As the WPIAL football schedule continues to surge closer to the stretch run of the regular season, conference games hold greater significance with each passing week. This week’s slate is filled with rivalry matchups across Westmoreland County, including four all-Westmoreland battles. Here’s a further inspection of the slate of games across the county for Week Seven.

Hempfield Area (3-3, 2-1) at Norwin (4-2, 1-1) at Penn-Trafford High School – 7 p.m.

Pregame at 6:30 p.m. on WSN VIDEO

WSN Crew: Gino Antimarino and John Bainbridge; Kris Smith; Dan Flickinger

About the Spartans: Hempfield Area exploded for 28 points in the fourth quarter, with Anthony Carello leading the way in a 41-14 home triumph against Seneca Valley in a Class 6A showdown last Friday. Carello rushed four times for 142 yards and a score, and he added a 31-yard pick six for the Spartans. Carden Lippmann went 11-of-19 passing for 110 yards, and he rushed seven times for 41 yards and a score for Hempfield. For the season, Lippmann has completed 85-of-148 throws for 1,317 yards, with nine TDs and six picks, and he’s also rushed for a team-best 314 yards, scoring four times on the ground. Lucas Simmons has posted 24 catches for 324 yards, while DeRon Hunter has snagged 21 receptions spanning 378 yards, and he’s scored four times. Andrew Bentz leads Hempfield Area with nine touchdowns.

About the Knights: Norwin stopped North Hills just shy of the goal line as time expired, preserving a 24-17 road win in a nonconference clash last week. Potter Brozeski was an offensive catalyst for the Knights, as he caught two passes for 100 yards and a score, and added an 18-yard TD run. Norwin QB Max Ritz also scored on an 18-yard scamper, and Giovanni Rothrauff added 215 yards rushing. On the campaign, Rothrauff has rushed 189 times, which leads the WPIAL, for 992 yards, scoring eight times. Brozeski has 31 receptions for 530 yards and has found paydirt seven times. Ritz, meanwhile, has hit on 63-of-125 throws for 783 yards, with eight TDs and two interceptions, and he’s added 42 carries for 218 yards.

About the Matchup: Hempfield Area is currently tied for second in Class 6A, while Norwin is deadlocked in fourth. One year ago, the Knights prevailed 33-26.

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

Pregame at 6:30 p.m. on WSN VIDEO

WSN Crew: Jonathan Whaley; Dante Parsons; Matt Palombo

About the Panthers: Franklin Regional had no answers for Gateway’s offense, as the Panthers suffered a 47-9 defeat at home in a Class 5A Big East Conference tilt one week ago. Quarterback Dominick Devola ran for 142 yards and the lone TD for the Panthers. For the year, Jet Taylor leads FR with 76 carries for 498 yards, scoring four times, while Gage Williams has racked up 63 carries for 299 yards, notching a team-leading five TDs. Brock Bowser, who has battled injuries multiple times this season, has hit on 18-of-35 throws for 183 yards. The Panthers are allowing 40.8 points per game.

About the Wildcats: Dom Scarton and the Greater Latrobe defense led the Wildcats to a lopsided 35-0 triumph against Fox Chapel Area in the Class 5A Big East Conference last week. Scarton threw for 143 yards and two scores, while AJ Yeboah and Dante Durigon each found the end zone twice for the Wildcats. Meanwhile, the GL defense blanked the Foxes. Through six weeks, Yeboah has posted 69 carries for 529 yards, scoring five times, while Durigon has amassed 58 carries for 280 yards and six total touchdowns. Scarton has hit on 55-of-87 passes for 866 yards, with a dozen scores and two interceptions. Ty Wisniewski has hauled in 26 passes for 388 yards, making five trips to the end zone. The Wildcats hold a scoring advantage of 176-107.

About the Matchup: The Panthers are in fifth in the Class 5A Big East Conference, while the Wildcats reside in third. Last year, Greater Latrobe emerged victorious, 13-7.

Derry Area (2-4, 0-2) at Elizabeth Forward (6-0, 3-0) – 7 p.m.

Pregame at 6:30 p.m. on WSN VIDEO

WSN Crew: John Flickinger and Tom Esposito

About the Trojans: Homestanding Derry Area was narrowly edge by Belle Vernon Area 14-7 in a Class 3A Interstate Conference showdown last week. In the defeat for the Trojans, Max Doherty rushed 17 times for 67 yards, while Anthony Sacco passed for 98 yards on 11-of-22 throws, including a TD to Noah Stough. On the year, Doherty has notched a team-high 11 touchdowns, while Stough ranks second with three scores. The Trojans have been outpaced by a margin of 163-133.

About the Warriors: Elizabeth Forward overwhelmed Greensburg Salem 55-8 in the Class 3A Interstate Conference last week. Kaden Allen threw for 147 yards and a touchdown, while rushing for another score for the Warriors. Rocco Thompon added 112 yards rushing and scored twice. Through six weeks, Allen has completed 42-of-68 throws for 552 yards, with three touchdowns, and he’s compiled 62 carries for 625 yards, scoring 11 times on the ground. Thompson, meanwhile, has accumulated 87 rushing attempts for 756 yards, registering 15 touchdowns. Logan Rider leads EF with 11 receptions. The Warriors boast a scoring margin of 255-69. John DeMarco serves as the head coach of Elizabeth Forward.

About the Matchup: Derry Area is in sixth place in the Class 3A Interstate Conference, one of two teams yet to secure a conference win. Conversely, the Warriors are atop the standings, and are one of two unblemished teams in conference play. A year ago, EF left no doubt, rolling to a 56-7 triumph.

Jeannette (5-1, 3-0) at Greensburg Central Catholic (5-1, 2-0) – 7 p.m.

Pregame at 6:30 p.m. on WSN VIDEO

WSN Crew: Sean Meyers and Anthony DeNunzio; Ricky Pitzer

About the Jayhawks: Jeannette rallied from a fourth-quarter deficit to edge Serra Catholic 21-14 in a Class 1A Eastern Conference battle last Friday. Jayce Powell notched a 55-yard TD run for the decisive points with less than five minutes left in the fourth for the Jayhawks, his second rushing score of the game. Powell finished with 11 carries spanning 114 yards. McAllister Steele also booted a pair of field goals for Jeannette. For the season, Powell has 31 carries for 294 yards, 20 receptions spanning 287 yards, and has scored 10 total touchdowns. Hunter Schaffer has caught eight passes for 225 yards and has found paydirt on five occasions. QB Anthony Stuchell has hit on 44-of-79 throws for 716 yards, with eight touchdowns and two picks. After allowing 49 points in the season opener, the Jayhawks have permitted just 35 points in the five subsequent games.

About the Centurions: Blase Bugosh continued to propel Greensburg Central Catholic’s potent offense last Friday in a 49-21 home victory against Leechburg in the Class 1A Eastern Conference. Bugosh compiled 155 yards rushing and three scores for the Centurions, while Tommy Dlugos posted two scores, and Carson Kramer hit on 8-of-13 throws for 116 yards and a pair of TDs. For the year, Bugosh has amassed 73 carries for 752 yards, scoring 19 touchdowns, which ranks second in the WPIAL. Signal caller Carson Kramer has connected on 29-of-49 throws for 478 yards, with six touchdowns and two interceptions. His favorite target is Lucca Denis, who has a dozen catches for 242 yards. On the campaign, GCC has outpaced its foes by a margin of 221-78.

About the Matchup: Both of the teams are undefeated in the Class 1A Eastern Conference, with the Jayhawks holding the top spot, and the Centurions tied for second. In 2025, Jeannette prevailed 37-22.

Penn-Trafford (6-0, 2-0) at Fox Chapel Area (1-5, 0-3) – 7 p.m.

About the Warriors: Kason Offield returned the opening kick 97 yards for a touchdown, and Penn-Trafford never looked back in a 42-20 mercy-rule win at home against Penn Hills in a nonconference matchup last week. The Warriors took a 42-0 lead in the first half, as Ben Grabowski connected on TD passes to Nick Ponko twice, as well as Trent Brown and Nathan Jarosz. Landyn Stikkel added a touchdown run for PT. Grabowski finished 7-of-8 passing for 165 yards and four scores, and he rushed five times for 42 yards. Ponko hauled in three catches for 78 yards. For the year, Grabowski has connected on 42-of-65 throws for 796 yards, with a dozen touchdowns and two interceptions, and he also leads PT with 60 carries for 443 yards, scoring four times. Ponko has compiled 22 receptions for 384 yards, scoring a dozen total touchdowns. PT has outscored the competition by a margin of 278-63.

About the Foxes: Fox Chapel Area was blanked 35-0 against Greater Latrobe in a Class 5A Big East Conference tilt one week ago. In the defeat, Axel Swanson completed just 2-of-12 throws for 49 yards and an interception, while Joe Yoshikawa paced the Foxes with 38 yards rushing on nine carries. For the season, Gianni Fusaro has seen the lion’s share of snaps at QB, going 30-of-67 for 233 yards, and he also leads Fox Chapel with 69 carries for 216 yards and three scores. Yoshikawa has posted 44 carries for 144 yards. The Foxes have been held to three points or fewer four times this season, including back-to-back shutouts. They have been outscored on the year by a margin of 209-40. Dave Leasure remains at the helm of Fox Chapel Area.

About the Matchup: While Penn-Trafford is one of two unblemished teams in Class 5A Big East Conference play, the Foxes are one of two teams yet to secure a win in the conference. The most recent meeting took place in 2021, when the Warriors defeated the Foxes 42-14 in the WPIAL Class 5A quarterfinals.

Kiski Area (1-5, 0-1) at Hampton (4-2, 1-0) – 7 p.m.

About the Cavaliers: Even with Kemon Spell sidelined, Kiski Area could not slow down McKeesport Area, as the Tigers prevailed 35-7 in the Class 4A Greater Allegheny Conference opener last week. Landyn Artman connected on 16 passes for 168 yards for the Cavaliers, while Teegan Shirley threw a touchdown to Kaleb Varner for the lone Cavs score. For the season, Artman has hit on 84-of-140 throws for 1,143 yards, with nine touchdowns but eight interceptions, and he’s added 68 carries for 290 yards. Bryce Bowman leads KA with 26 receptions, while Daivion McNeil has 22 catches for a team-best 544 yards and eight touchdowns. Ashton Taylor leads the rushing attack with 111 carries covering 452 yards, and he’s scored four times. The Cavaliers are permitting 31.5 points per game.

About the Talbots: Hampton edged Indiana Area 21-12 last week in the opening game in the Class 4A Greater Allegheny Conference. Jake Kennedy led the way, rushing 13 times for 73 yards and two touchdowns. QB Andrew Reschoff went 9-of-14 for 146 yards and a score, while Heath Borgo caught five passes for 100 yards. On the campaign, Reschoff has thrown for 918 yards, with four scores and three interceptions, while Borgo has hauled in 27 receptions for 522 yards. Deacon Csellar is the top rusher, with 65 carries for 301 yards, scoring a team-best five touchdowns. In all four of their wins, the Talbots have allowed between 12 and 14 points. For the year, the Talbots hold a scoring advantage of 114-94. Coach Steve Sciullo, a former NFL player, patrols the sidelines for Hampton.

About the Matchup: While the Cavs are one of the two teams that lost in the Greater Allegheny Conference opener last week, the Talbots are one of the two teams that reigned victorious. The previous meeting took place in 2023, as Hampton prevailed 35-26.

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

About the Vikings: Despite a strong defensive effort, Mount Pleasant Area came up just short in a 17-14 home loss to Freeport Area in a Class 3A nonconference affair one week ago. Brady Brooks had a 95-yard pick-six for the Vikings, while Kaden Hudec rushed 17 times for 78 yards and a TD. However, Judah Thompson kicked the winning 26-yard field goal for the Yellowjackets with 2:22 left. Through six games, Tristan Wtorkiewicz leads Mount Pleasant with 43 carries for 273 yards, scoring nine times. Hudec, meanwhile, has added 40 carries for 268 yards. Signal caller Bobby Smithnosky has connected on 27-of-40 throws for 395 yards, with four touchdowns.

About the Leopards: A Jace Gedekoh touchdown run in the fourth quarter proved the difference, as Belle Vernon Area edged host Derry Area 14-7 in a Class 3A Interstate Conference showdown last week. Gedekoh also connected on 12-of-19 throws for 140 yards for the Leopards, while Cameron Black caught seven passes for 93 yards for BVA. On the year, Gedekoh has completed 56-of-82 throws for 677 yards, with seven touchdowns and two interceptions, and he’s rushed 61 times for 287 yards, notching five TDs. Chace Petrosky leads BVA with 73 carries for 410 yards and six scores, while Black has 21 catches for 246 yards and five touchdowns, and Luca Ghilani has registered 16 receptions for 250 yards and four TDs. The Leopards are allowing just 11.2 points per contest.

About the Matchup: The Leopards sit in second place in the Class 3A Interstate Conference, one of two teams still undefeated, while the Vikings are in fourth place. The most recent battle occurred in 2023, as the Leopards dominated, 55-7.

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

About the Raiders: With Southmoreland QB Dawson Wolfe sidelined, Waynesburg Central overmatched the Scotties 41-14 in a Class 3A Interstate Conference clash one week ago. Teegan Crouse paced the Raiders, rushing for two scores and throwing for another. On the campaign, Crouse has completed 56-of-81 throws for 1,018 yards, with 11 touchdowns and four interceptions, and he’s added 38 rushes for 535 yards, scoring eight times on the ground. Ky-mani Sumpter has 80 carries for 686 yards, finding paydirt 11 times. Jack Rucciuti leads the Raiders with 21 catches for 430 yards, and he’s notched five touchdowns. Waynesburg Central has outscored its opponents 223-80 on the year. Joe Kuhns is at the helm of Waynesburg Central.

About the Golden Lions: Greensburg Salem was on the wrong side of a blowout, as the Golden Lions fell to Elizabeth Forward 55-8 in the Class 3A Interstate Conference last week. In the defeat for the Golden Lions, Brody Chismar connected with Braydon Miller for an 82-yard TD pass. Chismar went 13-of-28 through the air for 153 yards, with a TD and one pick, while Miller caught four passes for 83 yards. Through six weeks, Chismar has hit on 96-of-168 passes for 1,422 yards, with a dozen touchdowns and five interceptions, and he also leads GS with 69 carries for 322 yards, scoring four times on the ground. Miller has 40 receptions, which paces the entire WPIAL, amassing 551 yards and five TDs. Greensburg Salem is permitting 47.0 points per game.

About the Matchup: The Raiders are third in the Class 3A Interstate Conference, while the Golden Lions are at the bottom of the standings. The teams have not met since at least prior to 2003.

South Park (1-5, 0-1) at Yough (0-6, 0-1) – 7 p.m.

About the Eagles: South Park was blanked 35-0 by West Mifflin Area in a Three Rivers Conference matchup last Friday. Eagles QB Kolby Kostelnik went 5-of-14 through the air for 31 yards, while Colsen Heynes rushed 12 times for 25 yards. On the season, Kostelnik has completed 59-of-114 attempts for 559 yards, with five touchdowns and three interceptions. Heynes paces the rushing game with 98 carries for 370 yards, as well as a team-best four touchdowns. The Eagles have been outscored by a margin of 168-82 this year. Brian Abbey reprises his role as head coach for South Park.

About the Cougars: Yough’s offense was unable to get untracked in a 49-0 defeat to Avonworth in the Class 3A Three Rivers Conference last Friday. The Cougars were shut out for the third time this year. For the season, Joey Bibby and Atticus Kimmell have each scored twice, which accounts for all of the touchdowns for Yough. The Cougars have been outscored by their foes by a total of 286-28.

About the Matchup: The Eagles and Cougars are two of the three teams that lost in the Class 3A Three Rivers Conference opener one week ago. In the most recent battle in 2021, South Park whitewashed Yough, 14-0.

Burrell (4-2, 1-1) at Knoch (3-3, 0-3) – 7 p.m.

About the Buccaneers: Burrell held off Valley’s comeback bid last week, as the Buccaneers prevailed 22-14 in a Class 3A Allegheny Seven clash. Antonio Perkins rushed 15 times for 137 yards and a score, and he added another TD through the air for the Buccaneers. Trey Coury also scored for Burrell. For the season, Perkins has 104 carries for 810 yards, scoring 13 touchdowns on the ground, and he’s also connected on 37-of-74 throws for 509 yards and three TDs. Coury has added 83 carries for 422 yards and four total scores, while Fabian Wilson is the top receiver with 13 grabs for 250 yards.

About the Knights: Knoch suffered a 42-6 loss last week on the road against North Catholic in Class 3A Allegheny Seven Conference action. Blake Montgomery accounted for the only TD, as he posted eight carries for 48 yards. On the year, Ethan Rouleau leads Knoch with 92 carries for 574 yards, scoring six touchdowns. Additionally, quarterback Max Wiley has thrown for 600 yards and seven scores. During their current three-game skid, the Knights have scored 20 total points. Knoch head coach T.J. Wiley is in his second year leading the program.

About the Matchup: Burrell is in a three-way tie for third place in the Class 3A Allegheny Seven Conference, while Knoch is tied for last place. The teams have not met since 1999, when Knoch scored a 23-20 victory.

Freeport Area (5-1, 1-1) at Valley (2-4, 0-3) – 7 p.m.

About the Yellowjackets: A late score proved the difference in Freeport Area’s 17-14 road win against Mount Pleasant Area in a Class 3A nonconference affair last week. Judah Thompson kicked the winning 26-yard field goal for the Yellowjackets with 2:22 left. Danny King threw for 139 yards and two scores for Freeport Area. Through six games, King has passed for 793 yards and a dozen TDs, and he’s also rushed 52 times for 412 yards. Braydon Pomaybo has accumulated 40 carries for 317 yards. Coach John Gaillot continues to lead Freeport Area.

About the Vikings: Valley’s comeback bid came up short in a 22-14 defeat to Burrell in a Class 3A Allegheny Seven clash last week. Skyler Lincoln went 11-of-22 passing for 116 yards and a TD for the Vikings, while Juzef Betts posted 15 carries for 63 yards and Sean Wilkerson added a rushing touchdown. On the year, Davell McWright leads Valley with five touchdowns, while Wilkerson has scored four times. The Vikings have been outscored by a margin of 185-95.

East Allegheny (2-4, 0-3) at Ligonier Valley (6-0, 2-0) – 7 p.m.

About the Wildcats: East Allegheny fell at home to Apollo-Ridge 41-13 last week in a Class 2A Allegheny Conference matchup. In the defeat, Rajab Oakes tossed a pair of touchdowns, a 36-yard connection with Tanner Loya and a 12-yard pass to Dontae Campbell. After opening the season with consecutive wins, the Wildcats have lost four in a row. EA has been outscored 178-111 for the year. Coach Frank Cortazzo patrols the sidelines for East Allegheny.

About the Rams: Ligonier Valley continued to blow out the competition, smashing homestanding Brownsville Area 52-7 in a Class 2A Allegheny Conference game. Levi Foust threw a pair of TDs, and he added another on the ground for the Rams. Gregory Sleasman hauled in two touchdowns, while Blake Hitt scored twice on the ground. On the campaign, Foust has converted 30-of-58 throws for 666 yards, with 11 touchdowns and three interceptions, and he’s accumulated 77 carries for 730 yards, scoring nine times on the ground. Hitt has added 54 carries for 530 yards and six touchdowns, while Sleasman has produced 11 receptions for 287 yards and six TDs. LV has outpaced its adversaries 281-57 this year.

About the Matchup: East Allegheny is one of three teams sitting at 0-3 in the Class 2A Allegheny Conference, while Ligonier Valley is one of a trio of teams at 2-0. The teams have not played since LV returned to the WPIAL in 2020.

Southmoreland (2-4) at Highlands (5-1) – 7 p.m.

About the Scotties: With Dawson Wolfe sidelined, Southmoreland was overmatched in a 41-14 loss to Waynesburg Central in a Class 3A Interstate Conference clash one week ago. The Scotties, who trailed 41-0 at the half, received TDs from Reese Jordan and Colton Cochran. To this point of the season, Wolfe has completed 27-of-58 throws for 277 yards, and has contributed 84 carries for 443 yards, scoring nine times. Brown and Jordan have added 330 yards and 292 yards on the ground, respectively. Brock Geho paces the Scotties with 21 receptions for 231 yards. Southmoreland has been outscored 191-113 this year.

About the Golden Rams: Highlands narrowly prevailed at Deer Lakes, 31-28, last week in the Class 3A Allegheny Seven Conference. Tevin Owen-Cratsenberg continued his unbelievable season, as he rushed 38 times for 287 yards and three touchdowns. QB Logan Theis went 4-of-11 passing for 85 yards, but added a rushing TD. Through six games, Owen-Cratsenberg has 167 carries for a WPIAL-leading 1,532 yards and 21 total touchdowns. Theis has accumulated 615 yards and five touchdowns through the air, and has also rushed for 359 yards. Jackson Babinsack has booted eight field goals. Veteran coach Matt Bonislawski oversees Highlands.

About the Matchup: This is a Class 3A nonconference clash, as the Scotties are in the Interstate, and the Golden Rams are in the Allegheny Seven. The teams met in the WPIAL Class 3A playoffs two years ago, as Highlands rolled to a 56-20 win in the first round.

Monessen (4-2) at Leechburg Area (0-6) – 7 p.m.

About the Greyhounds: Monessen fell in a close contest for the second week in a row last Friday, losing 7-6 against Brentwood in the Class 1A Black Hills Conference. Kaier Payne threw for 145 yards for the Greyhounds, while Da’Mari Miles scored a rushing touchdown. For the season, Payne has thrown for 963 yards, with eight TDs and five interceptions. Jay’veyon Jefferies and Kayden Kolbeck are tied for the team lead with five touchdowns apiece.

About the Blue Devils: Leechburg couldn’t contain Blase Bugosh, who propelled Greensburg Central Catholic to a 49-21 victory against the Blue Devils in the Class 1A Eastern Conference one week ago. For the Blue Devils, QB Jaxon Vargo went 22-of-49 for 307 yards and three TDs, along with three interceptions, and Dylan Whitlinger posted 10 receptions for 106 yards. Through six games of action, Vargo has connected on 71-of-139 passing attempts for 991 yards, with nine TDs and eight picks, and he’s also rushed 45 times for 212 yards. Whitlinger has posted 32 grabs for 524 yards and five scores.