The revamped  PIAA Six Classification 2016 High School Football season begins this week.  Under the new rules, teams have the option of  practicing against another school.  They can also play a game.  There are four games this weekend.  Friday night, Hopewell plays at Freedom, Central Valley at South Fayette and Western Beaver at Avella.  There is one Saturday game. Aliquippa travels to New Castle. The regular season begins Friday September 2nd.

A steady rain in the Williamsport area postponed Sunday’s action at the Little League World Series.  The series resumes today with five games. The championship game is scheduled for Sunday.

On his radio show Sunday, Pirates GM Neal Huntington had good news about rookie pitcher Tyler Glasnow.  He is has been on the disable list since July 24th.  He had  weakness in his right shoulder.  That  happened again  during his first rehab.  It limited him to just three innings of pitching.  Huntington revealed rehab part two begins today with a start for AA Altoona.

After being swept by the Marlins, the Pirates host a three game series against the Houston Astros.  Both teams are fighting  to make the playoffs.  The Pirates are 62-59 in the NL  Central and chasing St. Louis for the second wild card spot.  The Astos are      64-60 in the ALWest and are chasing four teams for the second wild card spot. The Pirates will pitch Jameson Tallion (3-2) in game one.  The Astros will counter with Doug Fister (11-8).  Airtime on WBVP-WMBA is 6:40.

The first high school football scrimages will be played this weekend.  It has been a busy off season for coaches in the WPIAL.  When camps opened on Monday there were seventeen new coaches.  Five are  in the Beaver County  Radio area.   Terry George is the new coach at Ambridge.  He replaces Dan Bradley who is now the coach at OLSH. He replaces Bill Daniels .  Ron Sciaro is the new coach at Riverside. He replaces Tom Liberty, who is the new coach at Freedom High School.  At South Side, Luke  Travelpiece  replaces Glenn McDougal.

The Steelers play their second preseason game tonight.  They face their cross state rival Philadelphia Eagles at Heinz Field.  For the second straight week,  Coach Mike Tomlin will sit four offensive starters.  Quarterback Ben Rothlisberger, running backs  Le’veon Bell and DeAngelo Williams, and wide receiver Antonio Brown will have to wait for week three to see action.  The  pregame show on WBVP-WMBA  is at 5-pm.  Kickoff is at 7-pm.

After a 5-1 west coast trip, the Pirates  have a well deserved day off.  Yesterdays  6-5 win completed a sweep of the San Francisco Giants.  The Pirates are now one game ahead of the Miami Marlins and a game  behind the St Louis for the second wild spot. The Marlins lost to Cincinnati Reds 3-2.  The Cards beat the Houston Astros 8-2. The Pirates will begin a three game weekend series against the Miami Marlins It starts Friday night at PNC  Park.