Getting ready for an all-Valley championship

The pickins’ are getting slimmer as we’re down to the nitty gritty of the WPIAL football season.

While there are fewer games involving local teams, the importance of those games grows as we get closer to championship weekends, which begin next week.

On to this week’s games:

Thomas Jefferson vs. Aliquippa

Many thought this would be a potential championship matchup, but here these teams are on the same side of the WPIAL bracket.

This is going to be interesting. Star power all around, but when it comes down to it, I don’t think this is the same Aliquippa team we’re used to seeing.

First of all, this game could come down to coaching. Advantage TJ.

Secondly, while the Quips have a potent rushing attack with Tikey Hayes in the backfield, the Jaguars feature the most-underrated back in the WPIAL in Tyler Eber.

Coach Bill Cherpak is going to keep the Aliquippa offense off the field and he’s going to hand it off to the kid that had 48 carries last week against West Allegheny.

While we’re at it, the Jaguars have a decided advantage at quarterback with Luke Kosko.

Jaguars 24, Aliquippa 20

McKeesport vs. Mars A rematch of a game earlier this season that was won by the Tigers on the Fighting Planets’ home field.

That game was 28-7. Both teams are better, but only one team has the amount of firepower needed to advance to the 4A title game.

I’m calling an all-Valley matchup next weekend at Norwin for the Class 4A title game.

Tigers 42, Planets 20

North Catholic at Elizabeth Forward

The Warriors finally get to take the field for their first playoff contest of the season.

Head coach John DeMarco said he doesn’t think his team will come out and blow out the Trojans, but I’m not so sure I agree.

I think the Trojans play right into the Warriors’ strength. A passheavy offense is going to give Chris Climes and that aggressive defense a chance to tee off on the quarterback.

Charlie Nigut and the secondary will get at LEAST two interceptions.

I think the Warriors roll and could turn it into a blowout late.

Warriors 38, Trojans 14

South Allegheny at Ellwood City

The Wolverines are unbeaten but when they’ve played good teams, they were all within one score. I don’t think they’ve seen the talent and balance that the Gladiators are going to throw at them.

Cam Epps is a gamebreaker in the backfield, Ryan Cortes is one of the top arms in the WPIAL and Drew Cook is arguably the best receiver in the WPIAL.

This is my upset pick of the week, maybe season.

Gladiators 28, Ellwood City 26

California vs. Clairton Neither team has far to go for this one. It’s a battle on Route 43.

The Trojans feature the WPIAL’s leading rusher in Lee Qualk, but they’ve faced nothing like they’re going to see tonight.

Clairton is too strong, too fast, too athletic and just a better team.

There are so many weapons on the offensive side of the ball and the Bears can strike through the air and on the ground at any moment.

I’m not saying they’ll do what they did last week with 56 points and only 17 offensive plays, but this one could get out of hand quickly if the Trojans can’t control the ball.

Bears 49, Trojans 6 Last week: 6-1 Season: 104-22