Trib HSSN Pennsylvania high school football rankings for Dec. 5, 2023 | Trib HSSN

By: Don Rebel

The final weekend of the 2023 high school football season is upon us as the six PIAA championship games are set for Cumberland Valley High School in Mechanicsburg.

Seven of the 12 teams playing for state gold this week also were in the title game a year ago.

St. Joseph’s Prep in 6A, Belle Vernon in 3A, Southern Columbia in 2A and Steelton-Highspire in A are trying to successfully defend their state crowns while Imhotep Charter in 5A, Aliquippa in 4A and Westinghouse in 2A hope for a different outcome this season after finishing as PIAA runner-up a year ago.

Back to center stage this season are North Allegheny in 6A and Dallas in 4A while brand new to the bright lights and playing in their first PIAA title game are Peters Township in 5A, Northwestern Lehigh in 3A and Fort Cherry in A.

There were no changes in five of the six classifications as the top two teams in last week’s rankings were semifinals winners with the exception of Class 4A.

Here is the next-to-last Trib HSSN Top 5 in each of the six classifications. Teams are listed with overall record, last week’s ranking and district.

Class 6A

1. St. Joseph’s Prep (12-1) (1) (D-12): The defending PIAA champion Hawks defeated No. 4 Central Bucks South in Week 14, 49-0. They play No. 2 North Allegheny in the PIAA state championship game on Saturday.

2. North Allegheny (13-1) (2) (D-7): The Tigers defeated No. 3 Harrisburg in Week 14, 24-12. They play No. 1 St. Joseph’s Prep in the PIAA state championship game on Saturday.

3. Harrisburg (12-2) (3) (D-3): The Cougars lost to No. 2 North Allegheny in Week 14, 24-12. Their season is over.

4. Central Bucks South (13-2) (4) (D-1): The Titans lost to No. 1 St. Joseph’s in Week 14, 49-0. Their season is over.

5. Manheim Township (12-1) (5) (D-3): The Blue Streaks’ season is over.

Out: None

Class 5A

1. Imhotep Charter (14-0) (1) (D-12): The Panthers defeated No. 3 Strath Haven in Week 14, 42-14. They play No. 2 Peters Township in the PIAA state championship game on Friday.

2. Peters Township (15-0) (2) (D-7): The Indians defeated No. 4 Cocalico in Week 14, 14-9. They play No. 1 Imhotep Charter in the PIAA state championship game on Friday.

3. Strath Haven (13-2) (3) (D-1): The Panthers lost to No. 1 Imhotep Charter in Week Foureen, 42-14. Their season is over.

4. Cocalico (11-2) (4) (D-3): The Eagles lost to No. 2 Peters Township in Week 14, 14-9. Their season is over.

5. Chester (12-2) (5) (D-1): The Clippers’ season is over.

Out: None

Class 4A

1. Aliquippa (13-0) (2) (D-7): The Quips defeated No. 3 Selinsgrove in Week 14, 52-32. They play No. 2 Dallas in the PIAA state championship game on Thursday.

2. Dallas (15-0) (4) (D-2): The Mountaineers defeated No. 1 Bishop McDevitt in Week 14, 26-23 in double overtime. They play No. 1 Aliquippa in the PIAA state championship game on Thursday.

3. Bishop McDevitt (13-1) (1) (D-3): The defending PIAA champion Crusaders lost to No. 4 Dallas in Week 14, 26-23 in double overtime. Their season is over.

4. Selinsgrove (13-1-1) (3) (D-4): The Seals lost to No. 2 Aliquippa in Week 14, 52-32. Their season is over.

5. Monsignor Bonner-Archbishop Prendergast (10-3) (5) (D-12): The Friars’ season is over.

Out: None

Class 3A

1. Belle Vernon (12-1) (1) (D-7): The defending PIAA champion Leopards defeated No. 4 Hickory in Week 14, 42-16. They play No. 2 Northwestern Lehigh in the PIAA state championship game on Saturday.

2. Northwestern Lehigh (15-0) (2) (D-11): The Tigers defeated No. 3 Wyomissing in Week 14, 33-24. They play No. 1 Belle Vernon in the PIAA state championship game on Saturday.

3. Wyomissing (12-2) (3) (D-3): The Spartans lost to No. 2 Northwestern Lehigh in Week 14, 33-24. Their season is over.

4. Hickory (11-3) (4) (D-10): The Hornets lost to No. 1 Belle Vernon in Week 14, 42-16. Their season is over.

5. Martinsburg Central (12-1) (5) (D-6): The Scarlet Dragons’ season is over.

Out: None

Class 2A

1. Westinghouse (13-0) (1) (D-8): The Bulldogs defeated No. 4 Beaver Falls in Week 14, 28-8. They play No. 2 Southern Columbia in the PIAA state championship game on Friday.

2. Southern Columbia (14-1) (2) (D-4): The defending PIAA champion Tigers defeated No. 3 Dunmore in Week 14, 39-7. They play No. 1 Westinghouse in the PIAA state championship game on Friday.

3. Dunmore (12-3) (3) (D-2): The Bucks lost to No. 2 Southern Columbia in Week 14, 39-7. Their season is over.

4. Beaver Falls (9-6) (4) (D-7): The Tigers lost to No. 1 Westinghouse in Week 14, 28-8. Their season is over.

5. Farrell (11-2) (5) (D-10): The Steelers’ season is over.

Out: None

Class A

1. Steelton-Highspire (15-0) (1) (D-3): The defending PIAA champion Steamrollers defeated No. 3 South Williamsport in Week 14, 48-21. They play No. 2 Fort Cherry in the PIAA state championship game on Thursday.

2. Fort Cherry (15-0) (2) (D-7): The Rangers defeated No. 4 Redbank Valley in Week 14, 33-24. They play No. 1 Steelton-Highspire in the PIAA state championship game on Thursday.

3. South Williamsport (11-3) (3) (D-4): The Mountaineers lost to No. 1 Steelton-Highspire in Week 14, 48-21. Their season is over.

4. Redbank Valley (12-2) (4) (D-9): The Bulldogs lost to No. 2 Fort Cherry in Week 14, 33-24. Their season is over.

5. Lackawanna Trail (13-1) (5) (D-2): The Lions’ season is now over.

Out: None