One week remains in the 2023 high school football regular season. Week 9 will be one that decides postseason fates, and is one featuring numerous rivalry games. But before we get there, we take a look back at an exciting Week 8 that featured some great games and some memorable individual performances.
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 8:
John Tracy, Aliquippa
Nearly 35 years ago, Mario Lemieux posted one of the most impressive accomplishments in NHL history, scoring five goals in five different ways.
On Friday, Tracy pulled off the football version of that feat, scoring five touchdowns in five different ways in Aliquippa's 53-0 win over Chartiers Valley.
The junior returned a kick, a punt and a fumble for scores, and also rushed for and caught a touchdown pass in the win.
The Quips, now 8-0, look to cap another unbeaten regular season Friday against rival Central Valley.
Jance Henry, Central Valley
And speaking of the Warriors, Central Valley heads into that showdown thanks to an impressive 29-20 win over West Allegheny Friday. And Henry carried the load.
Only a freshman, Henry ran for 205 yards and a pair of touchdowns in the victory.
He now has rushed for 860 yards and 12 scores in his first high school season, and is drawing the attention of major colleges already.
Kole Olszewski, Bishop Canevin
Over the last couple of seasons, Bishop Canevin has surged, becoming one of the top small school programs in the area. And they've done it with a multitude of skilled players, including Olszewski.
On Friday, the junior passed for 325 yards and four touchdowns in a 41-7 win over OLSH, clinching a playoff spot for the Crusaders.
In just seven games, Olszewski has passed for over 1,500 yards and 25 touchdowns, including eight in the last two weeks.
The Crusaders close out their season hosting Carlynton Saturday night.
Evan Wright, Mars
Mars is on a tear heading towards the postseason, having won four straight and scoring at least 38 points in all of those games. Wright has been the catalyst.
This week, the senior ran for 244 yards and five touchdowns in a 42-15 win over Hampton, adding onto an impressive season to this point.
Wright now has a WPIAL best 26 touchdowns and has racked up over 1,300 yards on the ground.
The Fightin' Planets are now 7-2 this year and will look to win the Greater Allegheny Conference title Friday in a massive showdown with North Catholic.
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 West Allegheny vs Montour on 100.1 FM and 1020 AM KDKA Radio. Follow @KDKARadio on X (Twitter) and Instagram for updates throughout the night.
