Last Updated: Sun Oct 27, 2024 - 9:30PM
The WPIAL released the football playoff brackets on Saturday afternoon, which included the highly-anticipated debut of the committee selecting wild card teams in five of the classifications.
While no Westmoreland County teams made the cut in Class 6A and 2A, ten area teams qualified among the other four classifications. Postseason play will commence on Friday at 7 p.m.
In Class 5A, Penn-Trafford, Franklin Regional, and Greater Latrobe all qualified. The Warriors (8-2), who finished in second place in the Big East Conference, received the sixth seed and will host No. 11 South Fayette. The Panthers (7-3) garnered the No. 9 seed as the third-place finisher from the Big East and will travel to face eighth-seeded North Hills at Martorelli Stadium. Lastly, the Wildcats tied for fourth in the Big East Conference, but received a wild card selection. As the No. 12 seed, Greater Latrobe will face No. 5 seed and host Bethel Park.
Belle Vernon Area made the field in Class 4A, as the Leopards received a wild card bid. BVA (4-4), which placed third in the Big Six Conference, was seeded sixth and will play at third seed McKeesport Area.
In Class 3A, the trio of Southmoreland, Mount Pleasant Area, and Greensburg Salem all qualified. Southmoreland (7-3), which placed second in the Interstate Conference, was seeded eighth, hosting No. 9 Highlands. The Vikings (5-5), who finished third in the conference, garnered the 10 seed, setting up a contest at No. 7 Freeport Area. The Golden Lions (7-3) snagged a wild card bid, and as the No. 12 seed, GS will travel to face fifth-seeded Avonworth.
Lastly in Class 1A, Greensburg Central Catholic, Monessen, and Jeannette advanced to the postseason. The Centurions (7-2) finished as runners-up in the Eastern Conference, and were seeded fifth. As a result, GCC will host No. 12 Monessen (7-3), which placed fourth in the Black Hills Conference and was tabbed as a wild card. Likewise, the Jayhawks came in fourth in the Eastern, and Jeannette received the No. 13 seed as a wild card. Consequently, Jeannette will play at fourth seed Neshannock.
The championships in Class 6A and 4A will be held at Norwin High School on Saturday, Nov. 16, while the other four classes will crown the champs on Saturday, Nov. 23 at Acrisure Stadium.
2024 WPIAL High School Football Playoff Brackets