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. McKeesport has reached the WPIAL finals in each of the last two seasons but have not won a title in 20 years. With Penn State-commit Kemon Spell as the focal point of the triple option, can the Tigers break the streak this year? Mars has had a tremendous turnaround under Eric Kasperowicz and reached the semifinals each of the last two seasons. The Planets return their quarterback and leading receivers. Watch out for West Mifflin who returns a strong young core of players. 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: 6-4, Greater Allegheny Conference Champions, lost to Thomas Jefferson Championship Game
All-Time: 726-421-48 (6th in wins, 16th in win%)
Championship Pedigree: 4 WPIAL Championships (1932, 1938, 1994, 2005), 2 State Championships (1994, 2005)
The WPIAL moved McKeesport to the Greater Allegheny Conference last year as part of realignment and gave them a brutally tough schedule with the likes of Thomas Jefferson, Belle Vernon, and two 5A semifinalists in non-conference play. The Tigers rebounded from an 0-3 start to the season that included two overtime losses. Once McKeesport hit conference play they put the pedal down, averaging 44 points per game en route to the conference title and making a run to the WPIAL finals for the second straight season. McKeesport has two rising juniors with D1 talent, led by electric Penn State-commit Kemon Spell (1617 rushing yards, 169 receiving yards, 24 total TDs). Javien Robinson, a two-way DB/WR has offers from Pitt, Wisconsin, Syracuse, and some MAC schools. McKeesport doesn’t throw the ball much, but Robinson was their second-leading receiver (174 yards, 2 TDs). The Tigers should have one of the best defenses in 4A with DL Kaedyn Daniels, LB Michael Wright, and DB Taier Swindle. McKeesport will have to navigate their brutal non-conference schedule but should emerge battle tested and once again primed to make a run at the 4A title.
2024 Result: 5-5, lost to McKeesport semifinals
All-Time: 448-541-31 (40th in wins, 84th in win%)
Championship Pedigree: Never won a WPIAL Championship
Mars has burst back onto the scene as a contender under Eric Kasperowicz. The Fighting Planets have reached the semifinals in consecutive seasons...
