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 5A 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. Woodland Hills returned to the top last season, winning their first conference title since 2015. The new playoff format did give the Committee some cause for deliberation as Gateway, Latrobe, and Kiski tied for forth place. Woodland Hills is the favorites once again but the rest of the pack should be tight as all of the other teams lost key contributors to graduation. 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: 8-2, Big East Conference Champions, lost in quarterfinals to Bethel Park
All-Time: 294-150-0 (95th in wins, 7th in win%)
Championship Pedigree: 5 WPIAL Championships (1996, 1999, 2001, 2002, 2009)
The Wolverines return an immensely talented senior class after winning the conference title last season and are the clear favorites once again. Unfortunately, their 2024 season ended with an early playoff exit after star QB Cam Walter (1133 yards, 12 TDs) suffered a late-season injury that knocked him out for the playoffs. With Walter back at the helm, the Wolverines have the talent to make a deep push this season. Walter’s favorite target, Scoop Smith (630 receiving yards, 352 rushing yards, 15 total TDs) returns for his senior season after committing to Miami (OH) this summer. Smith is the fastest player in the WPIAL and is a multi-sport star with WPIAL titles in track events. Junior receiver Malik McCloud (307 yards, 4 TDs) has offers from a few MAC schools. Other than Smith, who is used all over the offense, junior Nico Mager (203 yards, 3 TDs) is the top returning rusher after averaging 8 yards per carry last season. On defense, NC State-commit Zykir Moore is a punishing linebacker.
2024 Result: 3-7, missed playoffs
All-Time: 464-238-13 (35th in wins, 8th in win%)
Championship Pedigree: 7 WPIAL Championships (1969, 1972, 1974(t), 1985(t), 1986, 2017, 2019)
The Gators were an absolute force in 5A at the beginning of the six classification era, reaching the semifinals in five straight seasons and winning two WPIAL titles. However, they missed the playoffs last year after three straight one-and-done postseasons. Gateway had a young roster last season and return a number of experienced players that should enable them to compete for the playoffs...
