Football: WPIAL Class A Semifinal Thumbnail Preview

#1 Clairton (11-0) vs. #13 Neshannock (10-1), Friday at Chartiers-Houston, 7:30 p.m.

Clairton has won four consecutive WPIAL Class A titles, three straight PIAA titles, and own a 57-game winning streak. The Bears captured the Black Hills Conference title and are the only unbeaten team remaining in the Class A bracket. The Bears advanced to the semifinals with wins against Frazier (58-6) and Brentwood (39-0). The Bears are averaging 48.0 points per game and allowing 6.2 per game. Tyler Boyd has rushed for 1,850 yards and 32 touchdowns.

Neshannock is making its first WPIAL playoff appearance since 2004 and posted the school's first playoff victory with a 42-14 win against Jefferson Morgan. The Lancers tied for the Big Seven Conference title and advanced to the semifinals with a narrow 24-21 win against Monessen. Neshannock is averaging 39.4 points per game and allowing 16.9 per game. Ernie Burkes has thrown for 1,495 yards and 18 touchdowns.

#2 Sto-Rox (10-1) vs. #6 North Catholic (9-2), Friday at Dormont Stadium, 7:30 p.m.

Sto-Rox makes a return trip to the semifinals after placing second in the WPIAL last season. The Vikings finished in a three-way tie for first place in the Big Seven Conference and posted playoff victories against Carmichaels (40-7) and Union (33-17). Sto-Rox is averaging 39.4 points per game and allowing 13.5 per game. Lenny Williams has thrown for 1,947 yards and 24 touchdowns and has rushed for 996 yards and 12 touchdowns.

North Catholic is in the semfinals for the second time in four years. The Trojans won the Eastern Conference and earned its semifinal berth with wins against Bishop Canevin (21-0) and Rochester (22-15). The Trojans losses were to Northgate and Neshannock. North Catholic is averaging 24.0 points per game and allowing 11.7 per game. P.J. Fulmore has thrown for 1,616 yards and 19 touchdowns.