What to watch for in WPIAL sports on Sept. 19, 2024: Allderdice looks to add to win total | Trib HSSN

By: Don Rebel

Wednesday, September 18, 2024 | 10:31 PM

Week 4 of the high school football season kicks off with a City League contest Thursday between old rivals as Allderdice takes on Brashear.

The ‘Dice are rolling here in 2024 as the Dragons have won two straight and are 3-1 overall.

One of those wins two weeks ago was their City League opener, a 32-0 victory over Perry.

In fact, of the five current City League football teams, only Allderdice and Westinghouse have won games this season.

Brashear is not only 0-4 this season but has been shut out three times and its only points this season came on a safety in a nonconference loss to independent Carrick, 36-2.

This is the second City League game for the Bulls, who lost two weeks ago to defending champion Westinghouse, 64-0.

Kick off Thursday at Cupples Stadium is at 7 p.m.

The Dragons vs. Bulls game is the first of two District 8 games this weekend.

On Friday at Cupples Stadium, University Prep plays its first City League game when it faces Perry.

The Panthers are 0-3 this season and have been outscored 100-40.

The Commodores are 0-2 overall and 0-1 in the City League. They have been outscored in those two losses 66-6.

City League leader Westinghouse (2-0, 3-1) heads north Friday to visit independent Butler (2-2).

Eight for one

As we hit the midway point of the boys soccer regular season, there are eight matches scheduled Thursday with outright first place or a share of the top spot up for grabs to close out the first half.

• In Section 1-4A, Norwin (6-3) visits Plum (7-0-2). The Knights and the Mustangs are tied for first place with 4-0 section records.

• In Section 3-4A, Fox Chapel (6-1-1) hosts North Allegheny (6-2-1). The Foxes enjoy a one-game lead with a 4-0 section record while the Tigers are 3-1.

• In Section 1-3A, Armstrong (6-2) travels to Indiana (8-1). The River Hawks and Little Indians are 5-1 in the section, a half-game ahead of Mars (4-1-1, 6-1-2).

• In Section 2-3A, Ringgold (5-1-1) is home to Bethel Park (5-2). The Rams have yet to lose a section match with a record of 4-0-1, while the Black Hawks are 5-1 in section play. Thomas Jefferson also has no losses at 3-0-3 in the section, 4-0-3 overall.

• In Section 4-2A, Charleroi (7-0) is at Mt. Pleasant (7-2). The Cougars and Vikings are a perfect 6-0 in section matches.

• In Section 1-A, Eden Christian Academy (4-2-1) welcomes Freedom (5-2). The Warriors are 3-1 in the section, tied with Beaver County Christian (3-1, 6-2) for second place, one game behind the Bulldogs at 4-0 atop the section.

• In Section 3-A, Aquinas Academy (5-1) visits Our Lady of the Sacred Heart (6-0). The Crusaders are 3-1 in the section, tied for second place with Carlynton (3-1, 6-3), one game behind the front-running Chargers at 4-0.

• In Section 4-A, Winchester Thurston (3-2-1) hosts Springdale (7-0). The Bears are 3-0-1 in the section, a half-game behind the Dynamos at 4-0.

Serving for first

It’s another busy Thursday in WPIAL girls volleyball as section play starts to heat up.

There are matches that will determine who sits alone in first place in six sections heading into the weekend.

• In Section 1-4A, Upper St. Clair is 3-0, a half-game ahead of both Canon-McMillan and Mt. Lebanon at 2-0. The Panthers visit the Big Macs while the Blue Devils host Peters Township (1-2).

• In Section 1-3A, Chartiers Valley is 5-0 and Montour is also unbeaten in section play at 3-0. The Colts visit the Spartans.

• In Section 3-3A, both Thomas Jefferson and Laurel Highlands are 4-0 atop the section as the Jaguars visit the Mustangs.

• In Section 1-2A, Quaker Valley is 5-0 and a half-game up on Our Lady of the Sacred Heart at 4-0 as the Quakers travel to battle the Chargers.

• In Section 2-2A, the night before the two schools face off in a key football game, South Allegheny visits South Park. The Gladiators and Eagles are 5-0 in section play.

• In Section 3-A, Carmichaels and West Greene are tied for first place with 3-0 records as the Mighty Mikes host the Pioneers.

Sweet repeats?

Both defending champions have advanced to the finals of the WPIAL girls tennis singles championships.

In Class 3A, top-seeded sophomore Meriwether McCargo of Shady Side Academy won three matches and will play again for gold Thursday when she goes up against No. 2 seed Mia Williams of Penn-Trafford.

In the 3A consolation match, sophomore Cami Fisher of Bethel Park faces freshman Brooke Henderson of Shady Side Academy.

In Class 2A, top-seed junior Gabriella Dusi of Belle Vernon had a first-round bye, then won quarterfinal and semifinal matches to reach the finals in 2A where she will face No. 2-seeded senior Grace Stitt of Hampton.

In the 2A consolation match, senior Sasha Hoffman of Greensburg Central Catholic will take on junior Anna Mrkonja of Beaver for a spot in the PIAA singles tournament.

The championship and consolation finals begin at 1 p.m. at Bethel Park.