Heat week commences

With the 2026 WPIAL football campaign on the horizon, teams will start their preseason with heat acclimatization today. Since 2013, the PIAA has required that players attend five consecutive days of heat week before commencing full-contact practice next week. The first play date this season is Aug. 28, although teams can also opt for a second scrimmage instead.

GCC girls soccer cancels season

One of the most accomplished WPIAL girls soccer programs will not take the field this year, as Greensburg Central Catholic has cancelled the 2026 season due to an insufficient number of players. The Centurions had just eight girls on the roster, prompting the year hiatus. While GCC intends to return to play for the 2027 campaign, that would require an independent schedule. A year ago, GCC went 3-7-0 overall, falling to the Ellis School in the WPIAL Class 1A preliminary round. That marked the 28th-consecutive postseason appearance for the Centurions, a streak which will end this year. GCC has claimed seven WPIAL crowns, the fourth-most in district history.

Bob Madison steps away from Spartans

After three seasons leading the Hempfield Area girls basketball program, Bob Madison stepped down as head coach last month. Madison will remain as an assistant softball coach for the Spartans, with his wife, Tina, overseeing the program. He also serves as a PIAA football official. During his tenure with the Spartans on the hardwood, Madison achieved a mark of 31-35, including 13-10 last campaign. After missing the playoffs in his first two years, Madison guided Hempfield to the postseason in February, where the Spartans lost to Norwin in the WPIAL Class 6A quarterfinals. Madison had previously served as an assistant coach at Laurel Highlands.

SHU football tabbed sixth in PSAC West

Following a season in which Seton Hill University football claimed one of the biggest wins in program history, the Griffins were ranked sixth in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) West Preseason Coaches’ Poll. Indiana University of Pennsylvania, which received five first-place votes, topped the poll, followed by Slippery Rock University, which garnered the three remaining first-place votes. California University of Pennsylvania, Edinboro University, and Clarion University also were ranked ahead of SHU. Lock Haven University, which shifts over from the East Division, and Gannon University rounded out the poll. In 2025, SHU went 4-7 overall, including 2-4 in the PSAC West, highlighted by a 16-7 road victory against No. 6 Cal U. Seton Hill opens this season against East Stroudsburg University at 7 p.m. Aug. 27 at Offutt Field.

Bearcats selected eighth in PAC football poll

Serving as the host of the Presidents’ Athletic Conference (PAC) Football Media Day once again, Saint Vincent College was tabbed eighth in the PAC Preseason Poll released last Tuesday. The Bearcats received 201 points, while Washington & Jefferson College topped the poll with 497 points, including 37 first-place votes. A year ago SVC went 2-8 overall, including 1-7 in the conference.