Welcome to the first edition of the Sanserino Scale, a preseason ranking system for teams from the Post-Gazette's South coverage area. It's similar to the Richter Scale, which measures the force of earthquakes, but hopefully these picks won't be as disastrous.

1. Bethel Park -- Seniors Nick Kwiatkoski and Bre Ford are future Division I players who nearly led the Black Hawks to their second consecutive trip to Heinz Field last season. They will be motivated to end their high school careers on a high note.

2. Mt. Lebanon -- The Blue Devils have a couple Division I players of their own in tight end Paul Lang (Michigan State) and offensive lineman Tim Cwalina (Virginia). They will pose the biggest threat to Bethel Park.

3. Upper St. Clair -- Quarterback Alex Park graduated and leading rusher Jacob Siwicki transferred. But last time I checked, Jim Render is still coaching, and there is always talent at Upper St. Clair.

4. McKeesport -- This could be the year the Tigers supplant Gateway as Foothills Conference champs, but there are a lot of unknowns at McKeesport. New coach Jim Ward has installed a new offense, and a new quarterback will be under center.

5. Peters Township -- Eight starters return on both sides of the ball, enough to make the Indians a wild-card in the Great Southern Conference.

6. Canon-McMillan -- New coach Tim Sohyda has a lot of holes to fill, and he does not have much time in the talent-heavy Great Southern Conference.

7. Baldwin -- At this point, the Highlanders appear to be a bit outmatched.

1. Thomas Jefferson -- Could this be the year the Jaguars are ousted from the Big Eight throne? Probably not, but they are more vulnerable now than in the past several years. That said, a vulnerable Thomas Jefferson team is like a skinny elephant --it's all a matter of perspective.

2. Chartiers Valley -- Wayne Capers Jr. is healthy, and if he plays like he did before he sustained a broken foot in the sixth week of last season, the Colts will be a contender.

3. Trinity -- A big dropoff between two and three. The Hillers will be good -- 14 starters return from last year -- but they will be hard pressed to challenge Thomas Jefferson or Chartiers Valley.

4. Belle Vernon -- Senior running back Matt Green will be a workhorse, and he will likely carry the Leopards.

5. West Mifflin -- A new coach and a new quarterback will try to resurrect a team that finished last season with three consecutive losses.

6. Ringgold -- Surprise! A new coach at Ringgold. If stability comes, wins should follow.

7. McGuffey -- Quarterback Derrick Whipkey has the experience necessary to be a difference-maker. Whether he is surrounded by the necessary talent is the real question.

8. Elizabeth Forward -- The Warriors struggled last season, and with a bevy of new players on the roster, the Warriors will struggle again.

9. South Park -- Like McGuffey, the Eagles could be in for a rude welcome in Class AAA.

1. South Fayette -- Seniors Christian Brumbaugh (quarterback) and Jeff Davis (running back) were elite players last season. After a lot of work this offseason, they will continue to separate themselves from the pack.

2. Keystone Oaks -- The tailback tandem of seniors Matt McCann and Jordan Maddox is probably the best one-two punch in the WPIAL. But will it be enough to knock out conference rival South Fayette? I don't think so, but we'll know for sure Oct. 8.

3. Steel Valley -- Is there a better name for the Ironmen's coach than new leader Rod Steele? He'll have a strong team that will prove its mettle this season.

4. Charleroi -- Running back Quentin Briggs ran for 1,230 yards and 13 touchdowns as a sophomore. If this young team continues to develop, it could finish the season No. 1 in the South.

5. Washington -- A tougher conference -- top to bottom -- will challenge the Prexies.

6. Seton-LaSalle -- The Rebels will struggle to replace quarterback Anthony Rizza, who graduated.

7. South Allegheny -- The Gladiators were winless last season. That will change, but not by much.

1. Clairton -- The Bears are strong and, despite noteworthy graduations, will be every bit as good as last season.

2. Monessen -- There is a big dropoff from the No. 1 spot, but Monessen is still one of the top teams in Class A.

3. Brentwood -- The Spartans won a playoff game last season, which could be an indication of greater things to come.

4. Serra Catholic -- New coach Jamie Eckels will inherit six starters in a tough conference, but the Eagles should still make the postseason.

5. Chartiers-Houston -- The Bucs return starters at 15 positions and should be good enough to earn a trip to the postseason.

1. Brashear -- The Bulls' offensive line is an experienced bunch, and City League games are won in the trenches.

2. Carrick -- The Raiders have some talented skill players and could be a surprising team this season.

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