McKeesport, Butler and Carlyton Hire New Football Coaches

by Jeff Fisher
Pennsylvania High School Football Huddle

For the first time in 28-years, McKeesport will take the field with a new head coach.

Jim Ward has been hired to replace George Smith, who retired after 197 victories.

While Ward stepped aside last month, another coach with an impressive track record is back on the sidelines. Former North Allegheny head coach Jim Rankin has been hired by Butler after six years of retirement.

Rankin has a career record of 181-106-3.

Speaking of North Allegheny, former NA assistant John Vaughan is the new head coach at Carlynton.

McKeesport Football Coach Resigns

by Jeff Fisher
Pennsylvania High School Football Huddle

Three wins shy of 200 victories, George Smith has resigned as the head football coach at McKeesport.

Smith coached the Tigers for 28 years, winning two WPIAL and state championships. His final mark at McKeesport is 197-107-5.

#4 Gateway Outlasts McKeesport to Complete Undefeated Regular Season

By Jeff Fisher
The High School Football Huddle

For the first time since 1986 Gateway (#4 USA Today Super 25) finished the regular season undefeated. Thursday night, the Gators (9-0) scored the first 28-points of the game and then held-on for a 31-27 win against McKeesport (7-2), which gave them the Foothills Conference championship.

Gateway will now receive the top seed for the WPIAL Class AAAA playoffs, which begin next week. There's a good chance that these two will meet again in five weeks for the right to go to Hershey for the state title game.

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#4 Gateway Faces McKeesport in Western PA Showdown Thursday

By Jeff Fisher
The High School Football Huddle

The Gateway Gators haven't really been challenged this year on the way to an 8-0 start. That should all change Friday night when the Gators (8-1) face McKeesport (7-1) in the WPIAL regular season finale.

Gateway (#4 USA Today Super 25) has won its game by an average of over 38 points, and has scored over 50 points twice, while topping the 40 point mark in seven of its eight games. It's closest game came two weeks ago when it beat Erie McDowell 30-18. McKeesport lost its season opener 14-7 in overtime to Colerain (OH), which had been nationally-ranked until it lost its first game two weeks ago.

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