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.
#7 (5A) Upper St. Clair Takes Down Thomas Jefferson, 38-21
Upper St. Clair kept its undefeated season intact Friday night, defeating Thomas Jefferson, 38-21, in an Allegheny Six Conference matchup between two WPIAL contenders. The Panthers improved to 9-0 overall and 4-0 in conference play, while the Jaguars dropped to 6-2 overall and 2-2 in the league.
Junior quarterback Josh Snyder led the Panthers with a productive performance through the air and on the ground. Snyder completed 11 of 14 passes for 209 yards and three touchdowns. He also rushed for 101 yards and added a touchdown on eight carries, giving Thomas Jefferson multiple threats to account for throughout the night.
Senior running back Tyler Eber paced the Jaguars with 137 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 21 carries. Junior quarterback Harrison Kolling completed 18 of 35 passes for 211 yards and a touchdown, while Kane Eggerton hauled in 10 receptions for 116 yards.
Upper St. Clair carried a 21-7 advantage into halftime. Thomas Jefferson continued to compete after the break, with Eber scoring on an 11-yard run in the third quarter to bring the Jaguars within a touchdown. Upper St. Clair answered with a field goal by Cameron Smith, then extended its advantage early in the fourth quarter when Snyder connected with junior receiver Evan Smirniw on a 53-yard touchdown pass.
Snyder’s ability to produce with both his arm and legs proved important as the Panthers maintained control and closed out the victory. Eber’s two rushing scores helped Thomas Jefferson stay in the game, but the Jaguars could not overcome Upper St. Clair’s offensive production.
Head coach Mike Junko’s Panthers remain unbeaten heading into the final stretch of the regular season. Head coach Bill Cherpak’s Thomas Jefferson squad will look to regroup next week after facing one of the state’s top-ranked Class 5A teams.
Standouts of the Game
Upper St. Clair:
- Junior QB/ATH Josh Snyder
- Junior WR/FS Evan Smirniw
- Junior K/P Cameron Smith
Thomas Jefferson:
- Senior RB/LB Tyler Eber
- Junior QB/DB Harrison Kolling
- Senior WR/LB Kane Eggerton
Next Week: Upper St. Clair travels to West Allegheny, while Thomas Jefferson hosts Peters Township.
#4 (5A) Southern Lehigh Edges #1 (3A) Northwestern Lehigh, 17-14
Southern Lehigh earned a significant District-11 victory Friday night, ending Northwestern Lehigh’s 40-game regular-season winning streak with a 17-14 decision between two previously undefeated teams. The Spartans improved to 9-0, while the Tigers fell to 8-1.
The matchup featured two of the Lehigh Valley’s strongest programs, with Northwestern Lehigh entering as PennLive’s No. 1 Class 3A team and Southern Lehigh ranked No. 4 in Class 5A. The Spartans found a way to protect their perfect record in a game that remained tight through the final whistle.
Junior running back Adam Fritts led Southern Lehigh’s rushing attack, finishing with 143 yards and a touchdown on 26 carries. Senior quarterback Colton Sams completed 14 of 20 passes for 216 yards and a touchdown without throwing an interception. Junior receiver Jack Pavis provided a major downfield threat, catching an 87-yard touchdown pass from Colton Sams.
Northwestern Lehigh received both of its touchdowns from senior wide receiver and linebacker Brady Zimmerman. Sophomore quarterback Trey Snyder completed 9 of 16 passes for 76 yards but was intercepted twice. Chase Sukanick contributed to the Tigers’ ground game, while the defense worked to keep the game within reach.
The fourth quarter brought a tense finish. Northwestern Lehigh’s defense stopped Southern Lehigh on fourth down twice, including a stand at its own 14-yard line with 1:50 remaining. The Tigers then moved into Southern Lehigh territory with an opportunity to tie or take the lead, but Jack MoDavis intercepted the final Hail Mary attempt to secure the Spartans’ victory.
Nolan Koehler led Northwestern Lehigh’s defense with 11 tackles, including a sack and two tackles for loss.
Head coach Phil Sams’ Spartans move to 9-0 with one of their biggest wins of the season. Head coach Josh Snyder’s Northwestern Lehigh team will aim to bounce back after suffering its first defeat.
Standouts of the Game
Southern Lehigh:
- Junior RB/WR/FS Adam Fritts
- Senior QB/FS Colton Sams
- Junior SS/WR Jack Pavis
- Junior RB/CB Jack MoDavis
Northwestern Lehigh:
- Senior WR/LB Brady Zimmerman
- Junior RB Chase Sukanick
- Sophomore QB Trey Snyder
- Junior OC/LB Nolan Koehler
Next Week: Southern Lehigh travels to Salisbury, while Northwestern Lehigh hosts Catasauqua.
#6 (6A) Bishop McDevitt Stuns #2 (6A) Harrisburg, 51-14
Bishop McDevitt delivered a statement victory in the Battle of the Burg on Saturday, defeating previously unbeaten Harrisburg, 51-14. The Crusaders improved to 8-1 and extended their winning streak to six games, while the Cougars fell to 8-1 after suffering their first loss of the season.
Harrisburg entered the rivalry matchup ranked No. 2 in PennLive’s Class 6A rankings, with Bishop McDevitt at No. 6. The Crusaders’ offense produced throughout the game, while their defense limited the Cougars to two touchdowns.
Freshman running back Kaedyn Walker helped set the tone for Bishop McDevitt with a one-yard touchdown run. Senior quarterback Sebastian Williams then connected with Jontai Quick for a 20-yard score, and Walker added a 20-yard rushing touchdown as the Crusaders built their lead.
Harrisburg answered when senior quarterback Kayden Stephens threw a 10-yard touchdown pass to Ja’Auan Johnson. Bishop McDevitt responded with a one-yard touchdown run by Creighton Miltsch, but Stephens connected with Trays Walker on an eight-yard touchdown pass to give the Cougars another score.
The Crusaders continued to pull away. Williams threw a 12-yard touchdown pass to Zayden Smith, and Bishop McDevitt added a safety before Miltsch scored on another one-yard run. Elijah Sherman capped the scoring with a two-yard touchdown run, completing a dominant offensive performance.
Williams completed 18 of 24 passes for 290 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. Stephens finished 9 of 24 for 105 yards and two touchdowns. Princeton Dent led Harrisburg’s rushing effort with 36 yards on 18 carries, as the Cougars struggled to establish their usual balance against the Crusaders.
Head coach Jeff Weachter’s Bishop McDevitt team has now won six straight games and will carry that momentum into its regular-season finale. Head coach Calvin Everett’s Harrisburg squad will look to respond next week against State College after suffering its first loss of the season.
Standouts of the Game
Bishop McDevitt:
- Senior QB Sebastian Williams
- Freshman RB/LB Kaedyn Walker
- Junior LB/DE Creighton Miltsch
- Senior WR/LB Zayden Smith
- Senior WR/CB Jontai Quick
- SS/RB/WR Elijah Sherman
Harrisburg:
- Senior QB Kayden Stephens
- Senior CB/WR Trays Walker
- Junior WR/RB/DB Ja’Auan Johnson
- Senior RB/LB Princeton Dent
Next Week: Bishop McDevitt hosts Chambersburg, while Harrisburg travels to State College.
Quick Hitters Rundown
Big School Games:
Ridley Nips #9 (5A) Strath Haven, 17-14
Ridley rallied to reclaim the lead in the fourth quarter and held on for a 17-14 road victory over Strath Haven. Kevin Farley, stepping up in place of unavailable top rusher Jamar Savoy, scored both of the Raiders’ touchdowns, including the go-ahead score with 8:38 remaining. Jayden Gibson intercepted a late pass to help seal the win. Head coach Dave Wood and Ridley improved to 8-1, while head coach Kevin Clancy and Strath Haven fell to 7-2.
Hanover Edges Big Spring, 14-13
Hanover erased a 13-0 halftime deficit to rally past previously unbeaten Big Spring, 14-13, in a battle of two 8-0 teams. The Nighthawks scored 14 unanswered points in the second half to improve to 9-0 and hand Big Spring its first loss of the season. Head coach Steve Wiles guided Hanover to the comeback victory.
#5 (5A) Twin Valley Routs #10 (5A) Exeter Township, 56-29
Twin Valley rallied from an early 14-0 deficit to defeat Exeter Township, 56-29, extending its regular-season winning streak to 20 games. Lucas Myers rushed for 136 yards and three touchdowns, while Brody Majeski hauled in three touchdown passes for 150 yards. Sophomore quarterback Gavan Foster threw for 270 yards and four touchdowns as head coach Brett Myers and the unbeaten Raiders improved to 9-0. Head coach Matt Bauer’s Exeter squad fell to 7-2.
Central York Outlasts #9 (6A) Wilson, 37-35
Central York escaped with a 37-35 victory over Wilson in a high-scoring District-3 matchup. Legend Johnson rushed for 103 yards and a touchdown, while Demarcus Murray added 147 receiving yards and a score. Wilson quarterback Cole Peterson threw for 364 yards and five touchdowns in the loss.
#1 (5A) Pine-Richland Powers Past North Hills, 47-7
PennLive’s top-ranked Class 5A team rolled past North Hills, 47-7. Aaron Strader scored four rushing touchdowns, while Kiernan Cassidy added a 76-yard touchdown run. On a trick play, wide receiver Khalil Taylor threw a 47-yard touchdown pass to Nico Aiello. Pine-Richland also picked up a safety when a North Hills snap went through its own end zone.
#6 (5A) Penn-Trafford Handles Woodland Hills, 42-13
Penn-Trafford defeated Woodland Hills, 42-13. Cody Yacamelli scored three rushing touchdowns, while Ben Grabowski added two rushing touchdowns and threw a scoring pass to Nick Ponko. The Warriors continued their strong season under head coach John Ruane.
#9 (4A) Blue Mountain Upsets #1 (4A) Shamokin, 34-14
Blue Mountain knocked off previously unbeaten Shamokin, 34-14, snapping the Indians’ 28-game regular-season winning streak. Quarterback Cohen Kirby threw a touchdown pass to Chase Guers, the Eagles’ West Virginia recruit, and added a rushing score. Lucas Pritiskutch returned an interception 102 yards for a touchdown, helping seal the upset for head coach Chuck Kutz and Blue Mountain.
Whitehall Walks Off Against #5 (6A) Parkland, 45-42
Whitehall pulled off a dramatic 45-42 victory over Parkland in an Eastern Pennsylvania Conference shootout. Jeziah Gregory delivered a key 60-yard touchdown run, while Henry Shultz caught a tying touchdown pass late in the fourth quarter. Whitehall completed the comeback with a field goal as time expired.
West Allegheny Rallies Past Trinity, 25-24
West Allegheny rallied in the fourth quarter to edge Trinity, 25-24. Jayce Stanton returned an interception 73 yards for a touchdown, while Mason Bryan connected with Nico Police on two fourth-quarter touchdown passes. Police caught the two-point conversion pass following his second touchdown to give West Allegheny the 25-24 victory with 49 seconds remaining.
#7 (6A) Downingtown East Holds Off Coatesville, 31-28
Downingtown East survived a close contest against Coatesville, earning a 31-28 victory. Ethan Ellis scored the go-ahead touchdown on a six-yard run in the fourth quarter as the Cougars clinched the Ches-Mont North Division title.
Small School Games:
Berlin Brothersvalley Holds Off North Star, 17-14
Berlin Brothersvalley held off North Star, 17-14, in a showdown between two of the Inter-County Conference’s top teams. Corbin Kordell intercepted two passes and made a key 42-yard reception, while Carter Durst rushed for 131 yards and two touchdowns to help secure the win. The Mountaineers improved to 8-1.
Belle Vernon Defeats Waynesburg Central, 55-39
Belle Vernon defeated Waynesburg Central, 55-39, in an offensive shootout. Chace Petrosky scored five touchdowns, while Jace Gedekoh connected with Luca Ghilani for a 54-yard touchdown. The Leopards improved to 8-1 with the victory.
#2 (1A) Clairton Shuts Out Greensburg Central Catholic, 26-0
Clairton blanked Greensburg Central Catholic, 26-0, to extend its winning streak to seven games. Keith Craven opened the scoring with a 75-yard touchdown run, while Quintin Napper added a 68-yard punt return for a score. Jaece Booker rushed for another touchdown, and Craven threw a 30-yard scoring pass to Tyrell Armstrong. Head coach Wayne Wade and the Bears improved to 7-2.
Freeport Holds Off #9 (3A) Highlands, 24-16
Freeport held off Highlands, 24-16, in an Allegheny 7 Conference matchup. Quarterback Danny King threw three touchdown passes, including two to Camden Schlegel, who caught scoring passes of 7 and 38 yards. Canon Wisniewski added a third-quarter touchdown reception, and Judah Thompson kicked a fourth-quarter field goal to help secure the win.
Sharon Extends Winning Streak Against Grove City, 20-13
Sharon held off Grove City, 20-13, to earn its seventh consecutive victory. Gha’fir Lampkins scored on an 82-yard touchdown run and added a touchdown pass. Freshman Nick Fromm intercepted a late pass to preserve the Tigers’ victory.
Mercyhurst Prep Claims Fourth Straight Region Title, 33-17
Mercyhurst Prep overcame an early deficit to defeat Cambridge Springs, 33-17, and capture its fourth consecutive Region-2 title. Vinnie Feliciano rushed for four touchdowns, including three scoring runs of 65 yards or longer. Eyon Ellman-Sparks added an 84-yard kickoff-return touchdown, and head coach Jeff Root and the Lakers handed Cambridge Springs its first loss of the season.
#6 (1A) Williams Valley Outlasts Shenandoah Valley, 42-28
Williams Valley scored in every quarter to defeat Shenandoah Valley, 42-28, extending its winning streak to seven games. Fletcher Thompson scored three rushing touchdowns, while Trevon Bair found the end zone as both a runner and receiver. The Vikings led 28-21 at halftime before holding the Blue Devils scoreless in the third quarter. Head coach Frank Gaffney and Williams Valley improved to 8-1.
