This marks the penultimate week of the WPIAL football regular season. While very few teams have clinched playoff berths yet, that will likely change drastically after this set of games. Approximately a dozen Westmoreland County teams are still in the postseason picture, so their contests this weekend will hold the utmost importance. Meanwhile, the Greensburg Central Catholic matchup against Frazier has been postponed, as the Commodores did not have a sufficient number of healthy players. Here’s an examination of all of the county matchups in Week Eight.

Mount Lebanon (1-7, 1-3) at Hempfield Area (3-5, 2-3) – 7 p.m.

Pregame at 6:30 p.m. on WSN VIDEO - WATCH LIVE

WSN Broadcasters: Sean Meyers and Jack Ridenour

About the Blue Devils: Mount Lebanon suffered a 42-34 loss at Penn Hills last week in a nonconference matchup. In that setback, Blue Devils QB Patrick Smith proved prolific, as he hit on 15-of-24 throws for 195 yards and a score, and he rushed 19 times for 213 yards and three TDs on the ground. Noah Schaerli caught six passes for 104 yards and a score. On the year, Smith has amassed 1,178 yards passing and six touchdowns, along with 10 interceptions, and he’s compiled 119 carries for 677 yards and 10 rushing scores. Schaerli has notched 45 receptions for 634 yards, while Kris Kambitis has rushed 67 times for 191 yards and caught 20 passes for 141 yards. On the year, the Blue Devils have been outpaced 252-137. Veteran coach Greg Perry is in his first season at the helm of Mount Lebanon.

About the Spartans: Hempfield Area was unable to score in the second half, as the Spartans fell to homestanding Seneca Valley 27-15 in a Class 6A matchup one week ago. Dom Detruf went 11-of-23 passing for 171 yards and two scores for Hempfield, while Jack Kopas caught five passes for 101 yards and a score. Aidan Allison also caught a touchdown pass for Hempfield Area, and Sawyer Leuthold booted a 27-yard field goal. On the campaign, Detruf has completed 91-of-180 throws for 1,253 yards, with 11 touchdowns and a dozen picks. Kopas paces the pass catchers with 29 receptions for 407 yards, while Aidan Stinebiser has rushed for 548 yards, caught 11 passes for 136 yards, and notched five total touchdowns. The Spartans have been outscored by a margin of 266-153.

About the Matchup: With a win, the Spartans will clinch a playoff berth in Class 6A. If the Blue Devils prevail, they would surpass the Spartans in the standings and hold the tiebreaker. The most recent clash in 2021 went in favor of Mount Lebanon 48-14.

Woodland Hills (6-2, 4-0) at Franklin Regional (6-2, 3-1) – 7 p.m.

Pregame at 6:30 p.m. on WSN VIDEO - WATCH LIVE

WSN Broadcaster: Jonathan Whaley

About the Wolverines: Woodland Hills narrowly edged Gateway 28-27 last week in Class 5A Big East Conference action. In the triumph, signalcaller Cam Walter hit on 14-of-28 throws for 184 yards and a score, while Scoop Smith caught eight passes for 117 yards and a touchdown. On the season, Walter has completed 72-of-133 throws for 1,133 yards, with a dozen touchdowns and three interceptions, while Smith has caught 33 passes for 590 yards and scored a team-best 10 TDs. Elijah Nesby paces the rushing attack with 294 yards on the ground, while Mikail Connor is narrowly behind with 286 yards rushing. Kicker Jacob Mroz has booted three field goals. Winners of five straight, the Wolverines average 30.7 points per game, tops in the conference. Coach Brian Tarrant is at the helm of Woodland Hills.

About the Panthers: Franklin Regional was doomed by special teams’ blunders in a 26-10 loss at Penn-Trafford in the Class 5A Big East Conference one week ago. The PT special teams converted a 32-yard field goal, blocked a field goal, recovered a fumble, and forced a safety following a blocked punt. In the loss, Kyle Dupill rushed 25 times for 106 yards and a touchdown for the Panthers, while QB Chase Lemke went 8-of-24 for 144 yards, with two interceptions. In 2024, Dupill has rushed 202 times for 1,378 yards, scoring 13 times. Lemke has registered 1,106 yards passing, along with 13 touchdowns and eight interceptions, and he’s rushed for 163 yards. Tight end Mac Bresnahan has produced 17 receptions spanning 371 yards.

About the Matchup: While the Panthers can move into a tie for first place in the Class 5A Big East Conference with a win, a Wolverines’ triumph would secure a conference title for Woodland Hills. The previous meeting took place in 2022 in the Class 5A quarterfinals, as Woody High claimed a 21-0 win

Derry Area (3-5, 0-3) at Mount Pleasant (4-4, 2-1) – 7 p.m.

Pregame at 6:30 p.m. on WSN VIDEO - WATCH LIVE

WSN Broadcasters: John Flickinger and Tom Esposito

About the Trojans: Derry Area’s offense was stifled in a 28-0 home loss to Greensburg Salem in Class 3A Interstate Conference action last Friday. In pitching the shutout, the Golden Lions permitted just 79 yards of offense to the Trojans and forced a pair of turnovers. Derry Area QB Anthony Sacco was limited to 5-of-14 passing for 18 yards and an interception. During their three-game skid, the Trojans have been outscored 115-28. Scoring 15.1 points per contest, Derry Area has the lowest scoring average among conference teams.

About the Vikings: Mount Pleasant could not slow down Southmoreland QB Anthony Smith, who led the Scotties to a 28-7 victory in a Class 3A Interstate Conference showdown one week ago. Jarett Garn caught one pass for 45 yards and scored a rushing touchdown for the Vikings, while QB Cole Chatfield completed 4-of-12 throws for 67 yards and an interception. On the campaign, Garn has rushed 56 times for 367 yards and caught 10 passes for 213 yards, scoring five total touchdowns, and he’s also kicked four field goals. Brody Hutter leads the Vikes with 422 yards rushing and seven TDs, while Chatfield has thrown for 681 yards and rushed for 213 yards. On the year, Mount Pleasant has been narrowly outscored, 192-173.

About the Matchup: Mount Pleasant Area sits alone in third place in the Class 3A Interstate Conference, while the Trojans are one of two winless teams remaining in conference play. In the most recent battle in 2021, the Vikings rolled to a 63-14 victory.

Southmoreland (7-1, 3-0) at Elizabeth Forward (5-3, 3-0) – 7 p.m.

Pregame at 6:30 p.m. on WSN VIDEO - WATCH LIVE

WSN Broadcasters: Dave Franczak and John Bainbridge

About the Scotties: Anthony Smith threw for 282 yards and three scores in leading Southmoreland to a 28-7 victory at Mount Pleasant Area in a Class 3A Interstate Conference showdown last week. Smith hit on 16-of-28 attempts, setting the single-season passing touchdown mark for Southmoreland, while Makell Darnell caught four passes for 113 yards, including a touchdown. Elliot Premus added five receptions for 52 yards and a TD, and he notched a rushing score for the Scotties. On the year, Smith has connected on 98-of-176 throws for 1,775, with 21 TDs and nine interceptions. Premus has snagged 41 receptions for 801 yards and a team-high 11 touchdowns, while Jackson Mickens and Makel Darnell have added 349 and 303 yards receiving, respectively. Cam Phillips anchors the ground game for Southmoreland with 79 carries for 602 yards. The Scotties boast a scoring advantage of 307-162.

About the Warriors: Elizabeth Forward’s potent offense helped the Warriors cruise to a 45-7 home win against Yough in the Class 3A Interstate Conference last Friday. EF’s quarterback Ryan Messina threw for 247 yards and three scores on 9-of-11 attempts, while he rushed three times for 61 yards and another score. On the season, Messina has connected on 92-of-131 throws for 1,513 yards, with 20 touchdowns, and he’s added 359 yards and nine scores on the ground. Charlie Nigut has amassed 114 carries for 838 yards, 22 receptions for 388 yards, and 19 touchdowns. The Warriors have outpaced their adversaries 318-160 on the season. John DeMarco is in his second year leading EF.

About the Matchup: First place in the Class 3A Interstate Conference is at stake, with the winner also clinching a postseason spot. Last year, the Warriors notched a 31-24 victory. DeMarco is a former assistant at Southmoreland.

Springdale (0-7, 0-5) at Jeannette (5-3, 2-3) – 7 p.m.

Pregame at 6:30 p.m. on WSN AUDIO - LISTEN LIVE

WSN Broadcasters: Brent Whigham and Anthony DeNunzio

About the Dynamos: Springdale was whitewashed in a 51-0 loss against Greensburg Central Catholic at Burrell High School in Class 1A Eastern Conference play last Friday. The Dynamos have been shutout in six of their seven losses, scoring their only six points of the season in a loss against Brentwood. Conversely, Springdale has permitted 362 points on the season. Coach Chad Walsh patrols the sidelines for Springdale.

About the Jayhawks: A touchdown run and subsequent two-point conversion, both by Kymon’e Brown, with seven seconds left lifted Jeannette to a thrilling 42-41 win at Brentwood in a critical Class 1A Eastern Conference contest one week ago. Brown amassed 366 yards and four touchdowns through the air, and he added 97 yards and two scores on the ground for the Jayhawks. Meanwhile, Jayce Powell caught 10 passes for 128 yards, and Noah Sunder accumulated 4 receptions for 120 yards and three TDs. On the campaign, Brown has hit on 56-of-102 throws for 917 yards, with 13 touchdowns and eight picks, rushed 83 times for 820 yards, and scored eight total touchdowns. Powell paces Jeannette receivers with 30 grabs for 468 yards and 11 TDs. Jeannette has been outscored by a margin of 269-229.

About the Matchup: While Springdale is one of two teams yet to register a win in Class 1A Eastern Conference play, Jeannette is tied for fifth place. Last year, the Jayhawks posted a dominant 49-12 triumph.

Norwin (2-6, 0-4) at Canon-McMillian (2-6, 1-3) – 7 p.m.

About the Knights: Norwin had no answer for Xxavier Thomas, who scored on offense, defense, and special teams in Pittsburgh Central Catholic’s dominant 59-14 win against host Norwin in Class 6A play last week. Trailing 59-0 at the half, Jackson Huss and Jake Sincak each notched touchdown receptions for the Knights. Despite missing a couple of games due to injury, QB Tristyn Tavares has connected on 65-of-134 throws for 817 yards, with four TDs, and he’s rushed 41 times for 300 yards and seven scores. Gio Rothrauff has accumulated 95 carries for 339 yards, while Jake Knight has posted 22 receptions for 327 yards. The Knights, who are riding a six-game skid, have been outscored 256-155 on the campaign.

About the Big Macs: Canon-McMillan sustained a 38-6 loss at home against North Allegheny last week in Class 6A action. In the defeat, Ty Jansma completed 18-of-35 throws for 149 yards, with a score and two picks. Roman Cimarolli caught four passes for 46 yards and a TD, while Braylon Wingfield hauled in five passes for 41 yards. In 2024, Jansma has connected on 129-of-237 throws for 1,391 yards, with six scores and a dozen interceptions. Ethan Campoli leads the Big Macs with 33 receptions for 461 yards, while Evan Morris has accumulated 472 yards and eight touchdowns. Coach Mike Evans is at the helm of Canon-McMillan.

About the Matchup: Norwin is the last team still in pursuit of a win in Class 6A play, while Canon-McMillan is deadlocked for fifth place. In the last meeting in 2021, the Knights prevailed 16-7.

Penn-Trafford (6-2, 3-1) at Armstrong (2-6, 0-4) – 7 p.m.

About the Warriors: Keyed by a couple of scores courtesy of Tasso Whipple, homestanding Penn-Trafford bested Franklin Regional 26-10 in the Class 5A Big East Conference. Whipple rushed for 90 yards in the contest, including a TD on the Warriors first drive that put them ahead for good. The PT special teams converted a 32-yard field goal via Jack Miller, blocked a field goal, recovered a fumble, and forced a safety following a blocked punt. Jonny Lovre added a 1-yard TD run for the Warriors. For the year, Whipple has produced 144 carries for 1,251 yards, 13 grabs for 213 yards, and 10 total touchdowns. Lovre has completed 78-of-135 attempts for 961 yards, with eight touchdowns and seven interceptions, while Jack Weishaar has registered 26 receptions for 345 yards and six TDs. The Warriors, who have won four games in a row, boast the best scoring defense in the conference, permitting just 14.3 points per contest.

About the River Hawks: Armstrong dropped a 21-14 outcome at home against Kiski Area in the Class 5A Big East Conference one week ago. In the defeat, quarterback Jaydon Oliver completed 11-of-31 attempts for 141 yards and an interception, and he added seven carries for 51 yards and a TD. Costa Couknas, who rushed for 98 yards, also found paydirt. For the year, Oliver has amassed 1,363 yards passing and a dozen touchdowns, while adding 384 yards and four scores on the ground. Kyan Kline leads the River Hawks with 34 receptions for 621 yards, while Couknas has compiled 406 yards on the ground. After winning its first two games, Armstrong has dropped six straight. Frank Fabian is the veteran head coach for the River Hawks.

About the Matchup: Penn-Trafford is currently tied for second place in the Class 5A Big East Conference, while Armstrong sits at the bottom of the standings. The squads last met in 2017, when the Warriors cruised to a 49-3 win.

Greater Latrobe (4-4, 1-3) at Gateway (3-5, 2-3) – 7 p.m.

About the Wildcats: Oobi Strader threw for four touchdowns for Pine-Richland, as Greater Latrobe was whitewashed 42-0 in a nonconference clash last week. In the loss, the third straight for the Wildcats, John Wetzel went 3-for-4 passing for 28 yards, and he rushed 17 times for 99 yards. On the campaign, Wetzel has gone 51-of-88 for 676 yards passing, with two TDs and six interceptions, and he has posted 128 carries for 794 yards and six touchdowns on the ground. Alex Tatsch, who is out for the season with injury, still leads GL with 10 total touchdowns. Andy Tatsch is the top receiver, with 20 catches for 339 yards, while Brady Prohovic has notched 75 carries for 306 yards. Greater Latrobe has narrowly outscored its foes 162-157.

About the Gators: Gateway fell 28-27 at Woodland Hills last week in Class 5A Big East Conference action, as a late two-point conversion attempt failed. In the setback, freshman QB Elvis Koutsakis went 19-of-35 for 170 yards, with two touchdowns and two interceptions, and he added 37 yards and a score as a rusher. Amani Gans contributed 14 carries for 66 yards and a TD, while Shawn Moorefield Jr. and Kacey Carter each had five receptions for 54 yards and a touchdown. For the campaign, Moorefield Jr. has registered 46 catches for 643 yards, while Gans has amassed 112 carries for 531 yards, caught 23 passes spanning 300 yards, and scored 12 total touchdowns. The Gators permit 28.6 points per game, the second-worst mark in the conference. Don Holl is the heralded head coach of Gateway.

About the Matchup: The Gators are currently tied for fourth place in the Class 5A Big East Conference, while the Wildcats sit in sixth. The last meeting in 2021 was lopsided in favor of Gateway, 53-7.

Belle Vernon Area (3-3, 2-1) at Ringgold (1-6, 0-3) – 7 p.m.

About the Leopards: Curty Wade and Kole Doppelheuer each had big performances in leading Belle Vernon Area to a 47-10 win at home against Laurel Highlands in the Class 4A Big Six Conference one week ago. Wade factored into four touchdowns, as he went 7-of-12 passing for 111 yards and three touchdowns, and he added another TD on the ground. Doppelheuer, meanwhile, compiled 169 yards rushing and a score on 19 carries, and he added a TD reception in the triumph. Anthony Crews delivered a pair of touchdowns for BVA. Over their past two victories, the Leopards have produced 115 points.

About the Rams: Last week, Ringgold postponed its game against Thomas Jefferson as the Rams were undergoing an investigation regarding alleged misconduct. The program has opted to resume its season this week, however. On the year, the Rams have been outpaced by a margin of 166-69. Robert Heller is the head coach of Ringgold.

About the Matchup: Belle Vernon Area is deadlocked for second place in the Class 4A Big Six Conference, while Ringgold is the only winless team left in conference play. In the most recent clash in 2021, the Leopards reigned supreme 35-14.

Greensburg Salem (5-3, 1-2) at Yough (2-6, 0-3) – 7 p.m.

About the Golden Lions: A suffocating defensive effort carried Greensburg Salem to a 28-0 victory at Derry Area in Class 3A Interstate Conference action last Friday. In pitching the shutout, the Golden Lions permitted just 79 yards of offense to the Trojans and forced a pair of turnovers. Kai Brunot notched a pair of rushing scores for GS, as he posted 11 carries for 78 yards, while Brody Chismar hit on 7-of-17 throws for 44 yards and a score, and he added 75 yards on the ground. Brady Smith produced another score for the Golden Lions, compiling 45 yards on 14 carries. For the year, Brunot and Dom Rosensteel are tied for the team lead with six touchdowns apiece. Greensburg Salem boasts the top scoring defense in the conference, allowing 17.2 points per contest.

About the Cougars: Yough was unable to slow down Elizabeth Forward’s potent offense, as the Cougars suffered a 45-7 loss in the Class 3A Interstate Conference one week ago. In the defeat, the Cougars were paced by QB Raidon Kuroda, who went 9-of-27 for 114 yards, including a touchdown pass to Ryan Sarver. The Cougars, who have lost six in a row, have permitted 29.2 points per game, the worst mark in the conference.

About the Matchup: While Greensburg Salem sits alone in fourth place in the Class 3A Interstate Conference, the Cougars are one of two teams winless in the conference ledger. The most recent meeting, a decade ago, went in favor of the Golden Lions 27-7.

Imani Christian Academy (8-0, 4-0) at Burrell (2-6, 2-2) – 7 p.m.

About the Saints: Imani Christian Academy remained perfect last week with a 48-0 shellacking of Deer Lakes in Class 3A Allegheny Seven Conference action. In the home triumph, Gabe Jenkins rushed 11 times for 256 yards and four TDs, while QB Steve Vandiver went 17-for-20 for 240 yards and two scores. Dayshaun Burnett, a Penn State commit, caught seven passes for 88 yards and a score, while Markus Williams had four grabs for 70 yards and a TD. For the season, Vandiver has hit on 69-of-119 passes for 1,148 yards, with 17 TDs and three interceptions. Jenkins has amassed 70 carries for 682 yards and a team-best 13 scores, while Burnett paces the Saints with 21 grabs for 259 yards, scoring seven times. The Saints have posted four shutouts and hold a scoring margin of 346-72 on the year. Laroi Johnson is at the helm of Imani Christian.

About the Buccaneers: Burrell’s offense was held under wraps, while the Buccaneers had no answer for Menage Lucas, who led Highlands to a 61-0 win at home last Friday in Class 3A Allegheny Seven play. Burrell’s Trey Coury was limited to 20 carries spanning 18 yards, while Stevie Hasson completed two passes for 23 yards. On the year, Coury paces the Bucs with six scores, while Hasson has thrown for two and added three more on the ground. Burrell is averaging 9.6 points per game, by far the lowest mark in the conference.

About the Matchup: Imani Christian has already secured a playoff spot from the Class 3A Allegheny Seven Conference, while Burrell sits in fourth place. Last year, the Saints notched a 35-8 victory.

Valley (0-8, 0-4) at Deer Lakes (6-2, 3-1) – 7 p.m.

Steel Valley (5-3, 3-1) at Ligonier Valley (3-5, 1-3) – 7 p.m.

About the Ironmen: Steel Valley notched a dominant 42-7 home win against Our Lady of the Sacred Heart in the Class 2A Allegheny Conference last Friday. In the triumph, Donald Barksdale rushed 17 times for 153 yards and four scores, while Da’Ron Barksdale registered nine carries for 69 yards and a pair of TDs. For the campaign, Donald Barksdale has produced 125 carries for 1,239 yards, with 20 touchdowns, while Da’Ron Barksdale has compiled 31 carries for 284 yards, seven receptions for 110 yards, and seven touchdowns. During their four-game winning streak, the Ironmen have scored 40 or more points in each contest. In their three losses, however, the Ironmen have totaled just 13 points. SV has allowed 13.7 points per game. Ray Braszo is the accomplished head coach of Steel Valley.

About the Rams: Ligonier Valley was blanked in a 33-0 loss to South Park last week in the Class 2A Allegheny Conference. The Rams mustered just 100 yards of offense in the loss, as QB Bowie Schreyer went 5-of-9 for 52 yards. For the year, John Jablunovsky has rushed 141 times for 1,025 yards, scoring a dozen times, while Schreyer has hit on 39-of-79 attempts for 684 yards, with seven touchdowns and 11 picks. LV has been outscored by a total of 236-156.

About the Matchup: While Steel Valley sits in third place in the Class 2A Allegheny Conference, Ligonier Valley is tied for fifth. A year ago, the Ironmen claimed a 35-0 win.

Plum (2-6, 2-2) at Kiski Area (3-5, 2-3) – 7 p.m.

About the Mustangs: Plum scored a decisive 49-10 home win against Fox Chapel Area last week in the Class 5A Northeast Conference. Darian Nelson rushed eight times for 153 yards and two scores, Nicky Odom added 97 yards rushing and a score, and Sloan Humphries registered five grabs for 122 yards. In 2024, Odom has rushed 134 times for 583 yards, while Nelson has snagged 29 receptions for 356 yards and Humphries has posted 33 catches for 353 yards. Three different players have attempted at least 29 passes for the Mustangs, with John Nonnenberg leading the way with 47-of-90 attempts for 402 yards, producing four TDs and four interceptions. The Mustangs have been outscored 211-144 this year. Matt Morgan is the veteran head coach of Plum.

About the Cavaliers: Carson Heinle connected with Aven Shirley on a pair of touchdowns, as Kiski Area edged host Armstrong 21-14 last Friday in a Class 5A Big East Conference tussle. Heinle compiled 120 yards through the air, and Shirley caught seven passes. Landon Kucic continued to be effective leading the rushing attack for the Cavaliers, as he registered 114 yards and a score on the ground. On the season, Kucic has rushed 159 times for 785 yards and a team-leading 12 touchdowns. Heinle has completed 89-of-140 passes for 1,187 yards, with a dozen touchdowns and four interceptions. Shirley, meanwhile, has notched 40 receptions for 672 yards and 10 TDs. The Cavs, who have won two straight, have been outscored by the narrowest of margins, 194-193, on the year.

About the Matchup: This is a Class 5A nonconference tilt, as the Mustangs play in the Northeast Conference, while the Cavaliers reside in the Big East Conference. One year ago, Plum claimed a 28-18 victory.

Monessen (7-1, 3-1) at Bishop Canevin (5-2, 3-1) – SATURDAY 7 p.m.