Five things we learned in Week 6
Each Monday we’ll look back at the highlights of the week that was in local high school football.
This week saw history for Canon-McMillan, Fort Cherry dominate its rival, a special night for an Avella duo, South Fayette claim the “Battle of the Bridge” and Beth-Center become the last of the local unbeatens.
1. A first for Canon-Mac
In the grand scheme of the 2026 season Friday night’s win over North Allegheny was huge.
For historical purposes, it was equally large.
That’s because the Big Macs had never beaten North Allegheny prior to its 23-13 triumph on the road.
It was a nice response from the Big Macs after a heartbreaking overtime loss to Hempfield the week before and puts them in the thick of the playoff race with a potential tiebreaker over the Tigers, which could prove crucial down the road.
Ty Jansma, who ranks fifth in the WPIAL in passing yards, completed 15 of his 26 attempts for 168 yards and two touchdowns. He hit Roman Cimarolli for an 8-yard score and found Brayden Collins for a 10-yard scoring connection.
Cimarolli has been Jansma’s top target and ranks in the top 10 in the WPIAL in receiving yards.
Another weapon for Canon-McMillan is kicker Rhys Maentz.
Maentz made three field goals Friday, including one from 45 yards.
Canon-McMillan steps out of Class 6A play and hosts Woodland Hills for a nonconference game Friday. It’ll be the last one before the final stretch of conference games with Norwin, Central Catholic and Mount Lebanon.
2. Runnin’ Rangers
Fort Cherry extended its run of dominance over rival Burgettstown with a 55-12 win on Friday and did so by racking up 450 yards on the ground.
The senior tandem of Eli Salvini and Ryan Huey led the way and can say they beat their rival in all four years of their high school careers.
Salvini had 197 yards on 14 carries and three touchdowns, while Huey finished with 131 yards on 11 attempts and scored three times.
Zy’Morrian Evans got in on the fun as well with 73 yards and a touchdown.
What made Fort Cherry’s performance so impressive was they did against a Burgettstown team that had allowed only 14 points all year prior to Friday’s game.
It won’t get any easier for the Blue Devils this Friday as they travel to Washington to take on the Black Hills Conference leaders. The Prexies are the only team in the conference without a loss. Fort Cherry hosts Bentworth.
3. Avella’s dynamic duo
Gage Samol and Chas Rush stepped up big time in a crucial win for Avella.
Samol had 166 yards and three touchdowns, while Rush ran for 128 yards and two scores to lead the Eagles to a 46-18 triumph over West Green, which was important in the Tri-County South landscape.
With the win, the Eagles stayed in a tie for third place with Frazier at 2-1 in the conference standings.
Avella plays at Frazier the final night of the regular season in a game that could decide the third and final guaranteed playoff spot in the TCS. The loser would have to hope for a wild card from the steering committee.
4. South Fayette rolls
The “Battle of the Bridge” was a one-way street.
And that street was paved by 201 rushing yards from quarterback Braedon Plasko in a 35-7 victory over Chartiers Valley.
Plasko missed the previous game against Upper St. Clair with an injury, but made an emphatic return against the Colts.
He scored a pair of touchdowns on runs of 45 and eight yards.
Aayden Wright, who has several major college offer as a sophomore, made his mark too with a pair of touchdown runs.
Jacob Bostian, who is another strong sophomore with offers from Pitt and Boston College, among others, also scored a rushing touchdown.
It as a dynamic trio that makes South Fayette an emerging favorite in Class 4A a year after moving in from 5A.
5. The last unbeaten
A 51-7 win against Jefferson-Morgan, coupled with Burgettstown’s loss to Fort Cherry has made Beth-Center the last local team that’s undefeated this season.
The Bulldogs are among a select few in the entire WPIAL that are unblemished along with Central Catholic, Upper St. Clair, Elizabeth Forward, Bishop Canevin, Seton LaSalle and Shenango.
It’s been an impressive season for the Bulldogs, who look primed to end a postseason drought that dates back to 2018.
The Bulldogs host California on the final night of the regular season for a game that will likely decide the Tri-County South title.
Staff writer Jerin Steele can be reached at jsteele@observer-reporter.com