Greensburg Salem High School football coach Casey Cavanaugh was a bit surprised when the WPIAL announced the Golden Lions opponent for the first round of the Class AAA playoffs.

"We certainly didn't anticipate playing New Castle in the first round," Cavanaugh said. "We were expecting a fourth-place team, like Hampton or Montour. It was a big surprise to see us matched up against a third-place team."

Greensburg Salem earned its WPIAL playoff berth by winning the Keystone Conference title. The Golden Lions recorded six victories in the conference and bring an 8-1 overall record in the playoffs. Greensburg Salem's only setback this season was a 40-7 loss to Hempfield, a Class AAAA opponent.

New Castle earned its berth by placing third in the Parkway Conference. The Hurricanes had a 4-2 record in the conference and a 7-2 overall mark. Their two losses were to No. 2 seed Hopewell (35-27) and No. 4 West Allegheny (28-21).

"It looks as if we are the No. 5 seed," Cavanaugh said. "I'm not sure how they came up with the pairings, but it doesn't matter. Everybody who qualifies for the playoffs is good. We have to be ready for any team."

Cavanaugh and the Golden Lions are hoping to end the Keystone Conference's playoff drought. The conference has gone eight years without a victory. That translates to an 0-32 record during that period.

"We would certainly like to be the team that ends the streak," Cavanaugh said. "But I don't think it puts any extra pressure on us. The kids are playing for themselves, not for the conference. They have something to prove, no doubt."

Greensburg Salem's season-opening loss to Hempfield was followed by another non-conference game against Trinity.

"We had two key players go down with injuries in that game," said Cavanaugh, referring to a narrow 10-7 victory. "David Nowicki was hurt in that game and hasn't played since. We also lost Drew Manley in that game. He missed five games, returning to the lineup in week eight.

"I'm very proud of the way the kids handled those two injuries. They could have used it as an excuse. Instead, the rest of the team picked up the slack and didn't let it have a negative effect on our team."

Manley, a senior, is a two-way starter at wide receiver and linebacker who has been a mainstay in Greensburg Salem's starting lineup since his sophomore year. Despite missing five games, Manley is tied for the team lead with nine receptions, which have accounted for 134 yards.

Nowicki, a junior, was a returning starter at free safety. He was also expected to see time in the Golden Lions offensive backfield, but the injury has sidelined him for the season.

The win against Trinity was the first of eight consecutive victories for Greensburg Salem. New Castle brings a four-game winning streak into tomorrow's game, which will be played at Greensburg Salem's Offut Field, beginning at 7:30 p.m. The winner advances to the quarterfinals to face either West Allegheny or Knoch.

"We spent Monday's practice cleaning up some things that needed some extra work," Cavanaugh said. "We started preparation for New Castle after the pairings meeting."

Cavanaugh is very impressed with New Castle's offense, which is averaging 29.0 points per game.

"New Castle is a big physical football team with a great tradition," Cavanaugh said. "[New Casle] has outstanding skilled players and a big physical line. The quarterback has a good arm, plus they have speed in both the backfield and at receiver."

New Castle is led by quarterback John Matarazzo, who has completed 103 of 161 passes for 1,626 yards and 14 touchdowns. He is joined in the Hurricanes backfield by Keith Keene and Justin Fleo. Keene has rushed for 768 yards and nine touchdowns on 125 carries. Fleo has 708 yards and eight touchdowns on 73 carries.

Matarazzo's favorite targets are Fleo (24 catches, 307 yards), Marcus Carter (21 catches, 380 yards), and Jajuan Jay (19 catches, 366 yards).

Greensburg Salem counters with quarterback Nate Sphon, who has completed 41 of 88 passes for 583 yards and eight touchdowns. Sphon has also rushed for 428 yards and six touchdowns on 100 carries.

Sphon is joined in the Golden Lions backfield by tailback Matt Adams, who has 884 yards and six touchdowns on 171 carries, and fullback Brian Riffle, who has 285 yards and four touchdowns on 58 carries. Mike Nowicki is tied with Manley for the team led in receptions (9 catches, 167 yards).

n What: New Castle at Greensburg Salem.

n When: 7:30 p.m. tomorrow.

n Where: Offut Field, Greensburg.

n The skinny: New Castle placed third in the Parkway Conference. The winner of this Class AAA game will play either Knoch or West Allegheny.

Mike White's "High School Sports Edition" videos are featured exclusively on PG+, a members-only web site from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Our introduction to PG+ gives you all the details.