TEAM TO BEAT:

Thomas Jefferson: A fifth consecutive trip to Heinz Field looks like a decent bet for Bill Cherpak's Jaguars. The defending champs boast two-way tackle Lucas Nix as well as junior running back Brian Baldrige, who ran for 1,416 yards last season. Tyler Wehner, son of Pirates broadcaster John Wehner, will be the QB.

CONTENDERS

Trinity: Big Ten-bound Andrew Sweat (Ohio State) and Mike Yancich (Penn State) give the Hillers one of the most-talented linebacker tandems in the country.

Peters Township: New coach Nick Milchovich has senior QB Tyler Porco, a starter since his freshman year, and also Nick Fazio, who rushed for 1,000 yards last year.

Chartiers Valley: Eight starters return, Junior Santino Coury, one of only two sophomores in Class AAA named all-conference last season, moves from running back to quarterback.

THE OTHERS

Keystone Oaks: Senior running back John Fuhrer (5-7, 180) has rushed for over 1,000 yards in back-to-back seasons.

West Mifflin: New coach Tim Brennan hopes the addition of several Duquesne athletes will further help him to duplicate the success he had in leading an Idaho high school to three state titles.

Elizabeth Forward: Senior C.J. Smith and junior Dale Rothey are the returning starters for a team that hasn't finished above .500 in seven years.

-- By Brad Everett