Welcome to the PIAA final four with 11 games scheduled for Friday and one for Saturday.

With 24 teams set to collide post-Thanksgiving for the opportunity to play in a state championship game, let’s provide a breakdown of which districts remain in the hunt for PIAA gold.

For the second straight year, the WPIAL, which is guaranteed four schools will play in the semifinals because of the bracket set up, has all six of its champions set to play in the PIAA final four.

Since expansion in 2016, the WPIAL has at most sent five teams to the PIAA finals, both in 2021 and 2023.

Districts 3, 4 and 12 each have three schools remaining. In fact, the three D-3 teams left all square off against District 7 teams at Mansion Park in Altoona on Friday (two games) and Saturday.

Districts 1, 6, 9 and 11 each have two schools left.

District 2 has one school standing in the state semifinals.

Absent from PA’s golden chase are Districts 5, 8 (City League) and 10.

Here is a look at three of the state semifinals games involving WPIAL teams set for Friday night and Saturday afternoon.

Archbishop Prendergast semifinal Friday.

Class 3A semifinals

Penn Cambria (14-0) vs. Avonworth (11-3)

7 p.m. Friday, Norwin Knights Stadium at Norwin

Coaches: Nick Felus, Penn Cambria; Duke Johncour, Avonworth

How they got here: Penn Cambria won the District 6 Class 3A title with a win over Tyrone and then knocked off District 5 champion Somerset in the PIAA first round and District 10 winner Hickory is the state quarterfinals. No. 5 seed Avonworth defeated Greensburg Salem, Beaver, top-seeded Imani Christian and No. 2 Central Valley to win its second WPIAL championship in five years.

Last week: Penn Cambria 30, Hickory 7; Avonworth 17, Central Valley 0

Players to watch: Gavin Harrold, Penn Cambria (Sr., 5-11, 185, RB/WR/DB); Nico Neal, Avonworth (Sr., 5-10, 225, RB/LB)

Team notes

Penn Cambria: The Panthers were consistent in their PIAA quarterfinals victory last week over Hickory, scoring one touchdown in each quarter while limiting the Hornets to only a first-quarter TD. Senior Gavin Harrold led the way on the ground for Penn Cambria last week, carrying the ball 18 times for 102 yards and three touchdowns. Senior running back Thomas Plunkett added 77 yards on 16 carries and junior quarterback Brady Jones connected on 6 of 10 passes for 60 yards. The Panthers defense has been big with three shutouts this season, limiting opponents to single-digit points scored in eight of their 14 wins.

Avonworth: The third time was a charm for the Antelopes, who were playing in their third straight WPIAL Class 3A championship game following back-to-back losses to Belle Vernon in the 2022 and 2023 district title games. The Avonworth running game relied heavily on the Neal brothers, with senior Nico leading the way with 102 yards on 23 carries and both touchdowns for the ‘Lopes on short runs of 2 and 3 yards. Junior Luca Neal finished with 33 yards on 16 carries as the Antelopes relied on the ground with only two pass attempt by junior Carson Bellinger.

Historic factoids

—This is the first meeting between Penn Cambria and Avonworth.

—This is only the second appearance for Avonworth in the PIAA playoffs with a 1-1 record. The Antelopes’ lone state semifinal was a victory over District 10 Wilmington in the 2019 postseason, 33-21.

—This is the first appearance in the PIAA postseason for Penn Cambria, which was established in 1966 and is located 15 miles west of Altoona.

—The winner advances to the PIAA Class 3A championship game at Cumberland Valley on Saturday, Dec. 7 at 1 p.m. against the winner of the Danville vs. Northwestern Lehigh semifinal Friday.

Class 2A semifinals

Central Clarion (13-0) vs. South Park (12-1)

7 p.m. Friday, Lou Falconi Field at Farrell

Coaches: Dave Eggleton, Central Clarion; Brian Abbey, South Park

How they got here: Central Clarion captured the District 9 Class 2A title with a victory over Karns City before eliminating District 10 winner Farrell in the PIAA first round and Cambria Heights in the state quarterfinals. WPIAL Class 2A No. 2 seed South Park defeated Mohawk, Ellwood City and Seton LaSalle to win its fourth District 7 title and first since 2005.

Last week: Central Clarion 49, Cambria Heights 6; South Park 21, Seton LaSalle 14

Players to watch: Jase Ferguson, Central Clarion (Sr., 6-0, 195, QB/FS); Eric Doerue, South Park (Sr., 6-1, 200, RB/OLB)

Team notes

Central Clarion: In the fifth year following the merger of Clarion, Clarion-Limestone and North Clarion high schools, the Wildcats have been picture perfect this season in winning the District 9 championship and eliminating traditional power Farrell and undefeated Cambria Heights. In the win over the Highlanders last week, senior quarterback Jase Ferguson was dominant, hitting on 16 of 20 passes for 229 yards and three touchdowns, plus he rushed for 141 yards and four scores. For the season, Ferguson has thrown 49 touchdown passes and leads the defense with seven interceptions.

South Park: It had been nearly two decades, but the Eagles would not be denied district gold last week against the previously undefeated Rebels. South Park played keep-away from Seton LaSalle by dominating the time of possession and physically imposing its will at the line of scrimmage. A dominant effort by the offensive line helped senior running back Erie Doerue rushed for 149 yards on 34 carries and touchdown runs of 6 and 8 yards. Junior quarterback Robert Lenzi only threw three passes but added 25 yards in rushing and scored the Eagles’ second touchdown in the opening quarter.

Historic factoids

—This is the first meeting between Central Clarion and South Park.

—This is the third appearance in the PIAA playoffs for South Park with a perfect record of 5-0 overall and 2-0 in state semifinals. The Eagles defeated Wilmington in the 1997 final four, 33-7, and then knocked off Reynolds in the 2005 semifinals, 28-2.

—Central Clarion is participating in a third straight PIAA postseason and has a record of 2-2. The Wildcats lost in the first round to Westinghouse in 2022 and 2023. The wins over Farrell and Cambria Heights this year are their first two state playoff victories. This will be their first state semifinal. Clarion was 2-4 all-time in the PIAA playoffs, Clarion-Limestone was 2-2, and North Clarion never played in a state playoff game. Combined, they were 0-1 in the semifinals with Clarion losing to North Catholic in 2013.

—The winner advances to the PIAA Class 2A championship game at Cumberland Valley on Friday, Dec. 6 at 1 p.m. against the winner of the Troy vs. Taylor Riverside semifinal Friday.

Class A semifinals

Port Allegany (13-0) vs. Fort Cherry (14-0)

7 p.m. Friday, Memorial Stadium at PennWest Clarion University

Coaches: Justin Bienkowski, Port Allegany; Tanner Garry, Fort Cherry

How they got here: Port Allegany won the District 9 championship two weeks ago with a win over Redbank Valley before knocking out District 10 winner Wilmington in the PIAA quarterfinals last week. Fort Cherry captured a second straight WPIAL crown with postseason victories over Brentwood, Cornell, Jeannette and Clairton in the final a week ago.

Last week: Port Allegany 38, Wilmington 20; Fort Cherry 21, Clairton 20

Players to watch: Aiden Bliss, Port Allegany (Jr., 6-0, 210, RB/MLB); Matt Sieg, Fort Cherry (Jr., 6-0, 175, QB/DB)

Team notes

Port Allegany: Following a 34-point victory over Redbank Valley in the District 9 Class A title game, the Gators remained undefeated with a win over District 10 champion Wilmington by 18 points. Junior running back Aiden Bliss was outstanding for Port Allegany, rushing for 284 yards on 35 carries for an average of 8 yards per tote. He also scored three touchdowns. Sophomore running back Kellen Veilleux ran for 81 yards and a score for the Gators.

Fort Cherry: In what became an instant classic among WPIAL championship games, the Rangers got past the Bears on a thrilling drive, late touchdown and extra point. Junior quarterback Matt Sieg added to his legendary status. The Penn State recruit rushed for 87 yards and two touchdowns and connected on 8 of 15 passes for 161 yards and the game-winning score by improvising a throw to Ryan Huey for a 13-yard score. Nick Massey was a perfect 3 for 3 on extra points, which proved to be the difference for the Rangers.

Historic factoids

—This is the first meeting between Port Allegany and Fort Cherry.

—This is only the second appearance for Fort Cherry in the PIAA playoffs with a 1-1 record. In their only other state semifinal, the Rangers defeated Redbank Valley from District 9, 33-23, in the 2023 final four.

—This is the fourth appearance in the PIAA postseason for Port Allegany, which is 2-3 overall and 0-2 in the PIAA semifinals. Both final four losses were to WPIAL teams, falling to Clairton in the 2012 semis and Union in the 2022 state semifinals.

—The winner advances to the PIAA Class A championship game at Cumberland Valley on Thursday, Dec. 5 at 1 p.m. against the winner of the Bishop Guilfoyle vs. Muncy semifinal Friday.