WPIAL 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. 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

As we listen to Frank Sinatra this evening, while having our normal white label Ashton cigar, accompanied by a scotch & soda, we reflect on what an excellent regular season we did indeed witness!

We are now at the final stage of the 2019 regular season, and we all know which teams have clinched playoff spots, with but a few remaining up for grabs. 

Last week, We posted a record of 9-1, for the 2nd consecutive week. Thus raising our season total higher than Justin Verlander's ERA, to 81 victories and only 19 defeats, 81%. 

Let's breakdown the playoff picture in the WPIAL. 

Class 6A:

Who is in? - North Allegheny, Central Catholic, Pine Richland, Mt Lebanon, Seneca Valley and Canon McMillan

Who is out? - Hempfield, Norwin, Butler

Class 5A:

Who is in? - Penn Trafford, Gateway, McKeesport, Franklin Regional, Latrobe, Penn Hills, North Hills, Kiski, Mars, Moon, Peters Township, Baldwin, Bethel Park, Upper St Clair

Who's Alive? - Fox Chapel, Shaler, West Allegheny & Hampton

Who is out? - Plum, Connellsville, Armstrong, Woodland Hills, Chariters Valley

Class 4A:

Who is in? - South Fayette, Thomas Jefferson, Belle Vernon, Blackhawk, Montour, West Mifflin, Greensburg Salem

Who's Alive? - Knoch, New Castle

Who is out? - Highlands, Beaver, Ambridge, Trinity, Indiana, Ringgold, Laurel Highlands

Class 3A:

Who is in? - Aliquippa, Central Valley, Beaver Falls, South Park, North Catholic, Derry, Elizabeth Forward

Who's Alive? - Burrell, Deer Lakes, Mt Pleasant

Who is out? - Freeport, Yough, Uniontown, Hopewell, Keystone Oaks, Quaker Valley, Waynesburg

Class 2A:

Who is in? - McGuffey, Washington, Charleroi, Southmoreland, Freedom, Neshannock, Freedom, Avonworth, Apollo-Ridge, East Allegheny, Shady Side Academy, Burgettstown, Brentwood, South Side

Who's Alive? - New Brighton, Western Beaver, South Allegheny, Serra Catholic

Who is out? - Steel Valley, Summit Academy, Valley, Carmichaels, Brownsville, Frazier, BethCenter, Mohawk, Shenango, Ellwood City, Seton LaSalle, Carlynton, Fort Cherry

Class 1A:

Who is in? - Clairton, Jeanette, Greensburg Central Catholic, StoRox, Cornell, OLSH, West Greene, California

Who's Alive? - No One

Who is out? - Leechburg, Springdale, Riverview, Imani Christian, Laurel, Union, Rochester, Bishop Canevin, Northgate, Monessen, Jefferson Morgan, Bentworth, Mapletown, Avella, Chartiers-Houston

Conference Championships are on the line Friday night.....Let's give you a couple of our previews and our selections...

Class 5A: Gateway (7-2) vs McKeesport (7-2) 

Last week: Gateway defeated Connellsville, 48-7. McKeesport defeated Franklin Regional, 31-14.

Gateway QB Bryson Venanzio has thrown for 22 touchdowns and is just shy of the 1,800 yard marker passing this season. Derrick Davis has rushed for 1,150 yards and has 22 touchdowns for Gateway.

McKeesport will rely on their ground game, as normal with the duo of Devari Robinson and Tyron Adams-Wagner. These two have combined for 1,741 yards and 28 touchdowns.

Last season, The Gateway Gators dismissed McKeesport easily, 34-6. This will be the same result, might be even more?

Gateway over McKeesport

Class 3A: Aliquippa (9-0) vs Central Valley (8-1)

Last week: Aliquippa defeated Keystone Oaks, 55-7. Central Valley defeated South Park, 48-13

The TriCounty West title is on the line from "The Pit". 

Central Valley will continue to ride the arm of QB Ameer Dudly who has thrown for 1,124 yards and has 15 touchdowns to his credit. RB Jaylen Guy has rushed for 750 yards and has nine touchdowns.

Aliquippa QB Vaughn Morris has thrown for 910 yards with 12 touchdowns. Quips RB Antonio Quinn has rushed for 1,010 yards and 12 touchdowns. 

Central Valley was dismantled and exposed 2 weeks ago by Thomas Jefferson,  28-3. 

Aliquippa has a superb defense, very comparable to Thomas Jefferson. The Quips have only given up 53 points. 

Last season, Central Valley defeated Aliquippa. But that was from Central Valley. This year, it's at the Pit. Payback on the docket. 

Aliquippa over Central Valley

As for the others......

North Allegheny over Pine Richland

Jeannette over Clairton

South Fayette over Montour

Washington over McGuffey

Thomas Jefferson over West Mifflin

New Castle over Ambridge

Penn Hills over North Hills

New Brighton over Riverside

Enjoy the lights....see you all next week in the playoffs.... well, some of you.

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