After 10 weeks of the regular season, postseason football has arrived in the WPIAL. Ten Westmoreland County teams qualified for the second season, and they begin their pursuit of district gold this Friday. Here’s a closer look at all of the area contests to commence the playoffs.

Class 5A First Round

#11 South Fayette (6-4) at #6 Penn-Trafford (8-2) – 7 p.m.

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

WSN Broadcasters: Sean Meyers and John Bainbridge

About the Lions: South Fayette suffered a 28-7 loss at Moon Area last week in Class 5A Allegheny Six Conference play, the fourth loss in a row for the Lions. In the setback, QB Drew Welhorsky went 11-of-26 for 124 yards and a touchdown, a 29-yard connection with Ben Cavenaugh. Welhorsky has been prolific this season, amassing 1,695 yards passing and 14 TDs, along with four interceptions, and he’s added 168 carries for 850 yards and 11 scores. His favorite targets through the air have been Cavenaugh and Alex Deanes, who have contributed 26 receptions for 445 yards and 31 grabs for 402 yards, respectively. During their four-game skid, SF has scored just 31 points combined. On the year, the Lions have outpaced their foes by a margin of 201-167. Marty Spieler is the first-year coach of South Fayette.

About the Warriors: Staked to an early 14-0 lead, Penn-Trafford fended off a late surge to beat Greater Latrobe 20-13 in a Class 5A Big East Conference clash last Friday. Tasso Whipple rushed 29 times for 163 yards and a score for the Warriors, Derek Carr snagged a pick-six and added 47 yards rushing, and Jack Miller converted two field goals. For the season, Whipple has compiled 182 carries for 1,490 yards, with 14 receptions for 236 yards, scoring 13 combined TDs. QB Jonny Lovre has completed 89-of-159 throws for 1,174 yards, with nine TDs and nine picks. Jack Weishaar paces the PT receivers with 28 receptions for 386 yards, scoring six times. The Warriors, who enter the postseason on a six-game surge, have permitted just 14.2 points per game, the best mark in their conference.

About the Matchup: South Fayette finished in fifth from the Allegheny Six Conference and earned a wild card spot, while Penn-Trafford placed second in the Big East Conference. The winner advances to the quarterfinals to face third-seeded Peters Township.

#9 Franklin Regional (7-3) at #8 North Hills (8-2) at Martorelli Stadium – 7 p.m.

About the Panthers: Franklin Regional used a frantic rally, scoring twice in the final two minutes, to edge Armstrong 29-26 in the Class 5A Big East Conference last Friday. Kyle Dupill rushed 24 times for 200 yards for FR, including a touchdown. Trailing by two scores, Franklin Regional’s Chase Lemke connected with Elijah Bennett on a 33-yard TD, and the Panthers recovered the subsequent onside kick. That set up Lemke’s 2-yard touchdown run to give FR the come-from-behind triumph. On the year, Dupill has amassed 252 carries for 1,773 yards, which ranks second in the WPIAL, caught 12 passes for 132 yards, and totaled 15 touchdowns. Lemke has completed 73-of-165 attempts for 1,128 yards, with 14 TDs and nine interceptions, and he’s added 164 yards and five scores on the ground. The top receivers are Bennett, who has 17 grabs for 392 yards, and tight end Mac Bresnahan, who boasts 18 receptions for 377 yards. FR holds an advantage in scoring margin of 279-235.

About the Indians: North Hills edged Central Valley 10-7 in a nonconference tilt last week. Jack Martin accounted for the lone TD for North Hills, as he rushed 15 times for 78 yards and a touchdown. QB Kelly McCarthy completed 8-of-18 throws for 63 yards. On the season, McCarthy has hit on 81-of-158 attempts for 862 yards, with 10 TDs and just two picks, and he’s added 246 yards on the ground. Martin leads North Hills in rushing and receiving yardage, with 516 and 148 yards, respectively. Julius Green, who has 44 carries for 361 yards, paces the squad with seven touchdowns. Jack Scarsella has connected on six field goals. The Indians permit just 12.4 points per game, the best mark in their conference. Coach Pat Carey patrols the sidelines for North Hills.

About the Matchup: Franklin Regional finished in third in the Big East Conference, while North Hills was third in the Northeast Conference. The winner advances to play top-seeded Pine-Richland. Last season, the Indians claimed a narrow 16-14 win.

#12 Greater Latrobe (5-5) at #5 Bethel Park (8-2) – 7 p.m.

About the Wildcats: Greater Latrobe forged a second-half rally but ultimately came up short at home to Penn-Trafford 20-13 in a Class 5A Big East Conference clash last Friday. Andy Tatsch registered a 52-yard interception return score for the Wildcats, while John Wetzel notched a 1-yard TD run. Wetzel went 5-of-12 for 39 yards through the air, while he added 67 yards on 14 rushing attempts. On the campaign, Wetzel has completed 64-of-111 throws for 880 yards, with six touchdowns and seven interceptions, and he’s rushed 169 times for 1,012 yards and seven scores. Andy Tatsch is his top target, with 25 receptions for 435 yards, while injured Alex Tatsch still paces GL with 10 touchdowns. Greater Latrobe has been outscored by the narrowest margin, 204-203, on the year.

About the Black Hawks: Bethel Park fell to host Peters Township 31-28 in Allegheny Six Conference play last week. Tanner Pfeuffer went 12-of-23 for 192 yards, with two touchdowns and one interception, while JaVaughn Moore rushed 20 times for 126 yards and a score. On the season, Pfeuffer has thrown for 2,251 yards, which ranks second in the WPIAL, and he’s compiled 29 scores and just four interceptions. Mitchell Paschl has caught 33 passes spanning 590 yards, scoring a dozen times, while Jack Bruckner has posted 26 grabs for 493 yards. Ryan Petras, who missed the majority of the year with injury, has snagged 19 receptions for 340 yards. Moore paces BP with 205 carries for 1,603 yards and 23 touchdowns. The Black Hawks, who have scored 35 or more points in every win, average 43.0 points per game, the best mark in Class 5A. Coach Phil Peckich guides the program.

About the Matchup: Greater Latrobe tied for fourth in the Big East Conference and garnered a wild card berth, while Bethel Park placed third in the Allegheny Six Conference. The victorious team moves on to the quarterfinals to face No. 4 Woodland Hills.

Class 4A Quarterfinals

#6 Belle Vernon Area (4-4) at #3 McKeesport Area (6-4) – 7 p.m.

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

WSN Broadcasters: Dave Franczak and Roger Downs

About the Leopards: Although Belle Vernon Area held a third-quarter advantage, host Trinity scored the final 17 points to claim a 31-21 win. Kole Doppelheuer rushed for two scores for BVA, while QB Curty Wade threw for a touchdown and added 112 yards on the ground. On the season, Doppelheuer has rushed for 606 yards on 79 carries, caught 18 passes for 353 yards, and scored a combined 13 touchdowns. Anthony Crews, meanwhile, has posted 19 receptions for 287 yards and seven scores. Wade has connected on 55-of-94 throws for 956 yards, with a dozen scores and four interceptions, and he's added 352 yards on the ground. BVA has outpaced its adversaries 243-183 on the year.

About the Tigers: McKeesport Area blasted host Knoch 46-14 one week ago, the fifth win in a row for the Tigers. In the triumph, Kemon Spell scored four times, as he rushed 15 times for 175 yards and three TDs, and added 4 grabs for 138 yards and a TD. QB Brady Eastman hit on 7-of-15 attempts for 165 yards, with two touchdowns and an interception. On the campaign, Spell has registered 101 carries for 1,062 yards, along with eight catches for 169 yards, totaling 19 touchdowns. Anthony Cromerdie has posted 580 yards rushing, eight receptions for 172 yards, and 14 combined scores, while Anthony Boyd has registered 365 yards on the ground. The Tigers have outscored their opponents by a margin of 337-198. Matt Miller is the accomplished head coach of McKeesport.

About the Matchup: The Leopards placed third in the Big Six Conference, notching a wild card spot, while the Tigers prevailed from the Greater Allegheny Conference. The winner advances to the semifinals to battle either second seed Montour or No. 7 Mars Area. The squads clashed earlier this year, with homestanding McKeesport reigning supreme 28-7.

Class 3A First Round

#9 Highlands (5-4) at #8 Southmoreland (7-3) – 7 p.m.

About the Golden Rams: Highlands bested Valley 56-0 last week in Class 3A Allegheny Seven Conference play, the third win in a row for the Golden Rams. In that victory, QB Manage Lucas connected on 7-of-8 passes for 148 yards and three touchdowns, while he rushed nine times for 178 yards and two more scores. Darius Cherry added 92 yards and a rushing touchdown. For the year, Lucas has amassed 1,288 yards passing and 18 TDs, and he’s added 132 carries for 1,293 yards and 19 touchdowns. Cherry has posted 720 yards on the ground and 11 scores, while Montrell Johnson paces Highlands with 25 receptions spanning 413 yards. The Golden Rams have outscored their opponents by a margin of 350-236 this season. Coach Matt Bonislawski patrols the sidelines for Highlands.

About the Scotties: Southmoreland suffered a 28-21 loss at Greensburg Salem in a Class 3A Interstate Conference showdown last Friday. Despite the outcome, the Scotties secured a playoff berth with a mark of 3-2. Anthony Smith finished 12-of-27 for 138 yards, but had three interceptions, while Jackson Mickens caught six passes for 99 yards for the Scotties and Cam Phillips added a 40-yard touchdown run. On the campaign, Smith has completed 118-of-223 throws for 1,983 yards, with 21 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. His top target, Elliot Premus, has compiled 46 receptions for 867 yards, scoring 11 times. Phillips leads the ground game with 797 yards rushing, while Ethan Shawley, who missed last week with illness, has added 364 yards on the ground. Despite consecutive losses, the Scotties boast a scoring average of 33.1 points per game.

About the Matchup: Highlands placed fourth from the Allegheny Seven Conference, while the Scotties tied for second place in the Interstate Conference. The winner will face top-seeded Imani Christian Academy in the quarterfinals.

#10 Mount Pleasant Area (5-5) at #7 Freeport Area (7-3) – 7 p.m.

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

WSN Broadcasters: John Flickinger and Derrick Molnar

About the Vikings: Despite a bevy of big plays, Mount Pleasant Area fell to Elizabeth Forward 56-26 in Class 3A Interstate Conference play one week ago. Without starting QB Cole Chatfield and trailing 14-0, Vikings signalcaller Dane Firmstone hit a 65-yard TD pass to Jacob Kitz, and Jarett Garn followed with an interception and subsequent touchdown run. After another EF score, Garn responded with a 94-yard kickoff return touchdown to pull the Vikes back within two points. The Warriors extended the lead briefly, but Firmstone and Garn hooked up on a 72-yard touchdown pass early in the third to make it 28-26. For the year, the Vikings have been outscored 262-230.

About the Yellowjackets: Freeport Area sputtered in a 44-14 loss to undefeated Imani Christian Academy last week in Class 3A Allegheny Seven Conference action. Yellowjackets signalcaller Drew Ross went 16-of-27 for 159 yards, with two TDs and two interceptions, in the setback. Sean Selinger caught five passes for 43 yards and a score, while Owen Neistein had four grabs for 41 yards and a TD. On the year, Ross has thrown for 1,126 yards, 10 touchdowns, and four picks, and he’s added 459 yards on the ground and 11 scores, while Amos Glenn has contributed 181 carries for 1,135 yards, scoring 15 times. The Yellowjackets have outscored their foes 311-179 this year. John Gaillot is the veteran head coach of Freeport Area.

About the Matchup: While the Vikings tied for second place in the Interstate Conference, the Yellowjackets finished third in the Allegheny Seven Conference. The victorious team will play No. 2 seed Central Valley in the quarterfinals. Last season, Mount Pleasant Area prevailed 45-23.

#12 Greensburg Salem (7-3) at #5 Avonworth (7-3) – 7 p.m.

About the Golden Lions: A pair of touchdown connections from Brody Chismar to Dom Rosensteel in the second half propelled host Greensburg Salem to a 28-21 victory against Southmoreland in a Class 3A Interstate Conference showdown last Friday. The Golden Lions’ defense created five turnovers, including a pick-six by Peyton Chismar to give GS a 14-6 advantage. Kai Brunot added 72 yards rushing for GS. For the year, Brody Chismar has hit on 60-of-103 throws for 667 yards, with 10 touchdowns and six interceptions, and he’s rushed 94 times for 506 yards and three scores on the ground. Peyton Chismar has completed 21-of-48 attempts for 322 yards, with four TDs and one pick, while he’s notched 24 carries for 104 yards and a score. Brunot has registered 509 yards on the ground, while Rosensteel has amassed 28 receptions for 428 yards and seven touchdowns. The Golden Lions have outscored the opposition 267-167 this year.

About the Antelopes: Avonworth fell to Beaver Area 34-14 last week in Class 3A Western Hills Conference action. Billy Onyshko caught a 58-yard touchdown from Carson Bellinger, while Nico Neal added a rushing score in the loss. For the season, Bellinger has compiled 944 yards through the air, including 10 touchdowns and seven interceptions. Luca Neal has been his top target, as he’s caught 22 passes for 449 yards, and he’s added 213 yards on the ground. Bryce Metz has contributed 216 yards rushing and a team-best nine TDs. Avonworth has scored 299 points and allowed 234 points this year. Duke Johncour is the decorated head coach of the Antelopes.

About the Matchup: Greensburg Salem tied for third place in the Interstate Conference but qualified as a wild card, while the Antelopes were in a three-way tie for the Western Hills Conference title. The winner advances to face No. 4 seed Beaver Area in the quarterfinals.

Class 1A First Round

#12 Monessen (7-3) at #5 Greensburg Central Catholic (7-2) – 7 p.m.

About the Greyhounds: Monessen was overmatched in a 41-6 outcome at Cornell last week in a Class 1A Black Hills Conference tilt last week. Tyvaughn Kershaw accounted for the only TD, a 4-yard run. On the year, Kershaw has rushed 124 times for 1,348 yards, caught 12 passes for 247 yards, and scored 28 TDs, which ranks second in the WPIAL. Dennis Hawkins has hit on 56-of-106 throws for 1,031 yards, with 11 touchdowns and four interceptions. Despite the hiccup last week, the Greyhounds have still outpaced their foes 317-235 this season. Wade Brown is at the helm of Monessen.

About the Centurions: A pair of touchdown runs by Samir Crosby in the second half capped Greensburg Central Catholic’s rally, as the Centurions edged host Leechburg 20-16 in the Class 1A Eastern Conference one week ago. Crosby compiled 149 yards on the ground and 146 yards and a touchdown through the air, scoring on TD runs of 11 and 19 yards on the first two GCC drives after halftime. On the season, Crosby has completed 66-of-113 throws for 1,171 yards, with 15 TDs and two interceptions, and he’s compiled 127 carries for 927 yards, scoring 16 times. Landon Honick has produced 29 receptions for 584 yards and eight touchdowns. GCC holds a scoring advantage of 275-192.

About the Matchup: Monessen placed fourth from the Black Hills Conference, snagging a wild card bid, while GCC finished as runner up in the Eastern Conference. The winner will move on to face either No. 13 Jeannette or fourth-seeded Neshannock in the quarterfinals. In the most recent meeting in 2019, the Centurions narrowly prevailed, 21-18.

#13 Jeannette (7-3) at #4 Neshannock (9-1) – 7 p.m.

About the Jayhawks: Jeannette football wrapped up its regular season on Saturday afternoon, as the Jayhawks scored 27 unanswered points to knock off host Riverview 34-20 in a Class 1A Eastern Conference clash. Kymon’e Brown was instrumental in the victory against the Raiders, as he rushed for 153 yards and three touchdowns, and he added 154 yards and two scores through the air. Brown hooked up with Noah Sunder on a pair of scores, as Sunder caught two passes spanning 110 yards. Defensively, Wyatt Schaeffer led the way with eight tackles and a sack. On the campaign, Brown has completed 71-of-130 throws for 1,444 yards, with 19 touchdowns and nine interceptions, and he’s registered 100 carries for 947 yards, scoring a dozen times. Jayce Powell has been a prolific receiver, hauling in 39 receptions for 703 yards and 13 TDs, while Noah Sunder has added 17 catches for 447 yards and 10 touchdowns. Jeannette averages 30.5 points per game, but permits 28.9 points per contest.

About the Lancers: Neshannock defeated Laurel 27-7 last week in Class 1A Big Seven Conference play, notching the seventh straight victory. Jino Mozzocio completed 10-of-18 throws for 145 yards and two TDs, and he added 104 yards rushing. Meanwhile, Anthony Eakin compiled 18 carries for 132 yards and a touchdown. On the season, the QB Mozzocio has completed 92-of-151 throws for 1,411 yards, with 13 touchdowns and eight picks, and he’s rushed 106 times for 696 yards and 13 scores. Eakin paces the rushing attack with 761 yards, scoring 11 total touchdowns, while Dom Cubellis has registered 445 yards receiving. The Lancers boast a scoring margin of 346-145 in their favor this year. Head coach Michael Bongivengo leads Neshannock.

About the Matchup: While Jeannette placed fourth from the Eastern Conference and secured a wild card berth, Neshannock took the Big Seven Conference title. The winner moves on to play either Greensburg Central Catholic or Monessen.