5 Reasons Why The Cornell Raiders Football Program Is The WPIAL's Biggest Underdog Story Of 2025
The Cornell Raiders football program, based in Coraopolis, PA, has cemented its status as one of the most compelling and inspiring narratives in the Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League (WPIAL) as the 2025 season gets underway. This program, which once faced the difficult reality of temporarily folding due to low player numbers, has engineered a remarkable turnaround under Head Coach Edward Dawson, transforming from a struggling small-town team into a legitimate contender in the fiercely competitive WPIAL Class A Black Hills Conference.
As of the current date, December 23, 2025, the Raiders are building on the momentum of their recent success, including a strong playoff run in the 2024 season. Their journey is more than just a series of wins and losses; it is a testament to resilience, community support, and the sheer determination of a team that is literally the smallest public high school in Pennsylvania to still field an 11-man football squad. The 2025 campaign is set to be a defining chapter, with key seniors leading the charge to capture their first conference title since 1983.
The Resurgence: A Look at the Cornell Raiders' Program Profile and Key Figures
The story of Cornell High School football cannot be told without highlighting the key individuals and historical context that define the program’s unique identity. The Raiders compete in the WPIAL, a league renowned for producing top-tier talent and intense competition, making their recent success all the more impressive.
Cornell Raiders Football Biography & Program Milestones
- School Location: Coraopolis, Pennsylvania (Allegheny County).
- Team Nickname: Raiders.
- Classification: WPIAL Class A.
- Conference: Black Hills Conference.
- Head Coach: Edward Dawson (Instrumental in the program's modern resurgence).
- Unique Status: Smallest public high school in Pennsylvania to field an 11-man football team.
- Last Conference Championship: 1983.
- Total WPIAL Playoff Wins (Modern Era): Four (Achieved in 2019, twice in 2021, and 2024).
- Notable Alumni: Dane Jackson (NFL Cornerback).
The Architect of the Turnaround: Coach Edward Dawson
Edward Dawson is more than just a head coach; he is the linchpin of the Cornell Raiders’ recent history. Dawson was at the helm when the program temporarily folded after the 2011 season due to a lack of players, a challenging period that underscored the fragility of small-school sports. His return and commitment have been fundamental to the team's re-establishment as a competitive force. Under his guidance, the Raiders have experienced a consistent upward trajectory, culminating in a strong 9-2 overall record and a playoff win in the 2024 season, setting high expectations for the 2025 campaign.
5 Reasons Why the 2025 Season is Pivotal for Cornell Football
The 2025 season is not just another year for the Cornell Raiders. It represents the culmination of a decade-long rebuilding process and a genuine opportunity to achieve a historic milestone. Here are five core reasons why the Raiders are positioned for a breakout year and why they are the WPIAL’s most compelling underdog story.
1. The Leadership of Senior Quarterback Latae Littlejohn
Every successful team needs a dynamic leader, and for the 2025 Raiders, that role falls heavily on senior Latae Littlejohn. Listed as a QB/RB, Littlejohn is a dual-threat playmaker who is expected to be the senior quarterback guiding the offense. His versatility and experience are crucial for a small roster team that relies on key players excelling in multiple roles. The success of the Raiders' offense, which must be efficient to compete with conference powerhouses, will hinge on Littlejohn’s decision-making and ability to connect with top targets like junior Devin Lamb (QB/WR), another key offensive weapon.
2. Building on a Historic Playoff Foundation
The Raiders are entering the 2025 season with unprecedented modern playoff experience. The team has secured four WPIAL playoff victories since 2019, including a significant win in the 2024 bracket. This history of success in the postseason is vital for a program that seeks to overcome the mental hurdle of competing against larger, more established schools. The experience gained by players like Littlejohn and other returning seniors in high-stakes playoff games is invaluable, providing the mental toughness needed to challenge the top teams in the Black Hills Conference.
3. The Challenge of the WPIAL Class A Black Hills Conference
The Black Hills Conference is arguably one of the toughest small-school football leagues in the WPIAL, a crucible of competition that forces the Raiders to play at their absolute best every week. The road to the conference title runs directly through perennial powers like Fort Cherry High School and Bishop Canevin High School. Fort Cherry, for instance, delivered a tough loss to Cornell in a 2025 game (56-20), highlighting the level of competition. To win the conference, Cornell must find a way to consistently defeat these established rivals, a task that would instantly elevate the program's standing and solidify its turnaround story. The intense rivalry games generate huge local interest and are key LSI keywords for Western Pennsylvania high school sports coverage.
4. The "Smallest School, Biggest Heart" Narrative
The fact that Cornell is the smallest public high school in the entire state of Pennsylvania to maintain an 11-man football program is a powerful motivator and a source of community pride. This unique distinction means the Raiders are constantly battling against larger enrollment schools, where depth of talent is a significant advantage. The team’s success is a direct result of maximum effort from every player, including key two-way starters like Terrance Collington, Isaiah Dawson, and Ja'kil Turner. For fans of underdog stories and inspirational sports narratives, the Cornell Raiders represent the ultimate feel-good turnaround in WPIAL football.
5. The Pursuit of the Elusive 1983 Conference Title
The last time the Cornell Raiders claimed a conference championship was in 1983. For the 2025 senior class, ending this four-decade-long drought is the ultimate goal. The program's recent resurgence, marked by a commitment to a strong running game and solid defensive play, has brought them closer than ever. The pressure to finally break through and hang a new conference banner is immense, creating a compelling narrative arc for the entire season. A WPIAL Class A Black Hills title would not just be a win; it would be a historic moment for the Coraopolis community, validating the hard work of Coach Dawson and every player who has been part of the program’s dramatic revival.
The Legacy: From Coraopolis to the NFL
The ultimate testament to the quality of the Cornell High School football program is the success of its alumni. The most prominent example is Dane Jackson, a former Raiders star who went on to play collegiate football and was drafted into the NFL. Jackson’s journey from a small-school standout in Coraopolis to a professional cornerback serves as a powerful inspiration for the current roster. His career demonstrates that elite talent can be developed even within the confines of a small, Class A program, providing a tangible goal for players like Latae Littlejohn and Devin Lamb who dream of playing at the next level.
The Raiders' program is now focused on not just competing, but on establishing a consistent culture of success. The 2025 season is a critical step in this evolution. While the path through the WPIAL playoffs and the Black Hills Conference remains challenging—with tough matchups against teams like Chartiers-Houston and the aforementioned Fort Cherry—the foundation is set. The combination of experienced senior leadership, a proven coaching staff, and the motivation of being the WPIAL's most resilient underdog makes the Cornell Raiders a must-watch team this year.
Detail Author:
- Name : Vernie Rutherford
- Username : mikel27
- Email : ltillman@schmitt.com
- Birthdate : 1992-07-31
- Address : 2899 Crooks Parkways Libbyberg, CT 11357-1814
- Phone : +1 (303) 940-7883
- Company : Muller-Runolfsdottir
- Job : Agricultural Manager
- Bio : Occaecati sed velit magni. Voluptas aspernatur neque sint et laudantium. Distinctio reprehenderit dolor laudantium possimus. In ullam soluta veritatis magni.
Socials
twitter:
- url : https://twitter.com/garfieldhessel
- username : garfieldhessel
- bio : Voluptates maxime sit dolor eos sed. Quis aspernatur vero eaque dicta possimus iure. Et sed reiciendis voluptatem aut at.
- followers : 4731
- following : 2221
instagram:
- url : https://instagram.com/garfield.hessel
- username : garfield.hessel
- bio : Adipisci enim ut consectetur. Voluptatum officia qui sint natus. Non est qui quia soluta ea.
- followers : 1055
- following : 110
linkedin:
- url : https://linkedin.com/in/hessel1991
- username : hessel1991
- bio : Perspiciatis non placeat soluta.
- followers : 466
- following : 1877
tiktok:
- url : https://tiktok.com/@garfield6532
- username : garfield6532
- bio : Et rerum repudiandae facilis harum. Velit illum ipsa et expedita consequatur.
- followers : 5683
- following : 1320
facebook:
- url : https://facebook.com/garfield4361
- username : garfield4361
- bio : Ut ut id quis quia et. Laboriosam cupiditate sed sapiente non voluptatum.
- followers : 5605
- following : 166
