High School Football Upheaval
Week Three High School Football Upsets Reshape Rankings Across Multiple Classifications
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Key Points
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In WPIAL Class 5A, Pine-Richland remained No. 1 despite losing its showdown against Class 6A leader Central Catholic.
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West Alabama entered its matchup with Pittsburg State at 2-0 after defeating Lenoir-Rhyne 34-23, forcing five turnovers and scoring 17 fourth-quarter points.
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Pittsburg State opened the season 0-2, including a 42-14 loss to Ferris State and a 21-10 defeat against Emporia State, before traveling to West Alabama for its first road game.
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The WPIAL’s Class 2A rankings experienced particularly significant turnover, with four teams dropping out over the previous two weeks.
High school football saw massive upheaval in Week 3, with half of the top-ranked teams losing their matchups Trib HSSN. The shakeup created new No. 1 teams across Pennsylvania's WPIAL: South Fayette claimed Class 4A's top spot while Elizabeth Forward took over Class 3A after dominant wins. Hopewell and Montour both fell from their perches following defeats that sent ripples through the rankings.
Eight head-to-head games between ranked teams in Week 3 forced changes in nearly every classification Trib HSSN. Class 2A experienced the biggest turnover, with four teams dropping out of the top five over just two weeks. Nationally, Week 4 brought more upsets and blowouts across the country USA TODAY Sports.
Pine-Richland Holds Despite Class 6A Loss
In WPIAL Class 5A, Pine-Richland kept its No. 1 ranking even after losing a marquee showdown against Class 6A leader Central Catholic Trib HSSN. The loss was close enough to not knock them from the top spot. Central Catholic's dominance across classifications showed that elite programs can defeat ranked opponents while maintaining their own standing.
West Alabama Dominates in Fourth Quarter
West Alabama entered its game against Pittsburg State undefeated at 2-0 after a thrilling win over Lenoir-Rhyne FloFootball. The Tigers beat Lenoir-Rhyne 34-23 in Hickory, forcing five turnovers and scoring 17 points in the fourth quarter alone. That explosive finish showed West Alabama's ability to finish games strong and control the late-game tempo.
Pittsburg State Seeking First Win on Road
Pittsburg State arrived in West Alabama winless after an 0-2 start FloFootball. The Lions suffered a 42-14 loss to Ferris State and a 21-10 defeat against Emporia State to open the season. Their first road game against a 2-0 team posed a serious challenge for a squad desperately seeking its first victory of 2026.
South Georgia Voters Pick Their Top Teams
South Georgia high school football fans got their say in the rankings WALB. WALB invited the community to vote for their favorite teams in an online poll. The voting let fans have a voice in determining which squads earned recognition during Week 3 and beyond.
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