2020 High School Football Preview

In this unprecedented time, Friday night lights beckon Western Pennsylvania football back to its hallowed gridirons.

This season will look different, but football in Pittsburgh remains steadfast.

The sun sets as California quarterback Damani Stafford, second from right, looks to pass during practice on Tuesday, July 14, 2020, at California Area High School.
Beaver Falls’ Mitch Myers and Quadir Thomas sanitize their hands in between drills during practice on Thursday, July 2, 2020, at Beaver Falls High School. Athletic trainer Dan Summers fastened the dispenser with wood and tape onto his golf cart.
Pine-Richland quarterback Cole Spencer stretches with his team during his team’s first practice on Monday, July 6, 2020, at Richland Elementary.
Peters Township senior Austin McKinnon has his temperature checked by secondary coach Lindale Smith before practice on Tuesday, June 30, 2020, at Peters Township High School.
Knoch assistant coach Jeff Mullen disinfects football equipment after practice on Wednesday, July 15, 2020, at Knoch High School.
Moon equipment manager Fred Cercone adjusts his gloves as he waits to fill football players’ water bottles during practice on Monday, July 13, 2020, at Moon Area High School. In an effort to limit contact because of COVID-19, Cercone is the only person allowed to dispense water for the players.
Footballs are doused with disinfectant by Brashear linemen coach Aaron Guillard during practice on Thursday, July 30, 2020, at Brashear High School.
Union head coach Stacy Robinson disinfects football equipment after practice on Tuesday, July 7, 2020, at Socs Roussos Stadium in Union Township.
West Greene coach Brian Hanson checks the temperature of Billy Whitlatch before practice on Friday, July 10, 2020, at a practice field off Golden Oaks Road in Center Township, Greene County.
Serra Catholic’s Daiquan Chatfield lifts a weight during practice on Tuesday, July 21, 2020, at Serra Catholic High School.
South Allegheny’s Eric Anderson catches a pass during practice on Monday, July 6, 2020, at South Allegheny High School.
Fort Cherry’s Nasier Sutton, left, works on his running form with his teammates during practice on Thursday, July 2, 2020, at Fort Cherry High School.
East Allegheny quarterback Johnny DiNapoli waits for a snap during practice on Tuesday, July 21, 2020, at East Allegheny High School.
Thomas Jefferson’s Preston Zandier hits a blocking shield during practice on Wednesday, July 22, 2020, at Thomas Jefferson High School’s football stadium.
Dirt flies as Brashear football players weave around footwork drills during practice on Thursday, July 30, 2020, at Brashear High School.
West Greene players roll seventh-grader Elihu McDonnell in a tire during practice on Friday, July 10, 2020, at a practice field off Golden Oaks Road in Center Township, Greene County.
Elizabeth Forward’s Evan Lewis receives a snap during practice on Wednesday, July 1, 2020, at Elizabeth Forward High School.
South Fayette quarterback Naman Alemada runs bleachers during a conditioning session on Monday, June 2020, at South Fayette High School.
The pendant necklace of South Allegheny quarterback Jett Jones catches the late sunlight as he jumps rope during a conditioning session after practice on Monday, July 6, 2020, at South Allegheny High School.
McKeesport’s Assad Robinson catches his breath during practice on Monday, June 2020, at McKeesport Area High School.
Sto-Rox players gather as they yell “Sto-Rox” after their final play of practice on Thursday, July 30, 2020, at Sto-Rox High School.
Allderdice offensive and defensive line coach Mario Watkins leads his players through a hill workout on the “A” during a summer practice on Wednesday, July 29, 2020, at Allderdice High School.
Peters Township quarterbacks coach Christian Breisinger shows a play during practice on Tuesday, June 30, 2020, at Peters Township High School.
South Allegheny football players condition with a parachute during practice on Monday, July 6, 2020, at South Allegheny High School.
The sun sets as Elizabeth Forward football players run a play during practice on Wednesday, July 1, 2020, at Elizabeth Forward High School.
West Greene’s Corey Wise carries the ball through a drill during practice on Friday, July 10, 2020, at a practice field off Golden Oaks Road in Center Township, Greene County.
Central Catholic football players condition during practice on Wednesday, July 15, 2020, at Central Catholic High School.
Evening sunlight is cast on masked Thomas Jefferson football players as they gather for a break down after practice on Wednesday, July 22, 2020, at Thomas Jefferson High School’s football stadium.