams
- Senior WR/LB Zayden Smith, a Texas Tech commit
- Senior WR Jontai Quick, a Kent State recruit
- Junior OT Andre Maina
- Junior WR/DB Howard Holton Jr.
- Junior TE/WR Thacher Hanzely
- Junior LB/DE Creighton Miltsch
- Senior SS/WR Elijah Sherman, a Georgetown commit
Keys to the game:
State College will need another strong performance from Walker and its running game while Kulka makes enough plays through the air to keep the McDevitt defense from loading the box. The Little Lions must also find a way to slow down McDevitt’s athletic group of receivers and tight ends.
Bishop McDevitt will look to use its speed and athleticism on both sides of the ball while Williams continues to direct an offense that has scored 80 points through two games. Quick, Holton and Hanzely give the Crusaders several options in the passing game, while Miltsch leads an aggressive defensive unit.
With both teams entering 2-0, this should be one of the most competitive games in Central Pennsylvania during Week 3. We have Bishop McDevitt over State College, 31-27, in a highly competitive thriller between two undefeated teams.
Quick Hitters Preview
Big School Class 4A-6A
#3 Malvern Prep (1-0) @ #2 Imhotep Charter (1-1) 03:00 PM Saturday
Malvern Prep opened the season with a 21-0 victory over La Salle College and will look to remain undefeated behind senior wide receiver Cade Cooper, an LSU commit. Imhotep Charter is coming off a narrow 21-20 loss to DeMatha Catholic and will rely on junior running back Kassan Chappelle, sophomore wide receiver/free safety Andrew Moye and sophomore defensive lineman/tight end Tristan Alexander. Alexander has made an immediate impact, averaging 13 tackles per game and recording two sacks through Imhotep’s first two games.
#3 Harrisburg (2-0) @ Cumberland Valley (1-1) 07:00 PM District-3
Harrisburg enters Week 3 undefeated after a 54-14 victory over Cedar Cliff, while Cumberland Valley bounced back from a season-opening loss to Manheim Township with a 35-6 win over Carlisle. The Cougars will look to quarterback Kayden Stephens, who threw for 250 yards and two touchdowns against Cedar Cliff, while Cumberland Valley will look to build on its strong defensive performance as the Eagles host one of District-3’s top teams.
Roman Catholic (0-2) @ #2 DeMatha Catholic (MD) (2-0) 07:00 PM
Roman Catholic enters Week 3 still looking for its first win after losses to St. John Bosco and Don Bosco Prep, while DeMatha Catholic is 2-0 following victories over Archbishop Spalding and Imhotep Charter. The Cahillites will look to junior quarterback Jahmil Hawkins, senior linebacker Walter Hudson and sophomore two-way standout Coron Russell Jr., while DeMatha will look to carry its momentum into another matchup against a highly regarded Pennsylvania program.
Pennridge (2-0) @ Council Rock South (2-0) 07:00 PM District-1
Pennridge enters the matchup undefeated after opening the season with wins over Liberty and Souderton, while Council Rock South is also 2-0 following victories over Hatboro-Horsham and Perkiomen Valley. The Rams will look to junior quarterback Aiden Tetkowski, senior WR/CB Nate Derstine and senior RB/MLB Trevor Picciotti, while Council Rock South head coach CJ Szydlik will look to lead the Golden Hawks to another strong performance against one of District-1’s top teams.
Parkland (1-1) @ Easton Area (1-1) 07:00 PM District-11
Parkland bounced back from a season-opening loss to Phillipsburg with a 41-21 victory over Freedom, while Easton Area earned its first win with a 32-7 victory over Pennsbury. The Trojans will look to senior RB/LB T.J. Lawrence and senior WR/FS Blake Nassry, while Easton Area head coach Matt Senneca and the Red Rovers will look to continue their momentum at Cottingham Stadium.
Archbishop Wood (2-0) @ #6 La Salle College (0-2) 01:00 PM Saturday District-12
La Salle College is looking for its first win after opening the season with losses to Paramus Catholic and Malvern Prep, while Archbishop Wood enters 2-0 after victories over Central Bucks South and Germantown Academy. The Explorers will look to bounce back against a Wood team coached by Brian Goettner, with the Vikings carrying plenty of momentum into Saturday’s matchup at William Tennent High School.
Canon-McMillan (1-1) @ #7 Upper St. Clair (2-0) 07:00 PM District-7
Upper St. Clair enters Week 3 undefeated after a 35-0 win over Mt. Lebanon and a 21-14 victory over North Allegheny, while Canon-McMillan is coming off a 29-24 loss to Trinity. The Panthers will look to senior running back John Banbury, who rushed for 123 yards and two touchdowns against North Allegheny, while Canon-McMillan will look to senior WR/FS Roman Cimarolli and junior RB/MLB Bryce Collins to help the Big Macs pull the upset.
Manheim Township (2-0) @ Central York (1-1) 07:00 PM District-3
Manheim Township enters Week 3 undefeated after victories over Cumberland Valley and Neshaminy, while Central York is 1-1 after opening the season with a loss to State College before defeating North Penn, 42-33. The Blue Streaks will look to junior RB Parrish Myers and junior WR/FS Chase Fletcher, while Central York will counter with sophomore QB Jamin Ilgenfritz and junior WR Demarcus Murray, who exploded for five touchdowns in last week’s win over North Penn.
Bethel Park (1-0) @ North Hills (1-0) 07:00 PM District-7
Bethel Park opened the season with a 14-13 victory over Hempfield Area, while North Hills knocked off North Allegheny, 13-3, in its opener. The Black Hawks will look to head coach Phil Peckich and their defense to slow down a North Hills team led by junior running back/linebacker Nicco Thomas, who rushed for 83 yards and a touchdown in the win over North Allegheny.
#3 Montour (2-0) @ South Fayette (2-0) 07:00 PM District-7
Montour enters Week 3 undefeated after opening the season with wins over Moon Area and McKeesport, while South Fayette is also 2-0 following victories over West Mifflin and Peters Township. The Spartans, led by head coach Lou Cerro, will look to keep their strong start going against a South Fayette team that has allowed just 21 points through two games.
North Allegheny (0-2) @ Woodland Hills (1-1) 07:30 PM District-7
North Allegheny is still looking for its first win after losses to North Hills and Upper St. Clair, while Woodland Hills enters Week 3 at 1-1 after a 43-15 win over New Castle and a 45-0 loss to Central Catholic. The Tigers will look to head coach Art Walker and playmakers Brady Brinkley and Ben Kern, while Woodland Hills expects to get back on track against North Allegheny at home.
Gateway (2-0) @ West Allegheny (1-1) 07:00 PM District-7
Gateway enters Week 3 undefeated after opening the season with wins over Kiski Area and Penn Hills, while West Allegheny is coming off a 59-20 loss to Pine-Richland after edging Chartiers Valley in Week 1. The Gators will look to carry their momentum into Imperial, while West Allegheny head coach Bob Palko will look to get the Indians back on track at home.
Downingtown West (1-1) @ Owen J. Roberts (2-0) 07:00 PM District-1
Downingtown West enters Week 3 at 1-1 after a 28-20 win over Central Bucks South, while Owen J. Roberts is undefeated following victories over West Philadelphia and Quakertown. The Whippets will look to head coach Tom Kline and playmakers Amari Cannon and Brendon Goode-Kimble, while Owen J. Roberts head coach Rich Kolka will look to keep the Wildcats unbeaten at home.
#9 Central Bucks West (2-0) @ Souderton (0-2) 07:00 PM Thursday District-1
Central Bucks West enters Week 3 undefeated after wins over Easton Area and Wilson, while Souderton is still looking for its first win after losses to Spring-Ford and Hatboro-Horsham. The Bucks will look to keep their strong start going behind head coach Rob Rowan and their balanced offense.
Big School/Small School Crossover
#1 Northwestern Lehigh (2-0) @ Bangor (1-1) 07:00 PM Thursday District-11
Northwestern Lehigh enters Week 3 undefeated after dominant wins over Valley View and Northern Lehigh, including a 48-0 shutout last week. Bangor is 1-1 after opening the season with a 49-0 victory over East Stroudsburg North before falling to Pocono Mountain East, 34-7. The Tigers will look to head coach Josh Snyder to keep their strong start going against the Slaters.
Small School Class 1A-3A
#4 Hopewell (2-0) @ #10 Propel Braddock Hills (1-1) 07:00 PM District-7
Hopewell enters Week 3 undefeated after wins over Avonworth and Chartiers Valley, while Propel Braddock Hills is 1-1 after a 44-20 loss to Clarkson Football North of Canada and a 48-28 victory over New Castle. The Vikings will look to remain unbeaten when they travel to UPMC Graham Field on Friday night.
#1 Southern Columbia (2-0) @ Montoursville (1-1) 07:00 PM District-4
Southern Columbia enters Week 3 undefeated after opening the season with wins over Wyomissing and Williams Valley, while Montoursville is 1-1 following a win over Troy and a 27-13 loss to Jersey Shore. The Tigers, led by head coach Jim Roth, will look to continue their 17-game winning streak against a Montoursville team looking to pull the upset at home.
#1 Farrell (2-0) @ Reynolds (1-1) 07:00 PM District-10
Farrell enters Week 3 undefeated after dominant wins over Clairton and Lakeview, including a 61-0 shutout last week. Reynolds is 1-1 after opening the season with a win over Cochranton before falling to Wilmington, 62-12. The Steelers will look to head coach Anthony Pegues and junior running back/linebacker Jason Marshall II as they travel to Reynolds for a District-10 Region 1 matchup.
#2 Aliquippa (1-0) @ #3 Seton LaSalle (2-0) 07:00 PM District-7
Wow, a gigantic game here in the WPIAL and arguably the top small school matchup in the state. Aliquippa opened the season with a 42-27 victory over Mars Area, while Seton La Salle enters Week 3 undefeated after wins over North Catholic and Western Beaver. The Quips will look to head coach Mike Warfield, while Seton LaSalle head coach Tim Storino will look to keep the Rebels unbeaten in this matchup of highly regarded WPIAL programs.
#8 Greenville (2-0) @ Sharpsville (2-0) 07:00 PM District-10
This is a big District-10 Region 1 showdown between two undefeated teams. Greenville enters after wins over Mercyhurst Prep and Mercer, while Sharpsville is 2-0 following victories over Union Area and Cochranton. The Trojans will look to head coach Michael Menold, while Sharpsville head coach Paul Piccirilli will look to keep the Blue Devils unbeaten in what should be an outstanding matchup.
Huntingdon (1-1) @ Bellwood-Antis (2-0) 07:00 PM District-6
This is a big District-6 matchup between two teams coming off strong Week 2 performances. Bellwood-Antis is undefeated after wins over Clearfield and Bishop McCort, while Huntingdon bounced back from a season-opening loss to Bald Eagle Area with a 28-14 victory over Somerset. The Blue Devils will look to head coach Nick Lovrich and senior running back Alex McCartney, while Huntingdon head coach Shane Thomas will look to lead the Bearcats against one of District-6’s top teams.
