After a one-year hiatus, North Catholic's return to the WPIAL football playoffs has the Trojans heading south.

The No. 7 seed in the Class 4A bracket after a 5-5 regular season, North will face No. 10 Trinity (6-4) at 7 p.m. Friday at South Fayette High School.

The Trojans are coming off a narrow 17-14 loss to Mars last week in a game that decided the Greater Allegheny Conference title as North finished 4-2 in league play.

North's Jack Fennell has been a major contributor in all three areas. He has scored 23 total touchdowns, two coming on kickoff returns and one on an interception return. He has 1,453 yards from scrimmage (1,275 rushing and 178 receiving).

Trinity closed the regular season with a 61-21 defeat of Ringgold last week. The Hillers' sophomore quarterback, Jonah Williamson, has passed for 1,650 yards, 12 touchdowns and seven interceptions this season. He is also the team's leading rusher with 820 yards.

District 9

Union/A-C Valley will attempt to upset Brockway for the second time this season.

The teams will meet at 7 p.m. Friday in a Class 1A quarterfinal playoff at Brockway's Frank Varischetti Field.

The No. 6-seeded Falcon Knights (5-5) earned a 12-7 win over the No. 3 Rovers (7-3) in Rimersburg Sept. 15. Brockway held the Falcon Knights to 52 rushing yards on 28 carries in that game, but senior Brody Dittman passed for 216 yards and a touchdown while adding a pair of interceptions on defense to lead the victory.

Both thefts came off the arm of Rovers quarterback Brayden Fox, who has passed for 2,081 yards with 19 TDs and 12 INTs this year. Running back Jendy Cuello has gained 1,208 yards and scored 10 TDs.

Brockway reached the District 9 championship game last year before falling to Port Allegany.