Aug 29, 2024 By Jonathan Guth 4 min read

Week Zero allowed teams to choose whether to play an actual game or have a second scrimmage last Friday, but all teams in the WPIAL will be in action as Week 1 kicks off this evening with some heavyweight matchups.

Here are five things to watch for in tonight’s games:

1. Champion vs. champion

Aliquippa and Belle Vernon have combined for four state championships in the last three years with the Leopards earning back-to-back titles the last two seasons in Class 3A and the Quips winning state gold in Class 4A in 2021 and last year.

Aliquippa suffered a 41-18 setback to Bishop McDevitt in the 2022 championship game.

The two historic programs meet this evening when coach Matt Humbert’s Leopards travel to Heinz Field for a nonconference showdown against the Quips.

Aliquippa’s biggest battle over the offseason was fighting to stay in Class 4A, though the school’s enrollment would place the Quips in Class 2A. Aliquippa voluntarily played up in Class 3A before the PIAA adopted its competitive balance rule in 2018.

Aliquippa won its legal fight to stay in Class 4A, but will have a new head coach as Mike Warfield decided to take a leave of absence. Vashawn Patrick is the interim head coach, but expect the Quips to be just as dangerous as ever.

Both teams had a second scrimmage instead of playing in Week Zero.

Belle Vernon has moved up to Class 4A and tonight’s battle might not be the last time these two teams meet.

2. Another one to watch

Peters Township found itself trailing Canon-McMillan 17-0 in the second quarter last week before a punt return and interception return for touchdowns cut the deficit to 17-14 at halftime.

The defending WPIAL Class 5A champion and state runner-up outscored the Big Macs 28-0 in the second half for a 42-17 triumph in nonconference play.

The Indians host McKeesport tonight in a Class 4A-5A battle.

The Tigers, who won their conference last year and lost to Aliquippa in the WPIAL finals, had a 21-7 lead after the third quarter before suffering a double-overtime setback to Uniontown Lake (Ohio) last week.

McKeesport is led offensively by Penn State recruit Kemon Spell. The sophomore gained 84 yards on nine carries and scored three touchdowns.

3. Coaches seek first wins

Four coaches made their debuts last week, but the start wasn’t ideal for three of the four.

Marty Spieler led South Fayette to a 26-0 victory over Chartiers Valley. Spieler has taken over for Joe Rossi, who led the Lions to two state titles and four WPIAL championships over 17 seasons.

McGuffey gave Washington all it could handle, but the Prexies earned a 14-7 victory that denied Nate Parry a victory in his debut. Parry has big shoes to fill in replacing veteran Ed Dalton.

The Highlanders face another Washington County team tonight at Trinity.

Dan Lis, who graduated from Chartiers-Houston in 2012, will look for his first coaching triumph against Springdale. The Bucs lost to Jefferson-Morgan but the Dynamos have been struggling with low roster numbers and will be making their season debut.

Robert Heller joined Lis as another coach guiding his alma mater for the first time last week in Ringgold’s game against South Allegheny. The Rams lost, 28-14. Ringgold travels to Indiana (0-1).

4. C-M to retire No. 49

Canon-McMillan has quite a challenge tonight against Upper St. Clair in nonconference play, but the Big Macs should have plenty of inspiration as Mike Hull’s jersey No. 49 will be retired.

Hull starred for Canon-McMillan before playing at Penn State and signing with the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent.

Hull played in the NFL as a linebacker from 2015-2019.

5. Playing with a heavy heart

When Waynesburg takes the field tonight against Jefferson-Morgan in a nonconference battle Greene County neighbors, the Raiders will be playing for one of their own in Justin Stephenson.

Stephenson, 45, died Tuesday after battling cancer for 4½ years. He was the junior high principal and former athletic director for the Central Greene School District.

Stephenson was a coach for football and wrestling for the school district and community.

A moment of silence will be held prior to kickoff.