The Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League has released its 2026 preseason football rankings, offering an early glimpse of which programs are poised to contend when the season kicks off. The lists span all classifications and reflect a blend of recent success and promising momentum.
Class 6A Leaders
In the premier division, Central Catholic sits at the top after finishing the 2025 campaign with a 13‑2 record. The team’s strong finish carries over into the new season, positioning it as the early favorite. North Allegheny follows in second place with an 8‑4 record from the previous year, underscoring the competitiveness at the top of Class 6A.
Class 3A Powerhouse
Avonworth has claimed the No. 1 spot in Class 3A after completing the 2025 season undefeated at 15‑0. The perfect record highlights the program’s consistency and sets a high bar for rivals as they prepare for the upcoming schedule.
Class 2A and Class A Contenders
Seton LaSalle leads the Class 2A preseason rankings with a 12‑2 finish, while Washington holds the second position in Class A with a 10‑3 record. In Class 5A, Peters Township tops the list after a 13‑1 season, illustrating the spread of strong programs across multiple divisions.
The diversity of leaders across the classifications reflects the depth of talent throughout the WPIAL region. As teams move from preseason anticipation to regular‑season play, the early rankings provide a narrative of expectations, rivalries and the potential for dramatic turnarounds once the first games are underway.