Aliquippa runs through Central Valley 34-7 to capture WPIAL 4A crown

PITTSBURGH, Pennsylvania – Behind the 1-2 punch of running back duo Tiqwai Hayes and John Tracy, Aliquippa defeated Central Valley 34-7 in the WPIAL 4A championship game to win its 19th WPIAL title in school history, which is the most in league history.

Hayes and Tracy both rushed for over 100 yards on the day and Hayes scored the first three touchdowns on the night, while Tracy rushed for a 2-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter.

“It feels good for real to win back-to-back championships,” Tracy said. “That’s what we had been working hard for and we are not done yet.”

Aliquippa starting quarterback Quentin Goode threw a touchdown pass to Jayace Williams in the fourth quarter for the final score of the game.

The last time both teams met was in the regular season finale when Aliquippa defeated Central Valley 35-24, which ended the Warriors 36-game winning streak.

During that game, the Warriors led 24-14 at halftime, but did not score again in the second half. This time around, the Quips did not have to come from behind, and never had to worry about losing a lead

Central Valley running back Bret FitzSimmons entered the game with 1,723 rushing yards but Aliquippa’s defensive line held him to just nine rushing yards on 10 carries.

“If we wanted to stop them running the football, we had to be physical and violent up front and in the second half of the last meeting, I think we did more of that and it carried it on into the second game,” Aliquippa linebacker Cameron Lindsey said. “Overall, I think we just wanted this game more and we were more physical throughout.

The last time Central Valley and Aliquippa met in the WPIAL title game was in 2019, when it took overtime for the Warriors to win 13-12 in the 3A championship and this year’s game can be added to the two teams’ history, which is very rich, especially with both schools only separated by 15 minutes.

Aliquippa’s Donovan Walker has led the team this year with not only his play on the field, but his leadership and football I.Q. that he brings to the team.

“It feels great to go back-to-back, especially in my senior year,” Walker said. “I think I played a big role in leadership in this game and this year. I feel like when I have my head up and being confident, others around me do the same thing.”

Central Valley quarterback Antwon Johnson completed 10-of-19 passes for 127 yards and a touchdown and wide receiver Jayvin Thompson finished with four receptions for 29 yards in the game.

Aliquippa had already accomplished the feat of winning back-to-back WPIAL championships, but a goal that the program has never accomplished is winning back-to-back PIAA titles. With all the success and glory that the program has had, having an opportunity to accomplish that feat is something that would be special to this team.

“It’s going to take hard work of course to win back-to-back state titles,” Tracy said. “Nothing in life is handed to you, so we need to continue to work hard, focus and have confidence.