North Allegheny opens the 2013 season Friday night by hosting Mount Lebanon at Newman Stadium. Kickoff is 7:30 p.m.
USA Today ranks the North Allegheny Tigers 23rd in the country in the paper's annual high school football pre-season poll.
The Tigers, led by coach Art Walker Jr., are defending state champions, and have won two state titles and three consecutive WPIAL crowns in the past three years.
Here's what the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Mike White says about the Tigers' chances this season:
"The three-time defending WPIAL champion Tigers won't be as strong as recent years, but still figure to challenge for the conference title. Only three starters return -- receiver-defensive back Elijah Zeise, linebacker Layne Skundrich and lineman Nick James. Zeise is a Pitt recruit, and Skundrich led the team in tackles last season as a sophomore. Quarterback play will be a key."
Below is the North Allegheny 2013 schedule.
Aug. 30 Mt. Lebanon (home)
Sept. 6 Fox Chapel (home)
Sept. 13 Seneca Valley (away)
Sept. 20 Pine-Richland (home)
Sept. 27 Butler (away)
Oct. 4 Gateway (home)
Oct. 11 Central Catholic (away)
Oct. 18 Shaler Area (home)
Oct. 25 North Hills (away)
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