Chris Harlan stories, Page 69

Two tight ends, a huge offensive line and a gritty running back gaining chucks of yardage at a time. This certainly was the style of offense Central Catholic usually would relish. Yet, this was the rare occasion when someone was doing that to the Vikings. Philadelphia powerhouse Imhotep Charter ran...

Finding a willing Week Zero opponent nearby isn’t always easy for Central Catholic, the two-time defending WPIAL Class 6A champion. “I’ll be honest, there are calls I avoid, too,” said coach Terry Totten, listing nationally ranked St. Thomas Aquinas of Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. “But for the most part, yeah, teams...

TribLive HSSN will break down the top players at one position per day until Week Zero. Here’s a look at the biggest coaching moves for the 2021 season. 1. Steve Campos Pine-Richland Campos’ hire certainly drew the most attention this summer. That’s largely because of the controversy that arose when...

TribLive HSSN will break down the top players at one position per day until Week Zero. Here’s a look at the top kickers and punters for the 2021 season. 1. Andrew Massucci Peters Township Senior, 5-9, 160 Massucci is one of the WPIAL’s top soccer players but also doubles as...

“Week Zero” is back. The optional week on the football calendar was eliminated from last year’s pandemic-shortened schedule but returns this fall in full force. In so-called “Week Zero,” teams can replace their second preseason scrimmage with a regular-season contest. A five-game showcase at the Wolvarena highlights this weekend’s slate,...

In any other year, there might have been huge crowds at Sarge Alberts Stadium to witness one of the most dominant seasons in WPIAL football history. Instead, like so many other parts of life in a pandemic, the Warriors’ fans celebrated remotely last fall. “They shared in it,” coach Mark...

TribLive HSSN will break down the top players at one position per day until Week Zero. Here’s a look at the top safeties for the 2021 season. 1. Ta’Mere Robinson Brashear Junior, 6-3, 220 Robinson may project as an edge rusher in college, but his athleticism makes him a difference-maker...

TribLive HSSN will break down the top players at one position per day until Week Zero. Here’s a look at the top cornerbacks for the 2021 season. 1. Rodney Gallagher Laurel Highlands Junior, 6-0, 170 Football or basketball? The two-sport athlete will have to make that decision sometime in the...

TribLive HSSN will break down the top players at one position per day until Week Zero. Here’s a look at the top linebackers for the 2021 season. 1. Anthony Speca Central Catholic Sophomore, 6-3, 220 As a freshman, Speca was a starting linebacker and leading tackler in the middle of...

The defending champion has a new coach. The preseason favorite has a new quarterback. The runner-up from last season has a whole lot of new faces. Yes, this is a year for change. Even the playoff format is different in WPIAL Class 5A this fall with a 12-team bracket waiting...

For the first time, the WPIAL football championships will be a two-day event at Heinz Field this fall. The WPIAL board on Monday officially approved plans to hold five of the six championship games at the North Shore stadium Nov. 26-27. The Class 5A, 4A, 3A, 2A and A finals...

Because Aliquippa reached the WPIAL Class 4A finals last fall, coach Mike Warfield worries that achievement will overshadow one harsh reality. “We’re a school that graduated 39 kids — boys and girls — and we had to play 4A,” said Warfield, who’s entering his fourth season as coach. The Quips...

TribLive HSSN will break down the top players at one position per day until Week Zero. Here’s a look at the top defensive linemen for the 2021 season. 1. Sean FitzSimmons Central Valley Senior, 6-3, 275 FitzSimmons’ coach may praise the two-way lineman’s underrated blocking skills, but almost everyone else...

TribLive HSSN will break down the top players at one position per day until Week Zero. Here’s a look at the top offensive linemen for the 2021 season. 1. Nick Bryan Thomas Jefferson Senior, 6-3, 255 The Kent State recruit was a two-way starter when the Jaguars won WPIAL and...

TribLive HSSN will break down the top players at one position per day until Week Zero. Here’s a look at the top tight ends for the 2021 season. 1. Charlie Kreinbucher Butler Senior, 6-5, 230 Kreinbucher is a strong pass catcher and blocker committed to Akron, but few WPIAL football...

TribLive HSSN will break down the top players at one position per day until Week Zero. Here’s a look at the top wide receivers for the 2021 season. 1. Robert Dickerson North Hills Senior, 6-0, 185 Nobody can accuse Dickerson of being one dimensional. The two-sport star did a little...

Pine-Richland is a defending WPIAL and PIAA champion, but the Rams aren’t focused on last year. At this point, that undefeated season seems long ago. “Even though we won a state championship, I feel we have a chip on our shoulder,” senior Jeremiah Hasley said. “There’s a lot of doubt...

Starting this week, TribLive HSSN will break down the top players at one position per day until Week Zero. Here’s a look at the top running backs for the 2021 season. 1. Landon Alexander Central Valley Senior, 6-0, 180 A former youth football star on the TV show “Friday Night...

On paper, Gateway certainly has the look of a WPIAL contender. The Gators added one of Pennsylvania’s top young quarterbacks in Brad Birch, return a Division I talent at wide receiver and safety in Patrick Body and carry a roster dotted with talent. But the team returns only four or...

Upper St. Clair’s conference was among the WPIAL’s deepest in recent years with senior-heavy rosters full of experience becoming the norm in the South Hills. This year, that’s not always the case. “Our league is turning over big time,” said USC coach Mike Junko, who returns only five full-time starters....

When Peters Township snaps the football on opening night, returning center Anthony Brunette will be the lineman over the ball. The Indians know that for sure. Who will be the four blockers next to him? Coaches must answer that question and quite a few others if they want to return...

Starting today, TribLive HSSN will break down the top players at one position per day until Week Zero. Here’s a look at the top quarterbacks for the 2021 season. 1. Brad Birch Gateway Sophomore, 6-2, 190 Birch already holds a college offer from Pac-12 school Oregon after a title-winning freshman...

Editor’s note: Starting today, Trib HSSN will preview at least one WPIAL conference per day until the start of high school football season Aug. 27. The preseason buzz in WPIAL Class 6A usually has North Allegheny among the early favorites. This year, that’s maybe not the case. “I think everybody’s...

Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt’s decision to sit out team drills is tied to his current contract situation, defensive coordinator Keith Butler confirmed Saturday, after Watt’s teammates again worked out without the reigning NFL sack leader. Asked when Watt might ramp up activity, Butler said: “That’s none of my business. I...

Despite a report saying James Washington was unhappy with his role and wanted to be traded, Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said he hasn’t heard those words from the fourth-year receiver. “Those unnamed sources, we don’t react to or respond to,” Tomlin said after practice Saturday at Heinz Field. “James has...