As we enter the stretch run of the High School Football season here in Western Pennsylvania, playoff races are heating up across the four classifications. Quad-A and Triple-A each had their first teams qualify for the postseason last week, and 24 more teams have the opportunity to lock up spots this weekend. Most of them are names you will probably recognize as traditional powers, but there are a few surprises. In AAA, Elizabeth Forward is having a rebound season and currently sits at 3-2 with the opportunity to clinch their first playoff spot since 2005. Two of the biggest surprises of the season are down in Single-A with the surprising Neshannock in the Big Seven Conference and Avella in the Tri-County South. Both are currently undefeated. Avella is 5-0 for the first time since 1994 and aims to be 6-0 for the first time since 1976. Neshannock is also 5-0 and off to their best start since the same '76 season. Here's a look at how things sit as we enter the 6th week of the WPIAL Season.
AAAA
Foothills Conference
- Gateway clinches a playoff spot with a loss by Kiski or Connellsville
- Penn-Trafford clinches a playoff spot with a win over Connellsville
Northern Eight Conference
- North Allegheny has clinched a playoff spot
- Seneca Valley clinches a playoff spot with a win over Shaler and a Fox Chapel loss
- Central Catholic clinches a playoff spot with a win over Pine-Richland
Southeastern Conference
- Upper St Clair clinches a playoff spot with a loss by Woodland Hills, Penn Hills, or Peters Twp
- Mt. Lebanon clinches a playoff spot with a win over Canon-Mac and a loss by Woodland Hills or Bethel Park
Biggest Games
North Allegheny vs Gateway - This could very easily be a preview of the AAAA Championship Game. Both of these teams are loaded with talent and this is easily the non-conference game of the season. Gateway and NA are the only two AAAA teams averaging over 40 points per game and both are ranked in the top 5 in defense.
AAA
Big Nine Conference
- West Mifflin has clinched a playoff spot
- Thomas Jefferson clinches a playoff spot with a win over Laurel Highlands and a Belle Vernon loss
- Elizabeth Forward clinches a playoff spot with a win over West Mifflin and losses by Belle Vernon and Albert Gallatin
- Ringgold clinches a playoff spot with a win over Albert Gallatin and a Belle Vernon loss
Greater Allegheny Conference
- Mars has clinched a playoff spot
- Hampton clinches a playoff spot with a win over Hollidaysburg and losses by Greensburg Salem and Derry
- Knoch clinches a playoff spot with a win over Franklin Regional and losses by Highlands and Indiana
- Franklin Regional clinches a playoff spot with a win over Knoch and losses by Greensburg Salem and Derry
- Hollidaysburg clinches a playoff spot with a win over Hampton and an Indiana loss
Parkway Conference
- Montour clinches a playoff spot with a win over Chartiers Valley
- Central Valley clinches a playoff spot with a win over Moon
Biggest Games
Franklin Regional vs Knoch - These teams are locked with Hampton and Hollidaysburg in a 4-way tie behind Mars in the Greater Allegheny Conference. The winner will still have a shot at the conference crown.
Hampton vs Hollidaysburg - Two huge matchups in the Greater Allegheny Conference this week that should help separate the teams at the top.
West Mifflin vs Elizabeth Forward - The Warriors are one of the surprises of the season but the undefeated Titans might be too much for them.
AA
Allegheny Conference
- Freeport clinches a playoff spot with a win over Burrell and losses by Kittanning and Summit Academy
Century Conference
- South Fayette clinches a playoff spot with a win over Quaker Valley and a South Park loss
Interstate Conference
- Mt. Pleasant has clinched a playoff spot
- Washington clinches a playoff spot with a win over Brownsville
- Jeanette clinches a playoff spot with a win over Mt Pleasant and a Waynesburg loss
Midwestern Conference
- Beaver clinches a playoff spot with a win over Riverside and a Freedom loss
- Aliquippa clinches a playoff spot with a win over Freedom
- Beaver Falls clinches a playoff spot with a win over New Brighton
Biggest Games
Freeport vs Burrell - The top two teams in the Allegheny Conference square off in a game that will likely decide the conference title
Mt Pleasant vs Jeanette - The Jayhawks fell to Washington last week and now must face their second undefeated team in a row in Mt. Pleasant. If the Vikings win, they will set up a showdown with Washington next week for the conference title. Jeanette needs a win to stay in the race for the Interstate Conference crown.
A
Big Seven Conference
- Neshannock clinches a playoff spot with a win or a Laurel loss
Black Hills Conference
- Clairton clinches a playoff spot with a win over Brentwood
Eastern Conference
- No clinching scenarios
Tri County South Conference
- Beth-Center clinches a playoff spot with a win over Jefferson-Morgan
- Avella clinches a playoff spot with a win over Frazier
Biggest Games
Neshannock vs Rochester - After a surprising come-from-behind victory over Sto-Rox two weeks ago, Neshannock is in position to make a run at the conference title. Standing in their way is perennial powerhouse Rochester who also has an unblemished record and designs of a conference crown.
Clairton vs Brentwood - The Bears record-breaking winning streak hits the road this week in a trip to Brentwood to face a team that is battling for their playoff lives.
Avonworth vs North Catholic - North Catholic is currently clinging to second place in the Eastern Conference with head-to-head wins over Springdale and Apollo-Ridge, a victory over the Antelopes would keep them in the race for the conference title. Avonworth still has an outside chance to win the conference crown as well, and this is their first step to rebounding from their loss to Apollo-Ridge last week
Springdale vs Apollo-Ridge - Like North Catholic and Avonworth, both enter the game with only one loss. This will be an important game in the Eastern Conference playoff race as we head down the stretch with the loser sitting on the outside of the playoff picture.
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