WPIAL Stars Were Shining Last Night

Teams need their stars to shine in the biggest games of the season and last night many area teams were able to get star like performances from their best players.

You’ve heard names like Lamont Wade, Geno Stone, Marcus Hooker, Avante McKenzie, Kenny White, Paris Ford all season and last night like played huge roles in their team’s advancing in the WPIAL playoffs.

New Castle’s Marcus Hooker at Heinz Field for Pitt-Penn State (Photo credit: Mike Vukovcan)

Kenny White, West Allegheny: 2 rushing touchdowns and 1 touchdown pass.

Geno Stone, New Castle: 12 carries for 94 yards and 5 touchdowns

Marcus Hooker, New Castle: 34 carries for 178 yards

Avante McKenzie, Aliquippa: 21 carries for 141 yards and 3 touchdowns

JJ Younger, Central Catholic: 173 yards rushing and 2 touchdowns

Paris Ford, Steel Valley: 4 touchdowns (57 yard run, 62 yard punt return, 32 yard interception return, 20 yard run)

Lamont Wade, Clairton: 225 yards rushing, 4 touchdowns including a 101 yard interception return

WPIAL Schedule

*Class 6A: Central Catholic vs. Seneca Valley

*Class 5A: West Allegheny vs. McKeesport

*Class 4A: Thomas Jefferson vs. New Castle

*Class 3A: Aliquippa vs. Beaver Falls

*Class 2 A Semifinals: Steel Valley vs. Riverside, Washington vs.  Neshannock

*Class 1A Semifinals: Clairton vs. Northgate, Rochester vs. Jeannette

WPIAL Milestones

*Steel Valley is averaging 56.1 points per game this season

*Riverside is in the semifinals for the first time since 2007

*Last 6 games, Northgate has outscored their opponents 271-20

*Rochester is back in the semifinals for the first time since 2011

*Prior to last night, Seneca Valley had lost 15 of the past 16 games to North Allegheny. Seneca are in the finals for the first time since 1989.

*Beaver Falls are in the WPIAL Finals for the eighth time

*Aliquippa has made it to the championship game 9 straight years

*West Allegheny are in the WPIAL Finals for the ninth time

*Central Catholic are in the Finals for the ninth time and for the fourth consecutive season

*McKeesport is in the championship game for the first time since 2005

*Thomas Jefferson will be playing in its ninth WPIAL championship game under HC Bill Cherpak