Mc DONALD’S BEAVER COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW

 

WPIAL PLAYOFFS — ROUND TWO
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2026

It’s time for our McDonald’s Beaver County High School Football Preview, brought to you by Tri-County McDonald’s!

We’re down to the final eight teams in each classification of the WPIAL playoffs, and four Beaver County teams are still chasing a championship!

Western Beaver, Beaver Falls, Aliquippa and Hopewell are all in action Friday night.

It’s win or go home, and we’ve got some outstanding matchups!

Let’s start with our Pond Lehocky Game of the Week!

POND LEHOCKY GAME OF THE WEEK

WESTERN BEAVER VS. STEEL VALLEY

FOX CHAPEL HIGH SCHOOL — CLASS 2A QUARTERFINALS

What a story the Western Beaver Golden Beavers have become!

After starting the season 1-and-4, Western Beaver has now won six consecutive games, including last week’s impressive 44-22 victory over Chartiers-Houston.

The Golden Beavers enter at 7-and-4, and they’ve been one of the hottest teams in Class 2A.

The biggest reason has been Jeremiah Pratt.

Since moving to quarterback, Pratt has completely transformed Western Beaver’s offense.

Last week, Pratt rushed for 197 yards and two touchdowns on just 11 carries!

And he wasn’t alone.

Braeden Mayo added 127 rushing yards and two touchdowns, giving Western Beaver an outstanding one-two punch.

But Friday night brings a familiar opponent.

Steel Valley defeated Western Beaver 14-6 back on September 11.

The Ironmen enter at 7-and-4 and are coming off a dominating 47-8 victory over Freedom in the opening round.

That sets up a fascinating rematch.

Western Beaver is a much different team than the one Steel Valley faced in September.

The keys will be controlling the line of scrimmage, establishing the running game and avoiding costly turnovers.

I think Western Beaver’s momentum and improved offense will make the difference.

FRANK’S PICK: WESTERN BEAVER 28, STEEL VALLEY 21!

And remember, our Pond Lehocky Game of the Week is now AUDIO ONLY!

Join us Friday night, live from Fox Chapel High School, with pregame coverage beginning at 6:30 and kickoff at 7:00.

You can hear all the action on 99.3 FM, 95.7 FM, 1230 WBVP and 1460 WMBA!

You can also listen live at beavercountyradio.com, or by downloading the St. Barnabas Broadcasting App, available in the Google Play Store or Apple’s App Store!

BEAVER FALLS VS. BISHOP CANEVIN

DORMONT STADIUM — CLASS 2A QUARTERFINALS

Here’s another tremendous playoff matchup!

The Beaver Falls Tigers enter at 7-and-3 after defeating McGuffey 28-7 in the opening round.

Running back Xavier Clark rushed for 96 yards and a touchdown in that victory.

Quarterback Rodney Slappy continues to be a key part of the Tigers’ offense.

But Beaver Falls faces its biggest challenge of the season.

Bishop Canevin is undefeated at 10-and-0 and is the number one seed in Class 2A.

The Crusaders had a first-round bye, so they’ll be rested and ready.

For Beaver Falls to pull off the upset, the Tigers must establish their running game, control the clock and play outstanding defense.

I’m expecting a physical game, but Bishop Canevin is a very difficult opponent.

FRANK’S PICK: BISHOP CANEVIN 28, BEAVER FALLS 20.

ALIQUIPPA VS. PROPEL BRADDOCK HILLS

DEER LAKES HIGH SCHOOL — CLASS 3A QUARTERFINALS

Don’t look now, but the Aliquippa Quips are making another November playoff run!

Aliquippa enters at 7-and-3 after crushing Waynesburg Central 52-14 in the opening round.

The Quips will need another big performance from running back Akiva Woods and their offensive line.

But this week’s opponent presents a major challenge.

Propel Braddock Hills is the number two seed, entering at 8-and-3.

Propel Braddock Hills opened the playoffs with a dominating 66-19 victory over Burrell.

That means Aliquippa’s defense must be ready for an explosive offense.

The Quips have a history of playing their best football in November, and I think that playoff experience matters.

I’m calling for a close one!

FRANK’S PICK: ALIQUIPPA 28, PROPEL BRADDOCK HILLS 24.

HOPEWELL VS. NORTH CATHOLIC

CHARTIERS VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL — CLASS 3A QUARTERFINALS

How about those Hopewell Vikings?

Hopewell enters at 10-and-1 after absolutely dominating Mount Pleasant 62-7 in the opening round!

The Vikings have one of the most explosive offenses in the WPIAL.

Quarterback James Armstrong continues to lead the way, with Nasir Wade, Brody Rock and Avery Bokor providing plenty of offensive firepower.

But North Catholic won’t be an easy opponent.

The Trojans enter at 8-and-3 after shutting out Beaver 21-0 last week.

North Catholic has shown it can play outstanding defense.

The big question is whether the Trojans can slow down Hopewell’s high-powered offense.

I don’t think they can.

FRANK’S PICK: HOPEWELL 35, NORTH CATHOLIC 21.

FINAL THOUGHTS

So there are my picks for the second round of the WPIAL playoffs!

My team to watch is Western Beaver! Six straight victories, and Jeremiah Pratt has transformed the Golden Beavers into a serious playoff contender.

My potential upset is Aliquippa over Propel Braddock Hills! Never underestimate the Quips in November.

And my biggest challenge of the week belongs to Beaver Falls, taking on undefeated Bishop Canevin.

But our spotlight Friday night is on Fox Chapel High School!

Western Beaver and Steel Valley meet again, this time with a trip to the Class 2A semifinals on the line!

MY FINAL POND LEHOCKY GAME OF THE WEEK PICK: WESTERN BEAVER 28, STEEL VALLEY 21!

Remember, the game is AUDIO ONLY!

Listen on 99.3 and 95.7 FM, 1230 WBVP, 1460 WMBA, beavercountyradio.com, or the St. Barnabas Broadcasting App!

Pregame at 6:30, kickoff at 7:00!

That’s your McDonald’s Beaver County High School Football Preview!

Good luck to all four of our remaining Beaver County teams!

Cutter Gauthier gets his 3rd hat trick in November of 2026, propelling the prolific Ducks past Penguins 5-2

(File Photo: Source for Photo: Anaheim Ducks left wing Cutter Gauthier, center, celebrates his goal with teammates during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Pittsburgh Penguins Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Cutter Gauthier continued his scoring rampage with his third hat trick in eight days, and captain Mikael Granlund had a goal and three assists in the Anaheim Ducks’ fifth consecutive victory, 5-2 over the Pittsburgh Penguins on Sunday night.

Gauthier’s empty-net goal in the final minute gave him three goals and an assist for the Ducks, who became the first team since the 1988-89 Los Angeles Kings to score at least five goals in eight consecutive games.

Gauthier extended his goals streak to six games and his points streak to a career best-tying eight games with his fourth multi-goal performance during this electric sequence, including three of his four career hat tricks. He has scored eight of his 13 goals in this six-game stretch on power plays.

Jackson LaCombe had three assists and tied a Ducks record with an assist in his 10th consecutive game. Laurent Brossoit made 32 saves for his fourth victory in four starts in Anaheim’s net.

Kris Letang and Rickard Rakell scored 6-on-4 power-play goals in the third period after Pittsburgh had fallen behind 4-0. Evgeni Malkin had two assists and Arturs Silovs stopped 20 shots for the Penguins, who snapped a four-game skid Saturday night at Los Angeles in the opener of their California trip.

Granlund scored from the slot in the first period right as a power play ended, extending his scoring streak to six games.

After Pittsburgh failed to score during nearly 4 1/2 straight minutes of power-play time early in the second, Gauthier beat Silovs with a beautiful no-look shot for his first goal. Gauthier scored again less than three minutes later with a quick wrist shot.

Luneau ripped a power-play goal early in the third and extended his point streak to eight games, justifying the faith shown when the Ducks signed the defenseman to a $43.2 million extension last month before his first full NHL season.

Pittsburgh avoided the shutout on Letang’s 6-on-4 score with 11:55 to play, the first goal of his 21st NHL season.

Up next

Penguins: At San Jose on Wednesday night.

Ducks: Host Nashville on Wednesday night.

Sidney Crosby takes sole possession of 6th on NHL scoring list in Penguins’ 5-2 win over Kings

(File Photo: Source for Photo: Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby, right, celebrates his empty-net goal with defenseman Kris Letang during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the Los Angeles Kings, Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Sidney Crosby scored two goals while moving into sole possession of sixth place on the NHL’s career scoring list, and the Pittsburgh Penguins snapped their four-game skid with a 5-2 victory over the Los Angeles Kings on Saturday night.

The 39-year-old Crosby broke his tie with Kings great Marcel Dionne by scoring his 1,772nd point when Evgeni Malkin’s one-timer deflected in off him in the second period. Crosby added a late empty-net goal, diving face-first on the ice to tip it home.

Tommy Novak got two goals in the first six minutes and Egor Chinakhov also scored for the Penguins, who moved Crosby and the 40-year-old Malkin onto their top line before the game in an effort to spark their struggling lineup. Sergei Murashov made 26 saves as Pittsburgh opened a three-game California trip with just its third win in 11 games.

Corey Perry and Alex Laferriere scored and Darcy Kuemper stopped only 14 shots for the Kings, who have lost two of the last three during their seven-game homestand.

Novak put the Pens ahead less than two minutes after the opening faceoff after controlling a rebound in front. Less than 3 1/2 minutes later, he carried the puck into the zone and followed behind Ben Kindel to cash in another rebound for his seventh career multigoal game.

Perry scored midway through the first when Mikey Anderson’s high shot off the end boards ricocheted down toward the crease, where he slapped it out of mid-air for the second goal of his 22nd NHL season.

Chinakhov scored on a power play late in the first to put the Penguins up 3-1, but Laferriere scored on a power play early in the second.

Artemi Panarin appeared to score a tying rebound goal for Los Angeles late in the second period, but it was disallowed after video review determined the Kings’ zone entry had been barely offside. Moments later, Erik Karlsson’s backhand pass set up Malkin’s shot off Crosby.

Up next

Penguins: At Anaheim on Sunday.

Kings: Host Nashville on Tuesday.

Scores From Across the Valley: WPIAL Play-offs Week 1 11/6/26

Friday, November 6, 2026:

 

               Pond-Lehocky Beaver County Radio Broadcast Game 

Waynesburg Central
Aliquippa

14
52  Final
     
                                                WPIAL Class 5A       
Gateway
West Alleghany
21
28 Final
Moon

Thomas Jefferson

0

42 Final

                                              WPIAL Class 4A       
Char Valley
New Castle
34
51 Final
Blackhawk
McKeesport
16
48 Final
                                             WPIAL Class 3A       
Mount Pleasant
Hopewell
7
62 Final
Beaver
North Catholic
0
21  Final
Deer Lakes
Avonworth
7
44 Final
                                                   WPIAL Class   2A                         
Char Houston
Western Beaver
22
44 Final
Riverside
Ligonier Valley
21
35 Final
Freedom
Steel Valley
8
43 Final
Beaver Falls
McGuffey
28
7 Final

Zacha scores twice to lead the Bruins to a 6-2 victory over the struggling Penguins

(File Photo: Source for Photo: Boston Bruins’ Elias Lindholm (28) gets a shot past Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Arturs Silovs (37) for a goal during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Pittsburgh, Thursday, Nov. 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Pavel Zacha scored twice and the Boston Bruins beat the Pittsburgh Penguins 6-2 on Thursday night.

Morgan Geekie scored in his third straight game and had an assist. Elias Lindholm, Mark Kastelic and Fraser Minten also scored for the Bruins, who have won three straight. Boston has won 10 of its last 13 games overall.

David Pastrnak and JJ Peterka added two assists and Michael DiPietro stopped 16 shots for the Bruins, who snapped a three-game road losing streak. Boston has points in its last seven trips to Pittsburgh, dating to Nov. 1, 2022.

Justin Brazeau scored his first goal in his second game of the season since returning from a training camp injury. Nick Robertson also scored for the Penguins, who struggled defensively against the Bruins.

Pittsburgh captain Sidney Crosby did not record a point and remains tied with Marcel Dionne for sixth on the NHL’s all-time scoring list with 1,771 points.

Arturs Silovs made 18 saves for the Penguins, who lost their fourth straight. Pittsburgh has dropped eight of its last 10 games overall.

Boston led 3-1 after the first period and 5-2 through 40 minutes.

Zacha scored both of his goals on a 2-on-1, as did Minten. Geekie scored on a partial breakaway after a poor Pittsburgh line change, and Lindholm found the back of the net following an Erik Karlsson turnover in his own zone. Karlsson was a minus-4 for Pittsburgh.

Up next

Bruins: Open a four-game homestand Sunday against Florida. Boston plays 10 of its next 11 games at home.

Penguins: Begin a three-game West Coast trip Saturday at Los Angeles.

Tomas Hertl’s 2nd goal of the game with 32 seconds remaining helps Golden Knights defeat Penguins 3-2

(File Photo: Source for Photo: Vegas Golden Knights’ Tomas Hertl (48) checks Pittsburgh Penguins’ Ville Koivunen (41) off the puck during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Pittsburgh, Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Tomas Hertl’s second goal of the night with 32 seconds left in regulation lifted the Vegas Golden Knights past the Pittsburgh Penguins 3-2 on Tuesday night.

Vegas won in Pittsburgh for just the second time in franchise history when Hertl tipped a pass from Mark Stone past Pittsburgh goaltender Arturs Silovs. The winner came shortly after the Golden Knights killed a late 5-on-3 power play.

Pittsburgh forward Tommy Novak, who scored and added an assist during a third-period rally, was called for tripping shortly after the teams returned to even strength. Hertl’s second power-play goal of the night — and the second allowed by the Penguins’ penalty kill at home — sent Pittsburgh to a third straight loss.

Adin Hill stopped 23 shots for the Golden Knights, who found their legs late a night after a shootout loss in Boston.

Trevor Connelly’s breakaway goal with 8:41 left tied it after Novak and Rickard Rakell had erased a one-goal deficit to briefly give Pittsburgh the lead.

Silovs stopped 20 shots for the Penguins, who lost for the seventh time in nine games. Pittsburgh captain Sidney Crosby did not record a point and remains tied with Marcel Dionne for sixth on the NHL’s all-time scoring list with 1,771 points.

A little over two weeks after the Golden Knights drilled the Penguins in Las Vegas, the teams played on more even terms in the rematch.

Hertl’s sixth goal of the season late in the first period served as the only scoring in the first 40 minutes. Mitch Marner picked up the primary assist to push his points streak to 11 games.

Pittsburgh surged in the third thanks to Novak and Rakell, who scored for a fourth straight game.

It just wasn’t enough on a night the Penguins played without forward Evgeni Malkin, who sat out with a lower-body injury.

Up next

Golden Knights: Continue their road trip Thursday in Detroit.

Penguins: Welcome Boston to PPG Paints Arena on Thursday.

Canadiens beat the Penguins 5-4 for their 5th straight victory

(File Photo: Source for Photo: Montreal Canadiens’ Owen Beck (62) and Pittsburgh Penguins’ Blake Lizotte (46) fight during second period of an NHL hockey game in Montreal, Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026. (Christinne Muschi/The Canadian Press via AP)

MONTREAL (AP) — Josh Anderson had two goals and an assist and the Montreal Canadiens beat the Pittsburgh Penguins 5-4 on Saturday night for their fifth straight victory.

Chris Kreider added a one goal and an assist, and Oliver Kapanen and Alexandre Texier also scored as Montreal (9-3-2) returned home from an undefeated four-game Western trip. Lane Hutson had two assists.

Jacob Fowler made 25 saves and became the third Canadiens rookie goalie in the past 40 years to win seven consecutive games.

Sidney Crosby and Erik Karlsson each had a goal and two assists for Pittsburgh, and Tommy Novak and Rickard Rakell each had a goal and an assist. Sergei Murashov stopped 22 shots.

Anderson gave Montreal a two-goal lead with 6:54 left on a deflection. Crosby pulled one back with 3:11 remaining with Murashov off for an extra attacker.

Earlier, with his 1,112th career assist, Crosby passed Boston Bruins great Ray Bourque for the most with one franchise in NHL history. The 39-year-old center also tied Marcel Dionne for sixth on the scoring list with 1,771.

Up next

Penguins: Host Vegas on Tuesday night.

Canadiens: Host Winnipeg on Tuesday night.

Scores From Across the Valley: 10/30/26

Friday, October 30, 2026:

 

               Pond-Lehocky Beaver County Radio Broadcast Game 

New Brighton
Beaver Falls

14
40 Final
     
                        WPIAL Class 5A Allegheny Six Conference      
USC
West Allegheny
45
13 Final
                        WPIAL Class 5A NorthEast Conference      
North  Hills
Moon
45
21 Final
                        WPIAL Class 4A Parkway Conference      
Mars
Central Valley
21
41 Final
Montour
Blackhawk
33
16 Final
                        WPIAL Class 3A Western Hills      
Hopewell
Aliquippa
42
10 Final
Beaver
Ellwood City
56
26  Final
OLSH
Ambridge
29
14 Final
                        WPIAL Class 2A Mac Conference      
Western Beaver
Neshannock
27
24 Final
Riverside
Mohawk
29
22 Final/OT
     
                        WPIAL Class 1A Big Seven Conference      
Cornell
Northgate
0
7 final
Rochester
Southside
26
14 Final
Laurel
Shenango
19
21 Final
                                                   Non-Conference                
Freedom
Greenville
0
43 Final
Seneca Valley
New Castle
28
50  Final

Cooley completes hat trick against hometown team with a second left, Mammoth stun Penguins 4-3

(File Photo: Source for Photo: Utah Mammoth’s Logan Cooley (92) celebrates after his goal with Mikhail Sergachev (98) during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the Pittsburgh Penguins in Pittsburgh, Thursday, Oct. 29, 2026. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Logan Cooley completed a hat trick against his hometown team with a second left, Mikhail Sergachev scored at 3:27 of overtime and the Utah Mammoth stunned the Pittsburgh Penguins 4-3 on Thursday night.

After Ben Kindel put Pittsburgh ahead 3-2 with 25 seconds left, Cooley — playing his third NHL game in Pittsburgh — batted the puck in from the left side of the net for sixth goal in four games and seventh of the season.

Cooley became the third Pittsburgh native with a hat trick against the Penguins, joining Brandon Saad and R.J. Umberger. At age 5, Cooley took part in Sidney Crosby’s first Little Penguins Learn to Play Hockey program.

Cooley scored for the first time in seven games against Pittsburgh. He had two first-period goals to give the Mammoth an early 2-0 lead, and scored in the third for his third career hat trick.

In overtime, Sergachev beat Arturs Silovs off a rebound in front.

Sebastian Cossa stopped 31 shots for the Mammoth, who have won three of their last five games overall. Utah is 5-0-0 after a loss and 8-0-0 when leading after two periods.

Rickard Rakell had a short-handed goal, and Erik Karlsson also scored for Pittsburgh. Silovs made 30 saves.

Up next

Mammoth: At Philadelphia on Sunday.

Penguins: At Montreal on Saturday night.

Ville Koivunen scores in OT as Penguins rally for 3-2 win over Predators

(File Photo: Source for Photo: Pittsburgh Penguins’ Rickard Rakell (67) celebrates after his goal with Ville Koivunen (41) and Sidney Crosby (87) during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the Nashville Predators in Pittsburgh, Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Ville Koivunen scored at 3:44 of overtime and the Pittsburgh Penguins rallied to beat the Nashville Predators 3-2 on Saturday night.

Koivunen beat Juuse Saros with a wrist shot from the top of the left circle.

Rickard Rakell scored the tying goal for Pittsburgh with 1:06 to play in regulation on a cross-ice pass from Sidney Crosby. It was Crosby’s 1,111th career assist, tying Hall of Fame defenseman Ray Bourque for the most with one franchise.

Connor Dewar also scored for the Penguins, who have points in 10 straight and 23 of their last 27 games against Nashville dating to Oct. 21, 2010.

Arturs Silovs stopped 24 shots. The Penguins, who were playing without Evgeni Malkin (illness) and Egor Chinakhov (lower body), have won two straight following a four-game losing streak. Chinakhov has missed four of the last five games.

Steven Stamkos and Jayden Struble scored for Nashville. Stamkos is two goals from passing Dino Ciccarelli for 19th place in NHL history.

Saros made 34 saves for the Predators, who have lost two in a row and five of six. Nashville was blanked 6-0 at Boston on Thursday.

Struble put Nashville in front 2-1 at 6:40 of the second period when he beat Silovs from the right faceoff dot.

Jack Drury nearly scored at the end of the second to make it a 3-1 game. Drury dove at a loose puck and pushed it across the line, but time expired before it crossed.

That allowed Rakell and Koivunen to help the Penguins rally in the third period and overtime.

Up next

Predators: Host the Colorado Avalanche on Sunday.

Penguins: Host the Utah Mammoth on Thursday.