(Published by Matt Drzik; cover photo courtesy Sly Washington)

The WPIAL had a record-setting weekend in Hershey between December 9 and December 11, with five teams in six games representing District 7, and four out of the five winning state gold. Two of those teams–Central Valley and Aliquippa–hailed from Beaver County, marking the first time that two teams from the county have claimed gridiron gold.

WPIAL executive director Amy Scheuneman talked with Matt Drzik on the December 14 edition of A.M. Beaver County to talk about the successes, which she felt was a great showcase by the local teams. “It’s just been a great experience these last couple of weeks,” Scheuneman said, “to see our district come and be successful.”

Scheuneman also addressed the ongoing situation with Aliquippa, who–despite winning their fourth title in school history and first in Class 4A–is dealing with a less-than-desired situation in which they are slated by PIAA rules to now play up in Class 5A; a designation that would put the Quips four classes above their enrollment status.

“They have chosen to play up for good reason, and now looking at it…are they being punished for doing so?”, she stated. “I think that’s where the emphasis needs to lie at the state level, and what that school district has done previously to try to align themselves in the right group. Unfortunately, they’ve been successful in whatever classification they’ve chosen to play.”

To hear the full interview with Matt and Amy, click on the player below.