Preview by Frank Sparks, Beaver County Radio General Manager
THE McDONALD’S HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW
(Brighton Twp., Beaver County, Pa. ) It’s time to take a trip around the area and look at this week’s high school football matchups involving Beaver County teams. This week’s football preview is brought to you by McDonald’s.
We start with the Pond Lehocky Game of the Week on Beaver County Radio — and this one has the makings of a good one.
POND LEHOCKY GAME OF THE WEEK
CENTRAL VALLEY AT HOPEWELL
It’s a battle of 2-and-1 teams at Tony Dorsett Stadium as the Central Valley Warriors visit the Hopewell Vikings.
Central Valley comes in after an impressive 34-to-17 road victory over Shaler. The Warriors opened the season by beating Beaver 28-to-18, lost to Avonworth 28-to-14, and then bounced back last week.
Hopewell also enters at 2-and-1. The Vikings opened with an impressive 34-to-14 win over Avonworth, followed that with a 35-to-20 victory over Chartiers Valley, but suffered their first loss last week, 28-to-21 against Propel Braddock Hills.
One thing that jumps out statistically is Central Valley’s offensive production. MaxPreps lists the Warriors at more than 325 yards of offense per game, including about 171 yards rushing and 155 passing.
For Hopewell, playing at Tony Dorsett Stadium should help, but the Vikings will need to prevent Central Valley from controlling the line of scrimmage and creating explosive plays.
Frank’s Pick: I think this one stays close into the second half, but I’ll take Central Valley, 28 — Hopewell, 21.
Remember, it’s our Pond Lehocky Game of the Week. Pregame coverage begins at 6:30, with kickoff at 7:00, right here on Beaver County Radio.
BEAVER AT BEAVER FALLS
A good old-fashioned Beaver County rivalry as Beaver travels to Beaver Falls.
The Bobcats are 1-and-2 after picking up their first victory last week, 35-to-31 over Highlands. Beaver Falls is 1-and-1 and comes off a convincing 32-to-6 victory over Cornell.
This feels like one that could come down to the fourth quarter.
Frank’s Pick: Beaver Falls 28 — Beaver 24.
SHADY SIDE ACADEMY AT ALIQUIPPA
The Quips are back home this week to face Shady Side Academy.
Shady Side comes in 2-and-1 after winning its first two games before running into Bishop Canevin and losing 42-to-3 last Friday.
Aliquippa is 1-and-1 and, as usual, the Quips bring speed, physicality and plenty of tradition into this matchup.
Frank’s Pick: At the Pit, give me Aliquippa 35 — Shady Side Academy 14.
BLACKHAWK AT ELLWOOD CITY
How about the start for Blackhawk?
The Cougars are a perfect 3-and-0 after beating Beaver Falls 41-to-20, Beaver 55-to-40 and OLSH 43-to-12. That means Blackhawk has scored 139 points in three games. Ellwood City, meanwhile, is looking for its first win and is coming off a 55-to-6 loss to Avonworth.
Frank’s Pick: I’m staying with the hot hand. Blackhawk 42 — Ellwood City 14.
FREEDOM AT MOHAWK
Freedom might be one of the best early-season stories in Beaver County.
The Bulldogs are 3-and-0 and last week survived a wild 55-to-48 shootout against Deer Lakes. Running back Kaden Bailey had a monster performance — 397 rushing yards and four touchdowns.
Mohawk is coming off a 35-to-7 loss to Shenango.
If Freedom can keep Bailey rolling, they’re going to be difficult to stop.
Frank’s Pick: Freedom 35 — Mohawk 20.
NESHANNOCK AT NEW BRIGHTON
New Brighton gets Neshannock at home in an important Midwestern Conference matchup.
Neshannock is 2-and-1 and scored 48 points last week against South Side. New Brighton comes in at 1-and-2.
The Lions have the home field, but Neshannock has shown the ability to put points on the board.
Frank’s Pick: Neshannock 28 — New Brighton 20.
RIVERSIDE AT WESTERN BEAVER
Another Midwestern Conference matchup has unbeaten Riverside traveling to Western Beaver.
Riverside enters at 3-and-0 while Western Beaver is still searching for its first victory at 0-and-3. The Golden Beavers did play a much better game last week, falling to Steel Valley by just a touchdown.
Frank’s Pick: Riverside 28 — Western Beaver 13.
WEST MIFFLIN AT AMBRIDGE
Ambridge is 1-and-2 and returns home after losses to Uniontown and Knoch. The Bridgers’ victory came in the opener, 32-to-14 over Quaker Valley.
West Mifflin also enters at 1-and-2.
Frank’s Pick: I’m giving the Bridgers a slight home-field edge. Ambridge 24 — West Mifflin 21.
SUMMIT ACADEMY AT ROCHESTER
Rochester welcomes Summit Academy in a Big Seven Conference matchup. Summit Academy has already suffered losses of 71-to-8 against Knoch and 26-to-8 against Sto-Rox.
Frank’s Pick: The Rams take care of business at home. Rochester 35 — Summit Academy 8.
SOUTH SIDE AT UNION
South Side is looking to turn things around after an 0-and-3 start, but Union presents another difficult challenge. The Rams surrendered 48 points to Neshannock last week.
Frank’s Pick: Union 28 — South Side 14.
OLSH AT BERLIN-BROTHERSVALLEY
OLSH has had a rough start at 0-and-3, while Berlin-Brothersvalley comes into Friday night unbeaten at 3-and-0.
That’s a difficult road assignment.
Frank’s Pick: Berlin-Brothersvalley 35 — OLSH 14.
McGUFFEY AT QUAKER VALLEY
Quaker Valley is also searching for its first victory at 0-and-3, and the Quakers host a McGuffey team that comes in at 2-and-1.
Frank’s Pick: McGuffey 31 — Quaker Valley 14.
And elsewhere involving teams from around the Beaver Valley, Moon travels to Thomas Jefferson, West Allegheny visits Montour, and Cornell travels to Laurel.
My picks there: Thomas Jefferson over Moon, 35-to-14; Montour over West Allegheny, 28-to-17; and Laurel over Cornell, 27-to-20.
So my game to keep a close eye on — besides our Pond Lehocky Game of the Week — is Beaver at Beaver Falls. Rivalry game, two teams coming off victories, and bragging rights on the line.
But our spotlight Friday night is at Tony Dorsett Stadium:
Central Valley at Hopewell.
Pregame at 6:30, kickoff at 7:00, on 99.3 and 95.7 FM, 1230 WBVP, 1460 WMBA and beavercountyradio.com, with the game also video streamed on Facebook and YouTube.
That’s your McDonald’s High School Football Preview.
Brought to you by you local Beaver County McDonald’s — I’m Lovin’ It!