The 2026 high school football action continued this past weekend with some great games across Pennsylvania! Here is Mr. PA Football’s recap of some of the top games.
#3 Malvern Prep Shuts Out #4 La Salle College 21-0
#3 Malvern Prep opened the 2026 season with a convincing 21-0 victory over #4 La Salle College Friday night at Carey Stadium in Ocean City, New Jersey, as part of the Battle at the Beach. The Friars controlled the game on both sides of the football and turned in a strong defensive performance against one of Pennsylvania’s top programs.
Malvern got on the scoreboard late in the first quarter when Senior RB Julius Riddick powered his way into the end zone from one yard out with 4:19 remaining in the quarter.
The Friars added to their lead just before halftime. Junior DE/TE George Parkinson IV and the Malvern defense continued to pressure La Salle, while senior LB Will Simmons came up with an interception that gave the Friars excellent field position. Riddick finished the drive with his second touchdown of the night, this time from three yards out, giving Malvern a 14-0 advantage at the break.
The Explorers’ best first-half scoring opportunity ended when La Salle missed a 24-yard field goal. La Salle quarterback Luke Gordon was intercepted twice, with senior WR/CB Jack Schuster making a diving interception at the Malvern Prep 7-yard line in the third quarter to ruin another La Salle possession.
Malvern’s defense continued to make things difficult for La Salle throughout the night. Parkinson IV was particularly disruptive up front, recording multiple sacks, including a strip sack on La Salle’s opening possession.
The Friars put the game away in the fourth quarter when Jack Schuster made an outstanding diving catch on a 42-yard touchdown pass from Junior QB Brayden Fallon, completing the 21-0 shutout.
Malvern Prep starts the season 1-0, while La Salle College falls to 0-2.
Standouts of the Game
Malvern Prep:
- Junior RB Julius Riddick
- Senior WR/CB Jack Schuster
- Junior DE/TE George Parkinson IV
- Senior LB Will Simmons
- Junior QB Brayden Fallon
La Salle College:
- Junior QB Luke Gordon
- Senior RB Ahzir Nelson
- Junior WR Owen Johnson
Next Week: Malvern Prep at Imhotep Charter and La Salle College hosts Archbishop Wood.
#2 St. Joseph’s Prep Opens Season With 31-23 Road Victory Over #2 Brentwood Academy
#2 St. Joseph’s Prep opened the 2026 season with an impressive 31-23 road victory over #2 Brentwood Academy in Tennessee Friday night. The Hawks traveled south to face one of the top programs in the country and came away with a statement win in a game featuring plenty of Division I talent.
The Hawks came out firing and built a 28-16 halftime advantage behind a big first half from Junior WR Jett Harrison. The Ohio State commit wasted little time making his presence felt, hauling in a 27-yard touchdown before breaking loose for an 80-yard touchdown. Harrison finished the night with five receptions for 171 yards and two touchdowns.
Brentwood Academy continued to battle after halftime and cut the deficit to 28-23 with under 7:30 remaining in the third quarter when Senior QB Crews Jenkins connected with Senior TE Judah Lancaster on an 18-yard touchdown pass.
The Eagles then had a golden opportunity to take control of the game, driving deep into St. Joseph’s Prep territory. The Hawks defense, however, came up with one of the biggest plays of the night, stopping Brentwood Academy at the one-yard line on a fourth-down attempt and preserving the five-point lead.
St. Joseph’s Prep added a late score to create some breathing room and the Hawks defense held firm down the stretch to secure the 31-23 victory. The win gives St. Joseph’s Prep a 1-0 start while Brentwood Academy falls to 1-2.
The Hawks received strong contributions from a talented group that includes Junior QB Max Rogers, Senior LB Brandon Lockley, and Senior CB/ATH Masiia Acrey, helping St. Joseph’s Prep win a nationally significant matchup on the road.
Standouts of the Game
St. Joseph’s Prep:
- Junior WR Jett Harrison
- Junior QB Max Rogers
- Senior LB Brandon Lockley
- Senior CB/ATH Masiia Acrey
Brentwood Academy:
- Senior QB Crews Jenkins
- Senior TE Judah Lancaster
- Senior WR Kesean Bowman
Next Week: St. Joseph’s Prep at Bergen Catholic and Brentwood Academy hosts Lift for Life Academy.
Quick Hitters Rundown
Big School Games:
#1 Central Catholic smashes Woodland Hills 45-0
The Vikings made a major statement Friday night, cruising past Woodland Hills 45-0 at the Wolvarena. Junior RB/FS Chrys Black Jr. led Central Catholic’s explosive attack with two touchdowns, while the Vikings’ defense completely shut down the Wolverines. Central Catholic improves to 2-0 after opening the season with wins over Bergen Catholic and Woodland Hills.
#8 Upper St. Clair pulls away from North Allegheny 21-14
The Panthers remained unbeaten Friday night, rallying past North Allegheny in a defensive battle at Newman Stadium. Junior QB Josh Snyder helped lead a fourth-quarter surge, while senior FB/LB Nevin Shegan-Siniawsk and the USC ground game came through with key scores. North Allegheny’s senior QB Brady Brinkley threw two touchdown passes to junior WR/DB Ben Kern, but the Panthers made the decisive plays late to move to 2-0.
#1 Don Bosco Prep cruises by #8 Roman Catholic 38-14
The Ironmen made a statement on the road Friday night, jumping out to a 24-0 halftime lead and cruising past Roman Catholic 38-14. Junior QB Carson Schoen threw two touchdown passes and added a rushing score, while senior WR/ATH Isaiah Alvarez hauled in two TDs. Don Bosco’s defense kept the Cahillites off the scoreboard until late as the Ironmen improved to 2-0.
#1 Pine-Richland flexes its muscle in 59-20 win over West Allegheny
The Rams continued their impressive start Friday night, racing past West Allegheny 59-20. Senior WR/DB Khalil Taylor was the difference-maker, scoring four touchdowns and adding an interception, while senior QB Aaron “Oobi” Strader connected with Taylor for three TD passes. Pine-Richland improves to 2-0 and looks every bit like one of the WPIAL’s top teams.
South Fayette blanks Peters Township 14-0
The Lions’ defense delivered a dominant performance Friday night, shutting out Peters Township 14-0. Sophomore RB/LB Aayden Wright broke loose for an early touchdown run, while junior RB/LB Joey Kruer added a late score to seal the win. South Fayette’s defense controlled the game from start to finish as the Lions improved to 2-0.
Central York rallies past #10 North Penn 42-33
The Panthers bounced back from their season-opening loss to State College with a statement road win over North Penn. Sophomore QB Jamin Ilgenfritz put on a show, throwing six touchdown passes as Central York’s offense piled up 42 points. Junior WR Demarcus Murray Jr. added two touchdown receptions as the Panthers handed the Knights their first loss of the season.
Central Bucks West survives Wilson West Lawn 35-23
The Bucks jumped to a 28-2 lead before Wilson West Lawn stormed back to make it a five-point game in the third quarter. Senior ATH/FS Louie Cipollo was outstanding for Central Bucks West, scoring twice and intercepting three passes, while senior LB/RB Nick Miletto added three rushing touchdowns. Coach Rob Rowan’s team responded to the comeback and pulled away late to remain unbeaten at 2-0.
#5 Penn-Trafford powers past Hempfield Area 51-29
The Warriors continued their strong start Saturday, pulling away from Hempfield Area in a high-scoring battle. Junior QB Cody Yacamelli and Penn-Trafford’s explosive offense piled up 51 points, while senior WR/DB Nick Ponko added four touchdown receptions. The Warriors improve to 2-0 with another impressive District-7 victory.
Montour turns back McKeesport 28-17
The Spartans handed McKeesport its first loss of the season Friday night in a battle of Class 4A powers. Junior QB/SS Brandon Bennett was the difference-maker, rushing for two touchdowns and intercepting three passes as Montour rallied from a 17-14 halftime deficit. Senior RB Kemon Spell scored twice for McKeesport, but Montour’s defense shut out the Tigers in the second half to seal the statement victory.
Gateway steals a thriller from Penn Hills 34-33
The Gators rallied from a 33-21 fourth-quarter deficit to stun Penn Hills 34-33 in a wild rivalry game Friday night. Sophomore QB Mayson Mitchell sparked the comeback, leading Gateway on the decisive late drive. The Gators improve to 2-0 after winning their second straight one-point game.
#2 DeMatha Catholic edges #2 Imhotep Charter 21-20
The Stags survived a thriller Saturday night, rallying from a 20-7 halftime deficit to stun Imhotep 21-20. DeMatha senior WR Austin Barber helped spark the comeback as the Stags scored twice in the fourth quarter. Imhotep’s defense controlled the first half, but DeMatha’s late surge extended its winning streak to 23 games.
#3 Harrisburg races past Cedar Cliff 54-14
The Cougars continued their strong start Saturday afternoon, pulling away from Cedar Cliff 54-14 to improve to 2-0. Harrisburg’s explosive offense struck early and often, while the defense kept the Colts out of the end zone for much of the afternoon. Coach Calvin Everett’s Cougars continue to establish themselves as one of District-3’s top teams.
#5 McDonogh holds off Haverford School 35-25
The Eagles remained unbeaten Saturday, pulling away from Haverford School 35-25 at the Under Armour Grit & Greatness Invitational. Senior McDonogh WR Carlos Ferguson helped lead the Eagles’ offense, while the defense made enough plays to keep the Fords at bay. McDonogh improves to 2-0, while Haverford School opens its season 0-1.
Downingtown West rallies past Central Bucks South 28-20
The Whippets bounced back from their season-opening loss to Freedom with a strong road win over Central Bucks South Friday night. Downingtown West’s defense came up with key stops, while the offense scored 21 second-half points to pull away. The Whippets improve to 1-1, while the Titans fall to 0-2.
Big School/Small School Crossover
#2 Aliquippa turns back Mars Area 42-27
The Quips opened their season with a strong 42-27 victory over Mars Area Friday night. Aliquippa’s explosive offense controlled the game, while the Quips made enough big plays to pull away in the second half. Coach Mike Warfield and Aliquippa start the season 1-0 with an intriguing District-7 win.
#6 Avonworth bounces back with 28-14 win over Central Valley
The Antelopes bounced back from their season-opening loss to Hopewell with a strong road victory over Central Valley. Avonworth’s defense held the Warriors to 14 points, while the offense made enough crucial plays to pull away in the second half. The defending WPIAL champions improve to 1-1 with a statement District-7 victory.
Small School Games:
#7 Fort Cherry rolls to 43-14 win over California
The Rangers continued their strong start Friday night, rolling past California 43-14 in a battle of unbeaten teams. Senior RB/LB Ryan Huey rushed for 159 yards and four touchdowns, while senior RB/LB Eli Salvini added 200 yards and two scores as Fort Cherry piled up 510 total yards. The Rangers remain unbeaten at 2-0 and look like one of District-7’s top small-school teams.
#8 Hickory pulls away from Sharon 40-21
The Hornets bounced back from their season-opening loss to Westinghouse with a big District-10 win over Sharon on Saturday night. Senior RB Kelvin Morrison and the Hickory ground game helped fuel 310 rushing yards as the Hornets pulled away in the second half. Hickory gets back on track at home and bumps their record to 1-1.
#1 Southern Columbia pulls away from #4 Williams Valley 30-12
The Tigers overcame an early challenge from Williams Valley before pulling away in the second half Saturday afternoon. Junior RB/FS Southern Columbia RB Grady Garcia erupted for three touchdowns, including two long scoring runs, while the Tigers’ defense held the Vikings to just 12 points. Coach Jim Roth and the Tigers remain unbeaten at 2-0 after another outstanding performance against a highly ranked opponent.
#7 Westinghouse makes a statement against #5 Steelton-Highspire, 33-6
The Bulldogs continued their impressive start Friday night, rolling past Steel-High 33-6. Westinghouse’s defense held the Steamrollers to just six points while the Bulldogs built a 27-6 advantage through three quarters. Coach Donta Green and Westinghouse improve to 2-0 with back-to-back wins over Hickory and Steel-High.
#6 Richland holds off #1 Bishop Guilfoyle 21-16
The Rams won a heavyweight District-6 showdown Friday night, holding off Bishop Guilfoyle 21-16 in a battle of highly ranked programs. Junior QB Jacob Regan accounted for three touchdowns, while senior WR/CB Jamere Christian added an 80-yard touchdown catch. Richland’s defense came up with the biggest play late, as junior WR/LB Alex Bond intercepted a fourth-down pass in the final minute to seal the victory.
