Trib HSSN Pennsylvania high school football rankings for Aug. 21, 2024

Welcome to the 2024 high school football season, which kicks off for most schools across the state with Week Zero games this weekend.

Before this season starts, here is a quick refresher course on the six 2023 PIAA champions.

St. Joseph’s Prep won its second straight Class 6A crown and its third state title in four years this decade.

Fellow District 12 foe Imhotep Charter won in 5A. The Panthers have moved up to 6A this season, putting both eastern powers in the same class.

Aliquippa and Belle Vernon claimed gold for the WPIAL with the Quips winning their second PIAA 4A championship in three years and the Leopards repeating in 3A.

Make it seven PIAA titles in a row for District 4 and state power Southern Columbia in 2A while Steelton-Highspire repeated in Class A with a third crown in four years.

Three of those schools — St. Joe’s Prep, Aliquippa and Southern Columbia — kick off the 2024 campaign ranked No. 1 in the inaugural Trib HSSN state rankings.

Here is the preseason Trib HSSN Top 5 in each of the six classifications. Teams are listed with 2023 record, last year’s final ranking and district.

Class 6A

1. St. Joseph’s Prep (14-1) (1) (D-12): The defending PIAA 6A champion Hawks do not play this weekend.

2. North Allegheny (13-3) (2) (D-7): The Tigers open the season hosting St. Frances Academy (Md.) on Friday.

3. Central Catholic (10-2) (NR) (D-7): The Vikings open the season against St. Frances Academy (Md) on Saturday.

4. Imhotep Charter (16-0) (1 in 5A) (D-12): The defending PIAA 5A champion Panthers open the season against Clarkson Football North (Canada) on Friday.

5. Harrisburg (12-2) (3) (D-3): The Cougars open the season hosting LaSalle College on Saturday.

Out: Central Bucks South (1), Manheim Township (3)

Class 5A

1. Peters Township (15-2) (2) (D-7): The Indians open the season at Canon-McMillan on Friday on HSSN.

2. Roman Catholic (9-3) (NR) (D-12): The Cahillite open the season hosting 3A No. 5 Neumann-Goretti on Friday.

3. Bishop McDevitt (13-1) (3 in 4A) (D-3): The Crusaders open the season visiting Mount St. Joseph’s (Md.) on Saturday.

4. Manheim Central (11-2) (NR) (D-3): The Barons open the season hosting West Philadelphia on Friday.

5. Chester (12-2) (5) (D-1): The Clippers open the season visiting Perkiomen Valley on Friday.

Out: Strath Haven (4), Cocalico (3)

Class 4A

1. Aliquippa (15-0) (1) (D-7): The defending PIAA champion Quips do not play this weekend.

2. Monsignor Bonner-Archbishop Prendergast (10-3) (5) (D-12): The Friars do not play this weekend.

3. Pope John Paul II (12-1) (NR) (D-12): The Golden Panthers open the season visiting Springfield Township on Friday.

4. Lampeter-Strasburg (9-3) (NR) (D-3): The Pioneers open the season visiting Solanco on Friday.

5. Selinsgrove (13-1-1) (4) (D-4): The Seals open the season hosting Juniata on Friday.

Out: Dallas (2)

Class 3A

1. Northwestern Lehigh (15-2) (2) (D-11): The Tigers open the season hosting Wilson Area on Friday.

2. Central Valley (8-4) (NR) (D-7): The Warriors open the season visiting Montour on Friday.

3. Hickory (11-3) (4) (D-10): The Hornets open the season visiting 2A No. 3 Farrell on Saturday.

4. Danville (12-2) (NR) (D-4): The Ironmen open the season visiting Bloomsburg on Friday.

5. Neumann-Goretti (11-2) (NR) (D-12): The Saints open the season visiting 5A No. 2 Roman Catholic on Friday.

Out: Belle Vernon (7), Wyomissing (3), Martinsburg Central (6)

Class 2A

1. Southern Columbia (16-1) (2) (D-4): The defending PIAA champion Tigers open the season visiting Wyomissing on Saturday.

2. Bald Eagle (12-2) (NR) (D-6): The Eagles open the season by visiting Class A No. 3 Bishop Guilfoyle on Saturday.

3. Farrell (11-2) (5) (D-10): The Steelers open the season by hosting 3A No. 3 Hickory on Saturday.

4. Steel Valley (10-2) (NR) (D-7): The Ironmen open the season by taking on Clairton on Saturday.

5. Troy (12-1) (NR) (D-4): The Trojans open the season hosting Sayre on Friday.

Out: Dunmore (2), Beaver Falls (7)

Class A

1. Westinghouse (13-1) (2 in 2A) (D-8): The Bulldogs open the season by taking on Beaver on Saturday.

2. Fort Cherry (15-1) (2) (D-7): The Rangers open the season hosting Northgate on Friday.

3. Bishop Guilfoyle (6-5) (NR) (D-6): The Marauders open the season by hosting 2A No. 2 Bald Eagle on Saturday.

4. Lackawanna Trail (13-1) (5) (D-2): The Lions open the season by visiting Tunkhannock on Friday.

5. Redbank Valley (12-2) (4) (D-9): The Bulldogs open the season by hosting Union-AC Valley on Friday.

Out: Steelton-Highspire (3)