Is it possible to overlook the Highlanders?

That might be the case for Peters Township, which was undefeated entering last week's game against the then-winless Baldwin Highlanders.

Baldwin hadn't come within two touchdowns of its first four opponents and was supposed to be crushed by an Indians team that had an average margin of victory of 11.25 points.

Instead, Baldwin scored a huge upset and ended a 17-game losing streak.

The Highlanders used a strong second half to steal its first victory of the year and the first victory at his new post for Baldwin coach Jim Wehner.

Down, 10-0, after one half, Baldwin outscored Peters Township, 20-7, in the second half. Baldwin quarterback Nathan Reed had his best performance of the year, completing 11 of 21 passes for 123 yards and two touchdowns. Larry Wallace caught five of Reed's 11 completions for 76 yards and a score.

Peters Township entered the game as one of three undefeated teams in Class AAAA. Now, it's one of six one-loss teams.

The Highlanders held the Indians to just 113 yards of total offense -- 32 rushing and 81 passing. Baldwin had 298 yards of total offense in the win.

Baldwin had not won a game since Sept. 28, 2007, when the Highlanders beat Upper St. Clair, 22-15.

Slick, sloppy conditions kept fans away from the bleachers at many a football game last Friday. But they also kept points from the scoreboard.

In the 55 games played last Friday that involved at least one WPIAL school, 15 teams were shut out.

That means one team was shut out in more than a quarter (27.3 percent) of last Friday's games. On a much drier Saturday, every school found the end zone in the seven games involving one or more WPIAL schools.

Through the first four weeks, an average of 10 WPIAL teams posted a bagel each week.

Last week's total was the largest this season. The previous high was 12 games, which happened in the season's fourth week.

Speaking of low scores, the McGuffey Highlanders allow a Class AA-low 6.4 points per game. The Highlanders have shut out three opponents this season, including last year's conference champion, Greensburg Central Catholic.

McGuffey is 4-1, its best start since 1994 when the Highlanders won their first 13 games. That year they won the Class AAA Big Eight Conference title and then claimed the WPIAL Class AAA title. They lost in the PIAA semifinals that year.

McGuffey is currently tied for second place in the Interstate Conference with Jeannette and Charleroi Area. Its only loss of the year came against current conference leader Mount Pleasant in the season opener.

Outside of that 17-6 loss, the Highlanders are averaging less than four points allowed per game.

The 1994 Big Eight title was McGuffey's last conference crown.

The WPIAL's third best defense will play the WPIAL's third best offense tomorrow night in a crucial Interstate Conference game.

McGuffey will travel to play the Jeannette Jayhawks, who score an average of 42.2 points per week -- the third most in the WPIAL. Class AAAA Gateway ranks first (43.4) and Class A Clairton is second (42.8).

Each team is 4-1, and outside of those losses, Jeannette has not scored fewer than 35 points and McGuffey has not allowed more than 15.

Christian Brumbaugh and Jeff Davis learned tough lessons last year.

South Fayette's sophomore quarterback and sophomore running back struggled through the Lions' first five games.

Brumbaugh threw for a lot of passing yards, but by game five he had more than four times as many interceptions (9) as touchdown passes (2).

Davis couldn't find open space to run -- in five games, he rushed for only 341 yards, an average of 68 per game.

The young Lions were 2-3 at that point of the season.

What a difference a year makes.

Now, Brumbaugh has four times as many touchdown passes (16) as interceptions (4).

Davis is averaging 112 yards rushing per game, and has scored 11 touchdowns.

As juniors, Brumbaugh and Davis lead a South Fayette squad that is currently 5-0 and the Post-Gazette's No. 3-ranked team in Class AA. The Lions control their destiny as the only undefeated team in the Century Conference.

South Fayette knocked off Paul Jones and Sto-Rox a couple weeks ago, but the Lions are facing a tough stretch to close out the regular season.

The Lions' first five opponents have a .400 winning percentage. Its last four opponents are an even .500 and include two 4-1 teams: Seton-LaSalle (tomorrow night) and Steel Valley (Oct. 23).

Mike White's "High School Sports Edition" videos are featured exclusively on PG+, a members-only web site from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Our introduction to PG+ gives you all the details.