93.7 The Fan High School Football Preview 2016 Class 6A: Penn Hills
Penn Hills
Northern Seven Conference
The Indians have been a fixture in the WPIAL playoffs but they haven't been much of a factor once they get there in recent years and that is something head coach John Peterman is looking to change heading into this season.
Last season the Indians suffered through a 3-7 campaign but finished 3-4 and in fifth place in their conference and thus earned a playoff berth.
But in the first round they were promptly rudely shown the door by Pine-Richland, 42-7, and as a result they haven't won a WPIAL playoff game since 2009.
The Indians have a strong running game that they hope will lead them there but they will need to fill some holes along both lines in order to get their stable of running backs rolling.
Penn Hills also features one of the more underrated players in the WPIAL in 6-2, 170-pound junior receiver-defensive back Julian Major, who already has about 10 scholarship offers.
Major only caught 10 passes for 303 yards and five touchdowns last season as a sophomore but figures to be featured much more prominently this season.
He has offers from three power five schools – Kentucky, Boston College and Iowa State – and that list will grow as he continues to pile up the numbers.
Although Peterman is hoping to end the Indians streak of years without a playoff win, he must first figure out a way to navigate them through the choppy waters of the Northern Seven as all three of the 6-A heavyweights -- North Allegheny, Pine Richland and Central Catholic – are in the league.
2016 Schedule
SEPTEMBER
Fri. 9/2 @ Butler 7:30p
Fri. 9/9 @ Canon-McMillan 7p
Fri. 9/16 vs Pine-Richland 7:30p
Fri. 9/23 vs Shaler Area 7p
Fri. 9/30 @ Seneca Valley 7:30p
OCTOBER
Fri. 10/7 vs North Allegheny 7p
Fri. 10/14 vs Hempfield Area 7:30p
Fri. 10/21 @ Mt. Lebanon 7:35p
Fri. 10/28 vs Central Catholic 7p
