Football: WPIAL Class AAA Playoffs – Quarterfinal preview
The WPIAL playoffs move onto the quarterfinal round Friday night. Let’s take a look at the matchups in Class AAA.
(All games are at 7:30 p.m.)
#1 Thomas Jefferson (10-0) vs. #8 Franklin Regional (8-2) at Elizabeth Forward - Thomas Jefferson is making its 18th consecutive WPIAL playoff berth after claiming the Big Nine Conference title. The Jaguars, the only unbeaten team remaining in Class AAA, rank first with a 44.9 points per game, while allowing only 10.7 per game. Thomas Jefferson posted a 63-19 win over Hollidaysburg in the first round. Franklin Regional tied for second place in the Greater Allegheny Conference to earn a ninth consecutive playoff berth. The Panthers have allowed only 68 points, which ranks first among Class AAA playoff teams. Franklin Regional opened the playoffs with a 44-7 win against Elizabeth Forward.
#4 West Allegheny (9-1) vs. #5 Montour (9-1) at Chartiers Valley - West Allegheny tied for the Parkway Conference title, along with Montour and Central Valley. The Indians advanced to the quarterfinals with a 48-7 win against Ringgold in the first round. West Allegheny is averaging 26.8 points per game and allowing only 10.3 per game. Montour's only loss was a 5-3 decision to West Allegheny in week eight. The Spartans set up the rematch with a 27-6 win over Trinity. Montour is averaging 34.3 points per game and allowing 13.9 per game.
#3 Central Valley (8-2) vs. #11 Hopewell (5-5) at Ambridge - Central Valley tied with Montour and West Allegheny for the Parkway Conference title and advanced to the quarterfinals with a narrow 17-16 victory against Belle Vernon. The Warriors lost twice by one point in the regular season to Montour and Beaver Falls. Hopewell is making its fifth consecutive playoff appearance. The Vikings placed fourth in the Parkway Conference and upset No. 6 Hampton, 14-6, in the first round. Hopewell averaging 18.6 points per game, while allowing 21.4 per game.
#2 Mars (9-1) vs. #7 West Mifflin (9-1) at Fox Chapel - West Mifflin, the Big Nine Conference runner-up, fell from the ranks of the unbeaten with a 28-14 loss to No. 1 seed Thomas Jefferson in week nine, then rebounded with a 28-14 win over Knoch in the first round. The Titans are averaging 36.8 points per game and allowing 12.4. Mars won the Greater Allegheny Conference and posted a 45-21 win against Blackhawk in the opening round. The Planets are averaging 38.4 points per game and scored 40 or more in seven games, while allowing only 9.5 points per game. Their only loss was to Knoch, 20-0.
(All games are at 7:30 p.m.)
#1 Thomas Jefferson (10-0) vs. #8 Franklin Regional (8-2) at Elizabeth Forward - Thomas Jefferson is making its 18th consecutive WPIAL playoff berth after claiming the Big Nine Conference title. The Jaguars, the only unbeaten team remaining in Class AAA, rank first with a 44.9 points per game, while allowing only 10.7 per game. Thomas Jefferson posted a 63-19 win over Hollidaysburg in the first round. Franklin Regional tied for second place in the Greater Allegheny Conference to earn a ninth consecutive playoff berth. The Panthers have allowed only 68 points, which ranks first among Class AAA playoff teams. Franklin Regional opened the playoffs with a 44-7 win against Elizabeth Forward.
#4 West Allegheny (9-1) vs. #5 Montour (9-1) at Chartiers Valley - West Allegheny tied for the Parkway Conference title, along with Montour and Central Valley. The Indians advanced to the quarterfinals with a 48-7 win against Ringgold in the first round. West Allegheny is averaging 26.8 points per game and allowing only 10.3 per game. Montour's only loss was a 5-3 decision to West Allegheny in week eight. The Spartans set up the rematch with a 27-6 win over Trinity. Montour is averaging 34.3 points per game and allowing 13.9 per game.
#3 Central Valley (8-2) vs. #11 Hopewell (5-5) at Ambridge - Central Valley tied with Montour and West Allegheny for the Parkway Conference title and advanced to the quarterfinals with a narrow 17-16 victory against Belle Vernon. The Warriors lost twice by one point in the regular season to Montour and Beaver Falls. Hopewell is making its fifth consecutive playoff appearance. The Vikings placed fourth in the Parkway Conference and upset No. 6 Hampton, 14-6, in the first round. Hopewell averaging 18.6 points per game, while allowing 21.4 per game.
#2 Mars (9-1) vs. #7 West Mifflin (9-1) at Fox Chapel - West Mifflin, the Big Nine Conference runner-up, fell from the ranks of the unbeaten with a 28-14 loss to No. 1 seed Thomas Jefferson in week nine, then rebounded with a 28-14 win over Knoch in the first round. The Titans are averaging 36.8 points per game and allowing 12.4. Mars won the Greater Allegheny Conference and posted a 45-21 win against Blackhawk in the opening round. The Planets are averaging 38.4 points per game and scored 40 or more in seven games, while allowing only 9.5 points per game. Their only loss was to Knoch, 20-0.
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