W.P.I.A.L. High School Football Predictions: A/AA Semifinals

Each week from the start of the WPIAL season through the PIAA State Finals, Pittsburgh SportsNation brings you the best, uncensored, no holds barred predictions by our local high school football guru who goes by the moniker “P To The Power of 2”.

He is one of our underground writers who covers the hard hitting action of WPIAL High School Football in Western Pennsylvania. Or is it she...? Either way, we'll never tell! (Unless you have a crisp $100 bill in hand)

By P To The Power of 2

The playoff road continues, we move along this Thursday to the Semifinals in Class ‘A’ and Class ‘AA’. These contests will take place on Friday night at neutral locations, or so they say.

Last week, we continued our dominance in our prognostication by racking up another 14 victories and only suffering 2 defeats. This places our Postseason total to 44 victories and 4 defeats. 91% for all of our finest cynics. Our 2017 regular season total now moves to 113 victories and 22 defeats, 83%.

Our followers and friends are quite fortunate this week as they’ll receive two days of spectacular journalism from PToThePowerOf2. Our first edition will display our previews for the Semifinals, tomorrow, we’ll dig into the finals for Class ‘AAA’ thru Class ‘AAAAAA’ at Heinz Field.

Let’s get to work!

Class ‘AA’

# 3 North Catholic Trojans (10-2) vs # 2 Washington Little Prexies (11-0)

Friday at 7:30 from Moon High School.

Washington will lean on QB Zack Swartz who has 1,737 yards passing this year with 25 touchdowns. On the season, 82 of 133. Washington WR duo of Dan Walker and Isaiah Schoonmaker have over 1,100 yards and 20 touchdowns combined. RB Nick Welsh has amassed 1,865 yards on the ground with 25 touchdowns. Welsh is averaging roughly 10 yards per carry.

North Catholic QB Zack Rocco will need to carry the majority of the Trojan work load. This season, Rocco has 2,186 yards passing, 370 yards rushing and has 39 total touchdowns.

North Catholic has not impressed PToThePowerOf2 this season, losing to Central Valley and barely squeaking past New Brighton….

Washington over North Catholic  

Class ‘AA’

# 1 Steel Valley Ironmen (10-0) vs # 4 Riverside Panthers (9-2)

Friday at 7:30 from Martorelli Stadium, where Anthony Morelli takes out the trash.

 Last week, Steel Valley netted another destructive blowout to their already impressive 25-0 winning streak spanning over the past 2 seasons by dismissing Burgettstown, 42-0. The Ironmen have mercy-ruled every opponent since last season, which in the process earned them the WPIAL & PIAA championships last season.

Riverside will look to avenge last year playoff loss courtesy of the Ironmen, 42-0. In week one of this season, Steel Valley defeated Riverside 48-28. The Panthers have outscored their opponents in the past four  weeks to the tune of 156-21. RB Noah Harris& LeMarcus Cleckley had over 100 yards last week. Steel Valley RB Kam Williams put 221 yards rushing, only on 25 attempts last week.

These teams have met four times in the past 2 seasons. Steel Valley has won all four.

PToThePowerOf2 believes it’s a coin toss, late turnover causes a trip home for either school.

Steel Valley over Riverside

As for the others…..

California over Imani Christian

Clairton over Jeannette