While one WPIAL Championship game was played this past weekend, five more were set up. And, while KDKA Radio is planning extensive coverage of the WPIAL title games this weekend, we also want to take one final look back at the top performances from Week 12 of high school football.
At the end of the high school football season, we will honor seven local players who stood out the most during 2021.
The awards will go to the top player in each WPIAL classification, as well as the best performer in the Pittsburgh City League.
Leading up to that, each week, we will highlight players who are in the running for the prestigious postseason award.
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
Alex Tecza, Mt. Lebanon
Tecza, Mt. Lebanon's dynamic senior tailback, has been a driving force for the Blue Devils all season. But, on Saturday night at Norwin, Tecza put on a show for the ages.
Mt. Lebanon ran away with the WPIAL Class 6A Championship, pounding Central Catholic, 47-7, behind 193 rushing yards, 48 receiving yards, and four touchdowns from Tecza.
The win gave the Blue Devils their first district title since 2000.
Tecza is no stranger to the KDKA Radio Super 7 Watch List, and has to be considered the frontrunner for the end-of-year prize. This season, he has rushed for 1,745 yards, hauled in 144 receiving yards, and scored 22 touchdowns, as Mt. Lebanon finished the WPIAL slate unbeaten.
He has offers from a handful of schools, including Navy, Army and some Ivy League institutions.
Tiqwai Hayes, Aliquippa
Aliquippa has a great tradition of running back play throughout the program's illustrious history. So for a freshman to play, let alone start for the Quips, is impressive.
Enter Hayes, who ran the ball 39 times for 218 yards and two touchdowns, as Aliquippa won an overtime thriller over McKeesport, 27-21, in the WPIAL Class 4A semifinals.
Only in 9th grade, Hayes has racked up 1,380 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns this season.
Up next for the Quips and their phenomenal freshman? A trip to the 4A championship to meet top-seeded Belle Vernon at Heinz Field Saturday.
Cade Yacamelli, Penn-Trafford
Yacamelli made an early appearance on the Super 7 Watch list this year, and his efforts in Friday's Class 5A semifinals has earned him another spot.
Yacamelli, a senior tailback for the Warriors, had 19 carries for 207 yards and three second half touchdowns, as Penn-Trafford beat Pine-Richland, 24-6, in the Class 5A semifinals.
A Wisconsin commit, Yacamelli has rushed for 1,498 yards, caught 14 passes for 191 yards and scored 22 touchdowns in 2021.
The Warriors will face No. 1 Moon on Saturday night at Heinz Field for the 5A title.
Jeremiah Dean, Moon
Dean has had a very successful year in what has been a breakthrough season for the Tigers.
On Friday, a win away from Moon's first appearance in the WPIAL 5A title game, Dean played a strong role in helping the Tigers accomplish just that.
The senior tailback ran for 101 yards and scored a touchdown as the Tigers edged Penn Hills, 14-9, in the 5A semifinals.
It will be the first championship game appearance for Moon since 1998 when the Tigers meet Penn-Trafford Saturday night.
KDKA Radio's coverage of WPIAL football continues this week with the Quest for the Best Show at 6 p.m. on Thursday night. This week, KDKA Radio will bring you broadcasts of the Class 2A WPIAL Championship on Friday and the Class 4A and Class 5A title games on Saturday at Heinz Field. You can hear the show, and the games, on 100.1 FM and 1020 AM News Radio KDKA.
