It was the final Friday night of the WPIAL football season...conference titles up for grabs, playoff positioning and postseason berths at stake. High drama - large performances by the following.

The Rest of the Gateway Gators:

Gateway was without it's King for the showdown against McKeesport, but in the end, the Gators still wore the crown (great line by Mike White).

While Justin King has received HighLight honors before, the rest of his mates picked it up for a Southwest Conference title clinching victory over a very good McKeesport team 21-9.

Tyler Huether - Penn-Trafford:

The Warriors quarterback put up huge numbers...in only two quarters of action.

Huether was a near perfect 11 of 12 passing for 296 yards and 5 touchdowns in P-T's 41-15 rout of rival Norwin.

Jimmy Mullen - Mount Lebanon:

The Blue Devils back didn't wait long to make his presence felt against Bethel Park.

Mullen returned the opening kickoff 88 yards for a touchdown, then went on to rush for 164 yards and 2 more scores in Mount Lebanon's big 40-21 win over the Hawks that gives the Devils their due...and second place in the Quad North.

Bob Alexander - Butler:

OK, so there wasn't much drama as 0-8 Butler visited 0-8 Seneca Valley, but that didn't stop this Golden Tornadoes back from doing severe damage.

Alexander rushed for 260 yards and scored 4 touchdowns as the Tornadoes beat the Raiders 33-15.

Casey Williams - Moon:

It may have been a week to late for Tigers fans, but Williams had the game of the night on Friday.

The Moon running back rushed for 276 yards on 16 carries and scored 4 touchdowns, including a 90-yard kickoff return for a score as the Tigers beat the Hopewell Vikings 41-28.

Steve Paskorz - Hampton:

The WPIAL's leading rusher had another big game in leading the Talbots to victory and a WPIAL playoff berth.

Paskorz rushed for 272 yards on only 10 carries and scored 4 touchdowns as Hampton clinched with a 56-20 rout of the Highlands Golden Rams.

Robert Heller - Ringgold:

Another huge night for Heller, another win for the Rams.

The Ringgold back carried the ball 39 times (yikes) for 232 yards and 4 touchdowns as the Rams won for a second time in an easy 42-12 win over Elizabeth Forward.

Joe Smith to Tom Tyszkiewicz- South Allegheny:

The game meant nothing as far as the playoff picture, but it turned out to be the wildest contest of the night.

Smith's numbers: 30 of 43 passing for 361 yards and 4 touchdowns.

Tyszkiewicz's numbers: 16 receptions for 199 yards and 3 touchdowns.

Oh by the way, Smith scored on a 6-yard run in overtime to give South Allegheny a 43-35 win over Steel Valley.

Carmen Connolly - Seton-LaSalle:

The Rebels receiver caught 14 passes for 151 yards and 1 touchdown to lead Seton-LaSalle to a 9-0 mark with a 49-0 whitewash of Carlynton.

Connolly now has 86 receptions this season, a new WPIAL single season record.

Dana Brown - Clairton:

The Bears back ran and ran and ran some more to lead Clairton to victory and home-field advantage in the playoffs.

Brown rushed for 246 yards and 1 touchdown as da Bears beat back Apollo-Ridge 28-14.

Kelvin Newby - Farrell:

The Steelers back ran and ran and ran some more to lead Farrell to victory and home-field advantage in the playoffs.

Newby rushed for 225 yards and 3 touchdowns as those other Stillers beat back North Catholic 44-21.

Mike Majoris - Burgettstown:

A Major game by Majoris helps the Blue Devils to victory #1 here in 2004.

The Burgettstown back rushed for 200 yards and scored 2 touchdowns to lead the Devils past Avella 35-0.