California
October 2025
California Trojans win the Tri-County South
October 25, 2025 | Brent Ellsworth
Jefferson, PA – The Tri-County South conference title was up for grabs. The California Trojans (9-1, 7-0) were the only undefeated team left in conference play. The Jefferson-Morgan Rockets (8-2, 5-2) were looking to share the conference title with a win. A 14-12 Rocket lead at the half, quickly evaporated due to an overpowering effort […]
California Fires on all Cylinders in 50-0 Win at Carmichaels
October 4, 2025 | Brent Ellsworth
Powerful and Efficient in all Phases as Trojans Roll Carmichaels, PA – On a perfect fall night under the lights for high school football, the California Trojans marched into Carmichales, PA to square off against the Mighty Mikes of Carmichaels Area High School. The Trojans have been in complete control of this series as of […]
California Upsets Laurel Behind Strong Running Game From Lee Qualk
November 2, 2024 | Garrett Dollin
NEW CASTLE, PA – For most players, 163 rushing yards and 3 total touchdowns would be considered a career game. For Lee Qualk, that’s considered an off-day. California’s game plan heading into Friday’s contest was no secret, run the ball. During the regular season, senior running back Lee Qualk led the entire WPIAL with 200 […]
Jefferson-Morgan completes undefeated season in 28-27 win over California
October 26, 2024 | Ethan Spozarski
On Friday night, Jefferson-Morgan defeated California 28-27 to not only claim the Tri-County South title but complete their perfect regular season. This game was, as the saying goes, “the tale of two halves.” California started the game with the football, they punted. Jefferson-Morgan, thanks to the help of a 38-yard catch by WR Deakyn Dehoet […]
California gets big lead early, defeats Carmichaels 44-8
October 5, 2024 | Tyler Aaron
In the first quarter, California started the game with the ball, and it took them a minute and twenty-eight seconds to reach the endzone, thanks to a 23-yard touchdown run by running back Malachi Peak. The two-point conversion attempt was unsuccessful, but it didn’t take long for California to score another touchdown thanks to a […]
2024 WPIAL 1A Tri-County South Conference Preview
August 21, 2024 | Brett Gombita
Avella Eagles 2024 Schedule 2023 Season: 4-6 (2-5 CONF) Head Coach: Ryan Cecchini Key Players Lost: QB/LB Cole Jaworowski, WR/DB Isaiah Bradick Key Players Returning: RB/LB Broden Hamm, QB/DB Chas Rush, WR/DB Ronnie Kozak, WR/DB Nate Rankin, TE/DL Logan Fedak What to Expect: Avella improved by three wins from 2022 to 2023, going from 1-9 […]
WPIAL Elite Eight: Preseason Rankings
August 14, 2024 | Andrew Schaffer
6A: 1- North Allegheny 2- Central Catholic 3- Mt. Lebanon 4- Norwin 5- Canon Mac 6- Hempfield 7- Seneca Valley 5A: 1- Peters Township 2- Upper St. Clair 3- Latrobe 4- Penn Trafford 5- Woodland Hills 6- Bethel Park 7- Pine Richland 8- Moon 4A: 1- Aliquippa 2- McKeesport 3- Thomas Jefferson 4- Belle Vernon […]
Waynesburg Central defeats California in statement win
September 9, 2023 | Ethan Spozarski
Written by: Kent Peterson & Joe Veneziale The California Trojans traveled to Waynesburg Central Highschool to take on the Raiders for week 3 of Greene County high school football. After California threw an interception Waynesburg went down the field for a 6-yard touchdown run ran in by junior quarterback Jacob Stevenson. Interception by @WaynesburgRaid1 stops […]
2023 WPIAL Media Day Photos: Class 1A
August 15, 2023 | Ethan Spozarski
Photos by @KAR120C6 Incase you missed it, here is our MEET & GREET video for Class 1A:
2023 WPIAL Media Day: Meeting Class 1A
August 7, 2023 | Ethan Spozarski
Here are some of our players and teams from the WPIAL Class of 1A!
McKeesport bests Belle Vernon to win the 2023 Gold Bowl: Photos and Highlight reel
July 17, 2023 | Ethan Spozarski
This past Saturday Belle Vernon hosted its annual Gold Bowl where seven different WPIAL teams competed against each other in seven-on-seven competition. The day started off great for Belle Vernon team A as Quinton Martin participated in this year’s battle at the beach. Connellsville came out throwing 30+ yard passes and proved to be effective, […]
Team Effort leads California to 27-6 upset win over Carmichaels
October 15, 2022 | Ethan Spozarski
Four different players contributed touchdowns in the 27-6 victory over Carmichaels. “Our coach told us this was going to be a game in the trenches,” junior quarterback Jake Layhue said. “And we won, hit our blocks and ran the ball.” California opened up the scoring on a one-yard rushing touchdown with 4:14 remaining in […]
Maples Bury Trojans in 52-20 Blowout
October 1, 2022 | Nate Grella
Death, taxes and Landan Stevenson. The three constants of life as a Tri-County South football player in 2022. The latest victim to find this out? The California Trojans. The California Trojans came into 2022 as one of the favorites to win the conference, and had a spotless record until a six turnover outing a week […]
1A WPIAL Tri-County South Conference Season Preview Magazine @PFNBackyard
August 5, 2022 | Nate Grella
Keep on the lookout for more conferences leading up to the 2022 season! To Make the File Full Screen Click this LINK LIKE US ON FACEBOOK! Follow Us on Twitter! Become a Supporter! Check out our Merch!
BackyardPAFootball Podcast: 2022 Tri-County South Preview @PFNBackyard @NathanGrella @JeremiahMiller0
August 4, 2022 | Nate Grella
Nathan and Jeremiah are back to fully break down the WPIAL 1A Tri-County South! LIKE US ON FACEBOOK! Follow Us on Twitter! Become a Supporter! Check out our Merch!
Leechburg 28 California 7 on 11/5/2021 @caltrojansfb @lasd_athletics
November 7, 2021 | William Spicher
On a cool early November night a WPIAL 1A playoff football game was played at Veterans Memorial Field – the first ever in the 75 year history of the venue. Temperature dropped to low 30s by end of game however Leechburg’s offense, defense, and special teams kept their fans heated with a performance that lead […]
Carmichaels Takes Down California in TCS Thriller 35-20 @CarmichaelsFB
October 16, 2021 | Nate Grella
By Collin Rhodes The end of the season draws ever closer, making every game that much more important. Two teams went head to head for 2nd place in section 2 of the 1A Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League, as the Carmichaels Mighty Makes (5-2[3-1]) visit the California Trojans (5-1[3-1]) in California, Pennsylvania. Both Carmichaels and […]
California Makes Statement in Win over 2A Waynesburg 49-7 @NickHaus75 @CalTrojansFB @PABackyard
September 11, 2021 | Nate Grella
By Nick Haushalter Last night’s contest between the Waynesburg Red Raiders and the visiting California Trojans ended decisively in Cal’s favor, as they drove home celebrating a convincing 49-7 victory. While the entire team played admirably, two Trojans stood out especially– QB Hunter Assad and RB Damani Stafford. Assad showed off his prowess on the […]
2021 BackyardPAFootball Team Profile: California
August 25, 2021 | Nate Grella
Press Play Below! LIKE US ON FACEBOOK! Follow Us on Twitter! Support Us on Patreon! Check out our Merch!
2021 PFN Player Preview: Damani Stafford-California Trojans @StaffordDamani @caltrojansfb
August 11, 2021 | Billy Splain
Damani Stafford California Trojans Class Of: 2022 Position(s): ATH/LB Jersey#: 1 Ht: 6’0 – Wt: 216 Other Sports: Basketball Awards? 2021 All Conference & All Area Athlete and Impactful Player Twitter @StaffordDamani _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Why do you play football? I play football because I saw what this sport can do for other people. This sport takes young […]
BackyardPAFootball Podcast: WPIAL Tri-County South 2021 Season Preview @nathangrella @JeremiahMiller0
August 6, 2021 | Nate Grella
Nathan and Jeremiah are BACK to preview the most exciting 1A conference in the WPIAL, the Tri-County South! Nathan and Jeremiah break down if Avella can take the next step, what’s going on at Jefferson-Morgan, if Mapletown are playoff dark horses, and if California can repeat as Section champions! CLICK PLAY BELOW or Listen HERE […]
2021 PFN Player Profile: Ethan Fike- California @caltrojansfb @Ethan_fike @PaBackyard
July 31, 2021 | Billy Splain
Ethan Fike California Area Class Of 2022 LB/ATH Jersey # 10 HT/WT 207 6ft 55 Tackles 2 FFs 2 FRs Other sports Track- 110m / 300m hurdles 4×4 and long jump DPOY, 1st Team All conference, MVI Finest 30, 1st Team All Backyard team (all mon valley) Twitter @Ethan_fike Why do you play football? I […]
2021 PFN Team Preview: The California Trojans @caltrojansfb @DamaniStafford @ethan_fike @PABackyard
July 24, 2021 | Nate Grella
California Trojans PFN PAGE PIAA District 7 – Class A League: Tri-County South Head Coach Ed Woods @caltrojansfb 2020 Season Record 6-1 (6-0) 2021 Schedule DATE OPPONENT LOCATION TIME/SCORE 08-21 vs. Charleroi (SCR) 10:00 am 08-27 @ Uniontown (0-0) 7:00 pm 09-03 vs. Bethlehem-Center (0-0) 7:00 pm 09-10 @ Waynesburg Central (0-0) 7:00 pm 09-17 @ West Greene (0-0) * 7:00 pm 09-24 vs. Mapletown (0-0) * […]
BackyardPAFootball Podcast LIVE 7 PM 5/13: Talking California- Interview with Ethan Fike, Damani Stafford, Hunter Assad
May 12, 2021 | Nate Grella
TUNE IN AT 7PM for the LIVE PREMIERE Nathan and Jeremiah sit down with California QB/RB Damani Stafford, QB Hunter Assad, and TE/LB Ethan Fike to discuss the upcoming season, recap their 2020 Tri-County South Final run, as well as argue what the best type of meat is!
Shenango holds off late California comeback to advance to the WPIAL 1A Semifinal 28-21 @carter_newcome
November 2, 2020 | Nate Grella
By: Carter Newcome The Shenango Wildcats were able to overcome a late California rally to win 28-21 in the first round of the WPIAL 1A playoffs. After trailing 21-7 with just 5 minutes to play, the California Trojans were able to find lightning in a bottle. Jaeden Zuzak broke back to back 40 yard plus […]
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