The high school football regular season is now in the books. Up next, the playoffs kick off Friday, as teams in six classifications being their quests to Acrisure Stadium or Norwin High School.
The week, we highlight a pair of quarterbacks — one for his arm, the other for his legs — as well as a big play receiver and a dominant defensive end.
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 9:
Matt Sieg, Fort Cherry
Fort Cherry has enjoyed a nice season in 2022, with a 7-3 record and the 6-seed in the Class 1A postseason. And Sieg has played a major role in getting them there.
On Friday, Sieg, who is only a freshman, ran for 363 yards and scored six rushing touchdowns, while also passing for another 38 yards and and a touchdown, as the Rangers pulled off a 48-34 win over Burgettstown.
The 383 yards were the most in the WPIAL Friday. This season, he has passed for 1,039 yards and nine touchdowns and rushed for 1,504 yards and 26 more touchdowns.
He is the only player in the WPIAL to rush for over 1,500 yards and pass for over 1,000 this year.
DJ Walker, Aliquippa
In perhaps the most highly anticipated matchup of the season, a game you heard on KDKA Radio, Walker made a trio of massive plays to help the Quips take down rival Central Valley, 35-24, to cap an undefeated regular season.
Walker grabbed two receiving touchdowns — including a 92-yard splash — and racked up 141 receiving yards in the win. He also snagged a key interception on defense during the third quarter.
Also a standout on the basketball court and the track, Walker has numerous Division I offers.
Jordan Mayer, Thomas Jefferson
Don't look now, but here come the Jaguars.
Thomas Jefferson pulled off an upset to close out the regular season, knocking off previously unbeaten McKeesport 20-10.
Mayer, a Wisconsin recruit, was a force on defense. The senior had two sacks, a fumble recovery, a blocked punt and made numerous tackles.
He also caught two passes and ripped off a 22-yard run in the win.
Keegan Smetanka, Shaler
Shaler's 2022 season was full of big plays, and big individual performances.
Early in the season, running back Luke Cignetti was among the WPIAL leaders in rushing yards. At the end of the year, the passing game erupted, and Keegan Smetanka finished on a high note.
The junior on Friday passed for 359 yards and five touchdowns, surpassing the 2,000-yard mark for the season, in a 55-25 win over Fox Chapel.
Also a strong basketball player, Smetanka helped the Titans to a 5-5 record, Shaler's best record in 11 years.
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 Gateway on 100.1 FM and 1020 AM KDKA Radio. Follow @KDKARadio on Twitter for updates throughout the night.
