Aliquippa returns to WPIAL title game with win over rival Beaver Falls

By: HSSN Staff
Friday, November 9, 2018 | 10:57 PM

It has been a decade of dominance for Aliquippa football. In each of the last 10 seasons, the team has reached the WPIAL championship game at Heinz Field.

On Friday night, the Quips made it 11 straight.

No. 1 Aliquippa reached the WPIAL Class 3A title game with a 42-14 win over No. 4 Beaver Falls at Ambridge.

“This is so big, especially for the seniors,” Aliquippa senior Avante McKenzie. “Once we hit the playoffs, we buckle down. We prepare ourselves to be great and come out with the win so we can get to Heinz Field.”

Beaver Falls (9-3) put together a strong opening drive. A powerful Josh Hough 24-yard run on fourth-and-2 from the Tigers 49-yard line helped move Beaver Falls into the red zone.

But on a second fourth-and-2 from the Aliquippa 19-yard line, Hough was stopped short.

Aliquippa (11-1) put together its first scoring drive in the closing moments of the first quarter. Quarterback Eli Kosanovich connected with McKenzie for a 26 yards on a screen pass to move inside the Beaver Falls 5-yard line. On the next play, McKenzie scored on a 3-yard run.

“(Beaver Falls) came out ready to play,” Aliquippa coach Mike Warfield said. “They are very well coached and have talent. We knew it would be tough. We just had to keep playing and grinding.”

The late score sparked a strong second quarter for Aliquippa. The Quips outgained the Tigers, 108-12, as the defense forced three turnovers. On its first offensive snap of the second quarter, Kosanovich hit Will Gipson on a 59-yard catch and run to put the Quips ahead 16-0.

Tyrese Garrett recovered an Aliquppa fumble to give the Tigers possession at the Quips 27-yard line later in the quarter. But the offense was unable to capitalize after a false start and a pair of negative runs sent the team backward.

Aliquippa’s Gevon Tyson blocked the ensuing punt. Four plays later, McKenzie scored on a 24-yard run to give the Quips a three-score lead heading into halftime.

“It’s frustrating,” Beaver Falls coach Nick Nardone said. “I take a lot of the heat. I deserve it. I wish I would done more for these guys. They fought so hard.”

A Gipson 24-yard run on a fake punt set Aliquippa up in Beaver Falls territory on the first drive of the second half. McKenzie scored on a 1-yard run four plays later to put his team ahead 30-0.

McKenzie finished with 137 rushing yards.

“Early in the season, he wasn’t getting that many touches because we were scoring a lot with the passing game,” Warfield said. “But we knew down the stretch we would need to run the ball because of the elements. He is a leader and very talented.”

Aliquippa’s Larry Walker finished with three interceptions.

Dayln Brickner led Beaver Falls with 64 rushing yards, 45 receiving yards with a score, and 15 passing yards. Hough added 55 on the ground with a touchdown.

“The kids were not going to let last season happen again,” Nardone said. “Every team that beat us, they had a goal in mind they were going to get redemption and beat them. And outside of Aliquippa, we did that.”

Aliquippa will play for its 17th WPIAL title next week. The Quips will face Derry on Nov. 17 at 2 p.m. at Heinz Field for the WPIAL Class 3A title.

Nathan Smith is a freelance writer.

Tags: Aliquippa, Beaver Falls