The finalists will be the same as last year when tonight’s District 6 Class AAA championship game kicks off at Mansion Park in Altoona.
But Johnstown coach Kevin Marabito hopes the storyline changes, at least in the second half of the top-seeded Trojans’ 7 p.m. game against second-seeded Hollidaysburg.

Richland will play Forest Hills for the fourth time in the Rams’ past 15 games dating to last season.
When the Rams and the top-seeded, undefeated Rangers clash at 7 tonight in Sidman, it will be the second meeting in the District 6 Class AA playoffs in as many seasons.

Ken Salem is no different than 10 other coaches who prepared for their respective games against Heritage Conference power Penns Manor.
The Bishop McCort coach noticed the Comets’ freshman phenom at quarterback, Danny Ferens.

Bedford coach Dan Smith and his District 5 Class AA champions aren’t sure exactly what to expect in tonight’s PIAA play-in round against Pittsburgh City League opponent Westinghouse.
The Bisons (5-6) and Bulldogs (3-6) will meet at 7 p.m. at Cupples Stadium in Pittsburgh.

The last time Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger had a passer rating like the one he had Sunday in the 18-12 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, he bounced back with a razor-sharp performance against the San Diego Chargers in last season’s playoffs.
“He’s been outstanding in bouncing back,” said his offensive coordinator, Bruce Arians.
That’s been the case – at least when Roethlisberger’s healthy. There are questions today about his health after he sat out parts of Thursday’s practice with a wrapped right elbow.

St. Francis shot almost 60 percent on Thursday night at the Stokes Center, which is usually enough to win a basketball game.
However, Lafayette Leopards shot 66 percent from the field in beating St. Francis 88-77.

Chris Phillips scored twice in his 800th regular-season game and Pascal Leclaire made 25 saves, leading the Ottawa Senators to a 6-2 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins on Thursday night.

This is Jamie Dixon’s most inexperienced team in his seven seasons as Pitt’s coach. That doesn’t mean the Panthers aren’t fast learners.
Ashton Gibbs scored 20 points and Pitt began pulling away by holding Eastern Kentucky scoreless for more than eight minutes during a 71-60 victory on Thursday night, the Panthers’ 24th win in a row at home.

Chad Tomko scored 21 points and North Carolina-Wilmington held Penn State to 32.3 percent shooting to knock off the Nittany Lions 80-69 on Thursday.

In a game that featured 42 turnovers, 22 by St. Francis, the fans were not treated to a marquee performance by either team in Delaware’s 77-64 victory.

Windber running back Jarid Cover rushed for 123 yards in Saturday’s District 5 playoff game against Berlin.
But none was more important than the final yard he gained.

Portage’s offense surpassed the 500-point mark for the season on Saturday night in the District 6 Class A quarterfinal playoffs.
But how about that defense?

Richland made school history Saturday night, walloping Huntingdon 52-21 at Herlinger Field in District 6-AA quarterfinal football playoff action.
The win marks the Rams first playoff win since 1986 in their first home playoff game.

The script looked so much like it did on Sept. 25. That night, United spotted Penns Manor a 14-0 halftime lead only to charge back and hand the Comets their only loss of the season, 25-22.

The Northern Cambria volleyball team certainly will leave a legacy.
The Colts, whose motto this season has been “Take a stand, leave a legacy,” entered the PIAA Championships as the No. 1 ranked team in the state. They’ll leave that way as well.
Northern Cambria beat defending champion Reading Holy Name 3-0 in the title match on Saturday afternoon, claiming the school’s second crown in five years.

Tyrone scored on its first four possessions of the first half and senior back Levi Reihart rushed for 198 yards on 19 carries and three touchdowns as the Golden Eagles dominated Ligonier Valley
35-6 Saturday night in a District 6 Class AA quarterfinal.

Northern Cambria was the talk of the PIAA Class A Volleyball Championships this weekend, and not just for the Colts’ strong on-court play.
The team, which beat Reading Holy Name 3-0 for the championship on Saturday, had a big following in the stands that was loud, intimidating and, for many, downright entertaining.