W.P.I.A.L. High School Football Predictions: Week 9

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

As we listen to Frank Sinatra this evening, while having our normal white label Ashton cigar, accompanied by a scotch & soda... The final week of the regular season has arrived, week 9 in the WPIAL season. 

Playoffs loom on the horizon and games Friday night will show some programs the door and others, a glimmer of hope, a chance to dance!

Shattering news was issued today that Freedom HC, Russell Barley, was charged with child porn. There are no excuses for this, even though you state that you knew it was wrong. 

Helmets required! To protect yourself, from yourself. Bubba is warming up at the local jail, bring your soap on a rope!

PToThePowerOf2 last week posted a 9-1 record, thus raising our season total to 75 victories and only suffering a mere 19 defeats. A respectable 79% rating. Some folks, we know who they are, have said that PToThePowerOf2 has lost a step or two along the way... guess that you are too busy drinking that cheap low end regional beer, listening to Molly Hatchet records somewhere in Center Township. But enough of those sob sisters, we have an unbelievable set of games to get to… an extra look inside this week… as always, let’s get to work!

Rain is in the forecast Friday night, but that will not stop us! Off we go! Week # 9!

‘AAAAAA’

Pine Richland Rams (8-1) vs North Allegheny (9-0)

The Granddaddy of the regular season will take place Friday in Wexford.

North Allegheny won a flag football game last week in West Allegheny, 26-20. North Allegheny will look to Ben Maenza to carry the work load. This season, he has 889 yards rushing with 16 touchowns.

Pine Richland almost got caught looking ahead and squeaked past Seneca Valley, 21-7. Rams QB Cole Spencer has thrown for close to 1,100 yards with 8 touchdowns.

Question in this one, who can keep the other’s offense off the field. Toss up!

North Allegheny over Pine Richland

‘AAAA’

Beaver Bobcats (7-2) vs Blackhawk Cougars (8-1)

Friday night at Blackhawk Stadium will see a huge matchup in the Northwest Eight. Winner of this contest will lock up soul possession of 2^nd place and host an opening round matchup next week.

Beaver last week slid past a surging Montour team, 33-20. Bobcats will be led by QB Brody List who has 14 touchdowns and 983 yards.

Blackhawk continued their 36-year win streak over neighboring Beaver Falls by defeating the Tigers 35-15. 1^st year Head Coach Zach Hayward continues to open eyes amongst the critics as the Cougars are back into the playoffs for the first time in a long time (2008). Triple headed rushing attach of Kenny Gawley, Josh Butcher and Marques Trent will continue to pound the rock. Combined, these 3 young men have combined for 2,000 yards rushing with a combined marker of 24 touchdowns.

Blackhawk over Beaver

‘AAAA’

Thomas Jefferson Jaguars (8-0) vs West Mifflin Titans (5-4)

Friday night, 7:30pm kick from West Mifflin Stadium. A Big 8 rivalry takes place.

West Mifflin last week beat up on Ringgold, 53-0. West Mifflin will lean on tailback Parrish Parker who on the season has 1,253 yards and 22 touchdowns. Parrish is averaging 7.9 yards per carry. The Titans have only allowed an average of 13 points per game defensively.

Thomas Jefferson, well, is Thomas Jefferson. Bill Cherpak & Company are doing what they do best, blowing out the competition and leaving no room for doubt. QB Shane Stump has thrown for 1,322 yards and 18 touchdowns. His favorite target? WR Dan Deabner has 40 receptions totaling 1,009 yards and 15 touchdowns. Don’t forget RB Max Shaw who has 1,000 yards on the season and leads the team with 22 touchdowns. 

The Jaguars have won 20 conference championships and have won 10 of the previous 12. They are also the 3x defending WPIAL Class AAAA champions. TJ has also won 12 of the past 13 times these 2 schools have played. 

7 years in a row since West Mifflin has won. Nothing changes.

Thomas Jefferson over West Mifflin

‘A’

Clairton Bears (8-0) vs Jeannette Jayhawks (9-0)

Eastern Conference Championship on the line in this one.

Jeanette crushed Riverview last week, 43-0. Jeanette QB Seth Howard has thrown for over 1,100 yards on the season and has 13 touchdowns to his credit.

Clairton crushed Springdale, 43-7. Clairton will look to Brendan Parsons who has thrown for roughly 900 yards with 13 touchdowns.  

An even matchup per say via the QB position. Last season, in the WPIAL semifinal, 

Jeannette defeated Clairton 18-7. They’ll do it again.

Jeannette over Clairton

As for the others……

Gateway over McKeesport

Washington over McGuffey

Central Catholic over Mount Lebanon

Aliquippa over Central Valley

Penn Hills over North Hills

Enjoy the lights everyone… See yous next week for the opening round of the WPIAL playoffs!!!