Best in Show: PUP high school football rankings (Oct. 8)

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 (6-1)

2. North Allegheny (6-1)

3. Canon-McMillan (5-2)

4. Mt. Lebanon (4-3)

5. Seneca Valley (2-5)

The skinny: For the first time all season, we have a slight shake-up in the Class 6A hierarchy, as Canon-McMillan leapfrogs Mt. Lebanon for the No. 3 spot on the strength of a 30-14 home win against Baldwin. The Blue Devils, on the other hand, dropped a 43-7 verdict at home against North Allegheny. Central Catholic maintains its grasp on the top spot despite suffering its first loss of the season at Pine-Richland, 26-19, and Seneca Valley showed signs of life with a 42-13 romp against Hempfield at home.

Class 5A

1. Peters Township (7-0)

2. Penn Hills (6-1)

3. Woodland Hills (5-2)

4. Gateway (4-3)

5. Pine-Richland (4-3)

The skinny: Another day, another spectacular smackdown laid by the Peters Township defense, which has still yet to allow more than seven points in a game all season. This time, the Indians mashed Moon to the tune of a 40-7 triumph, actually raising their average points per game allowed to 3.85 ppg — still the No. 1 scoring defense in the WPIAL by a large amount. Penn Hills put on a show with a 61-0 home win against Fox Chapel, and Woodland Hills ousted Highlands on the road, 41-10. Meanwhile, preseason No. 1 Gateway finally re-enters the rankings after an 0-3 start thanks to a 31-27 win at Penn-Trafford, and preseason No. 2 Pine-Richland is also back in after stunning Central Catholic, 26-19.

Class 4A

1. Aliquippa (6-0)

2. McKeesport (6-1)

3. Montour (6-1)

4. Thomas Jefferson (6-1)

5. Central Valley (5-2)

The skinny: Lots of movement here after a wild Friday night that saw Montour edge Central Valley in a 21-20 thriller, proving once and for all that the Spartans are a legitimate title contender in 2023. Thomas Jefferson saw its unbeaten record disappear in unthinkable fashion in a 23-6 upset loss at Trinity, while Aliquippa rolled over Blackhawk at home, 41-6, and McKeesport cruised past Connellsville on the road, 48-6.

Class 3A

1. Belle Vernon (5-1)

2. Avonworth (7-0)

3. Elizabeth Forward (7-0)

4. Knoch (6-1)

5. Beaver (5-2)

The skinny: No changes here after Belle Vernon dominated Greensburg Salem at home, 53-7, to keep its hold on the top spot, while Avonworth needed a late touchdown to escape with its perfect record intact in a dramatic 33-28 win at Beaver. Elizabeth Forward also remained unbeaten after outlasting Mount Pleasant on the road, 39-25, and Knoch received a surprising forfeit victory against Shady Side Academy after the Bulldogs forfeited the game the night before, citing health concerns at the school.

Class 2A

1. Washington (7-0)

2. Steel Valley (5-1)

3. Neshannock (6-1)

4. Mohawk (6-1)

5. McGuffey (5-2)

The skinny: No changes here either, as Washington stormed past visiting Sto-Rox, 43-8, to keep its hold on the top spot. Steel Valley shut out Derry at home, 38-0, and Neshannock did the same with a 35-0 blowout at home against Freedom. Meanwhile, Mohawk impressed with a 21-12 win against visiting Beaver Falls, and McGuffey manhandled Charleroi at home, 41-7.

Class 1A

1. Fort Cherry (7-0)

2. Bishop Canevin (5-1)

3. South Side (7-0)

4. Cornell (6-1)

5. Union (6-1)

The skinny: Fort Cherry remains on top for the second week in a row after a 42-8 win at Avella, while Bishop Canevin traveled to Cornell and handed the Raiders their first loss of the season, 21-13. South Side steamrolled Shenango on the road, 62-12, and Union defended its home turf with a solid 46-28 win against Rochester.

City League

1. Westinghouse (6-0)

2. University Prep (5-2)

3. Allderdice (1-6)

The skinny: Westinghouse continues to prove it was no one-year wonder, picking up a lopsided 36-7 win at Butler to remain undefeated. University Prep shut out Brashear, 46-0, one week after a 70-0 beatdown against Perry, and Allderdice lost at Steubenville (Ohio), 36-0.