TEAM TO BEAT

Penn Hills: New coach Ron Graham (former defensive coordinator) gets a well-stocked team. As far as top linebackers go, senior Dan Mason can't be far behind Gateway stud Dorian Bell. Receiver-defensive back Brandon Ifill is one of the WPIAL's top juniors and caught 42 passes as a sophomore. Senior Tom Fulton doesn't have the size to be a hot college prospect, but he threw for more than 1,500 yards last season. Ted Blakeman rushed for 720 yards. Offensive line play will be a key.

CONTENDERS

Central Catholic: Graduation hit Central Catholic hard and then the team's top two running backs (Jeff Knox and Dom Timbers) left school. But the Vikings still will be a strong challenger in Class AAAA. D.J. Myers could turn into a talented running back. Sam Loughery is a standout linebacker. Quarterback play will be crucial.

Woodland Hills: After the worst season (3-7) in school history, things should improve for the Wolverines. Six starters return on offense and five on defense. Cameron Contreras (6-3, 205) is one of Class AAAA's best receivers and caught 36 passes last year. But finding a consistent running game will be vital if the Wolverines want to get back to the glory days. They open the season at Texas Stadium against Northwest, Texas.

THE OTHERS

Fox Chapel: Coach Bryan Deal has a number of returning starters, including all-conference offensive lineman Matt Kann, and the Foxes could surprise some people.

Kiski Area: The Cavaliers have a new coach in Harvey Smith, brother of Gateway coach, Terry. Look for the Cavaliers to spread things on offense.

Plum: The Mustangs haven't enjoyed a season above .500 since 2001, and have only three starters returning on offense and two on defense.

TEAM TO BEAT

Gateway: The Gators are good enough to bring a WPIAL title back to Monroeville for the first time since 1986. Eight starters return on defense and seven on offense. Four players have made verbal commitments to Division I colleges -- linebacker/running back Dorian Bell (6-1, 225) to Ohio State, receiver/defensive back Corey Brown (6-1, 185) to Ohio State, offensive lineman Colin Rodkey (6-4, 260) to Indiana and defensive end B.J. Stevens (6-1, 234) to Miami, Ohio. Quarterback Rob Kalkstein has been the starter since his freshman year and is 144 of 300 for 2,522 yards.

CONTENDERS

McKeesport: The Tigers are Gateway's only serious challenger for the conference crown. Dana Brown is one of Class AAAA's best defensive linemen, but finding a quarterback to run the flexbone offense will, as usual, be the key for the Tigers.

THE OTHERS

Latrobe: Watch the Wildcats, who have nine starters returning on offense and eight on defense. Junior quarterback Eric Shaffer (6-1, 200) threw for 1,098 yards as a sophomore. Receiver Tony Lonegro (6-1, 170) caught 35 passes last season and receiver Ryan LaDuke (5-9, 160) caught 24.

Norwin: Graduation hit the Knights hard, but senior quarterback Alex Dennison threw for 1,322 yards and 18 touchdowns last season.

Erie McDowell: The Trojans are a District 10 team and not eligible for the playoffs but will play a full Foothills schedule. Running back/defensive back A.J. Fenton has Division I college scholarship offers.

Hempfield: Ryan Hayden rushed for 673 yards last year as a sophomore.

Penn-Trafford: Only three starters return on offense and defense. Senior Mike Cima (5-11, 220) was a first-team all-conference lineman a year ago.

Connellsville: Second-year coach Lou DeSimone hopes to improve on a 1-8 season, in which the Falcons were outscored, 373-68.

TEAM TO BEAT

North Allegheny: The Tigers lost a number of key players to graduation from the WPIAL semifinalist team of last season, but they are talking about reloading, not rebuilding. Mike Locke returns for his third season at quarterback, and Ryan Schlieper is a 6-foot-6 offensive lineman who has committed to Maryland. Mike Vuono also returns on the line, and linebacker Jackson Boyd is a defensive leader.

CONTENDERS

Seneca Valley: Big things are expected of senior quarterback C.J. Brown (6-3, 190), a Maryland recruit, and senior receiver Matt Plautz (6-4, 205). Brown threw for 1,567 last year; Plautz caught 51 passes. Inexperienced linemen are a key.

North Hills: Six starters return on offense and defense. Senior Mike Hirt (6-1, 210) is one of the best linebackers in Class AAAA and a two-time, first-team all-conference pick. The play of senior quarterback Justin Heinauer (6-1, 190, 940 yards passing last year) could determine how far this team goes. Senior R.J. Miller (6-2, 230) was an all-conference tight end.

THE OTHERS

Shaler: New coach Neil Gordon, after 21 seasons at Penn Hills, believes his team might start slow but certainly be competitive in the final half.

Pine-Richland: The Rams move up from Class AAA, which makes them the most intriguing team in the conference. Senior Ian Hennessy (6-0, 190) rushed for more than 1,000 yards last season, and senior Vinnie Nittoli (6-1, 205) threw for more than 1,200 in the regular season. But the Rams lost most of their top linemen.

Butler: Second-year coach Jeff McAnallen is still looking for his first win, but seven starters return on offense, eight on defense. Quarterback Cole Harvey showed promise last year as a sophomore.

TEAM TO BEAT

Bethel Park: As far as skill position players go, Bethel Park has a trio to match anyone in Class AAAA. Senior QB Erik Olson completed 88 of 147 passes for 1,432 yards last season. Lyle Marsh rushed for 971 yards and caught 21 passes. Receiver John Schademan had 26 catches for 497 yards. If the lines come around, the Black Hawks could soar.

CONTENDERS

Upper St. Clair: Graduation took away the Panthers' quarterback, top two rushers and top two receivers. But, when the calendar turns to October, look for Upper St. Clair to be near the top of the pack again. Senior tight end Steve Lias and senior offensive tackle Dave Kubera were second-team all-conference.

Canon-McMillan: The leading rusher in Class AAAA last season returns along with four other offensive starters and seven starters on defense. Mike Hull (6-1, 210) rushed for 1,300 yards on 184 carries as a sophomore. Also returning is senior receiver Brandon Schroeder, four-year starting lineman Alex Pihakis and all-conference linebacker Brad Strimel. Junior Chad Hagan, who rushed for 493 yards two years ago as a freshman, has returned to the Big Macs after sitting out last season.

Mt. Lebanon: Quarterback Andrew Cappucci returns as the Blue Devils try to rebound from two consecutive losing seasons, the first time that's happened since 1994-95.

THE OTHERS

Baldwin: Coach Dan Pallante calls his team "talented, but very young." Only two starters return on offense, three on defense. Fullback Quinn Hood rushed for 513 yards last season.

Peters Township: It has been four consecutive losing seasons for the Indians, and that was in Class AAA. Things will be even tougher with a step up in class.

TEAM TO BEAT

Bethel Park: As far as skill position players go, Bethel Park has a trio to match anyone in Class AAAA. Senior QB Erik Olson completed 88 of 147 passes for 1,432 yards last season. Lyle Marsh rushed for 971 yards and caught 21 passes. Receiver John Schademan had 26 catches for 497 yards. If the lines come around, the Black Hawks could soar.

CONTENDERS

Upper St. Clair: Graduation took away the Panthers' quarterback, top two rushers and top two receivers. But, when the calendar turns to October, look for Upper St. Clair to be near the top of the pack again. Senior tight end Steve Lias and senior offensive tackle Dave Kubera were second-team all-conference.

Canon-McMillan: The leading rusher in Class AAAA last season returns along with four other offensive starters and seven starters on defense. Mike Hull (6-1, 210) rushed for 1,300 yards on 184 carries as a sophomore. Also returning is senior receiver Brandon Schroeder, four-year starting lineman Alex Pihakis and all-conference linebacker Brad Strimel. Junior Chad Hagan, who rushed for 493 yards two years ago as a freshman, has returned to the Big Macs after sitting out last season.

Mt. Lebanon: Quarterback Andrew Cappucci returns as the Blue Devils try to rebound from two consecutive losing seasons, the first time that's happened since 1994-95.

THE OTHERS

Baldwin: Coach Dan Pallante calls his team "talented, but very young." Only two starters return on offense, three on defense. Fullback Quinn Hood rushed for 513 yards last season.

Peters Township: It has been four consecutive losing seasons for the Indians, and that was in Class AAA. Things will be even tougher with a step up in class.