WPIAL Week 1 Games of the Week

The High School football season kicks off tonight in Western Pennsylvania. If you're not heading down to PNC Park to watch the Buccos take on the Cardinals with first place on the line, there are some early season WPIAL games that are worth your attention. If you really want to enter a sports coma, put the Bucs on TV and listen to the MSA Sports online broadcast of a high school game.

Big Boys Game of the Week

Upper St Clair at Woodland Hills

These are two powerhouse programs that were both in the semi-finals last season. Jim Render and George Novak are two of the best coaches in WPIAL history and both teams feature D1 talent. This is a must-see game if you're in the East End on Friday night.

Honorable Mentions: McKeesport at Hempfield, Mt. Lebanon at North Allegheny

Parkway Conference Game of the Week

New Castle at Central Valley

The Parkway Conference is loaded with talented teams. Rather than trying to choose the AAA game of the week, I'm just going to call it the Parkway Conference Game of the Week, because until the West Mifflin-Thomas Jefferson game, the top Parkway matchup will be the best game in AAA. New Castle with Ohio State commit Malik Hooker (DB/WR) travels to Central Valley to take on a talented Warriors team looking for their third straight conference title.

Honorable Mentions: Franklin Regional at Mars, Montour at Hopewell, West Allegheny at Blackhawk

AA Game of the Week

GCC at Washington

Washington RB Shai McKenzie kicks off his campaign to break Rushel Shell's single-season rushing record at home against Greensburg Central Catholic. The Centurions have one of the best group of linebackers in AA. Washington has to replace most of the rest of their offense around McKenzie, but he has the talent to single-handedly dominate the game. GCC needs a strong start to their season to keep themselves in playoff contention.

Honorable Mentions: South Fayette at McGuffey, South Allegheny at Seton-La Salle (Saturday)

Small School Game of the Week

Apollo-Ridge at North Catholic

The Trojans and the Vikings both made the playoffs last season and return most of their skill players. Two of the best juniors in Class A will be featured in this game in North Catholic RB PJ Fulmore and Apollo-Ridge WR Tre Tipton. The winner will have the inside track towards the conference title right out of the gate.

Honorable Mentions: Avonworth at Rochester, Chartiers-Houston at Clairton