TEAM TO BEAT

Thomas Jefferson: The Jaguars picked to win the conference has become an annual event -- and for good reason. Look for the defending PIAA champions to go as far as senior quarterback Tyler Wehner (6-0, 180), senior tight end Brock DeCicco (6-5, 225) and senior running back Brian Baldrige (5-10, 185) will take them.

CONTENDERS

Trinity: Coach Ed Dalton has a huge rebuilding job to do. Look for senior tight end/defensive end Jack Jamerson (6-3, 235) to lead the charge.

Chartiers Valley: The Colts will go with a new-look, spread offense. It will be engineered by senior quarterback Santino Coury (5-8, 175), who moves over from running back.

West Mifflin: The Titans went 3-6 last season and could improve, led by Penn State recruit and lineman Adam Gress (6-7, 290).

THE OTHERS

Belle Vernon: Coach Lou Rood's team will lean on senior quarterback Jake Cramer (5-10, 185), who threw for six scores last year, for veteran leadership.

Ringgold: Senior receiver Jake Spaziani and senior tight end Dave Bassi accounted for 38 catches last year. They will, again, be the crux of the offense.

Elizabeth Forward: The Warriors were winless last season, giving up a Class AAA worst 45.1 ppg.

TEAM TO BEAT

Highlands: Senior quarterback Jeff Sinclair (1,313 yards, 10 TDs) returns and will be one of the top arms in the WPIAL. Look for him to pair with linebacker/running back Billy Devlin (429 yards rushing) on a team that could make a deep run.

CONTENDERS

Franklin Regional: The Panthers have a legitimate shot at winning the conference. How 6-2, 210-pound senior quarterback Anthony Vendemia (1,163, 8 TDs) bounces back from a broken hand in the preseason will be pivotal.

Knoch: Coach Mike King has led a huge resurgence with the program. This year will be much of the same as last: Give it to senior running back Tim McNerney (1,750 yards, 24 TDs) and hope great things happen.

Indiana: A late-season surge helped the Indians go 6-3 last year, and senior quarterback Ben Fiscus (728 passing yards, 727 rushing yards) makes them the sleeper in this conference.

THE OTHERS

Mars: The Planets have a tough adjustment in jumping from Class AA, but senior quarterback John Brake (6-4, 190) could surprise a lot of people.

Hampton: The Talbots must find a way to battle back from a 2-7 season -- and adjust to new coach Jacque DeMatteo at the same time.

TEAM TO BEAT

Greensburg Salem: Coach Casey Cavanaugh probably has the most talent in his tenure thus far. Junior running back Matt Adams (600 yards) had an impressive sophomore season. How will he follow it up?

CONTENDERS

Yough: The Cougars jump up from the Class AA Interstate Conference and will be a major factor. Coach Jim Wehner will look to senior running back Ben Hoffer (1,025 yards) to carry the offense, running behind senior lineman Nathan Roll (6-5, 220).

Uniontown: The Red Raiders will go as far as senior quarerback Doug Sanner (1,633 yards, 14 TDs) takes them.

THE OTHERS

Southmoreland: Andy Stasko (6-0, 180), a senior quarterback/safety, is coming off a season in which he scored 9 touchdowns and will be the leader for the Scotties.

Laurel Highlands: The strength of this squad will be on the line, with seniors John Shull (6-2, 195) and Woody Hanan (6-4, 275).

Derry: The Trojans failed to win a game last season, scoring just 11.4 points per game.

Albert Gallatin: One thing is certain, the defense needs to get better. Last year's 1-8 team gave up 216 points -- in the last four weeks.

TEAM TO BEAT

Montour: The Spartans reached the WPIAL title game last year, and led by QB/DB E.J. Banks (913 yards rushing, 10 TDs), a Notre Dame recruit, they have the firepower to get back.

CONTENDERS

Blackhawk: Skill players Jake Delmonico at receiver, Zach Hayward at quarterback and Bryan Stefanik at running back accounted for 14 touchdowns last season.

West Allegheny: It all comes down to this for coach Bob Palko's team: How are they going to deal with the graduation loss of quarterback Zak Sinclair (1,118 yards passing, 14 TDs)?

Hopewell: Coach Dave Vestal's team is very inexperienced, but senior quarterback Tyler George (5-11, 180) and senior running backs Drew Howard (5-10, 180) and Brendan Taylor (6-0, 205) could spark an offense that might surprise some.

THE OTHERS

New Castle: As always, New Castle is tremendously athletic, with the senior tandem of quarterback Michael Bongivengo (606 yards passing, 5 TDs) and receiver Tashan Jones (6-1, 182).

Moon: It has been a down few seasons, but senior quarterback Ryan Falbo, in his third year as a starter, is looking to change things.

Ambridge: The Bridgers won just one conference game last season and have to find a replacement for graduated quarterback David Duke.