Rivalries renewed as high school football kicks off
It’s hard to believe high school football is already here. Maybe it’s just old age, but for the season to start a week before September seems awful early.
Regardless of how early the start of the season is, expect an exciting first week of football in what has been labeled “Week Zero.”
Nineteen local teams will be in action this evening in nonconference games while three have scrimmages.
Here are five things to watch for in tonight’s games:
Rivalries renewed
Washington and McGuffey normally play towards the end of the regular season, and it usually comes with an opportunity to clinch the Century Conference crown in Class 2A, but this season is different, as the Highlanders have moved up to the Class 3A West Hills Conference. The contest may not have as much meaning when it comes to playoff positioning, but the atmosphere should be just as exciting tonight in Claysville.
Charleroi and Monessen haven’t played each other in several seasons, but the Cougars and second-year head coach Tyler Aeschbacher will look to defeat the Greyhounds on their home field. Aeschbacher had a tough first season on the job a year ago, but with a full camp and a year under his belt, the Carmichaels graduate looks to start the season on the right foot with a rivalry win.
Waynesburg is as close to a neighboring school for anyone when it comes to West Greene, and despite the schools being in different classifications, the matchup is an exciting one for Greene County.
Canon-McMillan is the lone Class 6A school in the Observer-Reporter coverage area, but eagerly anticipates its game against Peters Township, the defending WPIAL champion in Class 5A. The Indians played all the way to the state final last season before succumbing to Imhotep Charter, 38-13.
Coaching changes
Two new coaches have big shoes to fill, while two others are looking for a win.
McGuffey’s Nate Parry takes over for veteran Ed Dalton in the Highlanders’ battle this evening against the Prexies.
Marty Spieler makes his debut for South Fayette against Chartiers Valley in nonconference play at South Fayette. Spieler is replacing Joe Rossi, who led the Lions to two state titles and four WPIAL crowns.
Dan Lis leads Chartiers-Houston against Jefferson-Morgan in a home game tonight. Lis, who graduated from Chartiers-Houston in 2012, will look to turn around the fortunes of the Buccaneers.
Robert Heller was a star at Ringgold, and the former Ram will have his first opportunity to show things will be different for Ringgold football this season. Heller’s Rams host South Allegheny at Joe Montana Stadium.
Classification changes
McGuffey and Belle Vernon are the two area schools to be moving up in classifications.
The Highlanders’ opposition in the West Hills Conference consists of Avonworth, Beaver Area, Central Valley, Hopewell, North Catholic and Quaker Valley.
The Leopards will play in Class 4A’s Big Six Conference with Chartiers Valley, Laurel Highlands, Ringgold, Trinity and Thomas Jefferson.
Belle Vernon is coming into the season following back-to-back state titles in Class 3A.
Piling up the points
Local teams scored 6,477 points last season for an average of 26 points-per-game. The scoring average 20 years ago was 18.3 ppg. Expect that average to climb this season.
Game 1 for Avella-Mapletown
High school football teams rarely play each other twice in the regular season, but the Eagles and Maples have made their two-game series a yearly occurrence.
Mapletown hosts Avella in a nonconference game. The two teams meet again in Week 6, and will be the “one that counts,” as it will be a Class A Tri-County South battle.
Other games this evening include: Bentworth at Brownsville; Riverview at Beth-Center; Serra Catholic at California; Northgate at Fort Cherry; and Trinity at Moon. All games are scheduled to kickoff at 7 p.m.
Carmichaels scrimmages Bishop Canevin and Burgettstown will welcome Union to town for a scrimmage. Both are scheduled for 6. The Leopards scrimmage West Allegheny at 7.