It’s November, and that means the WPIAL high school football playoffs are in full swing. There are 16 games across Western Pennsylvania this weekend, so it’s the perfect time to go out and support local sports. Here are a handful of games that we think represent the best of the best. All games begin at 7:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted.
Class 6A is offering two juicy semifinal matchups this week. The top-ranked Vikings of Central Catholic High (10-1) take on the fifth-ranked Pine-Richland Rams (7-4) Friday at North Allegheny High School. In the other contest, second-ranked North Allegheny (9-2) battles No. 5 Seneca Valley (7-4) at Martorelli Stadium in Ross Township.
In Class 5A, the seventh-ranked Gateway Gators (7-4) will challenge the third-ranked McKeesport Tigers Friday at Norwin High School.
In a Class 3A semifinal, No.1 Aliquippa (9-2) travels to Fox Chapel High School on Friday to take on the fourth-ranked Derry Trojans (11-0). The other semifinal in this division is probably the most intriguing matchup of the week and is even worth the drive to Beaver County. The second-ranked Beaver Falls Tigers (9-2) clash with the Mount Lebanon’s third-ranked Keystone Oaks Golden Eagles Friday night at Ambridge High School.
It’s still the quarterfinals in Classes 2A and 1A, and while some lopsided games may still occur, there are some good matchups. In Class 2A, Munhall’s top-ranked Steel Valley Ironmen (10-0) travel to West Allegheny High School to take on the ninth-ranked Laurel Spartans Friday night. And in 1A, the undefeated Clairton Bears (10-0) are always fun to watch, even though they’re likely to beat the Fort Cherry Rangers (9-1) Friday night at Peters Township High School.
