Neshannock: Justin Edworthy
Beaver Falls: Amarion Easton
CCBC Players of the Game 10/9/26
Category: Sports
Neshannock takes first place in the MAC with win over Beaver Falls
Story by Keith Walsh – Beaver County Radio. Published October 10, 2026 12:13 A.M.
(Beaver Falls, Pa) Beaver Falls started with a nice kick return out to the 31. They started off with a loss of 3 yards and a nice run followed by an incomplete pass and they had to punt.
The Tigers stop the Lancers and get the ball back but a Justin Edworthy interception and return for a touchdown gave the Lancers the early lead.
With 7:55 to go in the first, Joey Dimuccio kicks the ball through the uprights to add the point.
Derrick Beck fields the ball at the 11 and takes it straight up the middle to the 50 with a very nice return. Then the Lancers Ryan Cameron intercepts at the 38.
Soon after that play Justin Edworthy takes the ball 50 yards for a first down to the 10. That was just one play for him this game of many.
Next they run a fake reverse half back pass for 6 points. End of the first 14-0 Lancers.
First play from scrimmage the Tigers fumble, two plays later the Lancers were called for holding and Tigers held.
Both teams exchange punts. Lancers ball, first play Joey Clark makes a nice tackle and then big number 53 Terrance Banks blocks Jared Corey’s pass right back to him then makes the tackle for a 20 yard loss.
Then both teams exchange punts. Neshannock takes over at the 50. Neither team was able to do much more in the first half.
14-0 Lancers over Tigers at the half.
Beaver Falls kicks off and Edworthy gets it out to the 40. Jaxon Jesseman, one of the Tigers interior linemen, makes a big stop for a couple yard loss.
Ultimately the Lancers move the ball down to the 1. Despite the Tigers playing better in the second half, Corey sneaks the ball in for 6.
In the fourth Beaver Falls’ Quarter Back takes a Qb draw and shows some good running skills, outrunning the lancers defense for a 75 yard scamper to get the Tigers on the score board. The 2 point conversion was good.
Final score: The Neshannock Lancers over the Beaver Falls Tigers 27 to 8.
Scores From Across The Valley: 10/09/26
Friday, October 09, 2026:
| Pond-Lehocky Beaver County Radio Broadcast Game
Neshannock |
27 8 Final |
| WPIAL Class 6A Quad County Conference | |
| Mount Lebanon Seneca Valley |
21 14 Final |
| WPIAL Class 5A Allegheny Six Conference | |
| Thomas Jefferson West Allegheny |
17 24 Final |
| WPIAL Class 5A NorthEast Conference | |
| Moon Plum |
35 28 Final |
| WPIAL Class 4A Parkway Conference | |
| Montour New Castle |
26 21 Final |
| Blackhawk Mars |
30 24 Final |
| WPIAL Class 3A Western Hills | |
| Beaver Ambridge |
35 6 Final |
| Ellwood City Hopewell |
0 60 Final |
| Olsh Aliquippa |
0 52 Final |
| WPIAL Class 2A Mac Conference | |
| Freedom Riverside |
27 28 Final |
| Mohawk Western Beaver |
7 45 Final |
| WPIAL Class 2A Century Conference | |
| Quaker Valley Bishop Canevan |
13 58 Final |
| WPIAL Class 1A Big Seven Conference | |
| Rochester Union |
0 42 Final |
| Cornell Shenango |
6 42 Final |
| Southside Summit Academy (Saturday) |
0 0 Final |
| Non-Conference | |
| McKeesport Central Valley |
47 7 Final |
Mike Ditka, the quintessential Chicago Bear and Aliquippa’s own, dies at 86
(File Photo: Source for Photo: FILE – Former NFL coach and University of Pittsburgh alumnus, Mike Ditka speaks at a news conference for the retirement of the No. 75 jersey for former Pittsburgh offensive lineman Jim Covert before an NCAA football game between the Pittsburgh and the Notre Dame, Saturday, Nov. 7, 2015 in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic, File)
CHICAGO (AP) — Mike Ditka, who personified the toughness and grit of Chicago in a Hall of Fame career as a player and coach of the Bears and the leader of arguably the most dominant team in NFL history, has died. He was 86.
Ditka’s family announced the death on Friday in a statement.
“It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend, Mike Ditka,” the family said. “While the world knew Mike as a Hall of Fame football player, legendary coach, and leader of the Chicago Bears’ Super Bowl XX championship team, we knew him as the heart of our family. Mike will be missed beyond measure and remembered forever.”
Nicknamed “Iron Mike” as a player, Ditka helped revolutionize the tight end position, then moved to the sidelines and took over as Chicago’s coach. His 1985 team featured one of the game’s most dominant defenses ever. It also had enough outsized personalities to record a rap video, “The Super Bowl Shuffle,” and back up their boasting in the championship game three months later.
He was arguably the NFL’s most recognizable — and imitated — personality during his time as Chicago’s coach with his thick but neatly groomed mustache and sweater vest with “BEARS” emblazoned across the chest. The iconic look is still mimicked by fans at Bears games decades later. That along with his fiery, red-faced sideline tantrums inspired the popular “Da Bears” skit on “Saturday Night Live” during the 1980s.
After retiring as a coach, Ditka became a restaurateur, pitchman and TV personality, as well as a forceful advocate for improved medical and retirement benefits for former players.
Ditka was tough and gruff, the quintessential Chicago Bear. He did everything from order off the menu to knock defensive backs on their butts with a growl. His adopted hometown reveled in every minute.
Still revered as “Da Coach” and ringmaster of the 1985 Bears, one of the most dominant and perhaps the zaniest Super Bowl-winning team in league history. Ditka was enshrined in the College and Pro Football Halls of Fame and the Bears said during a ceremony in 2013 that his “No. 89” jersey will be the last one retired by the team.
“Player. Coach. Legend,” the Bears wrote in a tribute on social media. “Mike Ditka embodied the spirit of Chicago and will be deeply missed.”
He was born in Carnegie, Pennsylvania, the son of a welder who changed the family name from Dyczko. He grew up in nearby Aliquippa, close to the coal-mining and steel-manufacturing plants that dotted the western part of the state, a big, talented, three-sport athlete and All-American at Pitt whose bruising style made his first nickname, “Iron Mike,” a good fit.
Selected fifth overall by flinty Chicago owner George Halas in the 1961 draft, Ditka went on to Rookie of the Year honors, multiple Pro Bowl trips and the 1963 NFL Championship. In the bargain, he and Baltimore’s John Mackey changed the tight end position and offensive schemes forever. He was a battering ram of a blocker, but Ditka was just as likely to catch a short pass and pinball through an entire secondary or outrace a lone safety on a deep touchdown throw.
He left Chicago in 1966, playing briefly for Philadelphia and Dallas. He moved to the sideline in 1973 as an assistant to the revered Tom Landry and stayed with the Cowboys for eight seasons, before returning to a hero’s welcome in Chicago as head coach in 1982.
Ditka’s return to the Bears lasted 10 tumultuous years, including five straight NFC Central titles, the Super Bowl win, a DUI conviction, a heart attack, a long-running feud with defensive coordinator Buddy Ryan and, finally, a new nickname — “Da Coach.”
To Hall of Fame linebacker Mike Singletary, the seeds of what was to come were planted in Ditka’s first meeting with the team. He laid out his vision, saying Chicago would be in the Super Bowl in three years — and many of the players in the room would not be around for it.
“When I first heard him when he walked in the room, to me Coach Ditka had the opportunity to be the greatest coach of all time because he had the fire,” Singletary said at the Bears’ 100th anniversary celebration in June 2019. “I don’t know George Halas coached. But I can imagine that the fire and intensity and passion that Coach Ditka exuded that first day set the tone for exactly what he said: ‘Three years from now, we’re going to be in the Super Bowl.’ And that was 1982. In ’85, we were there and it was because of that vision.”
The public beefs with Ryan mirrored the behind-the-scenes battles that Ditka waged trying to contain a team bristling with outsized personalities.
“It was more than a team,” Ditka once said. “It was a team of characters that had character that played for a crazy man, who let him be crazy and had fun doing it and don’t apologize for it ever. I wouldn’t want to be one of these suits walking around on the sideline today.
“I have no desire to be that. I was what I was and they were what they were and, damn, it was fun.”
It wasn’t until two dozen players recorded “The Super Bowl Shuffle” — an audacious rap-styled video released three months ahead of the 1986 title game — that the rest of the football world wondered whether Ditka was losing his grip.
His players never did.
“We call him ‘Sybil’ after that girl in the movie,” quarterback Jim McMahon once explained. “You know, the one that had all those personalities. Mike will be calm one minute, then throw a clipboard the next. People don’t understand that, but we do.”
The Bears demolished the New England Patriots 46-10 in the Super Bowl, but Ditka often said he regretted having McMahon and defensive tackle William “The Refrigerator” Perry run for touchdowns instead of Walter Payton, Chicago’s loyal and long-suffering running back.
Ryan departed for a head coaching job in Philadelphia soon after. While the Bears continued to be a contender for most of the next five years, a 5-11 season prompted Ditka’s departure in 1992.
After a five-year absence, he returned to coaching with the New Orleans Saints, but failed to revive the franchise. His tenure with the team might be best remembered for the trade before the 1999 NFL draft when he dealt a package of eight draft picks — including each one the Saints had that year and two of its first three selections in 2000 — to Washington to move up from 12th overall to No. 5 so New Orleans could select running back Ricky Williams.
After a miserable 1999 season ended with a 3-13 record — Ditka’s worst as either a player or coach — he left the sidelines for good.
His face and demeanor were so familiar by then that a second act became an easy segue. Ditka began building a stable of restaurants and appeared as himself in TV sitcoms from “Cheers” to “Third Rock from the Sun,” as well as shows such as “L.A. Law.”
He also stayed close to the game as an NFL analyst and game-day show personality at ESPN. Ditka’s high-profile status also made him an effective advocate to secure improved health and retirement benefits for former players.
His name also circulated for years in Illinois political circles. Though he never ran for office, Ditka described himself as a staunch conservative and was mentioned several times as a possible Republican candidate, including a congressional race against then state Rep. Barack Obama for the U.S. Senate.
Steelers wide receiver Michael Pittman, Jr. aggravates left foot, out multiple weeks
(Credit and Caption for Photo: Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. in a game against the Cleveland Browns on Oct. 1, 2026. — Courtesy of Ed Thompson / Steelers Now)
Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News
(Pittsburgh, PA) According to Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy yesterday, Steelers wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. aggravated a foot injury in the team’s practice on Wednesday, and he will likely be sidelined multiple weeks.
Pittman had been dealing with plantar fasciitis in his left foot, and that led him to miss the Steelers’ Week 2 game against the New England Patriots in Foxborough, Massachusetts.
Pittman was noticed using a scooter to keep weight off his left foot in the locker room after the Steelers’ practice on Wednesday.
The Steelers traded in March with the Indianapolis Colts to get Pittman for a late-round pick swap and subsequently signed the veteran wide receiver to an extension for three years worth $59 million.
The Steelers will play the Colts this Sunday at Acrisure Stadium at 1 p.m. without Pittman playing against his former team.
Mc Donald’s Preview Week 7
McDonald’s Beaver County High School Football Preview
Week 7 | Friday, October 9, 2026
The playoff races are beginning to take shape across the Beaver Valley, and this weekend brings several important conference matchups. The biggest is Neshannock at Beaver Falls, our Pond Lehocky Game of the Week.
Neshannock at Beaver Falls — Reeves Stadium, Geneva College
This is the game everybody should have circled.
Neshannock enters at 5-1, Beaver Falls at 4-1, and both teams are unbeaten in Midwestern Conference play.
Beaver Falls has won four straight games. Last Friday, the Tigers defeated Mohawk 30-20 behind quarterback Rodney Slappy, who ran for two touchdowns and connected with Jawan Williams on a 54-yard touchdown pass.
Neshannock has also won four straight, and the Lancers’ offense is clicking. Freshman quarterback Jared Corey threw for approximately 255 yards and five touchdowns in last week’s 52-6 victory over Freedom. Justin Edworthy caught three touchdown passes and finished with 149 receiving yards.
The biggest question is whether Beaver Falls can contain Neshannock’s passing game. The Tigers will need to pressure Corey and prevent Edworthy from turning short completions into long gains.
The Pond Lehocky Game of the Week airs Friday, October 9, on Beaver County Radio, with pregame at 6:30 p.m. and kickoff at 7:00 p.m., live from Reeves Stadium on the campus of Geneva College.Other Key Beaver County Matchups
Blackhawk at Mars
Blackhawk suffered its first loss last week, falling to New Castle 50-34. But the Cougars still produced an impressive rushing performance, with Brayden McCarthy and Ryan Prisuta each gaining more than 100 yards.
The question is how Blackhawk responds to adversity. I’m expecting the Cougars to get back to the physical running game that helped them start 5-0.
Ellwood City at Hopewell
Hopewell is 5-1 and coming off a remarkable 62-14 victory over Beaver.
Quarterback James Armstrong has thrown for more than 1,000 yards and 15 touchdowns this season, with Avery Bokor and Brody Rock providing dangerous receiving options.
Ellwood City is 0-6, but running back Richard Cureton delivered 144 rushing yards against OLSH last week.
Hopewell has too many offensive weapons, particularly with the Vikings playing at Tony Dorsett Stadium.
Freedom at Riverside
This matchup could have major implications for the Midwestern Conference standings.
Freedom started the season 4-0 but has dropped two consecutive games, including last week’s 52-6 loss to Neshannock.
One important storyline is the availability of Freedom running back Kaden Bailey, who reportedly missed last week’s game. Bailey has rushed for more than 1,000 yards this season.
Riverside comes off its bye week at 4-1. The Panthers have allowed just 56 points all season, making their defense a major factor.
Mohawk at Western Beaver
Western Beaver is becoming a team to watch.
Despite a 2-4 overall record, the Golden Beavers have won two straight conference games, including a 35-12 victory over New Brighton last week.
Mohawk remains winless at 0-6.
A third straight conference victory would put Western Beaver in a much more interesting position entering the final stretch.
OLSH at Aliquippa
Aliquippa responded to its loss against New Castle with a convincing 48-7 victory over Ambridge.
OLSH finally earned its first victory last week, defeating Ellwood City 32-15.
But the Quips have the advantage in overall talent and experience.
Beaver at Ambridge
Both teams need a victory.
Beaver is 1-5 after suffering a 62-14 loss to Hopewell. Quarterback Jaivin Peel remains the Bobcats’ biggest offensive threat.
Ambridge is also looking to recover after losing 48-7 to Aliquippa.
I expect this to be competitive, but I think Beaver’s offense produces enough big plays to get the win.
McKeesport at Central Valley
Central Valley has lost three straight games, including last week’s difficult 49-7 loss to Montour.
McKeesport enters after defeating Kiski Area 35-7.
The Warriors must control the football, establish their running game and limit McKeesport’s opportunities.
Rochester at Union
Rochester is 1-5 after losing to Northgate 21-14.
Union comes into this game at 3-3. Running back Gianni Million has rushed for more than 800 yards and scored 11 rushing touchdowns.
The Rams will need to limit Million’s production to stay competitive.
Cornell at Shenango
This is another interesting matchup involving a Beaver Valley-area program.
Cornell is 3-3 after hammering Summit Academy 59-6.
But Shenango is undefeated at 5-0 and coming off a 36-15 victory over South Side.
Shenango’s ground game is particularly dangerous. Jasyn Williams rushed for 154 yards and three touchdowns last week.
Thomas Jefferson at West Allegheny
West Allegheny is 4-2 and coming off an impressive 33-13 victory over Bethel Park.
Thomas Jefferson defeated Trinity 19-14 last week and has been consistently strong on both sides of the football.
I expect a physical contest, with the Indians having an opportunity to make a statement at home.
Moon at Plum
Moon is still searching for its first victory following a 56-7 loss to Pine-Richland.
Plum started 5-0 before losing a close 38-35 game to Armstrong last week.
Moon has faced a particularly difficult schedule, and another tough challenge awaits the Tigers.
Quaker Valley at Bishop Canevin
Quaker Valley is also looking for its first win.
The Quakers suffered a 60-0 loss to Chartiers-Houston last week.
Bishop Canevin enters undefeated and is coming off a 42-6 victory over South Allegheny.
South Side at Summit Academy — Saturday, October 10
South Side is looking for its first victory after losing to Shenango 36-15 last week.
Summit Academy also struggled last Friday, falling to Cornell 59-6.
This represents one of South Side’s better opportunities to break into the win column.
Frank’s Pick: South Side 24, Summit Academy 14.
Teams With a Bye
New Brighton is off this week.
The Lions have an opportunity to regroup before returning to action against Mohawk on October 16.
That’s your McDonald’s Beaver County High School Football Preview for Week 7.
Penguins trade forward Filip Hallander to Oilers in exchange for defenseman Spencer Stastney
(Credit and Caption for Photo: Oilers defenceman Spencer Stastney on the ice against the Vegas Golden Knights in the second period at Rogers Place on Dec. 21, 2025. Photo by Shaughn Butts /Postmedia)
Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News
(Pittsburgh, PA) The Pittsburgh Penguins recently traded forward Filip Hallander to the Edmonton Oilers in exchange for defenseman Spencer Stastney.
The twenty-six-year-old Stastney is signed to the Penguins through the 2026-2027 season with a contract that carries a $1.525 million average annual value.
Stastney played 117 regular season games in four years, recording four goals, 15 assists and 19 points.
He played for both the Oilers and the Nashville Predators.
The Predators drafted Stastney in the fifth round of the 2018 NHL Draft.
Capitals top Penguins 5-3 in Alex Ovechkin’s final home opener in Washington, D.C.
(File Photo: Source for Photo: Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) takes to the ice during player introductions before an NHL hockey game against the Pittsburgh Penguins, Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
WASHINGTON D.C. (AP) — Tom Wilson had a goal and two assists, and the Washington Capitals held on for a win in Alex Ovechkin’s final home opener, 5-3 over the Pittsburgh Penguins on Wednesday night.
Anthony Beauvillier, Pierre-Luc Dubois, Alex Tuch and Ryan Leonard also scored for the Capitals, who introduced their roster one by one before the game, saving Ovechkin for last. The Russian star’s two kids handled that announcement, and the crowd gave a standing ovation.
Ovechkin announced earlier in the week that this season would be the last in the NHL for the league’s career leader in goals.
Bryan Rust, Tommy Novak and Nick Robertson scored for the Penguins, who nearly rallied from a 4-1 second-period deficit.
This is the 22nd straight season Ovechkin and Pittsburgh’s Sidney Crosby have played against each other at some point. Only one forward duo in NHL history has clashed in more consecutive seasons: Mark Messier and Ron Francis, who played each other in 23.
Crosby was on the ice for every Washington even-strength goal, finishing with a minus-4. His only career minus-5 was March 6, 2014, at San Jose.
Beauvillier opened the scoring for Washington after just 23 seconds. The Penguins needed less than a minute to tie it on Bryan Rust’s goal from in close.
Veteran defenseman Kris Letang of the Penguins played a blind pass in his own zone and paid for it when the puck went to Pierre-Luc Dubois behind the net. One pass later, and Wilson was making it 2-1 Capitals from alone in front.
Those same two players combined in the second period to make it 3-1 after another Pittsburgh mistake. Silovs went behind his net, but when he played the puck along the boards Wilson was right there to collect it and find Dubois in front.
Tuch intercepted a pass at his own blue line, and suddenly he and Wilson were bearing down alone on Silovs. After two quick passes back and forth, Tuch scored to put Washington up by three.
Novak quickly answered for the Penguins, and then Robertson cut the lead to one with a deflection from the slot.
It was 4-3 after two, but Leonard’s power-play goal in the third gave the Capitals a bit of a cushion.
Later in the third, Washington goalie Logan Thompson kept the lead at two by stopping Blake Lizotte on a breakaway just after the Pittsburgh forward came out of the penalty box.
Declan Carlile of the Penguins was shaken up in the third after Dubois was assessed a minor penalty for boarding him.
Up next
Penguins: At Columbus on Friday night.
Capitals: Host the New York Rangers on Friday night.
2027 Monster Energy SMX World Championship Coming to Acrisure Stadium
(Credit for Photo: Photo Provided with Release Courtesy of the Pittsburgh Steelers)
Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News
(Pittsburgh, PA) Tickets are officially on-sale now after a recent announcement by the SMX League® for the complete 2027 Monster Energy SMX World Championship regular season schedule, which is comprised of the 17-race Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship and the 11-race Pro Motocross Championship that is sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing.
The best two-wheel racers in the world will meet at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh for Round 15 on April 24th, 2027.
According to a release from the Pittsburgh Steelers, here is more information about this event:
WHEN: Saturday, April 24, 2027
➢ Gates Open / Practice & Qualifying starts at 12:00 PM
➢ FanFest hours: 12:00 PM–6:00 PM
➢ Opening Ceremonies at 6:30 PM
➢ Racing starts at 7:00 PM
WHERE: Acrisure Stadium – 100 Art Rooney Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15212
TICKETS: Tickets and Pit Passes will be available for purchase online at Ticketmaster.com (click here) or in-person at the venue box office
*ticket prices subject to change – additional venue/ticketing fees may apply
For local Pittsburgh event info, please visit https://www.supercrosslive.com/tickets/pittsburgh-pa/apr-24-2027
Steelers sign cornerback Terell Smith to 53-man roster; place defensive tackle Derrick Harmon on injured reserve
(Credit and Caption for Photo: Chicago Bears cornerback Terell Smith (32) walks off the field after an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Monday, Dec. 16, 2024, in Minneapolis. The Vikings won 30-12. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr))
Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News
(Pittsburgh, PA) The Pittsburgh Steelers recently made some moves to help their defense.
One of them was the Steelers adding a cornerback to the team’s 53-man roster yesterday from the practice squad of the Washington Commanders.
That football player is Terell Smith, who was selected as the 165th overall pick in the fifth round of the 2023 NFL Draft by the Chicago Bears out of the University of Minnesota.
He spent three seasons with the Bears from 2023-2025 and appeared in 26 games, with six of them being starts.
He recorded 68 tackles, four of them for a loss, ten passes defended, one fumble recovery, one forced fumble and one interception.
Smith missed the 2025-2026 NFL season and was placed on the injured reserve list because of a knee injury.
He was signed to the Washington Commanders practice squad at the beginning of the 2026-2027 NFL season.
Smith is the second cornerback that the Steelers added to their 53-man roster this week, because the Steelers signed veteran cornerback Sean Murphy-Bunting to that roster this week.
Murphy-Bunting’s accolades include being a Super Bowl Champion, winning Super Bowl LV (55) with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2020.
This also comes after the Dallas Cowboys traded for former Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. last week.
Porter was going through a contract dispute with the Steelers before the trade occurred.
This also helps the Steelers defense after defensive tackle Derrick Harmon was placed on the injured reserve on Monday because of a foot injury.
Harmon suffered this injury during the Steelers’ game on Thursday against the Cleveland Browns in Cleveland and was carted off of Huntington Bank Field as a result of this injury.