Pennsylvania high school football 2019 preseason rankings

Manheim Central takes on Penn Hills for the 2018 PIAA 5A state football championship

Penn Hills defeats Manheim Central 36-31 for the 2018 PIAA 5A State Football Championship game at Herseheypark Stadium in Hershey, Pa., Dec. 7. Mark Pynes | mpynes@pennlive.com

We’re down to the final days of preparation for the 2019 high school football season. Now the rubber meets the road. The state’s first Friday night of football is here.

Below are PennLive’s preseason football rankings in all six classification. PennLive will publish updated rankings each Tuesday morning through the PIAA Championships in December. All champions will be crowned Dec. 6-8 at Hersheypark Stadium.

Teams are listed with district, 2018 record and final ranking. NR-Not ranked. HM-Honorable mention

Harrisburg vs. St. Joseph's Prep in the 6A football state championship game

St. Joseph's Prep's Kyle McCord looks to throw against Harrisburg in the 6A football state championship game at Hersheypark Stadium. December 08, 2018 Sean Simmers | ssimmers@pennlive.com PENNLIVE.COM

Class 6A

1. St. Joseph’s Prep (12) – 13-0 – 1

2. Pittsburgh C.C. (7) – 7-4 – NR

3. Coatesville (1) – 14-1 – 3

4. North Penn (1) – 13-1 – 6

5. Pine-Richland (7) – 11-3 – 4

6. Bethlehem Freedom (11) – 12-2 – 7

7. Manheim Twp. (3) – 10-2 – HM

8. State College (6) – 12-2 – 5

9. Downingtown West (1) – 11-2 – HM

10. Harrisburg (3) – 13-2 – 2

Teams to watch: Central Dauphin (3) 9-4, Delaware Valley (2) 9-4, North Allegheny (7) 10-1, Parkland (11) 7-5, Spring-Ford (1) 8-3.

Lancaster-Lebanon 2019 football media day

Manheim Central at 2019 high school football media day in Manheim, Pa., Aug. 9. Mark Pynes | mpynes@pennlive.com

Class 5A

1. Gateway (7) – 12-1 – 5

2. Manheim Central (3) – 14-1 – 2

3. Archbishop Wood (12) – 9-4 – 3

4. Penn-Trafford (7) – 9-3 – NR

5. Upper Dublin (1) – 13-2 – 6

6. Peters Twp. (7) – 10-3 – 10

7. Academy Park (1) – 9-3 – NR

8. Cocalico (3) – 10-3 – 7

9. Penn Hills (7) – 16-0 – 1

10. East Stroudsburg South (11) – 8-4 – NR

Teams to watch: Archbishop Ryan (12) 8-4, Governor Mifflin (3) 7-5, Springfield-Delco (1) 7-4, Warwick (3) 9-3, West Allegheny (7) 10-3.

Imhotep Charter vs. Cathedral Prep in the PIAA Class AAAA title game

Cathedral Prep celebrates with the trophy against Imhotep Charter in their PIAA Class AAAA title game at Hersheypark Stadium. December 06, 2018 Sean Simmers | ssimmers@pennlive.com PENNLIVE.COM

Class 4A

1. Cathedral Prep (10) – 13-3 – 1

2. Thomas Jefferson (7) – 11-1 – 8

3. Imhotep Charter (12) – 11-3 – 2

4. Bethlehem Catholic (11) – 11-4 – 5

5. Bishop McDevitt (3) – 13-2 – 4

6. South Fayette (7) – 12-2 – 7

7. Valley View (2) – 13-1 – 3

8. Berks Catholic (3) – 10-3 – 6

9. Dallas (2) – 11-2 – HM

10. Northwestern Lehigh (11) – 9-3 – NR

Teams to watch: Belle Vernon (7) 9-2, Berwick (2) 9-3, Blackhawk (7) 10-2, Clearfield (9) 12-1, Pottsville (11) 7-5.

Aliquippa plays Middletown for the 2018 PIAA  Class 3A state football championship

Soloman Chinua, Aliquippa, pass off as Aliquippa shut out Middletown 35-0 to win the 2018 PIAA, Class 3A state football championship game, Dec. 8. Mark Pynes | mpynes@pennlive.com

Class 3A

1. Aliquippa (7) – 14-1 – 1

2. North Catholic (7) – 10-2 – HM

3. Bald Eagle Area (6) – 11-3 – 7

4. Middletown (3) – 13-2 – 2

5. Scranton Prep (2) – 13-2 – 3

6. Sharon (10) – 10-4 – 5

7. North Schuylkill (11) – 11-2 – 8

8. Montoursville (4) – 11-3 – HM

9. Derry (7) – 11-2 – 9

10. Conwell-Egan (12) – 14-1 – 4

Teams to watch: Danville (4) 10-3, Lakeland (2) 9-4, Lancaster Catholic (3) 10-1, Wyoming Area (2) 11-1, Wyomissing (3) 9-3.

Southern Columbia vs. Wilmington in the PIAA Class AA title game

Southern Columbia's Gaige Garcia scores against Wilmington in their PIAA Class AA title game at Hersheypark Stadium. December 07, 2018 Sean Simmers | ssimmers@pennlive.com PENNLIVE.COM

Class 2A

1. Southern Columbia (4) – 16-0 – 1

2. Washington (7) – 10-2 – NR

3. Ligonier Valley (6) – 11-1 – 7

4. West Catholic (12) – 12-3 – 3

5. Chestnut Ridge (5) – 10-3 – 10

6. Bishop McDevitt (12) – 8-4 – NR

7. Richland (6) – 13-1 – 5

8. Wilmington (10) – 13-2 – 2

9. Delone Catholic (3) – 10-2 – HM

10. Ridgway (9) – 11-2 – HM

Teams to watch: Berlin Brothersvalley (5) 4-7, Dunmore (2) 9-4, Steel-High (3) 4-7, Steel Valley (7) 12-2, Upper Dauphin (3) 9-2.

Farrell vs. Lackawanna Trail in the PIAA Class A title game

Farrell's Melvin Hobson during the National Anthem before their win over Lackawanna Trail during their PIAA Class A title game at Hersheypark Stadium. December 06, 2018 Sean Simmers | ssimmers@pennlive.com PENNLIVE.COM

Class 1A

1. Farrell (10) – 15-0 – 1

2. Clairton (7) – 9-3 – 5

3. Old Forge (2) – 8-3 – HM

4. Lackawanna Trail (2) – 14-2 – 2

5. Our Lady of the Sacred Heart (7) – 13-2 -- 3

6. Portage (6) – 7-4 – NR

7. Bishop Guilfoyle (6) – 8-4 – NR

8. Rochester (7) – 11-3 – 8

9. Coudersport (9) – 9-5 – HM

10. Tri-Valley (11) – 9-4 -- HM

Teams to watch: Jeannette (7) 11-1, Juniata Valley (6) 11-3, Marian Catholic (11) 4-7, South Williamsport (4) 5-6, Williams Valley (11) 9-3.

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