With the 2022 high school football season just weeks away, every team throughout the Beaver Valley is hard at work, preparing to have the most successful fall possible. In theory, the pinnacle of achievement for every team in the WPIAL would be making it to Acrisure Stadium for the District 7 final. However, those who know high school football understand that the term “success” can mean different things for different programs.
Each of the 19 teams in the Times’ coverage area has a top goal they hope to achieve. Over the next few weeks, the Times’ sports staff will be providing in-depth analysis for each club, giving a detailed look on what their strengths, weaknesses and goals are.
But for now, in this story, we’re going to keep things simple. As Week 0 of the 2022 WPIAL football season approaches, here is every team in the area’s mentality to the year ahead in three words or less.
RUN IT BACK
Aliquippa ― You can’t have much of a better year than the Quips did in 2021. After capturing the WPIAL and PIAA Class 4A titles, Mike Warfield’s squad will look to do the same thing, once again this fall. The Quips return stars in every area of the field and are arguably deeper than they were last year. If Aliquippa can go all the way, it will be the first team to win back-to-back state titles in the program’s decorated history.
Cornell ― Cornell might not have taken home the same, high caliber trophies that Aliquippa did last year, but the Raiders still had a season to remember. After struggling to find the win column in 2020, Cornell rebounded in a massive way the following fall, taking home the Big Seven Conference title. While a few notable names are gone, Cornell still has more than enough talent to remain on top. Ed Dawson’s team will look to do it this time in the Black Hills conference.
NEXT MAN UP
Central Valley ― Before Warriors’ nation gets upset that their team isn’t in the first category, it should be stated that Central Valley will likely be a major threat to contend for a WPIAL and PIAA title this fall. However, there are two things separating the Warriors from the other defending state champion in Beaver County: Classification and returning stars. After winning the past two championships in PIAA Class 3A, the Warriors are moving up to Class 4A, where they’ll be in the Parkway Conference with tons of scrappy teams, including Aliquippa. Any team coached by Mark Lyons has a shot to go far, but the top-tier coach will have his work cut out for him with a star-loaded senior class of 2022 now gone. The Warriors return key pieces, but will need numerous newcomers to step up if they hope to remain at the top in their new classification.
Moon Area ― The fall of 2021 was a magical one for Ryan Linn’s Tigers. For the first time in school history, Moon Area completed a perfect regular season. The Tigers’ big run continued all the way to the WPIAL Class 5A final, where they fell in heart-breaking fashion to eventual state champion Penn-Trafford. Linn’s squad was able to go far thanks to a deep, talented and gritty senior class, which is no longer there. Just three key players are back for Moon this fall: Seniors Anthony Antoniades (WR/DB), Caden Newhouse (DB) and Cole Newhouse (LB). While all three filled their roles well in 2021, Moon is going to need a new wave of playmakers, and quick, if it hopes to once again remain a legitimate threat in Class 5A.
PAYBACK TIME
Beaver Falls ― There might not be a team in Beaver County more ready to get back out on the field than Beaver Falls. After a slow start to the 2021 season, the Tigers caught fire, winning nine straight to secure another trip to the WPIAL Class 2A final. However, under the bright lights of then Heinz Field, Beaver Falls played its worst game of the year. A WPIAL championship game record nine turnovers brought an end to the Tigers season, leaving them with a sour taste in their mouths all year long. With only a few starters gone from last year’s group, it can be assured that Nick Nardone’s team will come out ready to roll this fall, hoping for redemption.
Our Lady of the Sacred Heart (OLSH) ― Like Beaver Falls, OLSH also saw its season end at Heinz Field, losing to Bishop Canevin in blowout fashion in the WPIAL Class 1A final. The Chargers find themselves in an interesting situation this fall, returning a bulk of last year’s roster but entering the 2022 campaign with a new head coach in a new conference. A move to the Black Hills Conference gives OLSH a shot at Bishop Canevin in the regular season ― which is just one of a few exciting games on the Charger’s schedule. Others include face-offs against notable rivals Rochester and Cornell.
WHY HELLO THERE
Beaver Area ― The Bobcats took a major step forward last fall, reaching the playoffs under first-year head coach Cort Rowse. In year two of Rowse’s tenure, his team will have its sights set on things much bigger than just reaching the postseason. Beaver Area moves down to Class 3A this fall and will be viewed as one of the more talented teams in the WPIAL’s most wide-open classification. While a few key players are gone, the Bobcats should have enough returning depth to be a serious threat.
South Side ― The Rams were one of the more notable surprise teams in Beaver County last fall. However, with star players like Parker Lyons and Brody Almashy returning, plus a move down to Class 1A, South Side is on everyone’s radar. Luke Travelpiece’s option offense and hard-nosed defense will fit right in with the rough-n-rowdy Big Seven Conference. While other programs will be viewed as favorites to win the WPIAL, South Side shouldn’t be counted out to go on a deep run.
West Allegheny ― The Parkway Conference finally feels like the Parkway Conference again. West Allegheny’s move down to Class 4A ― plus Central Valley’s move up ― brings back a conference that area football fans loved following for years. The Indians return to the Parkway, hoping to also return to prominence. Injuries kept West Allegheny from reaching the playoffs in each of the past two seasons. Dave Schoppe’s young and hungry group will look to end that this year, as they gear up to face a host of familiar foes.
STAY HEALTHY
Blackhawk ― For the second straight year, the Cougars were riddled with injuries. Numerous key players from all position groups missed extended time in 2021, which without question played a factor in Blackhawk’s 2-8 record. Half of the Cougar’s losses were within a single possession, which perhaps provided some valuable lessons for their many young players who return this fall with experience. Zack Hayward’s team has talent and depth ― the key will be keeping the same group on the field from weeks 1 through 10.
Rochester ― An argument can be made that injuries were the only thing that kept Rochester from a WPIAL Class 1A title last season. Even without numerous key players, including starting quarterback Parker Lyons, the Rams found a way to reach the WPIAL semifinals. Gene Matsook’s team has everything it needs to go on another deep run. If everyone can stay healthy, there is no reason to believe Rochester won’t be a favorite to make an appearance at Acrisure Stadium.
NEXT STEP FORWARD
![Western Beaver's Xander LeFevbre talks with head coach Ron Busby during their game against Sto-Rox. [Lucy Schaly/For BCT]](https://www.gannett-cdn.com/presto/2021/10/16/NBCT/3ea63ac4-e31a-4a06-96fe-4413a478302a-PABEA-10162021-WBeaverStoRox07.jpg?width=660&height=460&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Ambridge ― No team in the PIAA had a more meaningful two-win season than Ambridge did in 2021. The Bridgers’ pair of victories were enough to secure a spot in the WPIAL Class 3A playoffs ― their first postseason appearance since 2015. While Sherman McBride’s team is now in Class 4A, the second-year head coach says expectations have only elevated for Ambridge in 2022. The Bridgers are still a young team, with more than half of their 47-man roster consisting of either sophomores or freshmen. Their work will be cut out for them in the Parkway Conference, but if Ambridge can compete and win a few more games than it did last fall, the program will only continue to grow stronger.
Hopewell ― As Matt Weiss enters year No. 4 at the helm for the Vikings, perhaps this is the year where the hard work he and his staff have put in starts to pay off. Hopewell finds itself in a far-less competitive conference thanks to the departure of Central Valley. The Vikings return most of their top talents from last season, which hasn’t been the case in past years. It might not be a playoff contender, but 2022 could be the year Weiss’ team starts to see a few more wins than it’s been accustom to in recent history.
Riverside ― Any high school football coach will tell you that there are few things more valuable than experience. While the Panthers lack numbers, the players they do have on the roster have plenty of playing time under their belts. Similar to Hopewell, Riverside won’t likely be a playoff team this fall, but earning a few more wins in 2022 will be a major step forward for Fran Ramsden’s program.
Western Beaver ― Unlike the three other teams in this category, the Golden Beavers are in “win now mode.” Western Beaver has been a playoff team in each of the past two seasons, but with a handful of returning high-level players, Ron Busby’s team should be much more than a one-and-done club in the postseason. Western Beaver is now in the Midwestern Conference, where they’ll have a much more competitive schedule than they did last year. Those extra tests, plus experience, plus talent could equal a deep playoff run ― something the Golden Beavers haven’t had in quite some time.
ABOVE THE MIDDLE
Freedom Area ― The Bulldogs enter 2022 looking to move forward after just missing out on the playoffs the year prior. While its one of the only programs in the area to have never won a WPIAL title, Freedom holds itself to a higher standard than being in the middle of the pack. Despite losing a few notable talents, John Rosa’s team will look to be a step ahead of the curve this fall. A physical presence on both sides of the football will be key for Freedom Area, if it hopes to be a little better than average.
New Brighton ― The Lions are in nearly an identical situation to Freedom. Heck, it took a close victory over the Bulldogs in Week 9 for New Brighton to get into the WPIAL playoffs last fall. The only difference between the two rivals is the Lions’ having a more recent playoff win ― an exciting first round upset over unbeaten Washington. Wins like that can help take a program to the next level, which is what first-year coach Tony Caltury is hoping for.
COMPETE
Ellwood City ― There isn’t a single player on Ellwood City’s roster that knows what it’s like to win a varsity football game. After three years of losing, a new head coach and a group of experienced players will look to change that. The hiring of Dan Bradley gives the Wolverines a reason to be optimistic. The championship winning head coach has turned around numerous programs before, with OLSH being his most recent. Ellwood City will without question be his toughest test. Just one win in 2022 will be huge for his program moving forward.
Quaker Valley ― Quaker Valley’s situation isn’t quite as bad as Ellwood City’s ― the Quakers won a game last fall over Brentwood and were just a victory over Ambridge away from reaching the postseason. However, since winning the PIAA Class 3A title in 2017, Quaker Valley’s football program has struggled to avoid last place in any conference it’s played in. New head coach Jason Cappa will hope to bring a new mentality to a club that he’s familiar with. As we saw last year, just a few wins could mean a playoff berth in Class 3A. With most of its roster back, the postseason could be a goal for Quaker Valley, but a more realistic one would be to simply compete each Friday night contest.
Contact Noah Hiles at nhiles@gannett.com. Follow him on twitter @_NoahHiles.
