Friday night in the WPIAL was one full of rivalry matchups, including the "Game of the Century" between Central Catholic and North Allegheny on KDKA Radio.
There were also several dynamic individual performances on the gridiron in Week 4, including a record-breaking game for a running back, a pair of quarterbacks who found open receivers all night, and another tailback who couldn't be kept out of the end zone.
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 top showings from Week 4:
Tasso Whipple, Penn-Trafford
We begin with a record-setting night in Westmoreland County.
While Penn-Trafford has had a history of strong running backs, none have done what Whipple did Friday. The junior ran for a Penn-Trafford record 300 yards, caught two passes for 53 yards, and scored four touchdowns in a 41-18 win over neighboring rival Hempfield.
The huge rushing total eclipsed Manny Simpson's 292-yard mark set 12 years ago.
Whipple has now rushed for 609 yards and five touchdowns this season, and is the team's second-leading receiver with 149 yards and two scores. He is also a strong wrestler for the Warriors, winning a section title in the 172-pound weight class last year.
Donald Barksdale, Steel Valley
While many have become familiar with Steel Valley sophomore standout and Division I recruit Da'Ron Barksdale, another Barksdale stole the show Friday.
Junior Donald Barksdale rushed for 221 yards and all five touchdowns in 35-0 win over Ligonier Valley.
Barksdale has rushed for 482 yards and eight touchdowns this season, as the Ironmen are 3-1 on the year, scoring wins over strong programs in Imani Christian and Sto-Rox already.
Jaivin Peel, Western Beaver
After dropping their first two games of the season, Western Beaver has started to hit its stride as its gotten into Midwestern Conference play. And Peel's arm has been the big catalyst.
On Friday, the freshman phenom threw for 338 yards and four touchdowns in 41-18 win over Ellwood City.
The WPIAL's leading passer with 1,228 yards, Peel has passed for 669 yards in the last two weeks, nearly knocking off conference favorite Neshannock a week prior.
It's early, but Peel could be in line to put up all-time great numbers as a high schooler. Only five weeks into the season, he is currently just 500 yards away from the WPIAL freshman passing record.
Carson Bellinger, Avonworth
Few teams have been as impressive as Avonworth to this point. Defensively, the Antelopes have allowed just 12 points over the last three weeks. Offensively, Avonworth is averaging over 37 points per game.
Leading the attack has been Bellinger.
The sophomore quarterback passed for 268 yards and four touchdowns Friday, as the Antelopes roughed up South Park 38-0. Eight of his passes with to senior Andrew Kuban, who racked up 147 receiving yards.
Bellinger has thrown for 774 yards, 14 touchdowns and only two interceptions this season. Avonworth, now 5-0, faces a strong test Friday against West Mifflin.
The high school football season continues Friday, 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 Upper St. Clair vs Mt. Lebanon on 100.1 FM and 1020 AM KDKA Radio. Follow @KDKARadio on X (Twitter) and Instagram for updates throughout the night.
