The WPIAL Champions have been crowned! Congratulations to Mt. Lebanon, Penn-Trafford, Central Valley, Aliquippa, Serra Catholic and Bishop Canevin on bringing home district gold in the 2021 season.
This week, we select one player from each of the WPIAL title games played this weekend as members of the Super 7 Watch List.
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 | Week 12
Cade Yacamelli, Penn-Trafford
Yacamelli is no stranger to the KDKA Radio Watch list, having made the list just last week after the WPIAL semifinals. But the Wisconsin commit is back this week after a dazzling performance in the Class 5A title game.
Yacamelli piled up 136 rushing yards and a score on the ground, and also added a 92-yard touchdown catch, as Penn-Trafford won its first WPIAL title by beating Moon, 24-21.
This season, the senior has rushed for 1,634 yards and scored 24 touchdowns.
The Warriors next play Exeter Township on Friday in the PIAA semifinals.
Landon Alexander, Central Valley
Another familiar face on the KDKA Super 7 Watch List, Alexander has been the focal point of the WPIAL's most dominant team.
On Saturday, the senior rushed 18 times for 220 yards and a touchdown, becoming the all-time rushing leader in Central Valley's history. And leading the Warriors to a third straight WPIAL title with a 52-15.
The performance is the fifth 200-yard game of Alexander's season, as he has now run for 1,730 yards and 25 touchdowns this season.
The Warriors next meet Central in Friday's Class 3A semifinals.
Tiqwai Hayes, Aliquippa
While Cade Yacamelli went back-to-back on the Super 7 Watch List, so did the freshman Hayes.
The youngster rushed 26 times for 133 yards and two scores, as the Quips upset Belle Vernon, 28-13, to claim the WPIAL 4A title.
The win is a remarkable 18th in the WPIAL championships for Aliquippa, four more than the next best program in the history of the district.
Hayes has rushed for 1,510 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns this season.
Aliquippa plays Jersey Shore in the WPIAL Class 4A semifinals on Friday.
Terrell Booth, Serra Catholic
Serra Catholic got a little bit of everything in its 35-12 win over Beaver Falls in the WPAL 2A title game Friday.
The Eagles scored three defensive touchdowns, including a 15-yard interception returned for a touchdown to kickstart a lopsided fourth quarter in which Serra Catholic outscored the Tigers 21-0.
Booth also made 8 tackles in the game and caught a pair of passes.
This season, Booth has caught 40 passes for 842 yards, rushing for 118 yards, and score a team-leading 14 touchdowns.
The senior has picked up offers from Notre Dame College, Clarion, Slippery Rock and Bethany.
The Eagles next play District 10 champions Farrell Friday in the Class 2A semifinals.
Xavier Nelson, Bishop Canevin
Before Friday, Bishop Canevin had never won a WPIAL football championship. But that changed at Heinz Field, as the Crusaders beat OLSH, 42-7, in the Class 1A title game.
While only touching the ball a couple of times, Nelson made a massive impact, pulling in two passes for 102 yards and two touchdowns.
Nelson, a junior, also returned an interception 47 yards for another score.
This season he has caught 37 passes for 817 yards, rushed for 160 yards, and scored a team-leading 14 touchdowns.
He has picked up an offer from Westminster. Bishop Canevn faces Redbank Valley Friday with a trip to the PIAA title game on the line.
