5 things to watch on Friday night in the Beaver Valley: WPIAL quarterfinals
Each week of high school football in the Beaver Valley brings a new set of storylines to follow. Here are five things to watch Friday as the WPIAL football season rolls along with several WPIAL quarterfinal playoff matchups.
1. Getting back on track
The last time the Central Valley Warriors hit the gridiron, the program watched as its historic 36-game winning streak was snapped at the hands of the Aliquippa Quips, losing the 4A Parkway Conference championship in the battle. The Warriors still earned the No. 2 seed in the WPIAL Class 4A playoffs and a first-round bye, but they've had a full week to sit and stew about the loss and get prepared for a quarterfinal matchup. That opportunity to get back on track starts Friday night at Sarge Alberts Stadium for head coach Mark Lyons and the Warriors against No. 7 Laurel Highlands and West Virginia commit Rodney Gallagher. The Mustangs aren't the only one with star power as the Warriors boast a number of Division I recruits in Bret FitzSimmons, Jackson Tonya, Jayvin Thompson and more. Coming off of three straight WPIAL Class 3A championships and back-to-back PIAA Class 3A championships, the Warriors are experienced and playing with a chip on their shoulder. Look out, Mustangs.
More:Aliquippa claims conference title, snaps Central Valley winning streak in thrilling 35-24 win
2. Chase for a championship begins again
Unsurprisingly, the No. 1 Aliquippa Quips and the No. 2 Beaver Falls Tigers are back in the quarterfinals of the WPIAL playoffs in their respective classifications. Few things seem as certain in life as death, taxes, and the Quips and Tigers chasing championships. That includes the Central Valley Warriors as well. The Quips and Tigers had bye weeks to reach the quarterfinals in the WPIAL playoffs and now face favorable matchups in the return to the gridiron. Aliquippa matches up against No. 8 Montour once again, while Beaver Falls squares off with No. 7 Ligonier Valley in the quarterfinals Friday night. The Quips already dispatched Montour earlier this season, 33-0, while Beaver Falls takes on a team that defeated No. 10 Western Beaver in the first round, 27-20. Beaver Falls previously topped Western Beaver in the final week of the regular season, 44-8, and should hold a sizable advantage over Ligonier Valley in the quarterfinals. Hope abroad, buckle in and enjoy the ride. The championship chase begins.
More:Pairings for Beaver Valley teams announced for 2022 WPIAL Football Playoffs
3. Aiming for some revenge
A little over a month ago, the No. 7 Beaver Bobcats had a great opportunity in front of them to take control of the wheel in the driver's seat of the Class 3A Western Hills Conference standings against the Avonworth Antelopes. Things didn't go the Bobcats' way in that matchup, falling 29-3 on the night. It left a bad taste in the Bobcats' mouth, but it also served as a wakeup call for Cort Rowse's program, which has ripped off five straight wins since that loss to the Antelopes and has found a formula that works on both sides of the football. Now, in the Class 3A quarterfinals, the Bobcats get a shot to avenge that regular season loss. Coming off of a 17-7 win over No. 10 Deer Lakes in the first round of the WPIAL Class 3A playoffs, Beaver is firing on all cylinders at the moment and is catching the Antelopes after a week off. Now is the time to pounce for the Bobcats.
More:Times' Game of the Week Preview: Beaver Area at Avonworth
4. South Side with a point to prove
Entering the WPIAL Class 1A quarterfinal matchup Friday at Waynesburg Central High School, it feels like the No. 5 South Side Rams are being overlooked and largely doubted in a matchup with the No. 4 Mapletown Maples, led by star running back Landan Stevenson. Stevenson is likely going to be the PIAA Class 1A Player of the Year when it's all said and done this season. The senior, who owns the WPIAL single-season scoring mark with 318 points, has rushed for more than 5,000 yards in his career. He ran for 290 yards and five scores in last week’s 41-28 win over Leechburg. All eyes in the matchup are on the Maples' explosive offense and Stevenson, but the Rams know a thing or two about being the underdog and letting their play do the talking. Heading into the quarterfinal matchup, the Rams are allowing 8.27 points per game, scoring 31.6 points per game on their own. South Side isn't a one-man band either with the likes of Parker Statler, Brody Almashy, Alex Arrigo, Ryan Navarra and AC Corfield capable of putting up points in a hurry. Don't sleep on the Rams.
More:Times' Game of the Week Preview: No. 4 Mapletown vs. No. 5 South Side
5. A Rochester run in the works
As the No. 14 seed in the WPIAL Class 1A playoffs, the Rochester Rams weren't expected to do much in the playoffs under Hall of Fame head coach Gene Matsook. The 36-15 win over No. 3 Greensburg Central Catholic in the first round threw those low expectations out the window. Now, as the highest remaining seed in the WPIAL playoffs remaining, the Rams are eyeing another deep run under Matsook, continuing Friday against No. 6 Fort Cherry and freshman quarterback sensation Matt Sieg. Sieg and the Rangers' offense will get all the attention leading up to the quarterfinal matchup at South Fayette High School Friday night after putting up 56 points in a 56-42 win over No. 11 Monessen in the first round. Rochester shouldn't be overlooked though, especially star running back Antonio Laure, who rushed 29 times for 218 yards and three touchdowns in the first-round upset. Rochester knows what it takes to win this time of year on the gridiron. Another deep run under Matsook could be in the works.
More:Friday night Beaver County football highlights, WPIAL first round
Contact Joshua Carney at jcarney@gannett.com or 724-681-9136. Follow Joshua on Twitter: @ByJoshCarney
This article originally appeared on Beaver County Times: 5 things to watch on Friday night in the Beaver Valley: WPIAL quarterfinals
