On Monday, two WPIAL head coaches were recognized by the National Federation of High School Coaches Association.
Central Valley football head coach Mark Lyons and Seneca Valley boys soccer head coach George Williams were named NFHS Sectional Coaches of the year for the 2020-21 season.
Lyons has been at the head of the Warriors program since Center High School and Monaca High School merged in 2010.
The CV program has enjoyed bundles of success over the past several seasons as they captured three straight WPIAL titles most recently defeating North Catholic 52-15 at Heinz Field to send the Warriors back to the state tournament for the third consecutive season.
Central Valley also won back-to-back state championships the past two seasons defeating Wyomissing in 2020 and again in 2021.
Just as Lyon’s has had success over the years, so has Williams with the Raiders. Williams led Seneca Valley to their first PIAA State Championship in 2020 winning 14 straight matches winning the section, WPIAL, and PIAA championship.
On their quest for PIAA gold, they defeated Peters Township in overtime 4-3 to capture the WPIAL title and then defeated Neshaminy in the state finals in double overtime.
Williams’ team broke school records for goals (74) assists (84), overall record, and posted their highest national ranking coming in at no.11 in 2020.
Both Lyons and Williams are two of four WPIAL coaches that have earned PIAA and NFHS Coach of the year awards. They are joined by North Hills softball coach Libby Gasior and New Castle baseball coach Bill Cook.
NFHS is divided into eight geographical sections. Pennsylvania is in section two Mideast which includes Delaware, Washington DC, Kentucky, Maryland, Ohio, Virginia, and West Virginia.
