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.
Twelve teams qualify for the 3A playoffs. The top three teams from each of the three conferences are guaranteed playoff spots. The final three wild card spots are decided by the WPIAL selection committee, rather than by a formula as was the case in prior cycles. Imani Christian opted to play up in 3A and ran through the regular season with an unbeaten record. The Saints were awarded the top seed in the playoffs but were upset in the semifinals by eventual WPIAL Champions Avonworth. Imani returns a load of D1-caliber talent and is the favorites once again. Highlands and Freeport both won first round games and will look to build towards deeper playoff runs this season. 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: 10-0, Allegheny Seven Conference Champions, lost in semifinals to Avonworth
All-Time: 56-57 (119th in wins, 63rd in win%)
Championship Pedigree: Never won a WPIAL title
Imani opted to play up in 3A this cycle after and proved they absolutely belonged at this level. The Saints went undefeated in the regular season and earned the top seed in the playoffs. After a tough battle against conference foe Highlands, they fell in the semis to eventual WPIAL Champions Avonworth. Imani returns a loaded squad, including 5 players with D1 offers, and should be right in the mix to contend for the title again this season. The Junior Gabe Jenkins has over 20 D1 offers, including Penn State, Pitt, WVU, Kentucky, and Michigan State. Jenkins led the team in rushing (1283 yards) caught a handful of passes (221 yards) and was the leading scorer (18 total TDs). Saints should have one of the best defenses in the classification this season, with D1 talent at all three levels. Senior DB David Davis is a Penn State-commit while Edge rusher Will Gorman has committed to Youngstown State. Davis is also used out of the slot offensively and had 297 rushing yards, 266 receiving yards, and 10 TDs last season. Junior EDGE Da’Juan Craighead has offers from WVU and Duke while lineman Quamir Battles has an Akron offer. Craighead also saw some time on offense last season, putting up 177 receiving yards and scoring 5 TDs. The biggest question for the Saints is at quarterback. Sophomore Neo Yakimura saw a few snaps as a backup last year. Whoever steps in at quarterback will also get second-leading receiver Robert Torres-Johnson (289 yards, 3 TDs) back in the fold....
