McDowell will open the home portion of its football season Friday against Norwin (1-1) at Gus Anderson Field. The Trojans opened the season with a 43-23 victory over Cathedral Prep at Veterans Stadium. Last week, they lost at Seneca Valley 38-33.

McDowell will face a challenge against Norwin, which opened with a 17-14 victory over Seneca Valley. The Knights lost to Butler 26-20 Friday.

In Week 4, McDowell will play a high-powered McKeesport team, which is coming off a 55-0 win over Plum. The Tigers lost their opener 14-7 in overtime against Ohio power Colerain.

Perhaps the biggest test of McDowell’s season will come Oct. 10, when the Trojans host Gateway, the No. 1-ranked team in the state in Class AAAA. Gateway, which is ranked No. 3 nationally by USA Today, has two Ohio State recruits in Dorian Bell and Corey Brown. The Gators opened the season by routing then-No. 2-ranked Penn Hills 45-17. They pounded Baldwin 56-6 Friday.