On Monday, the WPIAL announced the new classifications and conference alignments for member schools by way of a 12-6 vote. This comes after the PIAA moved to expand high school athletic classifications by two classes from four to six overall in football, boys and girls basketball, as well as baseball and softball starting with the 2016-17 school year. As a result of the expanded classifications, the WPIAL announced previously, the championships for each class will not all be played at ... Read More
Mike Ditka heads home in ESPN feature “Back to School”
In 2011, ESPN did a feature on Mike Ditka visiting his hometown of Aliquippa, PA. He visits his mother, visits the football team, and discusses how football and growing up in Aliquippa shaped him into who he is today. ... Read More
Allderdice defense overwhelms New Castle
Allderdice assistant coach Andy Pakler could finally admit that his now 20-1 Dragons team had one game in mind and it was Monday's contest against New Castle, which came in as one of two undefeated WPIAL teams. Those expecting a close game would leave the Allderdice gymnasium disappointed as the Dragons came away with a 75-49 victory.The contest was billed as "the game of the year" and showcased the top WPIAL Class AAA team in the Red Hurricanes and top class AAAA team and 58th ranked high ... Read More
WPIAL well represented on All-State teams
Central Catholic and Aliquippa represented the WPIAL in the PIAA Class AAAA and AA Football State Championships this past weekend. The players who comprised those teams are well represented on the Pennsylvania Football Writers Class AAAA and AA All-State teams. The Vikings, PIAA Class AAAA Champions, are represented on the Class AAAA all-state team by running back Ronnie Jones, defensive lineman Rashad Wheeler, linebacker David Adams and defensive backs Damar Hamlin and Bricen Garner. Also ... Read More
Central Catholic captures fourth state title
Central Catholic became the first WPIAL team to win four PIAA state championships with their 21-18 victory over Parkland Saturday night. A strong Viking defense kept Parkland from establishing any momentum until it was too late. The Central Catholic offense was boosted by two Vikings running backs rushing for over 100 yards. Junior JJ Younger rushed for 184 yards on 14 carries and scoring a touchdown while senior standout Ronnie Jones added 27 carries for 119 yards and two ... Read More
PIAA Preview: Central Catholic, Aliquippa seek state titles
Immortality awaits the two remaining WPIAL teams in the 2015 PIAA State Playoffs for football. Aliquippa and Central Catholic look to bring back PIAA gold in their respective classes to go along with the WPIAL gold they won last month. Aliquippa returns to the PIAA Class AA Final for the first time since losing in 2012. Many of the seniors on the 2015 edition were on that runner-up Quips team and are looking to capture perfection with a victory on the highest stage for Pennsylvania ... Read More
WPIAL Recap: Central Catholic, Aliquippa earn trips to PIAA Championships
Class AAAA Central Catholic rushed it's way into the PIAA Class AAAA Championship behind a 134 yard rushing performance by Ronnie Jones. The Vikings will face Parkland for the Class AAAA title in Hershey December 19th at 6pm. Central Catholic 24, Cumberland Valley 7 Central Catholic - 7 - 10 - 7 - 0 - -- - 24 Cumberland Valley - 0 - 0 - 0 - 7 - -- - 7 CC -- Troy Fisher 1 run (Jacob Rocchi kick) CC -- Rocchi kick 27 FG CC -- Ronnie Jones 5 run (Rocchi kick) CC -- J.J. Younger 6 run ... Read More
PIAA semifinals preview: Only two WPIAL teams remain
Two WPIAL teams are one game away from Hershey and the PIAA State Championships. Central Catholic out of Class AAAA and Aliquippa in Class AA remain after Thomas Jefferson (Class AAA) and Clairton (Class A) saw their seasons end in the PIAA Quarterfinals. We preview the remaining match-ups: Class AAAA Central Catholic Vikings (14-1) vs. Cumberland Valley Eagles (13-2) at Altoona Area High School The Match-Up: Cumberland Valley need seven overtimes to get past Central Dauphin and ... Read More
Clairton, Thomas Jefferson get pounced in PIAA action
PIAA Class AAAA Quarterfinals Central Catholic 19, State College 3 State College - 0 - 0 - 3 - 0 - -- - 3 Central Catholic - 3 - 7 - 3 - 6 - -- - 19 CC -- Jacob Rocchi 31 FG CC -- Vinny Emanuele 4 run (Rocchi kick) SC -- Noah Schwab 35 FG CC -- Rocchi 26 FG CC -- Troy Fisher 2 run (kick failed) TEAM STATISTICS State College - - Central Catholic 6 - First Downs - 18 61 - Rushing Yards - 215 72 - Passing Yards - 76 133 - Total Yards - ... Read More
PIAA quarterfinal preview: WPIAL looks to represent
The Road to Heinz has officially ended with four teams now on the Road to Hershey for state glory. We preview the remaining four WPIAL teams' match-ups this weekend in PIAA Quarterfinal action. Class A Clairton Bears (13-0) vs. Berlin Brothersvalley Mountaineers (12-0) The Match-Up: Both teams come into their PIAA Class A match-up with unblemished records. Berlin Brothersvalley has allowed more than eight points in a single game once this season, in the opening game of the season. ... Read More