Aliquippa advances to another WPIAL title game with 42-7 win over McKeesport
CANONSBURG, Pennsylvania – One year ago in the WPIAL 4A Football Semifinals, the McKeesport Tigers had went through what could be considered a nightmare in blowing a double-digit lead against Aliquippa in double-overtime.
Fast forward a year later, and McKeesport got an opportunity to get revenge against Aliquippa in the same round of the postseason and in the same stadium, Canon-McMillan School District Football Field.
However, behind a 197-rushing yard and three touchdown performance (38,10, 64) by sophomore running back Tiqwai Hayes, and an overall solid defensive performance, Aliquippa defeated McKeesport 42-7 on Friday night to ruin the Tigers hopes once again of playing in the WPIAL championship game.
After the Quips defeated Montour in the quarterfinals the week before in rainy and wet conditions, head coach Mike Warfield was happy for how his team, especially on defense, was prepared for this week’s game.
“It was hard to tell how we played last week because of the weather, but tonight, as you can tell during the week of preparation, they were geared up to play,” Warfield said. “I gave them some rest because they've been going at it on Monday, and we did a lot of mental reps as I think it was more important. At this point in time. Physical is physical. You aren’t going to get in any better shape than what you are. So, I gave them some rest to make sure they were mentally prepared for their assignment.”
McKeesport had entered the game with two 1,000+ yard rushers in quarterback Jahmil Perryman and Bobbie Boyd, but they weren’t able to provide that 1-2 punch that they did throughout the regular season. Also, heading into the game, the Tigers only attempted 54 passes, but decided to take a different approach as Perryman completed 8 of 22 passes for 135 yards, throwing a touchdown and two interceptions.
To an extent, Warfield was surprised how much McKeesport threw the ball, but his team was ready for it and that’s all that mattered.
Besides the two interceptions that Perryman threw, he also fumbled the ball with three seconds remaining in the third quarter and senior Caiden Holtzman couldn’t handle the punt on a snap which resulted in a safety being awarded to Aliquippa.
With the Tigers in the redzone trailing 35-0, another fumble by Perryman led to lineman Naquan Crowder getting the scoop and running it 87 yards for a touchdown. He wasn’t the only lineman that scored for the Quips as Jason McBride picked off Perryman and returned it to the house for 15 yards to get the scoring started. If you asked Warfield if two of his linemen were going to start the scoring and end it, he could tell you that he wouldn’t believe it.
“I probably thought I was dreaming,” Warfield said with a laugh. “They played well, they were playing hard, they were playing fast, they were playing physically, and everything was going right.
Quips quarterback Quentin Goode threw a touchdown pass to Donovan Walker and an interception in the game.
Bobbie Boyd caught the last touchdown pass of his high school career for the Tigers in the fourth quarter from Perryman.
Next Friday night, Aliquippa will battle Central Valley in the WPIAL 4A Title Game. It wasn’t too long ago that both teams faced off as the Quips came from behind to beat the Warriors 35-24 in the final week of the regular season.
This is the 15th consecutive appearance in the WPIAL championship game for the Quips. Warfield knows while winning is important, having his players play together and making memories is also important.
“We got a tough one coming next week, so we got to be ready,” Warfield said. I try to make sure the kids understand that you can't take this for granted. I mean, not necessarily a championship or winning it. Just now with these seniors now only getting one more week, guaranteed each week, that's all I want them to do is just play for each other and don't worry about winning this and winning that, because championships come and go.”
