October 12, 2026 | Keystone Clutch Sports
With the WPIAL regular season approaching its final stretch, Week 7 delivered explosive offensive performances, game-changing defensive plays, and conference battles decided by the smallest margins.
Here are the biggest stories and standout statistics from Friday, October 9.
Neshannock’s Defense Takes Over Against Beaver Falls
Final: Neshannock 27, Beaver Falls 8
Neshannock’s defense stole the show in a crucial Class 2A Midwestern Athletic Conference matchup.
The Lancers forced four turnovers and kept Beaver Falls off the scoreboard until the fourth quarter.
Justin Edworthy delivered on both sides of the ball, rushing 26 times for 156 yards and returning an interception 45 yards for a touchdown.
By the Numbers
● 156 rushing yards — Justin Edworthy
● 26 rushing attempts — Edworthy
● 4 turnovers forced — Neshannock defense
● 0 points allowed through three quarters
● 45-yard interception return touchdown — Edworthy
Riverside Rallies Past Freedom
Final: Riverside 28, Freedom 27
Trailing 20-7 at halftime, Riverside scored 21 unanswered points to take control of a thrilling Midwestern Athletic Conference matchup.
Quarterback Aidan Gaydosz threw for 226 yards, connected with Bron Paxton for two touchdowns, and added a 6-yard rushing score.
Freedom pulled within one point early in the fourth quarter, but Riverside held on.
By the Numbers
● 226 passing yards — Aidan Gaydosz
● 2 touchdown connections — Gaydosz to Bron Paxton
● 21 unanswered points — Riverside
● 1 point — final margin of victory
Blackhawk Erases Early Deficit Against Mars
Blackhawk faced a 17-0 first-quarter deficit before mounting one of Week 7’s most impressive comebacks.
Ryan Prisuta scored on a 32-yard touchdown catch and an 80-yard touchdown run, while Zachary Feeley added the decisive 10-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter.
By the Numbers
● 17 points — Blackhawk’s early deficit
● 80 yards — Prisuta’s longest touchdown run
● 2 touchdowns — Prisuta (one rushing, one receiving)
● 23 second-half points — Blackhawk
New Castle Comes Up Short Against Montour
Final: Montour 26, New Castle 21
New Castle battled Montour in a competitive Class 4A Parkway Conference contest.
Quarterback Marino Graham threw three first-half touchdown passes, including a 64-yard strike to Mardez Stewart.
The Red Hurricanes led 21-20 at halftime, but Montour scored the only points of the second half.
By the Numbers
● 3 touchdown passes — Marino Graham
● 64 yards — touchdown reception by Mardez Stewart
● 125 passing yards — Marino Graham
● 4 interceptions — Montour defense
● 5 points — final margin
Central Catholic Sends a Message
Final: Central Catholic 42, North Allegheny 0
Central Catholic delivered one of the most commanding results of the weekend, shutting out North Allegheny in Class 6A.
The 42-point victory reinforced Central Catholic’s position as one of the classification’s leading contenders.
More Clutch Week 7 Performances
Shenango 42, Cornell 6: Jasyn Williams rushed for 140 yards and three touchdowns, while Niko DeSalvo contributed 62 yards and two scores.
Elizabeth Forward 49, Derry 13: Quarterback Kaden Allen completed 10 of 16 passes for 236 yards and four touchdowns. He added 81 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown.
Burrell 14, Knoch 7: Antonio Perkins carried the ball 26 times for 258 yards and both Burrell touchdowns.
Fort Cherry 48, Bentworth 7: Colin Sieg completed 9 of 12 passes for 152 yards and two touchdowns, while Eli Salvini rushed for 142 yards and two scores on just 10 carries.
Keystone Clutch Takeaways
Week 7 proved that big moments come in different forms.
For Neshannock, it was a defense creating turnovers. For Riverside, it was overcoming a 13-point halftime deficit. For Blackhawk, it was answering an early 17-point hole with explosive plays.
As the WPIAL postseason approaches, execution under pressure will separate contenders from the rest of the field.
Big Moments, Big Pressure, Big Performance.
Keystone Clutch Sports | Western Pennsylvania High School Athletics
Sources: TribLive box scores, Oct. 9, Post-Gazette Class 3A/2A/1A roundup, TribLive: Montour vs. New Castle, TribLive: Elizabeth Forward vs. Derry, PA Today Week 7 recap.
Correction: An earlier version of this post said Ryan Prisuta scored on touchdown runs of 32 and 80 yards. According to TribLive and the Butler Eagle, the 32-yard score was a touchdown reception. The post also said Elizabeth Forward quarterback Kaden Allen ran for two touchdowns; according to TribLive, he ran for one. A matchup graphic that misstated Mars’ nickname (the Fightin’ Planets) has been removed.
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