Must-see games, Week 3

Some conference races are taking shape and a few teams need to win this week.

1. California at Beth-Center. Donte Valentino leads the WPIAL in rushing yards (460) and scoring (7 TDs, 42 pts). He was knocked out of the Beth-Center game a year ago and the Bulldogs won 14-13, in one of the hardest-hitting games I've seen. Cal is out for revenge. Beth-Center is angry about losing last week, which snapped a 15-game regular season win streak.

2. Washington at East Allegheny. The influx of 18 players from now-closed Duquesne High School has bolstered East Allegheny, which nearly defeated Greensburg Central Catholic in Week 1. The Wildcats are faster and more skilled, plus the Duquesne players know how to win. Washington needs to forget about last week and remember they are fast, talented and tough on defense. The loser of this one faces a near-impossible path to the WPIAL playoffs.

3. Chartiers Valley at Peters Township. Both teams posted huge wins in Week 1 (CV blanked Moon and PT blasted Laurel Highlands). Both teams were shutout in Week 2 (Montour beat CV, Pine-Richland beat PT) and both teams are playoff contenders for now. The winner sits in good shape to finish second or third in the conference. Peters Township struggled in all phases last week and there's rumblings that some position changes could occur if the Indians falter again.

Other WPIAL games:
Class ÅAAA
Mt. Lebanon at Pittsburgh Central Catholic, Norwin at Bethel Park
Class AAA
Hopewell at Ambridge
Class AA
McGuffey at South Fayette, Steel Valley at Seton-La Salle, Center at Beaver Falls, New Brighton at Beaver, Yough at Jeannette (this game will be televised by ESPNU)
Class A
Jefferson-Morgan at West Greene, South Side Beaver at Monaca