Football: WPIAL Class AAAA Semifinal Thumbnail Preview

#1 North Allegheny (11-0) vs. #4 Seneca Valley (10-1), Friday at North Hills, 7:30 p.m.

North Allegheny is a two-time WPIAL Class AAAA champion and making its fifth semifinal appearance in seven years. The Tigers won the Northern Eight Conference and advanced to the semifinals with wins over Altoona (42-14) and Bethel Park (42-14). North Allegheny ranks first among Class AAAA teams with a 39.9 points per game average and allow only 5.9 per game. Mack Leftwich has thrown for 2,051 yards and 27 touchdowns.

Seneca Valley is in the semifinals for the first time 1997. The Raiders placed second in the Northern Eight Conference and posted playoff victories against Hempfield (50-20) and Mt. Lebanon (32-13). Seneca Valley is averaging 39.5 points per game and allowing 17.2 per game. Jordan Brown has thrown for 1,726 yards and 20 touchdowns, while Forrest Barnes has rushed for 1,636 yards and 26 touchdowns.

The two teams met in week three and North Allegheny posted a 45-3 victory.  

#6 Upper St. Clair (10-1) vs. #7 Woodland Hills (9-2), Friday at Baldwin, 7:30 p.m.

Upper St. Clair makes a return trip to the WPIAL Class AAAA semifinals after finishing second in last year's bracket. The Panthers tied for the Southeastern Conference title and advanced to the semifinals with shutouts of Kiski Area (49-0) and Pittsburg Central Catholic (38-0). Upper St. Clair is averaging 35.2 points per game and allowing only 7.1 per game. Pete Coughlin has thrown for 1,161 yards and 16 touchdowns and rushed for 509 yards and 9 touchdowns.

Woodland Hills has made an appearance in the WPIAL finals seven of the past 13 years. The Wolverines won the WPIAL title in 2009 and placed second in 2010. The Wolverines placed third in the Southeastern Conference and advanced to the finals with wins against North Hills (27-7) and Gateway (17-14). Woodland Hills is averaging 30.5 points per game and allowing 13.5 per game. Cody McClelland has thrown for 1,485 yards and 18 touchdowns.

The two teams met in week one and Upper St. Clair recorded a 31-12 victory.