Greg Perry experienced a lot of success as a head coach at Seton LaSalle and Keystone Oaks.
The Dormont native known for developing prolific passers will now try to produce similar success at Mt. Lebanon.
Perry, who spent last season as offensive coordinator at Canon-McMillan, was hired by Mt. Lebanon in February. He replaced Mike Collodi, who resigned after one season.
Perry is a coaching veteran who spent nine seasons as head coach at Seton LaSalle and eight as head coach of his alma mater, Keystone Oaks. Prior to becoming head coach at Seton LaSalle, Perry was the program’s offensive coordinator.
Mt. Lebanon is looking to improve on last season’s 5-6 record when the Blue Devils went 1-3 in conference play.
Among the top returnees are senior lineman Lukas Bovino and senior wide receiver-defensive back Noah Schaerli.
Central Catholic hopes to add another WPIAL championship to its trophy case after falling in the title game each of the past three seasons.
Returning for the Vikings is senior running back Elijah Faulkner, an all-conference pick in 2023 when he rushed for 1,426 yards and scored 19 touchdowns.
Also back for second-year coach Ryan Lehmeier are senior wide receiver-defensive back Xxavier Thomas and senior wide receiver-linebacker Bradley Gompers. Thomas is a Penn State recruit and Gompers a Duke commit.
Thomas was an all-conference choice last season, as were senior center Sam Brackney and senior defensive back Amari Shields. Brackney is a Brown recruit.
Senior Jy’Aire Walls takes over at quarterback after three-year starter Payton Wehner graduated.
Two-time defending champion North Allegheny graduated seven all-conference performers, but don’t sleep on the Tigers as they try to become the first team to win three consecutive WPIAL Class 6A titles.
North Allegheny brings back senior lineman and Princeton recruit Jack Yatchenko and junior lineman Lincoln Hoke — both all-conference picks last season — as well as senior kicker Peter Notaro, an all-conference honoree who has committed to Alabama of the Southeastern Conference.
Junior Jackson Failla and sophomore Brady Brinkley have been competing for the starting quarterback job.
Canon-McMillan went 6-5 a season ago, finishing with a winning record for the first time since 2008. The Big Macs graduated the majority of their starters but bring back senior lineman Matt McMahon, an all-conference pick and Navy commit. Other top linemen include seniors Jayden Boeltz and Daisean Lacks. Junior tight end T.J. Sabatucci was named all-conference last season.
The top skill players include sophomore quarterback Ty Jansma and sophomore running back Troy Stimpson.
Seneca Valley hopes to rebound after not winning a conference game and finishing 3-7 overall a season ago. The Raiders feature senior wide receiver-defensive back Jayden Price, an all-conference choice on defense last season who has committed to Toledo.
Other top performers back for the Raiders include junior lineman Tommy Wuycheck and junior running back-linebacker Cayden Parker.
Following a 3-7 finish last season while playing in Class 5A, Norwin will compete in Class 6A for the first time since 2021. The Knights will lean on junior quarterback Tristyn Tavares, an all-conference selection last season when he passed for 2,459 yards and 25 touchdowns.
Protecting Tavares will be a veteran line headlined by seniors Colin Bruno, Evan Archer and Shane Flynn.
Also back in Class 6A is Hempfield, which is looking to bounce back from last year’s 1-9 finish. Second-year coach Nick Keefer returns junior quarterback Dom Detruf.
Players to watch
Bradley Gompers, Central Catholic, 6-5, 215, TE-LB, Sr. — Duke recruit returns after missing most of his junior season with an injury.
Matt McMahon, Canon-McMillan, 6-2, 275, OL-DL, Sr. — Navy recruit was named all-conference in 2023.
Jayden Price, Seneca Valley, 6-4, 190, WR-DB, Sr. — All-conference defensive back is a Toledo recruit.
Xxavier Thomas, Central Catholic, 5-10, 170, WR-DB, Sr. — Penn State recruit was named all-conference last season.
Jack Yatchenko, North Allegheny, 6-3, 290, OL-DL, Sr. — Longtime coach Art Walker called the Princeton recruit the strongest player he has ever coached.
Brad is a sports writer at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, but he's currently on strike. Email him at beverett@unionprogress.com.