Dallas Jackson
Rivals High Senior Analyst

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Dallas Jackson is the high school sports expert for RivalsHigh.com. Send him a question or comment at DallasJ@Yahoo-Inc.com and follow him at twitter.com/rivalshigh.

The Keystone State is now out of its second weekend of the playoffs and most of the top teams at the highest level (Quad A) are still in the running for a state title.

While the top teams holding serve isn't a surprise - how well they are playing may be.

"It is very surprising," Gateway head coach Terry Smith said. "We honestly expected this to be a down year, but western Pennsylvania football is just as good this year as any other."

Gateway, 11-0 and No. 19 in the RivalsHigh Top 100 football rankings, proved why it's the top team in the state with a 35-3 dismantling of Penn Hills; No. 84 Woodland Hills (10-1) beats Pittsburgh Central Catholic, 36-3.

Not everyone in the West had it easy though. North Allegheny, No. 3 in the WPIAL, was upset by North Hills, 14-10.

No. 41 Bishop McDevitt plays tomorrow against Harrisburg.

Success is not limited to the West and the WPIAL. There are many teams in the Eastern half of the state that are playing very well, too.

No. 56 North Penn (11-0) took care of Council Rock North, 39-12, while No. 80 St. Joseph's Prep (9-1) pounded Philadelphia Roman Catholic 42-7.

There were a few surprises in the East, too, as Pennsbury, No. 2 in District 1, was knocked off by Unionville, 12-7.

That's nice balance on both sides of the state - which only begs the question: Who is best: East or West?

That might be the biggest outcome of this year's playoffs. With that in mind, here's a look at the tops teams in both regions.

RivalsHigh Breakdown of the best in Pennsylvania Quad A
No. 19 Gateway Gators: 11-0, District VII, Foothills Conference
	Gateway was not expected to be this good at the start of the season. Even coach Terry Smith acknowledged that his team is not as star studded but may be more balanced this year. The playoff loss to Bethel Park last season has fueled the Gators in 2009. They beat season-long disappointment Penn Hills Friday night, 35-3.
No. 41 Bishop McDevitt Crusaders: 10-0, District III, Mid-Penn Conference
	The Crusaders have been the class of the mid-state this season, and had a signature win to end the regular season over State College. A pair of pass catchers, Jeremy Cornelius and Salath Williams, lead the Crusaders into action. McDevitt topped Harrisburg, 42-24, on Saturday.
No. 56 North Penn Knights: 11-0, District I, Surburban One League
	The Knights, like Gateway, are not as flashy as they were last season. A more fundamental team has pushed North Penn to being one of the best in the eastern part of the state. Dominic Taggart and Craig Needhammer are two of the best in southeastern Pennsylvania. North Penn rolled Council Rock North, 39-12, Friday night.
No. 80 St. Joe's Hawks: 9-1, District XII, Philadelphia Catholic League
	The Hawks have played one of the toughest schedules in the state and are the better for it. Games against Woodland Hills, St. Peter's (NJ), North Penn, LaSalle, and Cardinal O'Hara should have the team prepared for tough playoff match-ups. Seth Betancourt is a bulldozer on the offensive line and has been able to protect the passer and open running lanes.
No. 84 Woodland Hills Wolverines: 10-1, District VII, Big East Conference
	The Wolverines are making a strong run at a state title in 2009. A once-feared program in WPIAL football is looking at brighter days. The defense has been playing very well and Mike Lee, Rich Gray, and Khaynin Mosley-Smith are all playing spirited football. Woodland Hills dominated play against Central Catholic, 35-3, on Friday night.
State College LIttle Lions: 9-2, District VI, Mid-Penn Conference
	The Little Lions had high expectations this season but injuries may have derailed their season. Alex Kenney is back and healthy now, but it may not be enough to make a run through the very deep playoffs. The Lions crushed Central Mountain, 42-17, on Friday.
Bethel Park Hawks: 10-1, District VII, Great Southern Conference
	Bethel made an unbelievable run to the state finals last season and has played very well as the hunted this season. The lone loss on the season to Woodland Hills is still a stinging memory. Without a "name" player this is a more complete team that last year. Shaler Area did not put up much of a fight Friday night, 32-14.
LaSalle Explorers: 8-1, DIstrit XII, Phildelphia Catholic League
	LaSalle earned their spot in this discussion Saturday after defeating Cardinal O'Hara, 31-21. The Explorers could prove to be a tough out. The sole loss on the season was a seven-point defeat to St. Joe's, which the Explorers will get a chance to avenge this weekend in the Philly Catholic Final.

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