WPIAL High School Football Predictions: Week 4

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. Love him , or hate him, he simply tells it like it is... 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 midway point of the season arrives... wow, did that go fast! This is where we separate the pretenders from the contenders. 

In action tomorrow, we have huge conference match-ups that will start to reveal who is for real, and who is just plain rubbish.

Last week, PToThePowerOf2 posted a record of 9 victories and only 1 defeat (.900%). Thus raising the season total to 38 victories and only a mere seven defeats. So, thru 45 selections, we rank our accuracy at 84.4%.

We must sit back and question why the WPIAL is so concerned about protective equipment being worn during off-season conditioning, but not be concerned with racial slurs? That's a major problem, not the equipment being worn! Let's get with the current times gents, c'mon!

Non-Conference

Penn-Trafford Warriors (4-0) vs Massillon Tigers (3-0) 

Friday, Paul Brown Tiger Stadium

A measuring ruler for the Penn Trafford Warriors tomorrow night as they make the trip out to Massillon, Ohio to visit the storied program of Eastern Ohio. The Tigers have over 850 victories and have won 24 Ohio State Championships. The Tigers finished as runner-up last year in Ohio's second largest classification (5A PA for comparison).

Sure, we'll have to listen to WPIAL homers complain about Massillon next. "Massillon All-Stars" or "They recruit" just how they do to our Ramblers here in Erie. Save it. They are a public school, key word....public.

The Tigers have crushed their opponents so far this season, by a combined score of 148-34. 

The Tigers Defense is a stingy one, only giving up 498 yards thru 3 weeks. Only 166 yards per game. Tigers offense is much of the same, taking up plenty of game-clock and averaging 6.7 yards per carry.

Penn Trafford had two key players out of the contest last week in their victory of McKeesport. Two-star tailbacks in Caleb Lisbon and Sam Fanelli. 

Both are out for unknown time with injuries. 

Even with those 2 fine gentlemen in the backfield, it will not be enough to keep up with the Tigers

Massillon over PennTrafford

Class 4A

Montour Spartans (1-3) vs Blackhawk Cougars (2-2) 

Friday, Blackhawk Stadium

Old Parkway Conference matchup tomorrow from Chippewa Township. 

Last year Blackhawk blasted Montour, 28-0. Thus ending a nine game winning streak for the Spartans over the Cougars, dating back to 2008!

Last week, Blackhawk overpowered Ambridge, 49-0. Blackhawk tailback Marques Watson-Trent has 514 yards this season with 8 touchdowns. He's averaging 7 yards per carry. The Cougars do not pass much, they'll keep it on the ground. They have evened up their record at 2-2 after starting off 0-2 with defeats from Central Valley and Highlands. 

Montour last week was defeated by Aliquippa, 27-14. The Spartans will lean on star WR Dom Magliocco who has 346 yards receiving with 2 touchdowns. 

Whoever loses this game will be watching the playoffs from the grandstands, not the sidelines. 

Late turnover wins the game

Blackhawk over Montour

Class 3A

Beaver Falls Tigers (3-1) vs Aliquippa Quips (4-0) 

Friday, Carl Aschman Memorial Stadium "The Pit"

The ol' rivalry between the Tigers and the Quips. One of PToThePowerOf2's favorite rivalries. 

Beaver Falls started off the season fast, with blowout victories over Ellwood City, South Park & Quaker Valley. The Tigers only loss coming to the hands of Central Valley two weeks ago. 

The Tigers had four turnovers in the first half, thus giving the game to the Warriors. The Tigers will need an almost perfect performance from RB Shileak Livingston tomorrow night. 

Aliquippa took care of business on the road last week, defeating Montour 27-14. The Quips are led by WR Chuinua Soloman who has 14 touchdown receptions on the season. 

Aliquippa currently owns the longest winning streak in the WPIAL at nine games. 

Last time the Quips lost to Beaver Falls was in 2016 at Heinz Field for the AAA Championship, 35-22 which sent the Tigers onto the 2016 PIAA Championship. Since that game, the Quips have not allowed a single point in the the last two meetings between the two schools. Quips have won by a combined score of 75-0. 

Nothing will change tomorrow, the Quips continue their dominance over Beaver Falls

Aliquippa over Beaver Falls



As for other contests.....

Peters Township over North Hills

Thomas Jefferson over Trinity

New Castle over West Mifflin

Central Catholic over Bethel Park

Laurel over Clairton

Avonworth over Apollo-Ridge

North Allegheny over Mt Lebanon

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