Although Week Zero has become the de facto start of the high school football season in recent years, the 2024 campaign officially gets under way for all of the Westmoreland County teams this week. Local teams fared well a week ago, going 11-6. This week’s slate features four all-Westmoreland contests, as well as a highly-anticipated battle between defending state champs. Here’s a detailed look at the games involving Westmoreland County squads.

Franklin Regional (1-0) at Hempfield Area (0-1) - 7 p.m.

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

WSN Broadcasters: Jack Ridenour and Mark Katarski

About the Panthers: Franklin Regional jumped out to a 28-0 lead at the half, and cruised to a 42-7 win at Plum last week. Chase Lemke went 8-of-14 for 192 yards and four touchdowns for Franklin Regional, while Kyle Dupill rushed 24 times for 166 yards and two scores. Elijah Bennett compiled 78 yards receiving and two TDs for FR, while Macallister Bresnahan had four catches for 77 yards.

About the Spartans: Hempfield Area was limited to just 12 yards passing and committed four turnovers in a 22-0 loss at North Hills. With Hempfield Area QB Dom Detruf sidelined, Andrew Jones filled in as signalcaller. Rogan Katchur was a bright spot, as he rushed for 63 yards on nine attempts, while Aidan Stinebiser also had nine carries, compiling 43 yards. Hempfield Area’s defense limited the Indians to just one touchdown.

About the Matchup: A year ago, the teams both competed in the Class 5A Big East Conference. The Panthers won the showdown, 38-15.

Mount Lebanon (0-1) at Penn-Trafford (0-1) – 7:30 p.m.

Pregame at 7 p.m. on WSN VIDEO - WATCH LIVE

WSN Broadcasters: Sean Meyers and John Bainbridge

About the Blue Devils: Mount Lebanon fell to Upper St. Clair 42-22 in a South Hills clash last Friday. Blue Devils quarterback Pat Smith went 18-for-25 passing for 162 yards and an interception, and he rushed for 63 yards and two scores. Liam DeLuca accounted for the other rushing TD for the Blue Devils, while Noah Schaerli caught five passes for 52 yards. Mount Lebanon is under the guidance of first-year head coach Greg Perry, who previously guided Keystone Oaks and Seton-LaSalle.

About the Warriors: Penn-Trafford permitted 20 unanswered points in the second half in a 26-14 defeat at Norwin last week. Tasso Whipple accumulated 24 carries for 174 yards rushing and two scores for the Warriors, and he also snagged a pair of passes for a team-best 48 yards. In the setback, QB Jonny Lovre hit on 10-of-19 attempts for 117 yards and an interception.

About the Matchup: While the Blue Devils reside in Class 6A, the Warriors compete in the Class 5A Big East Conference. The teams last met in 2011, when Penn-Trafford claimed a 34-17 road victory.

Freeport Area (1-0) at Derry Area (0-1) – 7 p.m.

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

WSN Broadcasters: John Flickinger and Bob Lasinski

About the Yellowjackets: Freeport Area bested homestanding Indiana Area 30-7 to open the season. Amos Glenn, who missed 2023 with injury, paced the offense, rushing 23 times for 157 yards and a score. Yellowjackets quarterback Drew Ross hit on 6-of-15 passes for 64 yards and a touchdown, and he added another score on the ground. Owen Neistein also found paydirt for Freeport. Head coach John Gaillot is in his 17th season leading the program.

About the Trojans: Derry Area dropped its Week Zero clash at Ligonier Valley 20-7 a week ago. The Trojans could not contain LV running back John Jablunovsky, who compiled 22 carries for 128 yards and two touchdowns. Trojans quarterback Anthony Sacco was 5-of-17 for 31 yards through the air. The lone score for Derry Area came on a 42-yard run by Demauri Robinson, who racked up 78 yards on six carries. Karson Weiers and Max Doherty each had a pair of receptions for DA.

About the Matchup: Both teams play in 3A, as the Trojans compete in the Interstate Conference, while the Yellowjackets call the Allegheny Seven Conference home. Derry Area and Freeport last clashed in 2020, as the Yellowjackets prevailed 34-14. The matchup was originally scheduled to take place in 2021, too, but did not occur.

Norwin (1-0) at Kiski Area (1-0) – 7 p.m.

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

WSN Broadcasters: Dave Franczak and Brian Brozeski

About the Knights: Homestanding Norwin scored 20 unanswered points in the second half, highlighted by an 80-yard TD pass from Tristyn Tavares to Jake Knight, besting Penn-Trafford 26-14 to open the campaign. In addition to his long strike, Tavares also produced a rushing score that gave the Knights the edge in the third quarter. Jackson Huss paced the Norwin ground game with 74 yards, while Jake Sincak added 68 yards rushing and a score. Evan Pfeifer booted two field goals for Norwin.

About the Cavaliers: Kiski Area returned the opening kickoff for a score and never looked back, overwhelming homestanding Knoch 42-7 last Friday. Aven Shirley took the kickoff 80 yards to post Kiski Area to the immediate lead. Landon Kucic paced the Cavs offense, as he rushed for 182 yards and four touchdowns, while Teagen Shirley snagged two interceptions for the KA defense.

About the Matchup: Norwin moved from the Class 5A Big East Conference up to 6A this year, while the Cavaliers bumped up from 4A to fill the void in the Big East. The teams last met in 2015, as the Knights notched a 40-31 victory at historic Davis Field.

Apollo-Ridge (0-1) at Jeannette (1-0) – 7 p.m.

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

WSN Broadcasters: Brent Whigham and Anthony DeNunzio

About the Vikings: Apollo-Ridge narrowly lost on the road to neighboring Leechburg 19-14 last week. The Vikings used two QBs, as Alex Clawson went 10-of-17 passing for 154 yards and a touchdown, and he added a team-best 20 rushing yards. Chris Dailey, meanwhile, was 5-of-9 through the air for 75 yards. Jaden McCray registered four catches for 69 yards, while Logan Schrock hauled in five passes for 49 yards. Veteran coach John Skiba continues to lead Apollo-Ridge.

About the Jayhawks: A pair of long touchdown receptions by Jayce Powell in the second half propelled host Jeannette to a 28-27 victory against Mount Pleasant Area last Friday. Powell hauled in a 56-yard pass from Kymon’e Brown in the third quarter, and completed the Jayhawks’ comeback with a 74-yard reception from Brown in the fourth. Powell also had a 30-yard TD snag from Markus McGowan in the first half, finishing with six receptions for 190 yards. Moreover, Brown registered five receptions for 50 yards, added a rushing score, and went 7-of-8 passing for 151 yards, while McGowan hit on 9-of-15 attempts for 133 yards.

About the Matchup: While the Vikings compete in the Class 2A Allegheny Conference, the Jayhawks reside in the Class 1A Eastern Conference. Apollo-Ridge faced five Westmoreland County teams a year ago. The teams have not met since prior to 2003.

Plum (0-1) at Greater Latrobe (1-0) – 7 p.m.

About the Mustangs: Plum fell into a 28-0 deficit at the half enroute to a 42-7 home defeat against Franklin Regional last week. The Mustangs had no answer for QB Chase Lemke, who went 8-of-14 for 192 yards and four touchdowns, and Kyle Dupill, who rushed 24 times for 166 yards and two scores. John Nonnenberg earned the lion’s share of snaps at quarterback, hitting on 11-of-24 throws for 88 yards. His favorite target was Darian Nelson, who snagged seven receptions for 69 yards, while Sloan Humphries added six catches for 42 yards and the lone TD. Nicky Odom was limited to 34 yards on 19 carries. Plum is under the guidance of Matt Morgan.

About the Wildcats: Greater Latrobe forced six turnovers and stifled Connellsville Area in a 41-0 blowout a week ago. John Wetzel set the tone for visiting Greater Latrobe, snaring an interception that he returned 25 yards for a touchdown on the first play from scrimmage. Wetzel also went 6-of-10 passing for 109 yards, and he added a rushing score, while Alex Tatsch posted five carries for 86 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Brady Prohovic and AJ Yeboah also found paydirt for GL, and Vince Gaskey snagged two interceptions.

About the Matchup: Both teams play in Class 5A, as Plum resides in the Northeast Conference, while Greater Latrobe is in the Big East Conference. The last meeting was in 2019, a 28-20 win for the Wildcats.

Belle Vernon Area (0-0) at Aliquippa (0-0) – 7 p.m.

About the Leopards: Belle Vernon Area did not play in Week Zero, instead utilizing a second scrimmage. A year ago, the Leopards reigned supreme in Class 3A, winning the WPIAL and PIAA titles. BVA capped its historic run with a 38-7 triumph against Northwestern Lehigh in the state championship, finishing the year at 13-1. The Leopards graduated prolific running back Quinton Martin and dual-threat QB Braden Laux, both now playing at the Division I level. The Leps return several key components, though, including Kole Doppelheuer and Anthony Crews. Doppelheuer amassed 832 yards on the ground and scored 14 TDs, which ranked second behind Martin, while Crews caught 26 passes for 389 yards, rushed for 410 yards, and found the end zone 11 times. Curty Wade takes over at QB, while his older brother, Zo Wade, will be a valuable asset in the passing attack. Matt Humbert is the accomplished head coach of Belle Vernon.

About the Quips: Aliquippa opted for a second scrimmage last week, as well, and the Quips are also the reigning state champs in Class 4A. Aliquippa’s golden campaign ended in perfection, as the Quips finished 14-0 after dismantling Dallas 60-14 in the PIAA title game. Tikey Hayes, a Penn State commit, returns after rushing 235 times for 2,129 yards and 23 TDs in 2023. The Quips will turn to Marques Council at QB after the graduated Quintin Goode threw for nearly 2,000 yards and 26 touchdowns last season. Although Cam Lindsey, a star linebacker, is now playing at Pitt, the Quips also return top receiver Arison Walker and added heralded transfer Larry Moon III from Pittsburgh Central Catholic. Vashawn Patrick, an Aliquippa grad, has replaced Mike Warfield, who took a leave of absence as head coach over the summer.

About the Matchup: The Leopards shift up from Class 3A to the Class 4A Big Six Conference, while the Quips remain in the Class 4A Parkway Conference after much turmoil with the PIAA during the offseason. The teams last met in the WPIAL Class 4A Championship at Heinz Field in 2021, as the Quips upset the Leopards 28-13.

Ligonier Valley (1-0) at Greensburg Salem (1-0) – 7 p.m.

About the Rams: John Jablunovsky was a force in the rushing attack for homestanding Ligonier Valley, which ousted Derry Area 20-7 last Friday. Jablunovsky compiled 22 carries for 128 yards and two touchdowns for the Rams. Moreover, Bowie Schreyer went 3-of-4 passing for 49 yards and a score for LV, while Greyson Daugherty was on the receiving end of the TD pass.

About the Golden Lions: Sparked by three takeaways last week, Greensburg Salem claimed a 28-6 victory at home against Albert Gallatin last week. The Golden Lions trailed 6-0 after the opening quarter, but they scored 28 unanswered the rest of the way. Brady Smith rushed for 58 yards for GS, while Peyton Chismar went 5-of-13 for 52 yards, including a 31-yard connection to Keegan Young.

About the Matchup: While Ligonier Valley plays in the Class 2A Allegheny Conference, Greensburg Salem competes in the Class 3A Interstate Conference. Last year, the Golden Lions claimed a 34-7 triumph.

Mount Pleasant Area (0-1) at Greensburg Central Catholic (1-0) – 7 p.m.

About the Vikings: Mount Pleasant Area suffered a heartbreaking 28-27 loss at Jeannette last week. The Vikings could not solve Jeannette receiver Jayce Powell, who finished with six receptions for 190 yards and three scores. The Vikings received a pair of rushing scores courtesy of Brody Hutter, who amassed 93 yards on the ground, while Cole Chatfield posted an interception return TD and went 8-of-10 for 110 yards at quarterback. Jarrett Garn booted a pair of field goals and rushed six times for 54 yards, while Logan Parson had three grabs for 66 yards.

About the Centurions: Samir Crosby rushed for four touchdowns and passed for two more, as Greensburg Central Catholic edged the host Bulldogs in a high-scoring affair, 46-40. Crosby rushed 23 times for 295 yards, while he also completed 7-of-12 passes for 148 yards and hooked up with Landon Honick on a pair of TD connections. Honick registered four catches for 86 yards.

About the Matchup: The Vikings play in the Class 3A Interstate Conference, while the Centurions call the Class 1A Eastern Conference home. Last year, GCC notched a 37-24 win in the Week Zero clash.

East Allegheny (0-1) at Southmoreland (1-0) – 7 p.m.

About the Wildcats: East Allegheny dropped a 30-16 outcome at South Park last week. Despite the setback, EA quarterback Cedric Mack had a monster performance, as he hit on 18-of-28 attempts for 310 yards, with a pair of scores and an interception. Mack spread the ball around, as four different receivers had at least three receptions, with Raemar Sims notching three grabs for 97 yards, and Tanner Loya making five catches amassing 75 yards. Frank Cortazzo is the first-year head coach for East Allegheny, replacing Dom Pecora.

About the Scotties: Southmoreland overcame a second-half deficit, outlasting Valley 45-20 last week. The host Scotties received big games from Cam Phillips, who had an 84-yard kickoff return score, as well as 97 yards on the ground and a rushing touchdown, and Ethan Shawley, who produced a pair of rushing TDs. Freshman signalcaller Anthony Smith went 7-of-13 for 128 yards, with a couple of touchdowns and an interception. Elliot Premus led the receiving corps, registering three catches for 47 yards and a TD. Jake Kaylor set a Southmoreland record with a 50-yard field goal.

About the Matchup: This matchup is a battle of Class 3A squads, as EA plays in the Allegheny Seven Conference, while Southmoreland plays in the Interstate Conference. The teams last clashed in the opening round of the Class 3A playoffs in 2021, as EA rolled to a 36-11 victory.

Shady Side Academy (0-1) at Burrell (0-1) – 7 p.m.

About the Bulldogs: Shady Side Academy could not solve Samir Crosby last week, as the Bulldogs fell at home 46-40 to Greensburg Central Catholic. Darrin Haynes and Cam Mallory each had massive efforts, as Haynes rushed 23 times for 206 yards and notched a 96-yard kickoff return, while Mallory posted 19 carries for 131 yards and four TDs, and he also hit 6-of-9 passes for 52 yards. Coach Chuck DiNardo is at the helm of SSA.

About the Buccaneers: Burrell suffered a 24-7 home defeat against Avonworth last week in a matchup that came together just days prior. The Buccaneers scored their TD in the third quarter, as QB Stephen Hasson connected with Liam Kasavage on a 32-yard pass. Trey Coury was the catalyst for the Burrell rushing attack, as he racked up 21 carries for 77 yards, while Hasson was 3-of-7 passing for 62 yards and also rushed nine times for 25 yards.

About the Matchup: Shady Side Academy plays in the Class 2A Allegheny Conference, while Burrell has ascended to the 3A Allegheny Seven Conference. The previous meeting occurred in 2017, as Shady Side Academy dominated, 42-8.

Yough (1-0) at Charleroi (0-1) – 7 p.m.

About the Yough Cougars: Raidon Kuroda had a big effort for the Cougars, as he tossed three touchdowns and added two more scores on the ground to lead Yough to a dominant 40-0 home victory against Brentwood. Kuroda went 9-of-15 for 165 yards through the air, and he rushed 18 times for 105 yards. Aidan Shaffer registered three catches for 108 yards and scored twice for the Cougars, while Aidan Thornton compiled 14 carries for 110 yards and a TD.

About the Charleroi Cougars: Charleroi was overmatched last week in a 59-12 loss at Monessen. The bright spot for the Cougars came via the passing game, as quarterback Jackson Keranko produced 15-of-29 passing for 262 yards with two touchdowns, but he also threw three interceptions. Furthermore, Dan Nusida contributed eight receptions for 103 yards and a score, and Noah Pletcher had three catches for 59 yards and a TD. Charleroi is under the guidance of coach Ty Aeschbacher.

About the Matchup: The battle of Cougars pits Yough, which plays in the 3A Interstate Conference, against Charleroi, which resides in the 2A Century Conference. Last year, Yough scored a 20-14 win.

Riverview (0-0) at Valley (0-1) – 7 p.m.

West Greene (0-1) at Monessen (1-0) – 7 p.m.