Best in Show: PUP high school football rankings (Sept. 4)

Each week the Pittsburgh Union Progress will issue its high school football rankings throughout the season, with all rankings voted on by the PUP sports staff.

Class 6A

1. Central Catholic (2-0)

2. North Allegheny (2-0)

3. Mt. Lebanon (2-0)

4. Canon-McMillan (1-1)

5. Seneca Valley (0-2)

The skinny: The order here remains unchanged from the preseason, as Central Catholic picked up a dominant win at St. Ignatius (Ohio) while North Allegheny and Mt. Lebanon handed Canon-McMillan and Bethel Park their first losses of the season, respectively.

Class 5A

1. Penn Hills (2-0)

2. Pine-Richland (1-1)

3. Peters Township (2-0)

4. Shaler (2-0)

5. South Fayette (2-0)

The skinny: Peters Township and Shaler each move up a spot after lopsided wins, while South Fayette cracks the rankings for the first time after a solid win against West Allegheny. Preseason No. 1 Gateway falls out of the rankings entirely after getting shut out by Woodland Hills, 27-0, to start the season 0-2.

Class 4A

1. Aliquippa (1-0)

2. Thomas Jefferson (2-0)

3. McKeesport (2-0)

4. Central Valley (1-1)

5. Montour (2-0)

The skinny: Aliquippa started its season off strong by beating Armstrong in its season opener at its newly renovated Heinz Field, while fellow Beaver County powerhouse Central Valley lost a back-and-forth battle at Class 3A No. 2 Avonworth. Meanwhile, Montour makes its debut in the rankings in place of North Catholic after beating Moon for its second consecutive road win.

Class 3A

1. Belle Vernon (1-0)

2. Avonworth (2-0)

3. Elizabeth Forward (2-0)

4. Southmoreland (2-0)

5. Shady Side Academy (2-0)

The skinny: No changes here, as Belle Vernon began its defense of its WPIAL and PIAA titles with a shutout at Laurel Highlands, while Avonworth picked up perhaps the most impressive win of any WPIAL team this season by beating Class 4A No. 4 Central Valley at home. Shady Side Academy also made a big statement with an overtime win against then-Class 4A No. 5 North Catholic.

Class 2A

1. Steel Valley (1-0)

2. Washington (2-0)

3. Imani Christian (1-1)

4. Beaver Falls (1-1)

5. Neshannock (1-1)

The skinny: Beaver Falls drops a couple of spots after losing to neighboring rival Beaver, while Washington and Imani Christian each rise one slot from last week. Neshannock enters the rankings for the first time in place of Keystone Oaks after taking down Lawrence County rival Laurel on the road.

Class 1A

1. Bishop Canevin (1-0)

2. Union (2-0)

3. Fort Cherry (2-0)

4. Rochester (1-0)

5. Greensburg C.C. (1-1)

The skinny: Bishop Canevin opened its season with a big win against Greensburg Central Catholic, knocking the Centurions down from the No. 3 spot to No. 5. Fort Cherry rises to No. 3 after another blowout win, and Rochester makes its rankings debut at No. 4 after a one-sided win over Our Lady of the Sacred Heart.

City League

1. Westinghouse (1-0)

2. University Prep (2-0)

3. Allderdice (0-2)

The skinny: Still no changes from preseason in the City League, as Allderdice fell on the road to Altoona while University Prep steamrolled Carrick. Defending champ Westinghouse was idle this week.