1, 2, 3, 4.
That's how many PIAA state championships were brought back to Southwestern Pennsylvania from Hershey this weekend.
Congrats to Aliquippa, Penn-Trafford, Central Valley and Mt. Lebanon on earning the ultimate prizes in 2021.
In those wins, we saw some likely suspects carry the teams, a freshman phenom continues his emergence, and an unlikely hero come through via a gutsy trick play.
Previous Watch Lists: Week 1 | Week 2 | Week 3 | Week 4 | Week 5 | Week 6 | Week 7 | Week 8 | Week 9 | Week 10 | Week 11 | Week 12 | Week 13 | Week 14
Alex Tecza, Mt. Lebanon
A storybook season for Tecza and Mt. Lebanon finished in Hershey, as the senior tailback capped off one of the best years for a WPIAL 6A running back we've ever seen.
Tecza accumulated 134 total yards and scored three times on six-yard receiving touchdown and a pair of short touchdown runs, as Mt. Lebanon knocked off parental power St. Joseph's Prep, 35-17, in the PIAA 6A title game.
The win finished off a 15-0 season in which the Blue Devils' offense scored at least 28 points in each game.
Over the season, Tecza amassed over 2,000 yards of offense and scored 29 touchdowns.
Tecza has numerous college offers, including Army, Navy and multiple multiple Ivy League and Patriot League teams.
Tiqwai Hayes, Aliquippa
Another week, another appearance by a player who became one of the most intriguing WPIAL freshman in some time.
Hayes ran for 141 yards and three touchdowns, including a 42-yarder and two more in the final quarter, as the Quips beat Bishop McDevitt, 34-27, in Thursday's PIAA Class 4A Championship.
Despite only playing one varsity season, Hayes picked up offers in the last two weeks from Pitt and Penn State.
He rushed for over 1,700 yards and 23 touchdowns, putting together one of the best seasons by a WPIAL freshman in the district's history.
Landon Alexander, Central Valley
While Hayes is new on the Beaver County high school football scene, Alexander certainly is not.
And despite being an offensive player in the second-lowest scoring PIAA title game ever, Alexander is again on the KDKA Radio Watch List for his efforts.
The senior went for 35 carries, 231 rushing yards and scored the game's only touchdown, as the Warriors won a second straight state crown with a 7-0 win over Wyomissing Saturday.
WHAT A WAY TO END IT! BACK2BACK STATE CHAMPIONS!💍💍💍💍💍#23OUT pic.twitter.com/YBvgM7U3U7
— Landon Alexander (@lalexander_) December 11, 2021
He finished his high school career with a Central Valley record 4,160 yards. He recently received an offer from Division I Albany, and has an offer from UMass, also.
Conlan Greene, Penn-Trafford
Greene is a junior tight end, defensive end and long snapper for the Warriors. It's also important to remember that he is the team's backup quarterback.
Imhotep Charter forgot.
Down 14-7 with 34 seconds left in regulation of Friday's PIAA Class 5A Championship, Greene lined up for a direct snap, and tossed a 3-yard jump-pass touchdown to senior Jack Jollie.
The score sent the game to overtime. Penn-Trafford kicked a field goal, and Greene came up with the title-clinching sack, giving Penn-Trafford the school's first state football title with a 17-14 win.
This season, Greene was named First Team All-Conference as a defensive tackle, and has taken a recruiting visit to Kent State.
