One in a series previewing the four classes of WPIAL football and also the City League.
The Class AAAA preview ran earlier this week. Today, we've got a double dose of previews - Class AAA and AA.
WPIAL CLASS AAA
By The Numbers
Top returning statistical leaders from last season (regular-season stats only):
RUSHING
Chacar Berry, Ringgold - 1,245 yards on 125 carries
SCORING
Chacar Berry, Ringgold - 22 touchdowns, two points on a conversion, 134 points
PASSING
Jacob Zilinskas, Indiana - 100 of 181 for 1,494 yards
RECEIVING
Dylan Stapleton, Indiana - 31 catches for 427 yards
FAB 5
Chacar Berry, Ringgold - Put up big statistics last season in helping the Rams reach the WPIAL semifinals.
Aidan Howard, Gateway - 6-4 receiver who has committed to the University of Virginia.
Braden Pahanish, Thomas Jefferson, LB - First-team all-conference pick last season. Three-year starter for the perennial power Jaguars.
Terence Stephens, West Allegheny, RB-DB (pictured) - Rushed for 912 yards last season. Some Mid-American Conference schools interested. Bowling Green has offered.
Jacob Zilinskas, Indiana - Son of coach Mark Zilinskas. Jacob and Dylan Stapleton could make for a terrific pass-catch combination this season.
Top 10 rankings
1. Central Valley - It is extremely hard to pick a No. 1 team in Class AAA in the preseason. There doesn't seem to be an overwhelming favorite. Central Valley doesn't have a great playmaker any more like Robert Foster or Jordan Whitehead. But the Warriors are the defending champs.
2. West Allegheny - Stephens will be one of the Indians' leaders, but this is one of Bob Palko's biggest teams on the lines.
3. Thomas Jefferson - This is shaping up as a TJ team that could go far (what else is new?)
4. Franklin Regional - The Panthers have big, experienced linemen and also one of the Greater Allegheny Conference's top QBs in Santino Birty.
5. Montour - If the Spartans' QB (Randall Labrie) didn't sustain a torn ACL, the Spartans might be the team to beat in the Parkway. An excellent opening-night game is Montour at Central Valley.
6. Ringgold - The Rams could be Berry, Berry good. Get it? Chacar Berry is back (I'll be here all week, tip your waitresses). Another good opening-night game is Thomas Jefferson at Ringgold. And don't sleep on West Mifflin in this Big 10 Conference.
7. Hampton - The Talbots won the Greater Allegheny last year and are good enough to win it again. Matt Rech returns at RB along with some solid linemen.
8. New Castle - Skill-position players make the Hurricanes a team to watch.
9. Gateway - Will Tom Nola's second season at the helm be better than the first (4-6 record)?
10. Mars - Don't be surprised if the Planets end up fighting for the Greater Allegheny Conference crown. John Castello is one of the best TEs in Class AAA.
WPIAL CLASS AA
By The Numbers
Top returning statistical leaders from last season (regular-season stats only):
RUSHING
DeWayne Murray, Steel Valley - 102 carries for 1,255 yards
SCORING
Duane Brown, Apollo-Ridge - 28 TDs, 4 points on conversions, 172 total points
RECEIVING
Dylan Hochbein, Freeport - 54 catches for 873 yards
Fab 5
Paris Ford, Seton-LaSalle, WR-DB - Rated one of the top juniors in the state and one of the top junior defensive backs in the country. Pitt, Penn State, Ohio State, Michigan, Notre Dame and numerous others have already offered.
Hunter Hayes, South Fayette - Rushed for more than 2,000 yards last season for WPIAL and PIAA champion Lions.
Donovan Jeter, Beaver Falls, TE-DE (pictured) - Another junior with a number of major-college offers, including Pitt, Penn State, Ohio State. Also a talented basketball player, but future is in football.
Kaezon Pugh, Aliquippa, RB-DB - Four-year varsity player. A force on both offense and defense. Pitt, West Virginia and Maryland are three schools he likes.
Logan Thimons, Freeport, TE-DL - Freeport's leading tackler past two seasons. Committed to West Virginia before last season.
Top 10 rankings
1. Aliquippa - The Quips might not be quite as strong early in the season as they were the past few years. But it's hard to bet against this team at least going to the title game. They've made it seven years in a row.
2. South Fayette - The Lions have a 32-game winning streak. They can't be as strong as the past few years, can they? Hey, Brett Brumbaugh's not at QB any more. But Hunter Hayes is still there along with some other talented players. It's possible this could be South Fayette's last run in Class AA. A growing district, South Fayette could be Class AAA next cycle.
3. Beaver Falls - These Tigers are big, experienced and good. But can they beat the Quips?
4. Seton-LaSalle - The Rebels are more than just Paris Ford. Look for a possible deep playoff run.
5. Washington - Coach Mike Bosnic (pictured) has done a terrific job in building this program back up into a consistent winner.
6. Highlands - The Rams were Allegheny Conference champs last year. Another title is in the cards.
7. Beaver - Darius Wise could easily be in that Fab 5 list.
8. Mount Pleasant - Some key players graduated, but the Vikings are Washington's top challenger in the Interstate.
9. Apollo-Ridge - Tre Tipton is gone, but "downtown" Duane Brown is back. That means wins.
10. Steel Valley - DeWayne Murray rushed for almost 3,000 yards as a freshman and sophomore and is another one that could easily be in the Fab 5.