Western Pennsylvania football is basically a religion. If you grew up around here, you know that Friday nights aren't just about a game; they’re about the identity of towns like Aliquippa, Clairton, and McKeesport. People think they can just glance at a ticker or a social media feed and understand what happened, but WPIAL high school football scores tell a much deeper story than just who moved the ball further.
The 2025 season just wrapped up, and honestly, it was one of the most chaotic years in recent memory. We saw giants fall, underdogs claw their way to Acrisure Stadium, and a few "silver to gold" redemption arcs that felt like they were scripted for a movie. If you’re looking for the raw data from the championship rounds or trying to make sense of how the power shifted this year, you’ve come to the right place.
The Night the Giants Claimed Their Ground
When you talk about WPIAL high school football scores, you have to start with the heavyweights. On November 15, 2025, over at Pine-Richland High School, we saw two programs remind everyone why their trophy cases are overflowing.
Central Catholic is a machine. There’s no other way to put it. They walked into the Class 6A final against North Allegheny and basically ended the conversation before the halftime snacks were even served. Jayden Alexander took the opening kickoff 96 yards to the house. Boom. Just like that. Roman Thompson then took over the ground game, scoring three times to lead the Vikings to a 42-7 blowout. It was Central’s 10th title, and it felt like a statement of absolute dominance.
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Then you have Aliquippa. The Quips are just different. They faced a tough McKeesport squad in the 4A final. It wasn't a pretty game—it was a 21-12 grind—but Marques Council Jr. showed why he’s one of the most composed quarterbacks in the state. He threw for two scores and ran for another. That win gave Aliquippa their 21st WPIAL title. Think about that for a second. Twenty-one. The next closest is Clairton with 15. The gap is widening.
The Acrisure Stadium Shocker
A week later, the action moved to the North Shore. Acrisure Stadium hosted the 1A, 2A, 3A, and 5A finals, and the scores there were way tighter.
The Class 5A game was the one everyone was buzzing about. Peters Township and Pine-Richland. It looked like Pine-Richland was going to walk away with it early, leading 19-0 at the half. Most people in the stands probably thought it was over. But Cole Neupaver apparently didn't get the memo. He went on a tear in the second half, scoring three rushing touchdowns, including the go-ahead score in the fourth quarter. Peters Township pulled off an impossible 20-19 comeback. It was the kind of game that reminds you why you never leave early, no matter how bad the scoreboard looks.
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2025 WPIAL Championship Scoreboard Recap
- Class 6A: Central Catholic 42, North Allegheny 7
- Class 5A: Peters Township 20, Pine-Richland 19
- Class 4A: Aliquippa 21, McKeesport 12
- Class 3A: Avonworth 30, Imani Christian 6
- Class 2A: Seton LaSalle 21, Steel Valley 14
- Class 1A: Clairton 8, Laurel 6
Why the Small School Scores Matter Most
People sometimes overlook the 1A and 2A classifications, but that’s a huge mistake. The Clairton vs. Laurel game was a defensive masterclass. Or a mess, depending on how you look at it. A final score of 8-6? That’s old-school WPIAL football. Jeff Thompson hit Brandon Murphy for the only Bears touchdown, and a two-point conversion by Donte Wright ended up being the difference-maker.
In 2A, Seton LaSalle finally got their revenge. After losing in the finals in 2024, they faced a dangerous Steel Valley team led by Pitt commit Da'Ron Barksdale. Steel Valley was up 14-0 in the second half, but Will Martin went into "beast mode." He intercepted a pass, then scored three rushing touchdowns from the wildcat formation to steal a 21-14 victory.
The PIAA Hangover
While winning a WPIAL title is the pinnacle for many, it also serves as a ticket to the state playoffs. The 2025 PIAA results were a mixed bag for District 7. Clairton actually went all the way, defeating Bishop Guilfoyle 35-3 in the Class A state final to claim their fifth state title.
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However, Central Catholic hit a wall. For the second year in a row, they fell to LaSalle College in the 6A state final, 34-20. It’s a bit of a reality check for the WPIAL—as dominant as our teams are locally, the eastern side of the state, particularly the Philly private schools, remains a massive hurdle.
What to Watch Moving Forward
If you're tracking WPIAL high school football scores to get an edge on next season, keep your eyes on the rosters rather than just the final tallies. We’re losing some legendary seniors, but the underclassman talent is absurd.
- Imani Christian's Rise: Even though they lost the 3A final to Avonworth (who finished a perfect season), Gabe Jenkins is a four-star Penn State commit. They aren't going anywhere.
- The Quarterback Carousel: With guys like Joey Felitsky (North Catholic) throwing for over 400 yards in playoff games, the league is becoming much more pass-heavy than the "three yards and a cloud of dust" era we grew up with.
- Realignment Rumors: Every two years, the PIAA reclassifies based on enrollment. Keep an eye on schools like Aliquippa, who are constantly fighting the "success factor" rule that tries to push them into higher classifications.
Actionable Steps for the Offseason
Don't wait until August to start paying attention. The foundations for those November scores are built now. You can follow the winter conditioning progress through local recruiters like Preps247 or keep an eye on the Trib HSSN for transfer news.
If you’re a parent or a student-athlete, now is the time to look at camp schedules. The "Terrific 25" all-stars didn't get there by accident; they were at Pitt, Penn State, and WVU camps all summer.
The 2025 season is in the books, but the rivalry between the Vikings and Tigers, or the Quips and everyone else, never really takes a day off. Get your season tickets early for 2026. It’s going to be another wild ride.