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.
Only eight teams qualify for the 4A playoffs. The top two teams from each of the three conferences are guaranteed playoff spots. The final two wild card spots are decided by the WPIAL selection committee, rather than by a formula as was the case in prior cycles. Thomas Jefferson is the defending WPIAL Champions, claiming their 11th title in school history. Trinity has a budding star in dual-threat quarterback Jonah Williamson who led the Hillers to the postseason in two straight seasons. Belle Vernon was awarded a wild card last season after playing one of the toughest non-conference slates in the WPIAL. 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, Big Six Conference Champions, WPIAL Champions
All-Time: 519-215-7 (22nd in wins, 3rd in win%)
Championship Pedigree: 11 WPIAL Championships (1980, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2020, 2024), 5 State Championships (2004, 2007, 2008, 2019, 2020)
The year after TJâs streak of 11 straight semifinal appearances came to an end when, the Jaguars went on a revenge tour and bulldozed WPIAL competition en route to their 11th title. Thomas Jefferson has made the playoffs every year since 1994, and has the talent to be a challenger for the WPIAL title once again. Leading rusher Tyler Eber (2276 yards, 33 TDs) was only a sophomore last season. If the WPIAL playoffs last season, Eber went on an incredible run where he had 123 carries, 601 yards, and 4 TDs in three games. Senior RB Emmit Forte (206 yards, 4 TDs) also returns to the backfield. Second-leading receiver Kane Eggerton (283 yards 5 TDs) is the only one of TJâs receiving corps to return this year. The biggest question will be at quarterback where Jeffrey Raible and rising sophomore Harrison Kolling both appeared in backup duty last season.
2024 Result: 5-5, Lost in first round to Aliquippa
All-Time: 393-537-37 (52nd in wins, 96th in win%)
Championship Pedigree: 1948 WPIAL Champions
Trinity followed up on their breakout 2023 campaign with another playoff appearance in 2024. This was the first time Trinity made consecutive playoff appearances since 2009 and 2010. Dual-threat senior QB Jonah Williamson threw for 1059 yards and 6 TDs and ran for 814 yards and 12 scores. He has committed to Harvard to play linebacker. Fellow linebacker Anthony Giorgi is also a D-1 commit, heading to Navy. Giorgi will also see some time as a receiver (176 yards, 1 TD). The Hillers...
