The 2014 WPIAL Football Playoffs are upon us. I will predict how I think the seeding's will play out.
A
1. Clairton- The Bears have ran through every single opponent on their way to a 9-0 record. They have scored at least 54 points in every one of their games, and have only scored less then 60 3 times. They have also shutout 6 opponents and have not allowed more then 14 points.
2. North Catholic- The defending state champs field a strong team yet again as they are also 9-0. Their offense averages 47.7 points per game and they also field a strong defense.
3. Neshannock- Another undefeated team, Neshannock has not been challenged at all this season and will be tough to beat in the playoffs.
4. Jeannette- The Jayhawks have been very successful in their first season in A as they post an 8-1 record. However, their 58-14 lost to Clairton is the reason they are not the #3 seed in my opinion.
5. Avonworth- Another 8-1 team who has ran through every opponent except for a 34-0 loss to North Catholic.
6. Bethlehem Center- Despite being 9-0, Beth Center has had 2 close calls against Frazier and Greensburg Central Catholic. Their underwhelming win over a 5-4 Greensburg team is the one that knocks them down a few seeding spots in my opinion.
7. Frazier- Frazier comes in with an 8-1 record, its only blemish being to Beth Center. They have blown through every other opponent.
8. Shenango- Shenango comes in with a 6-3 record. All 3 losses have been blowouts to North Catholic, Avonworth and Neshannock. They will a hard time making a run in the playoffs.
9. South Side Beaver- The Rams come in with a 6-3 record. I have them seeded ahead of Brentwood because in my opinion they do not have a bad loss as their losses have been the Neshannock, Shenango and Avonworth..
10. Brentwood- Brentwood comes in with a 6-3 record. Their losses have been to North Catholic, Avonworth and a really bad one to 3-6 Rochester. They will also have a tough time making a run.
11. Mapletown- The Maples come in with a 7-2 record. They have losses to Beth-Center and Frazier but with wins over Avella and Monessen.
12. Greensburg Central Catholic- Greensburg comes in with a record of 5-4 and no impressive wins, so a deep playoff run seems unlikely.
13. Chartiers Houston- Also at 5-4, a deep playoff run also seems unlikely from this bunch.
14. Riverside- Yet Another 5-4 team, the Panthers are not a force and are not ready to make a run yet.
15. Avella- The Eagles do not have a lot of firepower at 5-4.
AA
1. South Fayette- Led by senior QB Brett Brumbaugh, the defending champs are once again poised to make a deep run, as they are 9-0.
2. Aliquippa- Always a power, the Quips are 9-0 and look to make a trip to Heinz for the 7th year in a row.
3. Washington- Another unbeaten team, the Prexies have a lot of fire power and look to get to Heinz for the 2nd time in 3 years.
4. Highlands- Yet another 9-0, the Golden Rams are new to the title picture, but they should be able to make a fairly deep run.
5. Seton LaSalle- At 8-1, the Rebels also look to make a deep playoff run.
6. Mt. Pleasant- At 7-2, The Vikings are not ready to win a championship just yet.
7. Apollo-Ridge- They are 9-1, with their only loss being a 28-27 nail biter to Highlands. However, the Vikings will most likely have to face Aliquippa in the 2nd round, and that is a battle I do not think they can win.
8. Beaver- At 7-2, I do not believe that the Bobcats will make a deep playoff run as they did last year. A 59-34 laugher to New Brighton is one of the reasons why I think this.
9. McGuffey- At 7-2, the Highlanders are much improved from last season. However, I still do not think they are ready to make a deep run just yet.
10. Beaver Falls- Not as strong as years past, the Tigers are still solid at 7-2. However, a 56-6 loss at Aliquippa does not bode well for a potential 2nd round matchup.
11. New Brighton- At 6-4, I do not believe New Brighton puts fear into a lot of people.
12. Shady Side Academy- At 6-3, the Indians are not a bad team, however I don't think they have what it takes to get out of the 1st round.
13. South Park- The Eagles, although 7-2, are not looked at as major concern.
14. Kittanning- The Wildcats, at 6-3 have been within a touchdown in 2 of their 3 losses. However, I do not think they will be able to get past Wash High.
15. Steel Valley- Although 6-3, they have very little chance of getting past the Quips.
16. Waynesburg-They pose no threat to South Fayette.
AAA
1. Central Valley- The Warriors are undefeated with very quality wins over Penn Hills and West Allegheny. They are led by Senior running backs Joran Whitehead and Preston Johnson, as well as quarterback John George.
2. Thomas Jefferson- As usual, Bill Cherpeck and the Jags have a very strong squad. They are 9-0 and led by running back Senior running back Austin Kemp. They will be a very tough out in the postseason.
3. West Allegheny- The Indians were undefeated and cruising until their first lost against Central Valley on Friday night. Despite the loss, Bob Palko's team will still be a force as they have won the past 2 WPIAL Championships.
4. Hampton- The Talbots were undefeated until Friday night when they were upset by Mars. Despite the loss, they have a very solid team which is capable of making a run.
5. Montour- Lou Cero's team has bounced back after an underwhelming performance last season and even took West Allegheny to the limit earlier this season. I believe that the Spartans are capable of pulling a major upset this November.
6. Ringgold- The Rams come in with an 8-1 record, their lone loss being to Thomas Jefferson. They have a strong team who it will be interesting to see what they do against #3 West Allegheny if that matchup happens.
7. Franklin Regional- The Panthers have a record of 6-3. with losses to TJ, Hampton, and Knoch but with a key win over Indiana. However, I do not expect them to go far in the playoffs.
8. Indiana- The Little Indians are also 6-3, however with bad losses to Greensburg Salem and Gateway, but with quality win over Mars. As with F, I think their playoff stay will be short.
9. Mars- Mars is 6-3 with a very quality win over Hampton but with losses, to FR, Indiana and Knoch.
10. West Mifflin- The Titians have a record of 6-3 with loses to TJ, Ringold and a bad loss to Trinity, but with a key win over Belle Vernon. However, I expect them to get bounced in the first round
11. Belle Vernon- At 5-4. the Lepords do not put fear into many teams and like West Mifflin, I expect them to get bounced in the 1st round.
12. Gateway- The Gators are not like they used to be. 1st year coach Tom Nola inherited a young team that will be up again soon. As for now though, the Gators are not a force.
13. Knoch- 3 of Knoch's 4 losses have been close and they have a very quality win over Frannklin Regional. However, I think #4 Hampton will be too much for them.
14. New Castle- The Hurricanes bounced back after starting 0-4 to finish at 4-5 coming out of the Parkway Conference. However, they are still too young to be a force.
15. Laurel Highlands- The Mustangs will have to face TJ in the first round, and I think midnight will come early for them.
16. Moon- Another Parkway Team, The Tigers are 4-5 and are not yet ready to compete, although they have gotten better in the past few years.
AAAA
1. Pine Richland- Led by QB Dom Denucci, the Rams have a 9-0 record and there is a great chance that they will make it to Heinz.
2. Penn Trafford- Another undefeated team, the Warriors are new to the title picture, but they have as good a chance as anyone of getting to Heinz Field.
3. Central Catholic- Coach Terry Totten leads the defending champs into the playoffs with a 8-1 record, and they will look to repeat as champions.
4. Penn Hills- The Indians are coming off a big win over Woodland Hills, and are a team to watch as a potential threat to Pine Richland.
5. Woodland Hills- Despite losing to Penn Hills on the last Friday, Junior Runningback Miles Sanders and the Wolverines still have a chance to make it to Heinz Field. Their other loss was to West Allegheny.
6. McKeesport- At 8-1, it will be interesting to see what the Tigers will do in a potential 2nd round matchup with Central Catholic. Their only loss this season is to Penn Trafford.
7. North Allegheny- Art Walker has another strong team, and at 7-2 I believe they can upset Penn Trafford in the 2nd round if that matchup takes place.
8. Bethel Park- With a win over Penn Hills and a near victor against Woodland Hills, the Hawks have proven that they can compete with the big boys. However, I think Pine Richland will be too much for them in the 2nd round.
9. Altoona-Altough they are 7-2, I believe that Bethel Park will squeak by the Lions in the 1st round.
10. North Hills- At 6-3, I do not believe the Indians will get past the 1st round.
12. Upper St. Clair- Jim Render's team is not as strong as years past. They will not get past McKeesport in round 1.
11. Mt. Lebanon - The Blue Devils were dominated when the played Woodland Hills in the regular season, and that does not bode well for my projected 1st round match.
13. Fox Chapel- At 4-5, Fox Chapel is not a threat to Central Catholic.
14. Norwin- Norwin, although 5-4, does not have much of a shot against Penn Hills
15. Plum- Plum will have a short stay, as Penn Trafford will end the party rather quickly.
16. Connellsville- A #16 has rarely ever beaten a 1, and these guys will not be an exception.
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