Not All Happy with Pennsylvania's Proposal to Expand Football Playoffs to Six Classes

by Jeff Fisher
The High School Football Huddle


Pennsylvania is one affirmative vote in May away from expanding the high school football post-season to six classification from its present four classes. However, not all schools in the state are happy with the proposal to add two classes.

The most vocal voices against expansion are coming from the western part of the state where WPIAL officials plan to meet twice next week to discuss the plans put forth by the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association. The PIAA is the state's governing body.

Click here to read more from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

Liberty Tops #17 Bethel Park for Pennsylvania 4A Title

By Jeff Fisher
The High School Football Huddle

Liberty traded in its bridesmaid outfits for the glass slipper Saturday night beating nationally-ranked Bethel Park (#17 USA Today Super 25) 28-21 in overtime for Pennsylvania's AAAA championship. Liberty, which lost finished runner-up in 2005 and 2006, eneded a streak of four straight AAAA championships from schools from the WPIAL. Click here for game story.

Wilmington Wins PA AA Title in Double OT

By Jeff Fisher
The High School Football Huddle

Wilmington captured Pennsylvania's AA state championship with a 35-34 double overtime win over heavily favored West Catholic from Philadelphia. The Greyhounds weren't given much a chance against the Burrs, who entered the game having beaten playoff opponents by an average of over 40 points a game. It was the third time in the last four games that Wilmington needed overtime to win. Click here for game story.

Pennsylvania High School Football Scoreboard - Championships

Pennsylvania High School Football Scores
Saturday, December 13, 2008

USA Today Super 25
Liberty 28 #17 Bethel Park 21 (OT)

Finals

AAAA
Liberty 28 Bethel Park 21 (OT)

AA
Wilmington 35 West Catholic 34 (2OTs)

Thomas Jefferson Grabs Back-to-Back Pennsylvania AAA Titles

By Jeff Fisher
The High School Football Huddle

Thomas Jefferson won its 31st straight in-state game Friday night and claimed its second straight Pennsylvania Class AAA football championship. TJ beat Archbishop Wood 34-7 at Hershey Park Stadium. Wood's appearance in the state title game marked the first time a school from the Philadelphia Catholic League played for a state championship. This is the first year that a PCL school was eligible for the state playoffs. Click here for game story.

Pennsylvania High School Football Scoreboard - Championships

Pennsylvania High School Football Scores
Friday, December 12, 2008

Finals

AAA
Thomas Jefferson 34 Archbishop Wood 7

A
Steelton-Highspire 35 Clairton 16

Steelton-Highspire Wins Back-to-Back Pennsylvania Class A Titles

By Jeff Fisher
The High School Football Huddle

Steelton-Highspire (16-0) captured its second straight Pennsylvania Class A title Friday with a 35-16 win over Clairton (15-1) at Hershey Park Stadium. The game marked the end of the the state's all-time leading rusher Jeremiah White, who was held to 81-yards on 20-carries. White ended his career with 9,027 yards rushing and two state titles. Click here for game story.

Pennsylvania High School Football Scoreboard - Semifinals

By Jeff Fisher
The High School Football Huddle

The western Pennsylvania AAAA semifinal might still be going if it weren't for a roughing the kicker call in the third overtime of Bethel Park's 38-35 win over Wilson West Lawn. After missing a 23-yard attempt, Patrick Lyndon was able to redeem himself with a 25-yard boot to put the Black Hawks in their first-ever state championship game next Saturday.

Bethel Park (#21 USA Today) will face Liberty, which beat North Penn 21-14 Saturday to avenge its only loss of the season, which came during the first week of the season. Liberty will playing in its third state championship game in four years. The Hurricanes are 0-2 in title tilts.

Click here for the Bethel Park-Wilson West Lawn game summary. Click here to read about Liberty's win over North Penn.

Pennsylvania High School Football Scores
Saturday, December 6, 2008

Semifinals

USA Today Top 25
#21 Bethel Park 38 Wilson West Lawn 35 (3 OTs)

AAAA
Liberty 21 North Penn 14
Bethel Park 38 Wilson West Lawn 35 (3 OTs)

Pennsylvania High School Football Scoreboard - Semifinals

Pennsylvania High School Football Scores
Friday, December 5, 2008

Semfinals

AAA
Archbishop Wood 13 Selinsgrove 7
Thomas Jefferson 49 West York 21

AA
West Catholic 37 Lancaster Catholic 14
Wilmington 29 Aliquippa 28

A
Steelton-Highspire 20 Schuylkill Haven 9
Clairton 24 Farrell 21

Pennsylvania Semifinal Previews

By Jeff Fisher
The High School Football Huddle

Pennsylvania's down to the Final Four in all four classification and two 2007 champs (Thomas Jefferson-AAA & Steelton Highspire-A) are still in the running to defend their titles.

In the AAA semis, Thomas Jefferson needs to beat West York to return to the state title game in Hershey. West York is hoping to build on last week's confidence builder against Manheim Central. The Bulldogs beat Manheim Central in the District 3 title game, which was Manheim's first district loss since 1988.

For a preview of how Thomas Jefferson is approaching the defense of its state crown, click here.

In the other AAA semifinal, Archbishop Wood is one of two Philadelphia Catholic League schools still alive for state titles. This is the first year that PCL teams are eligible for PIAA titles. West Catholic is the other PCL team. The two-time defending Catholic League Blue champs, who play Lancaster Catholic in the semis, have outscored opponents 704-173 this year.

Click here on some fun facts on the 21st year of PIAA state football playoffs.

To read more Pennsylvania semifinal previews, click on the games below...

AAAA
North Penn vs. Liberty
Bethel Park vs. Wilson West Lawn

AAA
Archbishop Wood vs. Selinsgrove
Thomas Jefferson vs. West York

AA
Philadelphia West Catholic vs. Lancaster Catholic Click here for game story
Aliquippa vs. Wilmington

A
Steelton-Highspire vs. Schuylkill Haven
Clairton vs. Farrell

Pennsylvania High School Football Scoreboard - Quarterfinals

By Jeff Fisher
The High School Football Huddle

Liberty is back in familiar territory. Saturday the Hurricanes beat George Washington 30-13 to advance to the Pennsylvania AAAA eastern championship game next week against North Penn. The Hurricanes only loss this year was to North Penn 23-15 during the opening week of the regular season. Liberty finished 2005 and 2006 as state runner-up. Click here for game story.

Pennsylvania High School Football Scores
Saturday, November 29, 2008

Quarterfinals

AAAA
Liberty 30 George Washington 13
Wilson West Lawn 35 Cumberland Valley 7 Click here for game story

AA
Lancaster Catholic 41 Mt. Carmel 28 Click here for game story

Pennsylvania High School Football Scoreboard - Quarterfinals

Pennsylvania High School Football Scores
Friday, November 28, 2008

Quarterfinals

AAAA
North Penn 28 Neshaminy 0
Bethel Park 17 State College 14

AAA
Selinsgrove 14, Berwick 6
Archbishop Wood 37, West Chester Rustin 7
Thomas Jefferson 35, Erie Strong Vincent 21
West York 15, Manheim Central 7 Click here for game story

AA
Philadelphia West Catholic 49, Dunmore 21
Aliquippa 42, Karns City 14
Wilmington 21, Martinsburg Central 19

A
Schuylkill Haven 43, Riverside 38
Steelton-Highspire 27, Bishop McCort 9
Clairton 26, Windber 0
Farrell 31, Cameron 0

Pennsylvania High School Football Scoreboard - 3rd Round

By Jeff Fisher
The High School Football Huddle

Bethel Park's first-ever WPIAL state football championship will be remembered for a long-time by Black Hawk fans. The #2 ranked Black Hawks used a rock solid defense to shutdown nationally-ranked Gateway (#3 USA Today) to advance to the state quarterfinals with a 10-6 victory at Heinz Field. Coming into the game, the Gators were averaging over 40-points a game and their lowest points total was 24. Click here for a game story.

Pennsylvania High School Football Scores
Saturday, November 22, 2008

Eastern PA

USA Today Super 25
Bethel Park 10 Gateway 6

AAAA
Liberty 28 Freedom 14

AAA
Manheim Central 26 Mechanicsburg 21 Click here for game story

AA
West Catholic 63 Palisades 20 Click here for game story

Western PA

WPIAL Championships


AAAA
Bethel Park 10 Gateway 6

AAA
Thomas Jefferson 34 Blackhawk 14 Click here for game story

AA
Aliquippa 8 Beaver Falls 6 Click here for game story

A
Clairton 12 Monaca 6 Click here for game story

AAAA
State College 22 Erie McDowell 10

AA
Karns City 32 North Star 14

A
Cameron County 18 Clarion
Farrell 28 Linesville 7

Pennsylvania High School Football Scoreboard - 3rd Round

By Jeff Fisher
The High School Football Huddle

There's a new all-time rushing leader in Pennsylvania. Friday, Steelton-Highspire's Jeremiah Young passed East Stroudsburg's James Mungro's record of 8,432 yards set back in 1995. The defending Class A state champs also advanced to the eastern quarterfinals with a 49-16 win over Camp Hill.

Steelton-Highspire running back Jeremiah Young breaks state rushing record

Pennsylvania High School Football Scores
Friday, November 21, 2008

Eastern PA

Class AAAA
North Penn 41 Downingtown West 21
Neshaminy 21 Garnet Valley 14
Cumberland Valley 44 Governor Mifflin 0
Wilson West Lawn 48 Bishop McDevitt 6

Class AAA
Berwick 13 Wilson 6
Selinsgrove 35 Hollidaysburg 10
West Chester Rustin 21 Upper Moreland 14
West York 20 Garden Spot 0

Class AA
Dunmore 48 Wilkes-Barre GAR 13
Lancaster Catholic 41 Middletown 0
Mount Carmel 35 Montoursville 21

Class A
Riverside 25 Southern Columbia 7
Schuylkill Haven 43 Communications Tech 0
Steel-High 49 Camp Hill 16

Western PA

Class AA
Martinsburg Central 41 Central Cambria 6

Click here to go to the Pennsylvania High School Football Huddle.

Pennsylvania High School Football Scoreboard - 2nd Round Playoffs

Pennsylvania High School Football Scores
Saturday, November 15, 2008

Eastern PA

Philadelphia Catholic League
CLASS AAAA Final
La Salle 28, Father Judge 20

District 1-11-12
CLASS A Semifinal
Communications Tech 22, Jenkintown 10

District 11
CLASS AA Final
Palisades 26, Palmerton 21

CLASS A Final
Schuylkill Haven 43, Williams Valley 7

District 12
CLASS AAA Final
Archbishop Wood 56, Dobbins 6

Regular Season
Harry S Truman 15, Stroudsburg 14
Radnor 35, Lower Merion 28
West Philadelphia 12, University City 0

Western PA

District 6
CLASS AA Semifinals
Central 29, Forest Hills 26

CLASS A Semifinals
Portage 26, Purchase Line 7

Districts 6-9-10
CLASS AAAA Semifinals
Erie McDowell 40, DuBois 12

District 10
CLASS AA Semifinals
Slippery Rock 27, Sharon 10
Wilmington 36, General McLane 7

PIAA Playoffs
CLASS AA Play-in Round
North Star 62, Langley 14

Pennsylvania High School Football Scoreboard - 2nd Round Playoffs

By Jeff Fisher
The High School Football Huddle

WPIAL fans won't get the rematch they were hoping for in the AAAA championship game. Friday night, Bethel Park beat McKeesport 20-13 in the semifinals to advance to next week's title game against nationally-ranked Gateway at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh. Many had expected McKeesport to the final where it would try to avenge a regular season finale loss to the Gators. Click here for a game story.

Pennsylvania High School Football Scores
Friday, November 14, 2008

Eastern PA

District 1

CLASS AAAA Quarterfinals
Downingtown West 28, Conestoga 21
Garnet Valley 14, Pennsbury 12
Neshaminy 31, Ridley 3

CLASS AAA Semifinals
Upper Moreland 33, Owen J. Roberts 14
West Chester Rustin 21, Pottsgrove 13

District 2

CLASS AAA Championship
Berwick 3, Abington Heights 0

CLASS AA Semifinals
Dunmore 34, Lakeland 13
Wilkes-Barre GAR 17, Hanover Area 12

CLASS A Championship
Riverside 48, Old Forge 21

Districts 2-11

CLASS AAAA Semifinals
Bethlehem Freedom 42, Hazleton Area 25

District 3

CLASS AAAA Quarterfinals
Bishop McDevitt 39, William Penn of York 7
Cumberland Valley 42, Penn Manor 10
Governor Mifflin 35, Central York 6
Wilson West Lawn 46, Muhlenberg 0

CLASS AAA Quarterfinals
Garden Spot 20, Greencastle-Antrim 0
Manheim Central 26, Cocalico 7
Mechanicsburg 31, Daniel Boone 7
West York 56, Conrad Weiser 30

CLASS AA Semifinals
Lancaster Catholic 45, Wyomissing 7
Middletown 35, Delone Catholic 0

CLASS A Semifinals
Camp Hill 42, Reading Holy Name 41
Steelton-Highspire 42, Millersburg 7

District 4

CLASS AAA Championship
Selinsgrove 35, Jersey Shore 7

CLASS AA Semifinals
Montoursville 42, Athens 7
Mount Carmel 35, Lewisburg 0

CLASS A Championship
Southern Columbia 37, Line Mountain 14

Districts 6-8-9-10

CLASS AAAA Semifinals
State College 23, Central Mountain 0

District 11

Class AAAA Semifinals
Bethlehem Liberty 26, Emmaus 20

Eastern Conference Playoffs

CLASS AAAA Championship
Northampton 6, Easton 0

CLASS AAA Championship
Pottsville 21, Scranton Prep 15

CLASS AA Championship
Loyalsock 32, Tamaqua 20

CLASS A Championship
Tri-Valley 43, Lourdes Regional 7

Regular Season
Hatboro-Horsham 25, Boyertown 21
Haverford 17, Sun Valley 0
Marple Newtown 17, Academy Park 16
Penn Wood 38, Spring-Ford 21

Western PA

District 5

CLASS A Championship
Windber 42, Conemaugh Township 21

District 6

CLASS AAA Championship
Hollidaysburg 39, Johnstown 14

CLASS AA Semifinals
Central Cambria 27, Tyrone 20

CLASS A Semifinals
Bishop McCort 24, Bellwood-Antis 20

Districts 6-8-9-10

CLASS AAAA Semifinals
State College 23, Central Mountain 0

CLASS AAA First Round
Clearfield 24, Brashear 21

District 7 (WPIAL)

CLASS AAAA Semifinals
Bethel Park 20, McKeesport 13
Gateway 38, Penn Hills 23 Click here for game story

CLASS AAA Semifinals
Blackhawk 36, Highlands 7
Thomas Jefferson 47, New Castle 20

CLASS AA Semifinals
Aliquippa 27, Shady Side Academy 14
Beaver Falls 35, Jeannette 28 Click here for game story

CLASS A Semifinals
Clairton 16, Rochester 0
Monaca 17, Avonworth 6

District 9

CLASS AA Championship
Karns City 62, Moniteau 9

CLASS A Semifinals
Cameron County 21, Coudersport 7
Clarion 18, Elk County Catholic 12, OT

District 10

CLASS AAA Championship
Erie Strong Vincent 28, Erie Cathedral Prep 0 Click here for game story

CLASS A Semifinals
Farrell 31, Saegertown 0
Linesville 35, Mercer 7