1. Life in A.P.

What will the Jeannette Jayhawks be like After Pryor? All-everything Terrelle Pryor is now at Ohio State, but the state of Jeannette's program is still good. Cameron Baradziej is set to take over at quarterback, and you might see standout running back Jordan Hall (Ohio State) also taking some snaps there. Jeannette's team last year (16-0, 860 points scored) was one of a kind, but this program was good before Pryor -- and it likely will be good after Pryor.

2. Gordon gone, Graham in

Neil Gordon (pictured) was ousted at Penn Hills after 21 seasons as coach. Ron Graham, his defensive coordinator, has taken over a team that is ranked No. 1 in WPIAL Class AAAA by the Post-Gazette. Will the Indians live up to the billing? Gordon, meanwhile, is the new coach at Shaler.

3. Opening-night showdown

You couldn't ask for a better game on the first night. Penn Hills, No. 1-ranked in WPIAL Class AAAA, plays at No. 2 Gateway. Another 1-2 matchup hits in the third week of the season, when Class AA No. 1 Aliquippa plays host to No. 2 Beaver Falls on FSN television's Thursday night game of the week.

4. Double the domination?

Dominance in the PIAA championships seems to be a cyclical thing -- and the WPIAL is certainly on the upswing in Class AAAA. WPIAL teams have won the past four PIAA titles by a combined score of 166-37. Penn Hills and Gateway seem primed to flex their muscles this season.

5. Philly effect

The Philadelphia Catholic League is in the PIAA for the first time. Will those Catholic League schools make an impact? St. Joseph's Prep is ranked No. 3 in the PG's state Class AAAA rankings while West Catholic is No. 4 in Class AA. Both are Philadelphia Catholic schools.

6. No. 1 again

Thomas Jefferson is the No. 1-ranked team in WPIAL Class AAA -- again. The Jaguars are defending WPIAL and PIAA champions and seem to be a prohibitive favorite to win the WPIAL again. Coach Bill Cherpak (pictured) is 112-20 the past 10 seasons, the most wins of any coach in the WPIAL during that period.7. Changing class

A number of teams changed classifications this year. One of the most notable changes finds Pine-Richland moving from Class AAA to AAAA. The Rams were 63-10 the past six seasons in AAA, but what will life be like with the biggest boys?

8. New blood

You could say it's a changing of the guard in the City League. Over the past two seasons, three longtime City League coaches retired -- Brashear's Ron Wabby, Schenley's Jim Trent and Oliver's Joe Zeglowitsch.

9. One more year

This could very well be the final year for the Monaca football program with the school likely becoming part of the Center district next year. Monaca is hoping for one final run at a conference title.

10. Stopping the slide

Teams in the Class AAA Keystone Conference are 0-28 in the WPIAL playoffs the past seven seasons. Could the string of futility end this year?