It all comes down to this. After months of practices and games, the 2022 high school football season ends this weekend, with five local teams competing for state gold.
In this week's PIAA semifinals, four WPIAL teams and a City League team pulled off impressive victories to punch their tickets. They were led by four outstanding individual performance.
Throughout the season, KDKA Radio will put together a watch list of some of the best players in the region. At the end of the year, the top performer from each WPIAL classification, and one member of the Pittsburgh City League, will receive the prestigious KDKA Super 7 Award.
Here are the new additions to the KDKA Super 7 Watch List for Week 14:
Khalil Taylor, Westinghouse
One of the best stories in high school sports in 2022 is coming out of the City League.
Westinghouse continued its magical season Friday, topping WPIAL 2A champion Steel Valley 26-7.
Taylor, a senior, ran for 157 yards and a touchdown in the victory.
The Bulldogs are outscoring teams by 36 points per game this season. They will next face state power Southern Columbia Friday at 1 p.m. in the state title game.
Braden Laux, Belle Vernon
WPIAL 3A champion Belle Vernon continued its strong play in the postseason Friday with a 21-17 win over Martinsburg Central.
Laux, the team's quarterback, turned to his legs to help the Leopards to the win.
The junior completed just one of his seven pass attempts, but ran 13 times for 139 yards and two touchdowns to advance Belle Vernon to the 3A title game.
Laux and the Leopards next face Neumann-Goretti Saturday at 1 p.m. in the PIAA Championships.
Ryan Palmieri, Pine-Richland
Palmieri earned his way onto the Watch List earlier this season, and his standout performance Friday brought him back.
The running back turned quarterback completed 9 of 10 passes, compiling 201 yards and three scores, while rushing for 73 more yards and another touchdown, as the Rams roughed up Cocalico 34-12.
The senior has rushed for over 1,800 yards this season and accounted for over 30 total touchdowns.
The Rams next face District 12 champion Imhotep Charter Friday night for the 5A state title.
John Tracy, Aliquippa
Aliquippa is heading back to the state title game.
The Quips beat up Allentown Central Catholic Friday, 31-10.
Tracy led the way in a relief role following an injury to starting running back Tiquai Hayes. Tracy, in his place, ran for 130 yards and a touchdown, and scored on a 65-yard screen pass, as well.
The Quips, now 13-0 this season, face District 3 power Bishop McDevitt Thursday night in the PIAA 4A title game.
The high school football season continues this week, as KDKA Radio will once again provide award-winning broadcast coverage of the region's biggest game of the week. This week, you can hear the PIAA 4A, 2A, 5A and 3A championship games Thursday, Friday and Saturday on 100.1 FM and 1020 AM KDKA Radio. Follow @KDKARadio on Twitter for updates throughout the night.
