Sep 27, 2026 7 min read

Between the Chartiers Valley and South Fayette school districts lies Bridgeville Borough.

The residents there attend CV along with the populace of Heidelberg, Collier and Scott Townships. However, a significant number of South Fayette residents share the mailing address designated by the U.S. Postal Service. Though the homeowners might have a Bridgeville address they actually live within the borders of South Fayette and their children attend that school district.

While the students mingle at the various shops and eateries within the borough’s boundaries, they are fiercely loyal to their schools and will demonstrate that allegiance when the football teams meet at 7 p.m. Oct. 2 at South Fayette Stadium in the Big Six Conference opener.

“Chartiers Valley is always a big game for us,” said South Fayette head coach Marty Spieler. “The battle for the bridge will be even more important this year being in the same conference. Our kids are familiar with them playing youth sports together for years.”

Last fall in his first season at the helm, CV coach Steve Spence received his first dose of the rivalry. In the 2025 opener, the Colts dropped a 38-15 decision to the Lions.

“It was a heck of a welcoming to high school football,” said Spence, whose previous experience was at the collegiate level at Washington & Jefferson. “Obviously, it was not an ideal start as they put it on us.”

Spence added that proximity makes the showdown intense. “Neighboring schools and communities,” he noted. “The kids on both sides get up for this. They are passionate and the atmosphere is amazing. Hopefully, it’s a game that kids dream about playing in.

“It’s against a rival and a conference opponent,” he emphasized. “It’s a game against a team where we have to play our best football.”

With their 4-0 start, the Lions were ranked No. 1 in Class 5A of the WPIAL before falling to Upper St. Clair, 31-7, on Sept. 25. They also had the top-rated defense in the division, allowing 12.25 points a game and recording two shutouts, including a blanking of Trinity, 21-0, on Sept. 18.

“Defensively we talk about defending grass,” Spieler said. “There’s an opportunity for us to keep them out of the end zone. There’s an opportunity for us to get a stop. Our kids will keep working.”

The Lions labor equally hard on offense.

Against the Hillers, Aayden Wright was the workhorse. He rushed for 141 yards and a touchdown for 70 of those yards. After four games, Wright had 570 yards rushing with five scores.

“South Fayette is very talented everywhere you look at them but the first one to jump off the screen is their running back,” Spence said. “(Wright) is a talented young man. He has it all. Power. Vision. Everything you look for in (a running) back.”

In the win against the Hillers, Braeden Plasko completed eight passes for 97 yards and a scoring strike to Dylan Monz. Plasko also rushed for a 39-yard touchdown. After four games, Plasko has passed for 434 yards and five touchdowns. He also has rushed for 281 yards and three more scores.

A senior captain, Plasko is in his first season starting at quarterback. He replaced Drew Welhorsky, who passed for 1,244 yards and rushed for 610 more, before matriculating to Robert Morris University to play lacrosse.

“South Fayette lost a phenomenal quarterback but (Plasko) has filled in and done a great job,” Spence said. “I love to see a kid who stuck it out and waited his turn and has taken advantage of his opportunities. He’s done a good job and that’s a result of good coaching.”

Despite their 2-3 start, which included a 27-24 victory against Bethel Park on Sept. 25, the Colts have shown flashes of being a top contender in Class 4A.

In their most recent loss to Upper St. Clair, which is ranked No. 3 in the WPIAL and No. 8 in the state in Class 5A, Owen Weagraff shredded the Panther secondary for 188 yards and a first-quarter scoring strike of 54 yards to Easton Staab. In four games, Weagraff has completed 49 passes for 822 yards and seven scores, ranking him among top 15 passers in the WPIAL.

“Owen is the type of kid you dream about coaching,” Spence said. “He’s one of the reasons why you want to go into this business. He’s just a good kid; a great person who was raised the right way.

“Obviously, he’s very talented. He’s hard-working and very coachable. Everything that is coming his way, he has earned and deserves. He’s opening a lot of eyes.”

Spieler certainly has taken notice of Weagraff.

“Their QB is a really good player. Throws the ball with good velocity and on time,” he said. “With the athletes he has at receiver, it will challenge our pass defense to play a full 48 minutes.”

Niko Hines is the primary concern of the South Fayette secondary. He has opened eyes because of his receiving capabilities.

In the loss to the Panthers, Hines had eight receptions while Zachary Efthimiades followed with five grabs. Staab and Braylen Bogats added four catches each. After four games, Hines ranked among the WPIAL leaders with 20 receptions for 284 yards.

“Niko is the same as Owen. Another one of those great kids, who are coachable and listens. He dedicates himself to the game because he loves football,” Spence said.

Because he is only a junior, Spence added that “the sky’s the limit” for Hines. He was a starter as a sophomore on defense but broke his collarbone in Week 2 of the regular season. When he returned at the end of last season, the Colts moved Hines to offense. “We saw his promise and potential,” Spence said.

The CV-SF clash promises to be a preview of what is to come in the Big Six Conference.

“It’s a big game no matter the situation,” Spence said. “This is the kind of high school game that you have to be ready to meet the challenge, both physically and emotionally.

“We have to be ready to play physical, with energy and for four quarters. We also have to be very sound in all three phases of the game because they are well-coached and against any sound football team when you make mistakes they get exposed.”

When talk turns to the Big Six Conference, the discussion is about the Lions. Because of their start, Spence says, South Fayette “solidified” itself as the favorite but he noted that Ringgold is “extremely talented and dangerous” and even Laurel Highlands, Albert Gallatin and Uniontown cannot be dismissed as playoff contenders.

“South Fayette is off to a tremendous start and that’s a phenomenal program with great tradition and coaches. They do a great job of getting everybody ready every week,” Spence said.

“On any given night though any one can beat anybody. So you have to be ready or you are going to get beat.”

A win or defeat in the conference opener is not a season breaker. Nor will it determine the conference champion.

“I don’t feel it will,” Spence said. “No one is getting a trophy after this game. Win or lose, both teams have four conference opponents to get ready for and beat. So we approach this game the same way we prepare for the others. To play to the best of our ability.”