Clairton ( 0- 0) vs Jeannette ( 0- 0)
When: 7 p. m. Friday at Jeannette’s McKee Stadium. Coaches: Clairton’s Wayne
Wade is 71- 11 in seven seasons. Roy Hall is 105- 25 in 12 seasons at Jeannette.
Last meeting: Brendan Parsons ran 84 yards for a touchdown and Kenlein Ogletree returned a kickoff 88 yards for a score as Clairton topped visiting Jeannette, 26- 7, to claim the Class 1A Eastern Conference title. The Bears went on to win their 14th WPIAL championship.
History: This has been a huge rivalry ever since Jeannette moved from Class 2A to 1A in 2014. One of the two has claimed the conference title each season. In all of the previous years, the two met in the regularseason finale. Clairton has won seven of the nine meetings in that time, including victories in the 2015 and 2016 WPIAL championship games.
Quick hits: We don’t have to wait very long to see what could be the game of the year in Class 1A. Clairton is ranked No. 1 and Jeannette No. 2. … Jeannette has some history on its side. The Jayhawks have not lost a season opener since 1997. In addition, their previous home loss came in
2016. … Clairton has a big line anchored by 6- foot- 6, 305- pound tackle Da’Metrius Weatherspoon.
He’ll help pave the way for a rushing attack that features Isaiah Berry ( 1,042 yards, 15 touchdowns), the top returning rusher in the class. … Jonte Sanders takes over at quarterback for Clairton, which graduated Parsons, a threeyear starter. … Jeannette quarterback James Sanders passed for 1,357 yards and 16 touchdowns last season. He’s the top returning passer in Class 1A. ... Brett Birch, a junior wide receiver- defensive back for the Jayhawks, is receiving FBS interest.
Others to watch
Belle Vernon at McKeesport, 7 p. m. — Playing its first game since dropping to Class 4A, McKeesport takes on a Belle Vernon team that reached last year’s WPIAL final. Belle Vernon has won its season opener each of the past eight seasons.
Penn Hills at North Allegheny, 7 p. m. — Each of these teams had to scramble to find new opponents after their original Week 1 foes canceled because of COVID19 problems. North Allegheny could be Central Catholic’s top challenger in Class 6A.
South Fayette at Dover, Ohio, 7 p. m. — South Fayette travels to the Buckeye State for its opener. As good of a program South Fayette is, the Lions have dropped their first game each of the past two years, accounting for half of their four total losses.
Ligonier Valley at Apollo- Ridge, 7 p. m. — Welcome back to the WPIAL, Ligonier Valley. It returns after leaving for District 6 in 1969. The Rams are usually strong, but Apollo- Ridge is the favorite to win the Class 2A Allegheny Conference.