Podcasts about class 3a

This week on Hoop Troop and Shooters Touch, we dive deep into girls postseason play with the Class 3A girls state tournament field officially set!3A Girls State Qualifiers:Mt. Vernon, Cherokee, Dubuque Wahlert, Williamsburg, Maquoketa, Mediapolis, Des Moines Christian, and Forest City.We break down what that bracket looks like, plus take a look at how the other girls classes are shaping up — especially the always competitive 4A class where multiple teams are still in the hunt for a banner.The big news on the boys side: Matt Baker, head boys coach at Woodward-Granger, joins us to help break down the 1A and 2A brackets. He talks about teams his squad faced, who he likes in each class, and even gives us his picks for the 3A and 4A championship matchups.We also spin the Hoop Troop Wheel of Death with random questions sprinkled throughout the episode, plus all your favorites:Tommy's Shoutout (and yes — he's getting FLOODED with Lunch League Legend suggestions!)Doug's Pick of the WeekAnd in case you missed it — Sioux City's food scene gets a shoutout too This one was fun and packed from start to finish. If you love Iowa high school basketball, brackets, predictions, and personality-driven segments, this is a can't-miss episode.Hoops in Iowa — let's go. Shooters shoot.

Tate is joined by Tom Kreager to discuss the 2026 Mr. and Miss Basketball finalists, specifically focusing on the girls' divisions. In Class 1A, the experts favor Zoe Nicholas from Pickett County, who is currently averaging nearly 30 points per game. For Class 2A, the consensus leans toward the standout player from Gatlinburg-Pittman, while Andrea Floras of Daniel Boone—a Mississippi State commit—is the top pick for Class 3A. In Division 2-A, Haylen Ayers of USJ is highlighted as a premier talent, described as one of the top three players in the country and a target for major programs like UConn. The discussion also notes Komora Fields and Cecely Brandmore as top-tier competitors, with Fields being lauded for her elite skill set despite being a "surprise" non-McDonald's All-American. The conversation provides a behind-the-scenes look at the rigorous selection process handled by a committee of statewide sports writers. Kreager, a former committee member, emphasizes that the panel strives for equal representation across East, West, and Middle Tennessee to counter any claims of regional bias. The selection process involves deep dives into player performance, including reviewing game film and Huddle highlights, and even gathering scouting reports from opposing coaches. Kreager describes the responsibility as a "duty" to advocate for players, noting that while only three finalists are chosen per class, the deliberation is intense and aimed at honoring the very best talent across the entire state.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tate is joined by Tom Kreager to discuss the 2026 Mr. and Miss Basketball finalists, specifically focusing on the girls' divisions. In Class 1A, the experts favor Zoe Nicholas from Pickett County, who is currently averaging nearly 30 points per game. For Class 2A, the consensus leans toward the standout player from Gatlinburg-Pittman, while Andrea Floras of Daniel Boone—a Mississippi State commit—is the top pick for Class 3A. In Division 2-A, Haylen Ayers of USJ is highlighted as a premier talent, described as one of the top three players in the country and a target for major programs like UConn. The discussion also notes Komora Fields and Cecely Brandmore as top-tier competitors, with Fields being lauded for her elite skill set despite being a "surprise" non-McDonald's All-American. The conversation provides a behind-the-scenes look at the rigorous selection process handled by a committee of statewide sports writers. Kreager, a former committee member, emphasizes that the panel strives for equal representation across East, West, and Middle Tennessee to counter any claims of regional bias. The selection process involves deep dives into player performance, including reviewing game film and Huddle highlights, and even gathering scouting reports from opposing coaches. Kreager describes the responsibility as a "duty" to advocate for players, noting that while only three finalists are chosen per class, the deliberation is intense and aimed at honoring the very best talent across the entire state.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The High School Huddle team dives into the Class 3A Dual State Championship bracket and predicts who will take home the title.From favorites to sleepers, Chris, Clay, Phil, and Shawn break down the biggest matchups ahead of Saturday's championship action at Tulsa Union's UMAC.The High School Huddle is live every Monday at 6 p.m. throughout the wrestling season with Chris Evans, Phil Nichols, and Shawn Silvis.

Richmond-Burton junior Blake Livdahl, an all-state linebacker who helped lead the Rockets to the Class 3A semifinals, has had his wrestling season come to an end after tearing his right ACL. He was a state runner-up wrester as a sophomore.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support.

It may be basketball season, but our WPIAL insiders Keith Barnes and the esteemed Mike White start things off with football, as they discuss the imminent hiring of current Mars coach Eric Kasperowicz, who will likely be installed at his alma mater, North Hills, at the Thursday board meeting. They also get into basketball questions, looking at Joe Lafko and the job he's doing in his first year at Knoch. And in Class 3A, can Mohawk win its first title since 1970? All that plus Shining Stars, the ever-popular picks segment and our Post-Gazette Fantasy Basketball picks! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

After Linganore High football rolled to a 56-17 victory over Oakdale in the Class 3A championship game last Saturday in Annapolis to claim its seventh state championship, coach Rick Conner, senior running back Bradly Matthews and senior receiver/defensive back Chase Perry are this week's guests on The Final Score podcast. The guys chat with host Greg Swatek about the season, which will certainly be considered among the best in Frederick County history. The Lancers finished 13-0. They pulled out a close win at Mervo, the eventual 4A-3A state champion, in Week 1 and were hardly challenged the rest of the way. What made this team so special? How did it come together so well? And what is it's future after reaching the state mountaintop once again? Matthews, Frederick County's all-time touchdown leader (80), and Perry, the team's leading receiver, discuss what playing football at Linganore meant to them, as well as their futures. Matthews will play football next year at Georgetown University, while Perry will play baseball at the University of North Carolina-Asheville. Prior to this conversation, FNP sports reporter Alexander Dacy joins Greg to recap Linganore's big win over Oakdale in the second state football final between Frederick County teams and look ahead to the high school basketball season.

Here I speak 1-on-1 with former Louisville Football quarterback, current head coach of the Christian Academy

After ending a 32-year state championship drought for Frederick County field hockey teams, Linganore High School is featured on this week's Final Score podcast, as head coach McKenzie Ridgely, star goalie Allena Jaworski and junior midfielder Addison Ridgely join the program. The trio chats with host Greg Swatek about the Lancers' 4-3 victory over Westminster in double overtime back on Nov. 8 in the Class 3A championship game at Stevenson University in Owings Mills and the dramatic way it unfolded. Jaworkski recalls stopping a Westminster penalty stroke in the first quarter that flipped the momentum in her team's favor. Addison Ridgely describes how the game-winning sequence, involving an almost accidental goal from senior forward Jordan Zimmerman, evolved. And McKenzie Ridgely talks about the overall resilience of her team, after Westminster produced the tying goal with roughly 20 seconds to play in regulation, and why it was able to play its best when it mattered the most. The discussion also covers the very unusual way the Jaworski became a goalie, as well as her future in the sport and the future of the team. Prior to that conversation, FNP sports reporter Alexander Dacy joins Greg to discuss Linganore and Oakdale meeting in an All-Frederick County state football final for the second time in three years. Is this the Linganore team that finally breaks the recent string of losses in state football finals? And can Oakdale find a way to keep it competitive after being blown out by the Lancers during the regular season?

The high school football season will come to an end this weekend when Cumberland Valley High School in Mechanicsburg plays host to six PIAA championship games. Our Post-Gazette insiders, veteran scribe Mike White and high school sports coordinator Keith Barnes, break it down. In the first segment the two look at games involving non-WPIAL teams in Classes 2A, 4A and 5A. After a quick break, they examine the title matchups in Class 1A between Clairton and Bishop Guilfoyle, the Class 3A 2024 rematch between Avonworth and Northwestern Lehigh and finally the Class 6A clash, a rematch of the 2025 season opener won by La Salle College High School, 23-6, over Central Catholic at the Wolvarena. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Byron's Caden Considine rushed for a Class 3A championship game record 367 yards, one of many finals records to fall, but the Tigers needed a defensive stop in the final seconds to turn away Tolono Unity 56-50 in a Class 3A championship game thriller at Illinois State.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support.

Byron has tried successfully to simply power its way through all of its postseason foes, Tolono Unity seems to be trying to just simply post a ton of points. Which one will win out? Steve Soucie previews Friday's Class 3A title game.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support.

Peters Township's comeback against Pine-Richland in the WPIAL 5A championship was one for the ages. On their weekly podcast, Post-Gazette high school insiders Keith Barnes and Mike White react to that game and the rest WPIAL championships at Acrisure Stadium. How did Cole Neupaver, Nolan DiLucia and Co. storm back? How impressive were Will Martin's three touchdowns for Seton LaSalle in the Class 2A final? Why were coach Duke Johncour, RB Luca Neal and Avonworth able to repeat in Class 3A? And how did Clairton coach Wayne Wade and star Deon Lovelace-Pompey help the Bears pull away in Class 1A? Our duo tackles those questions; offers predictions for the PIAA semifinals this week and previews of the rankings for basketball season, which begins Friday. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

After leading Urbana to the Class 4A team championship in boys cross country on Nov. 8 at Hereford High School, coach Jackie Suarez and senior runner Josh Rothery are this week's guests on the Final Score podcast. Suarez and Rothery chat with host Greg Swatek and winning the championship, which was Urbana's first in boys cross country since 2003 and fourth overall. What made the Hawks such a tight pack of runners? How did they react to winning the championship? Rothery, who finished sixth overall in 16:47.51, talks about growing up in England and how he got into running. And Suarez talks about the future of the team and looks ahead to the indoor track and field season at Urbana. Prior to that conversation, FNP sports reporter Alexander Dacy joins Greg to recap the state quarterfinal in high school football and look ahead to Linganore and Oakdale playing in the Class 3A state semifinals this week.

Caden Considine showed off what he called "explosive-play ability," rushing for 287 yards and 5 touchdowns, and Byron beat host Richmond-Burton 44-10 in a Class 3A state semifinal game Saturday in Richmond.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support.

Richmond-Burton linebacker/fullback Blake Livdahl plays bigger than his 5-foot-7 frame. A state finalist in wrestling last winter, he rushed for a season-high 122 yards and two TDs in the Rockets' 31-6 win over Monmouth-Roseville in a Class 3A state quarterfinal.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support.

Richmond-Burton's football team will host Byron in a Class 3A state semifinal Saturday afternoon. Check out our game preview.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support.

Two middle classification powers lock horns in one side of the bracket while two long time rivals battle on the other. Steve Soucie breaks down the semifinal round of the 2025 IHSA Class 3A Playoffs.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support.

Monmouth-Roseville was able to keep its Class 3A quarterfinal against Richmond-Burton competitive early on, but they had no answer for the Rockets and running back Hunter Carley in a 31-6 victory for R-B.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support.

In a 28-6 win over IC Catholic Prep in the 3A semifinals, undefeated Byron did something teams all season failed to do – shut down the vaunted Knights passing attack.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support.

It appeared early on that the Class 3A bracket was going to provide some blockbuster matchups in later rounds. That time has arrived now. Steve Soucie breaks down the quarterfinal round of the 2025 IHSA Class 3A Playoffs.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support.

It's the most wonderful time of year. No, it's not Christmas. It's the WPIAL football championships, with finals in Class 4A and Class 6A slated for Saturday at Pine-Richland. After analyzing the ramifications of the PIAA biennial realignment on football conferences, our Post-Gazette High School insiders Keith Barnes and Mike White delve into the matchups as McKeesport and running back Kemon Spell, who have been to the finals each of the last two years, hope to avenge a 2023 finals loss to the Quips, who have been bolstered by the return of quarterback Marques Council. In the Class 6A final, familiar foes meet as defending champion Central Catholic once again squares off with North Allegheny. They then look deeply at the Friday slate of eight semifinal matchups in Class 1A, Class 2A, Class 3A and Class 5A, featuring rematches from the regular season from Western Hills Conference foes Avonworth-North Catholic and Peters Township-Upper St. Clair from the Allegheny Six. As a bonus, they look at the PIAA Class 1A game featuring Westinghouse and District 5 champion Meyersdale Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hunter Carley rushed for two touchdowns and caught one, as No. 1 seed Richmond-Burton rolled to a 57-7 win over host Aurora Central Catholic in a Class 3A second-round playoff game Friday night.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support.

The powerhouses will look to keep rolling through the bracket as big-time matchups loom. Steve Soucie breaks down the second round of the 2025 IHSA Class 3A Playoffs.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support.

Valshon Powe scored five touchdowns and rushing for 243 yards to lead Bloomington Central Catholic to a 41-20 victory over Princeton in a Class 3A playoffs opener.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support.

Nate Lang threw five touchdown passes to four different receivers, two of them to Grant Bowen, and IC Catholic Prep scored touchdowns on five straight possessions in the second quarter and went on to beat Hope Academy 42-13 in a Class 3A first-round game in Chicago.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support.

A touchdown with 59.5 seconds to play was the difference in DuPec's 18-13 Class 3A playoff victory over host Johnsburg.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support.

Herscher drove down and struck first in Friday's Class 3A first round playoff game at Bishop McNamara, but the Fightin' Irish scored five unanswered touchdowns to down the Tigers and move on.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support.

Hunter Carley rushed for 135 yards and three touchdowns, the defense set the tone early, and Richmond-Burton's football team beat visiting North Boone 49-0 in a Class 3A playoff opener Friday night. The game was called in the third quarter after a North Boone player was injured.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support.

Caden Considine rushed for 182 yards and three touchdowns and Byron scored 36 straight points in the second quarter and went on to a 56-15 win over Oregon in a Class 3A first-round game Friday.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support.

A Roxana High School proposal that would expand the playoffs and provide a regional schedule model has released regional mockups for Class 3A and Class 4A. See the proposed regions here.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support.

Class 3A's North Bracket is chock full of impressive programs setting up some very early titanic matchups. Steve Soucie breaks down the opening round of the 2025 IHSA Class 3A Playoffs.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support.

Post-Gazette high school sports insider Keith Barnes interviews Beaver Area quarterback Travis Clear, who was named the PG's WPIAL and Pittsburgh City League athlete of the week for his standout performance again Hopewell. Travis explains how he passed for a WPIAL-leading 391 yards and a pair of touchdowns to life his team a thrilling 51-50 victory that kept it in the mix in Class 3A. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

As he prepares to begin his 16th season as the only varsity head football coach Oakdale High School has ever known, Kurt Stein is this week's guest on The Final Score podcast. Stein chats with host Greg Swatek about his longevity with the program and how it has evolved over the years into the perennial power that it is today. Aided by a talented group of returning players, including quarterback Alex Rodriguez, and a stellar group of newcomers, some of whom transferred in, Oakdale might have one of its most talented teams this season. Stein explains why Rodriguez is in the rare position of being a second-year starter for the Bears at QB. He also talks about what it will take for Oakdale to maximize its talent and make a run at a second Class 3A state title in three years and third in program history. He also addresses why so many players have transferred to Oakdale during the offseason. Prior to that discussion, FNP sports writer Alexander Dacy joins Greg to discuss the start of fall sports practice across Frederick County and preview the upcoming season for girls flag football.

As he prepares to begin his 40th season of coaching high school football, Rick Conner is this week's guest on The Final Score podcast. The longtime coach at Linganore High School chats with host Greg Swatek about the upcoming season and how his team expects to maintain its typically high standard. The Lancers have reached the Class 3A in six of the last eight years. But with only one championship to show for it during that span in 2017, how tired are Conner and the Lancers of falling short in that game? Conner talks about what he still enjoys about the job and how much longer he might be doing it. Plus, he discusses what he likes about this particular Linganore team and outlines what it might take to break through for a seventh state title in school history this fall. Prior to that conversation, FNP sports writer Alexander Dacy joins Greg to talk about expectations for the Lancers this season, the return of affiliated professional baseball in Frederick with the Keys becoming the Orioles High-A minor league team again and recent summer outings to see Paul Skenes, the young superstar pitcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates.

On this episode of the Dubuque Area Sports Podcast, your host — Everybody's Favorite Coach, Coach Maneman — sits down with one of the biggest names in Iowa high school softball: Julia Roth from Wahlert Catholic!She's just a sophomore, but she's already making headlines with dominant pitching, clutch hitting, and leadership well beyond her years. From her walk-off home runs to shutouts in the state tournament, Julia is showing the entire state why she's one of the most feared players in Class 3A.We talk about her breakout season, her mindset on the mound, what drives her success at the plate, and what the future holds as she sets her sights on Division I softball at the University of Iowa.Tune in for a powerful conversation with one of Dubuque's brightest young stars.

What happens when two brothers, both pumping 90+ on the radar gun, take the mound for the #1 ranked team in Class 3A? You get dominance — and a whole lot of fun.In this episode, Coach Maneman sits down with Wahlert Catholic's ace senior Will Pierro and his freshman phenom brother Jacob, fresh off a pair of electric outings to start the high school season. Will notched 12 Ks and a complete game gem, while Jacob picked up his first varsity win in his first start, silencing crosstown rival Dubuque Senior.From their backyard battles to leading one of Iowa's top programs, the Pierro brothers open up about:​Life as teammates and siblings on a title-contending squad​The moment Will knew Jacob was varsity-ready​Who throws harder, who eats more, and who's secretly funnier​What makes Wahlert Catholic's clubhouse special​The legend of Carter Brant's arm sleeve