The top quarterback in the WPIAL from the 2023 season is set to be recognized on Saturday afternoon at the fourth annual Willie Thrower Award event.
One of the six finalists selected by a panel that includes a coach from each of the 17 WPIAL conferences and the City League along with scholastic media members will be the recipient.
The winner of this year will receive a 29-pound replica of the Willie Thrower statue located outside the stadium at Valley High School, becoming the third recipient.
Thrower, the NFL's first Black quarterback in 1953 with the Chicago Bears, was a standout player at Michigan State and New Kensington High School.
Previously, he was honored with the award twice by Cole Spencer of Pine-Richland and Cadin Olsen of Armstrong.
The nominees this year are Nolan DiLucia of Peters Township, Julian Dugger of Penn Hills, Logan Kushner of North Allegheny, Matt Sieg of Fort Cherry, Payton Wehner of Central Catholic, and Jake Wolfe of Montour.
DiLucia, Kushner and Sieg guided their teams to WPIAL championships in the 2023 season.
Aliquippa coach Mike Warfield will be the main speaker at the luncheon.
The event will be held at the Knead Community Café in New Kensington and can be watched here on Trib HSSN at noon.
Weekend makeup games
A week of rainy weather has led to a busier than usual Saturday schedule for diamond sports.
There are almost 20 WPIAL baseball section games scheduled for Saturday, including two 5A doubleheaders.
Fox Chapel (1-1, 2-2) is hosting Penn Hills (0-2, 0-2) at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. while Franklin Regional (2-0, 4-3) is visiting Gateway (0-0, 0-4) at 1 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.
In the same section on Saturday afternoon, Penn-Trafford (2-1, 4-1) aims to complete a sweep as it hosts Armstrong (0-3, 1-3) in their section series finale, following the Warriors' 9-2 win over the River Hawks on Friday.
Taking flight
Two district softball teams found an opportunity to play games at the Ripken Experience in Pigeon Forge, Tenn., to avoid the cold and wet conditions in Western Pa.
After their first loss of the season on Friday, Our Lady of the Sacred Heart (2-1) will play against Atherton, Ky., at 11 a.m.
Burgettstown (2-3) is also coming off a loss Friday as it faces Rockcastle County, Ky., also at 11 a.m.
The top quarterback in the WPIAL from the 2023 season will be honored Saturday afternoon at the fourth annual Willie Thrower Award ceremony.
