TEAM TO BEAT

Springdale: A second consecutive trip to Heinz Field might be in the cards for the Dynamos, who return many key players from a squad that lost just two games. Senior running back Adam Shepherd (5-10, 180) ran for 917 yards and 16 touchdowns. A strong defense will be anchored by senior tackle Bill Dugan (6-1, 270).

CONTENDERS

North Catholic: It'll be another Long season for the Trojans, with senior receiver/defensive back Matt Long (6-2, 190), senior lineman/linebacker Joe Long (6-2, 195) and sophomore quarterback/defensive back Martin Long (6-1, 175) all returning.

Brentwood: A drop from Class AA combined with nine returning starters on both sides could mean big things. Senior running back D.J. Clark rushed for 452 yards and caught 20 passes a year ago.

THE OTHERS

Avonworth: Speedy senior running back Khiry Watts (5-9, 196) blazed for more than 1,000 yards and averaged 8.1 yards per carry last year.

Riverview: An all-conference wide receiver as a junior, Jeff Scampone (6-0, 175) is the Raiders' new featured running back.

Leechburg: Second-year coach Mark Adams hopes to see improvement from a 2-7 finish.

Carlynton: Owners of a 15-game losing streak, the Cougars will ride behind senior guard/defensive end Jordan Roussos (6-4, 250).

Wilkinsburg: Senior running back Chris Evans (5-10, 175) looks to help the Tigers get the two wins needed to reach 500 in school history.

TEAM TO BEAT

Clairton: A restructured conference could produce the same results for the Bears, who captured Eastern titles the past two seasons. Easing the transition will be senior linemen David Spence and Taylor Wright, and junior linebacker Eddie Ball. Junior running back Deontae Howard is a player to watch.

CONTENDERS

Serra: With the nucleus of a WPIAL championship team gone, the Eagles will lean on senior quarterback T.J. Heatherington, who amassed 2,283 yards of total offense and 30 touchdowns.

Fort Cherry: A trio of all-conference skill position players are back for the Rangers in quarterback David Phillips, running back Nate Crossey and wide receiver Josh Snatchko.

Chartiers-Houston: The Bucs return dual-threat senior quarterback Brad Banas (6-1, 215) and his favorite target, senior wide receiver Zach Podrasky.

THE OTHERS

Burgettstown: Graduation depleted the core of a team that made the Class AA playoffs last season, but the Blue Devils still have senior running back Nick Tasz (6-0, 205).

Bentworth: Senior linebacker R.J. Cline, the Bearcats' lone all-conference pick a year ago, leads the defense.

Frazier: The Commodores bring back their top two rushers -- junior Chase Kirmeyer (454 yards) and senior Jordan Adams (223 yards).

Avella: With an already thin roster being further dwindled by injuries, improving on a winless season will be tough.

TEAM TO BEAT

Rochester: After failing to reach the WPIAL Class A final for the first time in four years, look for the Rams to rebound in a big way. Running the ball won't be an issue, as senior running back Chad Pennington (521 yards, six TDs last season) and junior Trey Johnson (412 yards, 13 TDs) fuel the offense.

CONTENDERS

Monaca: The Indians' lengthy list of key returnees is highlighted by senior running back/defensive back Tony Reda (6-1, 180) and senior quarterback Brandon Gaydosh (6-3, 170). Reda, along with senior fullback/linebacker Zach Garber (5-10, 185), earned all-conference honors a season ago.

Western Beaver: Undefeated in conference play last season, the Golden Beavers will try to replace three-time 1,000-yard rusher Shane Waida with senior running backs Zach Cavalier and Sean Stiffey.

THE OTHERS

Laurel: Junior quarterback/defensive back Tyler Forbes leads the Spartans, one of four former Class AA Tri-County North teams new to the conference.

South Side Beaver: The Shaffer brothers -- junior quarterback Michael and sophomore running back Luke -- look to return the Rams to the postseason .

Shenango: Junior quarterback Joe Colavecchia hopes to duplicate the success of his brother, Rocco, the school's all-time leading passer.

Union: Senior Mike Pelto, who threw 12 TDs last season, is in his third season as the starter.

Neshannock: The Lancers will rely heavily on senior Josh Brown, who played quarterback and running back last season.

TEAM TO BEAT

Monessen: The departure of star rusher Cordaro Jackson hurts, but the Greyhounds welcome back his all-conference blockers -- senior Kevin Parker and junior James Shuma. That's good news for junior running back David Jeffries (431 yards, 4 TDs last year), who could have a Jackson-like season.

CONTENDERS

Beth-Center: New to the conference, the Bulldogs will ride the arm of senior quarterback Dominic Moore, a three-year starter. Sophomore running back Jeff Tarley showed some promise as a freshman, including a four-touchdown game.

Jefferson-Morgan: The Rockets have made the playoffs five years in a row, but must replace all-conference running back Justin Falcon. Senior John Seamon is a top-notch lineman.

Carmichaels: The health of senior quarterback/defensive back Joby Lapkowicz (5-11, 170), who broke his ankle mid-June, is a major concern.

THE OTHERS

California: Do-it-all Donte Valentino is gone, but the Trojans look for big things from senior running back/linebacker Jordan Michaux.

Mapletown: Junior quarterback Cory Minnick passed for 686 yards and eight touchdowns last season.

West Greene: Improving a defense which gave up 160 points the final four weeks of last season is critical.

Geibel: The good news: The Gators return nine starters on both sides of the ball. The bad: That group was outscored, 322-56.