THE MATCHUP: OLSH at Union, 7 p.m. Friday

LAST YEAR: Our Lady of the Sacred Heart (5-4); Union (2-7).

KEY PLAYERS: Our Lady of the Sacred Heart: Isiah Neely, Sr., RB/DB, 5-8, 175; Bill Mulcahey, Jr., QB/DB, 5-8, 160; Max Muzik, Sr., OL/DL, 6-0, 195. Union: Joe Salmen, Sr., QB/DB, 6-0, 170; Drew Robinson, Sr., RB/DB, 5-10, 175; Wayne Seamans, Sr., WR/DB, 5-11, 156.



WHAT TO WATCH: Our Lady of the Sacred Heart competed in the WPIAL Class A Eastern Conference last season before moving to the Big 7. Union hasn’t made the WPIAL playoffs since 2003. This is the first meeting between the schools.

*****

THE MATCHUP: Ellwood City at New Brighton, 7 p.m. Friday

LAST YEAR: Ellwood City (7-4); New Brighton (3-6).

KEY PLAYERS: Ellwood City: Justin Vetica, Jr., QB/LB, 5-8, 210; Gage Schilling, Sr., WR/DE, 5-10, 170; Colton Kauffman, Sr., OL/DE, 5-10, 254. New Brighton: Gabe Greco, Jr., QB/DB, 5-10,165; Kellen Mackey, Sr., RB/DB, 5-8, 180; Tony Tomasi, Sr., WR/DB, 5-10, 165.

WHAT TO WATCH: Ellwood City lost 18 players to graduation from last year’s team. The Wolverines are bidding for their third straight WPIAL Class AA playoff appearance. The Lions haven’t reached the WPIAL playoffs since 2003.

*****

THE MATCHUP: Laurel at South Side Beaver, 7 p.m. Friday

LAST YEAR: Laurel (4-5); South Side Beaver (0-9).

KEY PLAYERS: Laurel: Conor Melichar, Sr., TE/DL, 6-4, 225; James Steele, Sr., RB/LB, 6-1, 175; Cody Clem, Sr., OL/DL, 6-0, 250. South Side Beaver: Jon Magusiak, Sr., QB/DB, 6-2, 185; Cam McCoy, Sr., RB/LB, 5-11, 180; Jordan Herder, Sr., OL/DL, 5-9, 195.

WHAT TO WATCH: Laurel dropped to the Class A Big 7 after competing in the Class AA Midwestern Athletic Conference. Glenn McDougal is in his first year as Rams head coach, and second stint overall. He won a WPIAL and PIAA crown in his first term at South Side Beaver.

*****

THE MATCHUP: Mohawk at Freedom, 7 p.m. Friday

LAST YEAR: Mohawk (0-9); Freedom (1-8).

KEY PLAYERS: Mohawk: Gio Menichino, Jr., QB/DB, 5-9, 149; Shane McFarland, Jr., RB/DB, 5-9, 165; John Hartzell, Sr., WR/DB, 5-11, 181. Freedom: Forrest Petcovic, Sr., QB/DB, 5-9, 175; Allan-Michael Conforti, Sr., RB/DB, 5-8, 160; Brandon Heckman, Sr., OL/DL, 6-2, 215.

WHAT TO WATCH: The Warriors have a 14-game losing streak, which is the longest active mark in the county. Forrest Petcovic missed part of last season for the Bulldogs with a broken leg. Brandon Heckman is receiving Division I looks. The Bulldogs’ lone win last year came against Mohawk, 35-20.

*****

THE MATCHUP: West Middlesex at Wilmington, 7 p.m. Friday

LAST YEAR: West Middlesex (7-5); Wilmington (9-2).

KEY PLAYERS: West Middlesex: Jeremy Jancso, Sr., QB/DB, 6-5, 175; Trevor Harrison, Sr., OL/DL, 6-5, 325; Luke Patten, Sr., RB/LB, 5-10, 180. Wilmington: Cody Llewellyn, So., QB/OLB, 6-1,1 60; Tyler Donati, Sr., FB/ILB, 5-10, 201; Jimmy Pitzulo, Jr., SE/CB, 5-9, 160.

WHAT TO WATCH: This will be the first meeting between the teams since 1997, a 45-10 Wilmington win. West Middlesex reached the District 10, Class A championship game last year, falling to Sharpsville, 21-13. This is a nonregion game.

*****

THE MATCHUP: Central Valley at New Castle, 7:30 p.m. Friday

LAST YEAR: Central Valley (11-1); New Castle (5-4).

KEY PLAYERS: Central Valley: Mark Vula, Sr., QB, 6-1, 175; Jordan Whitehead, So., RB, 6-0, 165; Robert Foster, Sr., WR, 6-3, 185. New Castle: Jalen Holmes, Sr., RB/LB, 5-9, 185; Stew Allen, Jr., TE/DL, 6-3, 190; Nico DeJohn, Sr., OL/LB, 6-0, 205.

WHAT TO WATCH: Central Valley lost in the WPIAL Class AAA semifinals to Montour last year. New Castle has 699 career wins. This will be the third meeting between the schools since Monaca and Center merged to form Central Valley. The Warriors have won both matchups. Central Valley is ranked No. 2 in the WPIAL in Class AAA by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

*****

THE MATCHUP: Neshannock at Western Beaver, 12:30 p.m. Saturday

LAST YEAR: Neshannock (5-4); Western Beaver (5-5).

KEY PLAYERS: Neshannock: Mike Sanfilippo, Sr., QB/DB, 6-0, 180; John Conglose, Sr., WR/DB, 5-10, 175; Ralph Dovidio, Jr., OL/DL, 6-0, 220. Western Beaver: Hunter Roknich, So., QB/DB, 5-9, 143; Zach Perry, Sr., RB/LB, 6-1, 195; Billy Drear, Jr., RB/LB, 5-10, 170.

WHAT TO WATCH: Neshannock is bidding for its first WPIAL playoff berth since 2004. This is the head coaching debut of the Lancers’ Fred Mozzocio. Western Beaver has made the postseason each of the past two seasons. The Golden Beavers have just three returning starters on defense.

*****

THE MATCHUP: Sto-Rox at Shenango, 7 p.m. Saturday

LAST YEAR: Sto-Rox (12-1); Shenango (3-6).

KEY PLAYERS: Sto-Rox: Lenny Williams, Jr., QB, 6-0, 190; Brendan Blair, Jr., RB/LB, 6-0, 185; Yusef Chandler, Sr., OL/DL, 6-2, 225. Shenango: Anthony Prestopine, Jr., RB/LB, 5-6, 180; Matt Pherson, Sr., TE/DL, 5-10, 205; Vince Albertini, Jr., OL/DL, 6-0, 205.

WHAT TO WATCH: Sto-Rox lost to Clairton in the WPIAL Class A championship game last year. Dan Bradley took over in July as the Vikings’ head coach. Shenango last reached the WPIAL playoffs in 2006. Sto-Rox is ranked No. 3 in the WPIAL in Class A by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

—By Ron Poniewasz Jr.

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