Big East Conference schools have dominated WPIAL Class AAAA over the past decade, winning nine of the past 15 championships and accounting for 13 of the 30 title game berths during that time.

Last season's title game was between Woodland Hills and Gateway, and no one will be surprised if those teams are in the mix again.

Central Catholic and Penn Hills also have been to the semifinals at least once over the past four seasons.

Everyone in the Big East figures to be chasing the elder coaching statesman of the area -- Woodland Hills' George Novak, who figures to have a strong team again.

One change district fans can look for this year in the Big East is the addition of Altoona, a new member to the WPIAL.

Here's a look at how the Big East shapes up for schools in the PG East circulation area this season:

The Vikings were able to break in a new quarterback down the stretch last season as Perry Hills played the final few games. Now a junior, that experience (completing 33 of 63 passes, 510 yards, six touchdowns) should only help him.

A strong backfield in the form of Damion Jones-Moore, Brian Palermo and Chris Grimes also figures to provide support. Jones-Moore is one of the WPIAL's top running backs. He rushed for 1,457 yards and scored 17 touchdowns last season.

In all, the offense welcomes six starters back and the defense four.

"It's a good group of kids," coach Terry Totten said. "Obviously we have some holes to fill -- everybody does -- but so far, the kids are working hard and seem to be focused. That's a real good starting point in high school.

After winning five consecutive conference titles, the Vikings were Big East runners-up the past two seasons.

"You always like to start out saying we're going for a championship, and we're no different," Totten said. "My goal, honestly, not to sound like a coach, but it's to get better every week, still be around in early November and see what happens from there.

"That's all you can shoot for. If you keep improving and eliminate mistakes you'll get that chance."

The Cavaliers have not had a winning season since 2003, but coach Troy Wilson has been happy with the spirit his team has shown through preseason practice.

"Our biggest thing right now is just competing," said Wilson, who is in his second season as head coach but has been on the staff at Kiski for 10 years. "If you have a smaller team, a young team, you don't want to be there standing around watching. You want them flying around, initiating contact."

Wilson said the skill positions might be his team's strength. Seniors Aaron Frye and Leonard Graham will handle running back duties, and Frye is also a standout at safety and punter, while Graham was also recognized among the Big East Conference's best at defensive end and tight end last season.

A pair of juniors, Chris Zaccagnini and Tim Johnson, are in a competition for the starting quarterback job.

The Cavaliers have less than a dozen seniors on the roster, roughly a third of what conference rival Woodland Hills will field. That statistic is emblematic of Kiski's uphill battle to overtake the likes of perennial conference powers such as Woodland Hills, Central Catholic and Penn Hills.

"We want to be competitive in our conference and make the playoffs," Wilson said.

Maybe it's the fact they've watched it on TV so many times being run by some high-profile colleges. Maybe it's visions of being a part of high-scoring, entertaining games. Perhaps it's just the enticement of trying something new.

Whatever it is, Penn Hills coach Ron Graham said the Indians' players are looking forward to running more of a spread-style offense that new offensive coordinator Harvey Smith is installing this season.

"They're very excited," said Graham, who is in his third season. "It's just one of those things that when you change something, you just have to work out the kinks. But it's exciting, and they're giving 100 percent attention and effort."

The excitement level at Indians' practices also is heightened in part due to the fact so many jobs are available for hungry younger players. Only two starters return on both offense and defense (defensive end Eric Vincent, defensive tackle Michael Airgood, quarterback Chaz Whittaker and running back Terrell Roberson).

"We're rebuilding," Graham said. "There are a lot of kids who aren't yet tested. During scrimmages, you can see the jitters and see the mistakes. But they will adjust and work to improve."

Whittaker and Philip Morford are in a competition for the starting quarterback job. Another team leader identified by Graham is wide receiver Corey Jones, and lineman Tyler Swatchick will be, too, once he is able to play after recovering from injury.

In Frank Sacco's first season as coach last year, the Mustangs qualified for the WPIAL playoffs. But they finished with a not-so-sparkling 3-7 record, and the team's first winning record since 2001 would represent more progress.

"We need to stay focused and work harder than last year," Sacco said. "Our goal is to continue to make progress for our program."

Plum has six starters each on offense and defense returning. Running back/defensive back Demetrius Wellington (5-11, 175, sr.), linemen Christian Suprano (6-4, 240, sr.) and Anthony Dilonardo (6-3, 250, sr.); receiver/defensive back Ryan Garrity (6-0, 195, sr.), running backs/defensive backs Joe Bailey (5-10, 175, sr.) and Bobby Serkerka (5-10, 185, sr.), and quarterback Chris Zdinak (6-1, 180, jr.) are prominent.

Plum was shut out four times in 10 games last season; the Mustangs' seven losses came by an average of 35 points. But they won at Kiski in the regular-season finale in a virtual playoff game. Qualifying for the playoffs will be more difficult this season with the addition of Altoona to the Big East, giving the conference seven teams. Still only four will make the playoffs.

All signs point to the Wolverines being a favorite in WPIAL Class AAAA. They are the defending champions and return eight starters from what evolved into a dominating defense at times last season. In all, Woodland Hills has a whopping 37 seniors, including a handful who are big-time talents headed to Division I colleges.

Like any savvy veteran coach, George Novak isn't going to buy into the hype just yet.

"We're developing," Novak said. "It's a process every year. You've got to put the right people in the right places. ... We'll see who develops as we try to get our best 11 guys on the field on offense and defense. It's a real competitive situation, which should make us better."

Among the primary figures on a defense that nine times in 14 games last season limited the opponent to seven points or fewer are linebackers Ejaun Price (6-0, 230, sr.), Mike Caprara (6-0, 205, jr.) and Deandre Timbers (5-10, 200, sr.); defensive linemen Quinton Jefferson (6-4, 232, sr.), Alfonzo Strozier (5-8, 220, sr.), Julian Turner (6-2, 285, sr.), Justin Littlejohn (5-8, 233, sr.), who is returning from injury, and Jonathan Johnson (6-3, 203, sr.); and defensive backs Jaimire Dutrieuille (5-9, 152, jr.), Ron Tyler (6-0, 175, sr.) and John Cobbs (5-10, 163, sr.).

But only one starter returns to his position of last season on offense, Turner at center (although Jevonte and Lafayette Pitts played significant roles last season and will again). Jevonte (5-9, 173, sr.) takes over at quarterback and Lafayette (6-0, 188, sr.) a running back.

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