W.P.I.A.L. High School Football Forecast: Playoff Edition Quarterfinals

Each week, Pittsburgh SportsNation will bring you uncensored, no holds barred predictions by a guru who goes by the moniker “P To The Power of 2”. He is one of our underground writers who covers WPIAL High School Football in Western Pennsylvania. Or is it she? Either way, we'll never tell!

By P-to-The-Power of 2

The 2014 "Highway to Heinz" continues Friday night as the field has been narrowed, also similar to the minds some of my critics. P-To-The-Power-Of-2 posted an opening round record of 26 Wins and only 6 losses...81%....Thus raising the overall season total to 96 Wins and 25 losses....79%. As Steve Nash once said "The playoffs are the playoffs. You just play who is put in front of you."  In the case of the WPIAL, that is very true, unfortunately. A team that is below the .500 mark should not be permitted into the D7 playoffs. I strongly feel that the board needs to redesign the structure of the divisions and playoff  pairings. P-To-The-Power-Of-2 sat today thinking, Wow, this season has gone by faster than a kid falling out of bathroom window at Alderdice High...anyhow....

Last week I received some feedback about my selections, some professional, others from my largest critics. They say they want more of a game-by-game preview. Well, you know the phrase....Let's Get To Work!

CLASS 'A'

#1 North Catholic Trojans 10-0 vs #9 South Side Beaver Rams (7-3) from Reeves Field in Beaver Falls.  2 things surprise me here. The WPIAL actually let Beaver County host a playoff game? and South Side Beaver in the quarterfinals? The Rams, who had zero victories last year have posted 7 wins and somehow, someway are in the quarters. The Rams RB Nathan Block is the heart & sole of the roster as he has 233 carries for 1,679 yards and 22 touchdowns.  Last week, he rushed for 200 yards on 41 carries in the win over Frazier, 26-12.  While North Catholic continues to mow down anyone who gets in their way this season, RB Jerome Turner and Mario Latronica have a combined 48 rushing touchdowns this season. Touchdown Jesus? These two young men both rushed for more than 100 yards and had 3 touchdowns each while the Trojans scored a season-high 69 points in the drubbing of Avella. The march to the cathedral continues....North Catholic over South Side Beaver

#2 Clairton Bears (10-0) vs #7 Shenango Wildcats (7-3) from Chartiers-Houston Highschool. Shenango last week defeated Springdale, 35-7.  RB Tyler Root has averaged 11 yards per carry this season. Then the highest scoring squad in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Clairton, at 672 points showed up to ruin the Wildcats season. Want stats? Okay. QB Ryan Williams only needs 93 yards to eclipse the 2,000 yard passing mark this season. Clairton RB Lamont Wade averages 17 yards per carry and has over 1,613 yards. Last week, Wade rushed for 269 yards and 6 touchdowns in the batism of Chartiers-Houston, 62-3. I am sure that Char Hous is thrilled that they team they just got ran over by gets to rub it in again, this time on their turf, literally.....Clairton over Shenango

#5 Avonworth Antelopes (9-1) vs #13 Riverside Panthers (6-4) from Moon. Don't forget to lock your car & place all personal belongings of value in your trunk. Who let the John Deer's in from Hoppivile to the party? Panthers QB Jason Dambach has over 2,000 yards passing this season.  The Antelopes of Avonworth obtain a balanced aerial and ground attack that fits hand-in-hand with the stifling defense.  MLB Brandon Wasko leads the defense that has only allowed just 7 points in its last four outings.  The Antelopes have a rematch circled on the calendar next week vs North Catholic....They best be careful what they wish for....It's close, but no cowtipping.....Avonworth over Riverside

#6 Jeannette Jayhawks (9-1) vs #3 Neshannock Lancers (10-0) from Deer Lakes High. My Preseason Class 'A' Champion, Lancers of Neshannock are led by RB Eli Owens, who has rushed for 973 yards with 13 touchdowns. Also RB's Rocco Fazio and Robert Lindsey each have rushed for more than 300 yards. QB Frank Autuono has completed 71 of 119 passes for 1,446 yards and 17 touchdowns. Last week the Lancers upended Greensburg Central Catholic, 48-3. Anyone want to join in on this bandwagon? It's never too late! Jeannette will counter with QB Julian Batts who has 751 yards passing with 11 touchdowns.  He's also rushed for 719 yards and 12 touchdowns. Jeanette will spread the ball with Kareem Hall, Zack Altieri and Terrel Canady.  The Jayhawks defeated  Brentwood 50-19 last week.  This is going to be very close, an extra point or a late fumble decide it.....Neshannock over Jeannette

CLASS 'AA'

#1 South Fayette Lions (10-0) vs #9 South Park Eagles (8-2) from Peters Township. A beautiful complex, if you enjoy walking 7 miles to the field from the parking lot.  South Park upset Beaver last week, go eat cake Bobcats! Eagles QB Nick Scholle has tossed the ball for 497 yards and also leads the team in rushing with 165 carries, for 911 yards and 18 touchdowns.  Then there is South Fayette, riding that 26 game winning streak, dating back through last season where they captured the WPIAL & PIAA Championship's. BLING! The Lions have scored at least 40 points in every game this season.  QB Brett Brumbaugh has thrown for 2,298 yards and 30 touchdowns with just 4 picks.  South Fayette has spanked the Eagles all 3 times they've faced each other, thus including the 59-20 beatdown in week 3. Keep the bus warm, it's over by halftime.....South Fayette over South Park

#2 Aliquippa Quips (10-0) vs #7 Mt. Pleasant Vikings (8-2) from Canon-McMillan. Vikings RB Trevor Salopek rushed for 282 yards on 16 touches last week in the win over Shady Side, 38-0.  Aliquippa RB Kaezon Pugh and DMantae Bronaugh both rushed for over 300 yards and 5 touchdowns last week in the beatdown of Kittaining, 55-20. In week 8, Aliquippa rolled Mt. Pleasant to the tune of 63-14.  Mt. Pleasant hasnt wont a quarterfinal game since 1996. The Quips have played in the last SIX Class 'AA' title games, walking away with 3 rings in the process, those in 2008, 2011 & 2012.  Its another early night for starters & a first half blowout....Aliquippa over Mt. Pleasant

#3 Washington Prexies (10-0) vs #5 Apollo Ridge Vikings (9-1) from Latrobe High. On it's first home playoff win in school history, Apollo Ridge RB Duane Brown has 28 touchdowns.  He has also passed for 758 yards and 13 touchdowns.  Apollo-Ridge QB, Tre Tipton has rushed for 984 yards and has thrown for 501 yards.  The Vikings are averaging 47 points per game.  These Vikings dont mess around, they score quicker than the Minnesota Vikings of 2005 on Lake Minnetonka. Washington has QB Jonathan Spina, who has 1,122 yards with 17 touchdowns via flight.  RB Malik Wells has rushed for 1,192 yards and 14 touchdowns.  Let's not forget Dequay Isbell at 571 yards receiving with 11 touchdowns.  The 2 highest scoring squads square off.....Washington over Apollo-Ridge

#4 Highlands Golden Rams (10-0) vs Seton-LaSalle Rebels (9-1) from Valley High. Seton-LaSalle is led by QB Tyler Perone who has 1,858 yards passing for 22 touchdowns.  The Rebels defense has been good as they held 9 of its 10 opponents to 20 points or fewer.  Highlands is looking to advance to its first Semifinals apperance since 2008 where they were in class 'AAA' and were defeated by Joe Hamilton's Blackhawk Cougars. Highlands RB Elijah Jackson rushed for 170 yards and had 2 touchdowns in last weeks victory over New Brighton, 24-19.  It'll be a good game from Valley High.  Highlands over Seton-LaSalle

CLASS 'AAA'

#1 Central Valley Warriors (10-0) vs #8 Indiana Indians (7-3) from Butler Highschool. Thank God! No more Mike Rossi. Indians have 2 twin-tower brothers at 6'5 at WR with Riley and Dylan Stapleton for QB Jacob Zilinskas.  The Indians defeated West Mifflin last week with ease, 42-12.  Pitt commit Jordan Whitehead continues to blow by people with speed as the Warriors raced out to a quick victory last week over Laurel Highlands, 48-26.  Do not sleep on Preston Johnson and Ryan Roberson.  Central Valley has advanced to the Semifinals since it's start in 2010.  This is a trap game, it's closer than what you think, unless your driving a forklift between buildings.....Central Valley over Indiana

#2 Thomas Jefferson Jaguars (10-0) vs #10 Mars Planets (7-3) from Chartiers Valley. No gym membership required.  A ground & pound game to say the least. TJ with the wildcat look and Mars with the Wing-T.  Mars FB Ori Rinaman has filled in nicely this season in absence of Schultise.  The Planets have averaged 31 points per game offensively and average 12 points against on defense.   Thomas Jefferson RB Austin Kemp leads the Jags attack.  The Jaguars rank among the top of the WPIAL this season with 47 points per game and are only allowing 9 points per game defensively.  Do not look for too many passes.  C'mon Guys! You know who I got....Fear the shorts....Cherpak & Company march on....Thomas Jefferson over Mars

#3 West Allegheny Indians (9-1) vs #6 Franklin Regional Panthers (7-3) from North Hills High. Anthony Morelli is now dumping the trash.  West Allegheny features the trio of running backs.  Franklin Regional will rely on LB's Brett Zanotto and Andrew Brncic to stop the run game of West A.  They will be able to early, but not enough. The defending champion moves on.....West Allegheny over Franklin Regional

#4 Hampton Talbots (9-1) vs #5 Ringgold Rams (9-1) from West Allegheny.  These two teams will feature great QB lay with Nick Grabowski (Hampton) and Nico Law (Ringgold)  Hampton will continue the ground and pound with Grabowski, Matt Rech & Nick Worobij.  Also do not forget about WR Nate Hyre.  Ringgold has been on a roll since the week 1 beatdown from TJ.  The Rams defense has only allowed 28 points in the last 3 games and only allows an average of 17.  A toss up, a blocked extra point? A special teams touchdown? Okay....Ringgold over Hampton

CLASS 'AAAA'

#1 Pine Richland Rams (10-0) vs #8 Altoona Lions (8-2) from Gateway High.  Altoona surprised folks, including me last week with a victory over Bethel Park. It's first since joining the WPIAL.  Rams QB Ben DiNucci continues to amaze P-To-The-Power-Of-2! No need for more preview, just moving on.....Pine Richland BIG over Altoona

#2 Penn Trafford Warriors (10-0) vs #7 North Allegheny Tigers (8-2) from Fox Chapel.  NA Tigers QB Jeff Clemens has 1,146 yards passing, 440 yards rushing and 17 touchdowns this season.  Devn Austin is Penn Trafford's top offensive player with 1,300 yards rushing and 19 touchdowns.  NA Tigers Michael Pope has 523 yards rushing with 4 touchdowns. The Tigers defense has only gave up an average of 12.2 points per game and has 3 shutouts.  LB Layne Skundrich has a high 71 tackles and 7 sacks.  Penn Trafford also has a great defense.  They have thee lowest in Class AAAA at 8.2 points per game allowed.  Breff Laffoon has thrown for 1,499 yards and 19 touchdowns with only 2 INT's.  The Warriors offense averages 41 points per game.  It's a toss up here too folks....Penn Trafford over North Allegheny

#5 McKeesport Tigers (9-1) vs #13 Plum Mustangs (6-4) from Norwin High.  Where they usually get high.  Plum somehow upended Penn Hills last week with a great show of defense posting four sacks, an interception and holding the Indians to just 34 yards passing. The Mustangs are looking to move onto the Semifinals for the first time since 1996.  McKeesport Khaleke Hudson will have to get the Tigers over the hump.  These 2 teams met in week 7 with McKeesport coming out on top.  They held the Mustangs to only 11 yards of total offense. Goodbye Cinderella..... McKeesport over Plum

#3 Pittsburgh Central Catholic Vikings (9-1) vs #6 Woodland Hills Wolverines (8-2) from North Allegheny High in Wexford.  This matchup is a rematch of last season's Class AAAA title game. I hate to even think about having to pick a winner in this game.  Wolverines have found success in the air & ground with QB Jermiah Jones and RB Miles Sanders.  Vikings continue to ground & pound with Grant Foster, Ronnie Jones & Vinney Emanuele.  They have over 41 touchdowns this season.  Either way, toss up, a shame that one has to go home early....CC Vikings look to avenge that loss early this year to Pine Richland.....Pittsburgh Central Catholic over Woodland Hills