Story by Ryan Gerazounis – Beaver County Radio
(McKees Rocks, Pa)
Friday night’s 4A showdown between the Aliquippa Quips and the Montour Spartans proved to be one for the ages in the Parkway Conference. Aliquippa came into the game 3-0 (6-1) in the conference while Montour was 3-0 (8-0) coming into the matchup. With so much on the line, these two teams left it all on the field at Montour High School on Friday night.
Aliquippa started this instant classic off when Tiqwai Hayes took a first quarter handoff up the middle and exploded for an 81 yard touchdown run. Giving Aliquippa an 8-0 lead. On the ensuing drive, Montour’s quarterback Trey Hopper was able to connect with Andrew Alston for a 15 yard touchdown pass, Making the score 8-7. On their next drive, Montour took the lead when Hopper found Daniel Batch this time on a 25 yard touchdown and giving the Spartans a second quarter 14-8 lead. Aliquippa’s fundamental mistakes in the second quarter lead to a third consecutive touchdown by Montour when Kaleb Platz took the ball from the wildcat formation 8 yards into the end zone extending their lead to 21-8. Sa’nir Brooks brought the Quips back within six, scoring on a 10 yard touchdown run before the half ran out. Montour lead 21-15 at the half.
The Quips began the third quarter where they left off in the first half, on a Sa’nir Brooks touchdown run, this time of 8 yards. After they failed on the conversion, the score was knotted up at 21-21. Later in the third quarter another mistake proved costly for the Quips when a bad snap lead to a Spartans 6 yard scoop and score by Daniel Batch. Putting Montour up 28-21. That was the score going into the final quarter of this battle of 4A giants.
Arison Walker would change that as the fourth quarter got underway, when he took a 46 yard pass from Marques Council Jr to the house. With a successful 2 point conversion Aliquippa went back on top 29-28. Montour would then go on to fumble the ball away on their next possession, leading to another Aliquippa touchdown by Arison Walker. Increasing their lead to 35-28. It seemed that the Quips were ready to shut the door on Montour for yet another season when Arison Walker picked off a Hopper pass near mid field. Holding onto a seven point lead in this important Parkway Conference game, Aliquippa then turned the ball over on downs. Giving Hopper and company one more chance. The Spartans by way of big plays and penalties made their way down inside the Aliquippa five yard line with the game clock under a minute. That’s when junior running back Caden Halajcio punched it in from the 2 yard line with 30 seconds left, making the score 35-34. With most thinking that this game was heading to overtime, Montour cashed in on the 2 point conversion and took the 36-35 lead with under 30 seconds remaining. The Spartans thwarted any chances of a Quips win with a game sealing interception, to wrap up the contest 36-35.
With the win the Montour Spartans improve to 4-0 (9-0). They will host West Allegheny next Friday night at 7pm. While the Aliquippa Quips take their first conference loss of the season and fall to 3-1 (6-2). They will host Ambridge on Friday at 7pm.
