08/25/2023
From the Trib-
Class 3A No. 2 West Mifflin (4-2, 6-6) at Class 4A No. 3 McKeesport (5-1, 11-2)
7 p.m. Friday, George Smith Field at Weigle-Schaeffer Stadium at McKeesport
Coaches: Rod Steele, West Mifflin; Matt Miller, McKeesport
Last year: Freeport 42, West Mifflin 6 in 3A quarterfinals; Aliquippa 42, McKeesport 7 in 4A semifinals
Players to watch: David Fleming, West Mifflin (Sr., 6-2, 165, QB/WR/FS); Anthony Boyd, McKeesport (Jr., 5-8, 175, RB/DB)
Team notes
West Mifflin: The Titans finished in a three-way tie for second place in the 3A Western Hills Conference with Beaver and South Park, two games behind conference champion Avonworth. After scoring over 50 points and beating Southmoreland in the first round of the playoffs, West Mifflinโs season ended with a loss to Freeport. David Fleming, a transfer from Central Catholic, will start at QB with Rico Steele, son of head coach Rod Steele, leading the way on the lines for the Titans.
McKeesport: While there are a lot old new faces this year at the skilled positions for the Tigers, they return four of their five starting linemen from last year in seniors Brady Boyle, Courtney Dunn, Jayden Keys and Nick Winowitch. Anthony Boyd, the younger brother of former McKeesport standout running back Bobbie Boyd, will likely take over as the workhorse in the triple-option offense.
Historic factoids
โข Visiting McKeesport held the ball for all but 13 seconds of the first quarter as they dominated West Mifflin in the 2022 season opener, 40-0. Bobbie Boyd and fellow senior Aemond Knight each scored two touchdowns for the Tigers.
โข Eighty-five years ago, McKeesport won the 1938 WPIAL 3A championship by beating Johnstown, 38-20. Sixty years ago, West Mifflin North edged Butler, 12-6, to win the 1963 WPIAL 3A title.
โข The last time West Mifflin beat McKeesport was 45 years ago when the Titans tamed the Tigers, 28-26, in the 1978 season.