Pennsylvania high school football: Top teams, games, players and prospects ahead of 2020 season

The Labor Day weekend is over and three more states kick off their seasons. Pennsylvania is among those with teams taking the field as early as Thursday. As things stand, the postseason is set to begin Nov. 6-7 with championship games scheduled for Dec. 11.

Pennsylvania is one of 35 states planning to play football this fall. Fifteen others plus the District of Columbia have moved their respective seasons to 2021.

In Pennsylvania, a total of 282 games are set to kick off Thursday through Saturday.

In advance of season openers, here's a look at what you need to know about Pennsylvania football in 2020.
Top games

Mt. Lebanon (Pittsburgh) at Peters Township (McMurray), Sept. 11
State College at Central Dauphin (Harrisburg), Oct. 2
Central Catholic (Pittsburgh) at Mt. Lebanon (Pittsburgh), Oct. 9
Archbishop Wood (Warminster) at St. Joseph's Prep (Philadelphia), Oct. 17
La Salle College (Wyndmoor) at Archbishop Wood (Warminster), Oct. 30

Top teams

1. St. Joseph's Prep (Philadelphia)
2. Pine-Richland (Gibsonia)
3. Central Catholic (Pittsburgh)
4. Peters Township (McMurray)
5. Central Dauphin (Harrisburg)

Defending champions

6A: St. Joseph's Prep (Philadelphia)
5A: Archbishop Wood (Warminster)
4A: Thomas Jefferson (Jefferson Hills)
3A: Wyoming Area (Exeter)
2A: Southern Columbia Area (Catawissa)
1A: Farrell (Farrell, Pa.)

Top recruits
National ranking per 247Sports in parenthesis

1. Nolan Rucci, T, Warwick (Lititz), (14)
2. Kyle McCord, QB, St. Joseph's (Philadelphia), (21)
3. Jeremiah Trotter Jr., LB, St. Joseph's (Philadelphia), (34)
4. Derrick Davis, S, Gateway (Monroeville), (53)
5. Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, St. Joseph's Prep (Philadelphia), (114)

Returning stat leaders

Passing
Cole Spencer, Pine-Richland (Gibsonia) | 214-315 (68%), 2,994 yds., 36 TD
Kellan Stahl, Richland (Johnstown) | 160-277 (58%), 2,993 yds., 43 TD

Rushing
Teddy Ruffner, Mars | 263 car., 1,919 yds., 25 TD
Zane Janiszewski, Western Wayne (Lake Ariel) | 231 car., 1,881 yds., 30 TD

Receiving
Ethan Burford, Clarion Area (Clarion), 39 rec., 1,179 yds., 17 TD
David Pantelis, Upper St. Clair, 76 rec., 1,154 yds., 8 TD