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. Pine-Richland is the defending WPIAL Champions and return a loaded roster. The Rams have reached the WPIAL finals in 7 of the last 8 years and once again have their eyes set not just on a WPIAL title but pursuing the statewide crown. Penn Hills once again figures to be their top challenger in conference play. 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: 8-1, Northeast Conference Champions, WPIAL Champions
All-Time: 417-293-13 (47th in wins, 30st in win%)
Championship Pedigree: 6 WPIAL Championships (2003, 2014, 2017, 2018, 2020, 2022), Richland HS won 2 WPIAL Championships (1969 & 1970), 3 State Championships (2017, 2020, 2022)
The Rams are the defending WPIAL Champions and return a number of players that makes them the top contender for the WPIAL crown. Pine-Richland has reached the WPIAL final in 7 of the last 8 years, winning 5 titles in that span. Dual-threat junior QB Aaron “Oobi” Strader burst onto the scene as a freshman and led the team to the PIAA semis last year, throwing for 1755 yards and 20 TDs while adding 385 yards and 4 TDs on the ground. Strader has offers from Syracuse and numerous MAC schools and is ranked as one of the top junior QBs in Pennsylvania. Senior RB Maclane Miller (1303 yards, 15 TDs) returns to lead the backfield. The Rams will have a plethora of athleticism and talent on the outside. Senior WR/CB Lawrence “Jay” Timmons (son of former Steeler Lawrence Timmons) led the team with 755 receiving yards and 8 TDs while snagging 4 INTs (returning 2 for TDs along with 2 fumble return TDs). Timmons has committed to Florida State, following in his father’s footsteps. Pine-Richland also added Seton LaSalle transfer Khalil Taylor who led the Rebels with 932 receiving yards and 22 total TDs. Senior WRs Jalen Neals (301 yards, 5 TDs) and Dajuan Webb (164 yards, 3 TDs) will also boleter the Rams passing attack. The Rams will be strong in the trenches with seniors Braylen Price (a William & Mary-commit) and John Curran III (who has offers from numerous MAC schools) and junior Dajour Webb who has offers from Akron and some FCS schools....
