Each week here at MSA Sports, we will take a look at the marquee match-ups around the WPIAL as we go "Big Game Hunting". These will be the games that match-up the top teams, the top players or maybe a rivalry with a lot on the line.

Week one is traditionally a weekend of rivalries and interesting cross-conference match-ups and 2004 has some good ones.

The MSA Sports Network “Game of the Week”:

Pittsburgh Central Catholic Vikings vs. Gateway Gators

Pete Antimarino Stadium, Monroeville
7:30 Friday

Radio:KQV 1410-AM and www.msasports.net
Announcers:Bruce Sakalik and Bob Orkwis

To call the game a big early season match-up is an understatement. It is simply has everything: top teams, big name stars, playoff preview and the christening of a beautiful new facility.

The Vikings and Gators are ranked #1 and #2 in the WPIAL Class AAAA respectively and are widely accepted as the two of the top teams in Western Pennsylvania. Central Catholic went 13-2 in 2004 and was the WPIAL Champion and PIAA runner-up. Gateway was the #1 seed in the playoffs but was upset in the WPIAL quarterfinals and finished 9-2. Both teams graduated a number of talented seniors, but both coaches were left with a wealth of talent.

If you want to see some of the best individual talent this is also the game to keep an eye on. The Gators RB/DB Justin King and the Vikings RB Eugene Jarvis are two of the most electrifying offense players in the state. They combined last season for over 3,400 rushing yards and 70 touchdowns. These two are not the only top talent that will be on display Friday. The Vikings have a number of top prospects in 2004 including TE John Pelusi, QB Shane Murray, DL Pat Byrne, RB Nino San Doval, DL Graham Rihn and LB Bob Helt to name just a few. Murray could turn out to be the second best QB in the WPIAL behind Seton-LaSalle’s Bill Stull. Gateway also has an experienced and talented team with OL Matt Houy, QB Aaron Smith, WR John Ditto and K Matt Lichtenstein who has one of the best legs in the WPIAL.

Friday’s contest will also be the first at the newly named Pete Antimarino Stadium on the Gateway campus. This beautiful new facility that will play host to a resurgent Gators squad will appropriately enough be named after the man that made Gateway into a national power back in the mid-1980’s. This all adds up to what should be a fantastic start to the 2004 WPIAL football season.

Other Top Games:

Penn Hills Indians vs. North Allegheny Tigers

Carl A. Newman Stadium, Wexford
7:30 Friday

Radio:WJAS 1320-AM and www.msasports.net
Announcers:Paul Paterra and Jason Coleman

Both teams have suffered some key injuries in the 2004 pre-season, but both teams are still in the Top Five rankings in the WPIAL Class AAAA. Third-ranked Penn Hills had key injuries to RB Ed Collington and RB Ken Lewis. Collington rushed for 959 yards lasts season while Lewis had nearly 900 yards. With those two banged up, head coach Neil Gordon will have to find a way to get the ball in the hands of WR David Harvey who is one of the top receivers in the state.

Fourth-ranked North Allegheny lost RB Andrew McMillan in a scrimmage against Woodland Hills, but with nearly 90 players out for the squad head coach Jim Rankin will have some quality backups. McMillan though is a tough loss as he rushed for over 1000 yards last season.

North Allegheny and the modified Wing-T formation are synonymous with each other, but it appears that the Tigers may change up their offensive attack at times in 2004. This match-up is an excellent barometer for these two AAAA giants.

Aliquippa Quips vs. Ambridge Bridgers

Moe Rubenstein Stadium, Ambridge
7:30 Friday

Radio:WMBA 1460-AM and www.msasports.net
Announcers:Jim Frederick, Butch Ross and Mark Ross

You may be asking yourself, “How is this a top game?” For many a year this game was a mark in the win column for Aliquippa. In fact, from 1999-2002 Aliquippa went 4-0 with a combined score of 146-32. But in 2003, new head coach Don Yanessa and the Bridgers turned the corner and made in to the WPIAL Class AAA Quarterfinals. Once again it appears that Ambridge will a contender as they atrt the season ranked 7th in the WPIAL Class AAA, but a win over archrival Aliquippa would be a sweet beginning.

The Quips start the season ranked #2 as in 2003 they just continued their tradition of excellence. The won WPIAL gold with a dominating performance over previously undefeated Jeannette and rolled to another PIAA Class AA Championship.

Friday night expect Moe Rubenstein Stadium to be rocking, as the Bridger fans would love to see a change in fortune against the Quips. Ambridge lost QB Shawn Besong to graduation, but RB Tom Pringle remains and should lead the Bridgers in 2004. Rick Dlubak on the defensive line and LB’s Pat Marsilio and Chris Villella should have their hands full with the Quip offense but gained valuable experience last season.

Aliquippa will, as always, be dangerous. The defending champs no longer have all-everything Darrell Revis, but QB Sjavante Gilliam, RB D’von Jeter and WR Michael Washington will continue the offensive tradition and LB Donnell McKenzie is one of the best in the entire WPIAL.

A great, traditional rivalry game in the WPIAL.

Duquesne Dukes vs. Greensburg Central Catholic Centurions

Greensburg Central Catholic High School, Greensburg
7:00 Friday

These two old Eastern Conference foes do battle again in a WPIAL Class AA/Class A showdown of top 5 teams. Duquesne starts the season ranked third in Class A, the Centurions fifth in Class AA.

Duquesne has one of the top offensive backfields in the WPIAL led by RB Shane Brooks. Through in talented backfield mates of Courtney and Layton Dunn with QB George Little and you have your hands full if you are a defensive coach.

The Centurions were a perfect 8-0 last season, until they lost their final two games, which makes GCC hungry to begin 2004. Look for the Centurions to use a ball control offense to keep the Dukes trio off the field. GCC has the offensive line to control the pace with OG Alex Karabin and OG Colin Trenk.

MSA Saturday Game of the Week:

Western Beaver Golden Beavers vs. Shenango Wildcats

Shenango High School, New Castle
7:30 Saturday

Radio: WKST-AM 1200 and www.msasports.net
Announcers: Mark Schaas, Stan Roberts and John Yerage

Shenango had one of its best two-year runs in 2002 and 2003. Although they are expected to drop off in 2004, the Wildcats are always a tough foe on their home field on a Saturday evening. The defending conference champion was hit hard by graduation after a 9-0 regular season a year ago and open up 2004 for the top ranked team in WPIAL Class A – Western Beaver.

The Golden Beavers are loaded this season and none is better than RB Warren Taylor, a member of the 2004 MSA Preseason Elite Eleven. Taylor, along with RB Tyler Stiffey and QB Jon D'Angelo should be a high scoring group.

A great way to end the first weekend of the 2004 high school football season, by checking out a true contender for the WPIAL Class A Championship.