Steel City Blitz
The 2025 WPIAL football season is nearly upon us! Over the next few weeks we will be previewing all 17 conferences in preparation for kickoff on August 22. We are also thrilled to announce that the WPIAL Blitz Show will be back on the YouTube airwaves this season. Subscribe to the Sports Stream Premium channel and watch our live broadcasts on Monday nights or on replay any time.
Thirteen teams qualify for the 3A playoffs. The top three teams from each of the three conferences are guaranteed playoff spots. The final four wild card spots are decided by the WPIAL selection committee, rather than by a formula as was the case in prior cycles. Last year the Allegheny Conference produced WPIAL Champions South Park and semifinalists Steel Valley. Additionally, South Allegheny made for one of the best turnaround stories, going from 1-9 to 8-2 and a narrow quarterfinal loss to Ellwood City. Be sure to keep tabs on our WPIAL Standings Page throughout the season and follow our WPIAL Twitter account @WPIAL_Blitz. Teams are listed in their predicted order of finish.
2024 Result: 7-3, Lost to Seton LaSalle in 2A semifinals
All-Time: 336-221-12 (79th in wins, 25th in win%)
Championship Pedigree: 6 WPIAL Championships (1982, 1988, 1989, 2016, 2018, 2022), 2016 State Champions
The Ironmen have been one of the best 2A squads during the six classification era. They have won three WPIAL titles and been to five Championship Games, including 2022 and 2023. Last year they fell to Seton LaSalle in the semifinals, marking the 4th straight year they made it to the semis. Pitt-commit Da’Ron Barksdale, who missed most of his sophomore year as well as a few games last year recovering from injury, will be the focal point of the offense. Barksdale was used all over the field by the Ironmen, throwing for 275 yards and 4 TDs, rushing for 905 yards, and 19 TDs and adding 110 receiving yards and another score. Fellow senior Tyson Barron played a few games at quarterback last season. Rising junior Terec Seibles (182 yards, 1 TD) figures to take on a bigger role in the rushing attack after averaging 7 yards per carry last season. Steel Valley doesn’t throw the ball much, but a name to watch is Samir Smoot who scored on both of his receptions last season. All told, Steel Valley has an electric playmaker in Barksdale but their ultimate success will come down to their ability to control the trenches on both sides of the ball.
2024 Result: 9-1, Allegheny Conference Champions, WPIAL Champions, lost to Central Clarion in PIAA semifinals
All-Time: 430-378-27 (45th in wins, 46th in win%)
Championship Pedigree: 3 WPIAL Championships (1997, 2005, 2024), 2 State Championships (1997, 2005)
The Eagles won their third WPIAL title in school history after moving down from 3A to 2A. The Eagles rode a stout offensive line and rushing attack to the WPIAL title but will have to work in some new...
