Aliquippa and Jeannette high schools are 59 miles apart. But in the past few years, they have developed a rivalry like neighboring schools.

Aliquippa and Jeannette have met in playoff games in football and basketball four times the previous three years. Many players at both schools play both sports.

Friday night, the rivalry is renewed when Jeannette (11-0) meets Aliquippa (9-2) in a WPIAL Class AA football semifinal at Highlands.

"It's a rivalry, but it not a rivalry like us and Greensburg Central Catholic where a lot of people don't like each other," said Jeannette coach Ray Reitz. "I think with us and Aliquippa there is a lot of respect on both sides, from the coaching staff to the players.

"If our guys don't respect Aliquippa, then they're goofballs. We know what their program is about. They have a proud tradition."

Jeannette beat Aliquippa in the WPIAL quarterfinals last season on the way to winning the title. The two schools met in the WPIAL basketball championship in March and Aliquippa won.

Aliquippa was the No. 1 seed for the football playoffs last year; this time, Jeannette is the No. 1 seed.

The game features two of the top athletes in the state in Jeannette quarterback-defensive back Terrelle Pryor and Aliquippa receiver-defensive back Jonathan Baldwin. As juniors, both were selected to the Post-Gazette Fabulous 22 all-star team for football and the Fabulous Five for basketball.

"We know they're going to be pumped to play Pryor," Reitz said. "But at the same time, he can't wait to play them."

Baldwin has caught 35 passes for 433 yards. Pryor has more than 2,000 yards offense (1,224 rushing and 853 passing).

Jeannette has forced the mercy rule on every team this season. Under the rule, the clock runs continuously in the second half when a team goes ahead by 35 points or more.

After last week's quarterfinal victory against Mars, Aliquippa coach Mike Zmijanac put his tongue in his cheek when he said, "We hear [Jeannette] is as good as the 1978 Steelers."

Beaver Falls vs. Riverside

Riverside (10-1) has been one of the surprise teams of the WPIAL playoffs, making it to the semifinals for the first time since 1993.

The Panthers knocked off Beaver in the first round, and beat No. 2-seed Ford City in the quarterfinals. Ford City was undefeated and ranked No. 3 in the state in Class AA.

Riverside has played well on defense in the two games, but the Panthers have relied heavily on running back Jake Wickline, who has 1,663 yards for the season and more than 4,000 for his career.

Beaver Falls' defense has allowed only 161 yards rushing in two playoff games.