Category: Sports

Western Beaver wins a close one against Steel Valley and moves on

Story by Keith Walsh – Beaver County Radio. Photo courtesy of Western Beaver Superintendant Dr. Postupac. Published November 14, 2026 12:14 A.M.

(Fox Chapel, Pa) On a chilly night in Fox Chapel, the Western Beaver Golden Beavers met the Steel Valley Ironmen for a Friday night showdown with the winners getting to play on.

This game was a highly competitive contest with both teams giving the other team all problems they could handle on both sides of the ball.

The Golden Beavers received the kick to start at their own 31. After a couple short runs they punt.

Nathan Vula was took over the punting for the night, kicking it just over the 50 and Steel Valley starts at the 45.

They start with 6 straight runs by Jvon Barlow, he gets 8 yards on the first run and they were moving the ball. On his 6th run he found a hole and got down to the 16. Braedon Mayo comes up big and tackles Barlow for a loss to force a 4th and 12. The Beavers held and took over at the 12 yard line.

On second down Pratt goes up the middle for 8 yards then Mayo breaks one for 20 yards dragging a tackler for 6 yards of it. Pratt takes it himself for 18 yards but the next play they picked up a crack back block penalty followed by a sack that took them out of field goal range. Vulas punt was covered at the 25, then Mayo made a big sack to put the Ironmen back.

Steel Valley threw a swing pass for 10 yards and got into a 2nd and 10 at the 49 yard line. Gianni Keyes, the QB for Steel Valley, tries running but Braeden Mayo came up to make the stop loss of four on the play.

Steel Valley punts and Western Beaver takes over and puts a long drive together. Pratt finished it off with a run of 10 and a run of plus 11 as he carries people into the endzone with him. Pratt also scores the two point conversion.

On the kickoff Steel Valley fumbles. The Golden Beavers make another big drive getting it down to the Ironmens side of the field but with 1:13 left on Friday the 13th, the Beavers fumbled the ball but that’s the way the half ended with Western Beaver leading 8, Steel Valley 0.

In the 3rd quarter a Vula punt pinned the Ironmen back at the 2 yard line, then Gianni Keyes got around the end for 57 yards down the sidelines. The Golden Beavers hold and keep Keyes from passing and force a punt.

Sallie came in and was taking some handoffs to control clock with the game moving quickly.

Then Vula gets a nice punt off down to the 30 yard line.

Western Beaver had the Ironmen pinned back for a second and 32 to start the 4th, they try to run with Jvon Barlow but David Ventresca made a nice stop. Keyes tries to pass but he is chased out of bounds and has to punt.

Western Beaver takes over in good field position but Pratt gets hit hard and fumbles the ball. Steel Valley takes over.

Keyes keeps the ball and gets out to the 40, then Barlow goes for 9 yards with Mayo and Sutton on the sidelines the Ironmen keep it on the ground with Barlow but Wyatt Sparbaine makes a nice tackle. The Ironmen weren’t done. Keyes fakes to Barlow and runs for 11, with 5:52 left in thr game on 3rd and 2 Keyes gets outside for 10 yards down the field to the 20 yard line.

They go back to Barlow again but Damian Lutton and Caden Seymour team up for the stop, it’s now 3rd and 7 and under fire Jvon Keyes breaks a tackle at the 10 and scores to make it Western Beaver 8 and Steel Valley 6.

They go for 2 but Braeden Mayo comes up big and grabs Keyes and wasn’t letting go, making a great big stop.

Steel Valley tries an onside kick that is covered by Landon Sallie with 4 minutes left.

They hand the ball to Landon Sallie, he started right but made a great juke move back to the left to go for 20 yards.

Steel Valley was able to recover a fumble with 2:14 left.

Western Beavers Lutton and Mayo sack them for 7 yard loss. Aiden Vula made a big play on a wide reciever who had nothing but green grass between him and the endzone.

Keyes drops back again and Aiden Hall gets a big sack after he chased Keyes down to put them in a 4th and 14.

With 58 seconds left, all the western Beaver Golden Beavers had to do was keep the ball and that’s what they did.

Final Score: Golden Beavers 8 Ironmen 6.

Ex-Director who Embezzled $230K from Western Pa. Youth Football League will Serve a Decade on Probation, Ordered to Make Monthly Payments

(File Photo of a Gavel)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Harrisburg, PA) Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday recently announced that the former director of a southwestern Pennsylvania youth football league was sentenced to 10 years of probation and ordered to pay at least $1,500 per month to the league he defrauded of more than $230,000.

57-year-old William Spencer of Washington, pleaded guilty previously to felony theft by unlawful taking, and misdemeanor counts of receiving stolen property and misapplication of entrusted property.

An investigation revealed that Spencer diverted league funds to his personal accounts to fund credit cards, bolster a retirement account, and make various purchases at Amazon, restaurants, and other retailers between 2020 and 2025.

Spencer was sentenced today in Washington County Court.

Spencer paid up front $30,000 of the restitution owed and he is required to pay at least $1,500 monthly toward the remaining $200,939 owed.

He will also serve the first six months of probation on house arrest.

Spencer was the director of the Washington/Greene Youth Football League, which is now known as the Western Pennsylvania Youth Football League (WPYFL), from 2013 until he resigned in March of 2025.

He diverted league funds to his own accounts during his last five years in his position.

Spencer fraudulently wrote 187 checks payable to himself from WPYFL’s accounts over those five years, and they totaled about $230,000.

Pittsburgh Penguins set to induct 4 members into its 2026 Hall of Fame Class

(File Photo: Source for Photo: Pittsburgh Penguins goalie Marc-Andre Fleury acknowledges fans after being named the number one star in a pre-season NHL hockey game against the Columbus Blue Jackets in Pittsburgh, Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) The Pittsburgh Penguins will induct four new members into the Penguins Hall of Fame Class of 2026 during a special pregame ceremony tomorrow at PPG Paints Arena.

This ceremony is scheduled for just before 7 p.m., which is ahead of the Penguins’ game against the Ottawa Senators.

The 2026 Penguins Hall of Fame induction class features former goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury, former defenseman Larry Murphy, former general manager Jim Rutherford and franchise co-founder, the late Jack McGregor.

Fleury and Murphy were selected in the player category, Rutherford enters in the builder category, and McGregor enters posthumously in the contributor category following his death on January 6th, 2026.

Penguins beat Sharks 3-2 in shootout after blowing 2-goal lead in 3rd period

(File Photo: Source for Photo: Pittsburgh Penguins right wing Rutger McGroarty, left, celebrates with goaltender Sergei Murashov (1) after the Penguins defeated the San Jose Sharks in the shootout of an NHL hockey game, Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2026, in San Jose, Calif. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) — Ben Kindel scored in regulation and had the lone shootout goal and the Pittsburgh Penguins beat the San Jose Sharks 3-2 on Wednesday night after blowing a two-goal lead in third period.

San Jose star Macklin Celebrini scored with 8:28 left, and set up Mason Marchment’s tying goal with 4:11 remaining.

The Penguins then survived a San Jose power play for the final 43 seconds of overtime after Kris Letang was sent off for holding Sam Dickinson’s stick.

Sergei Murashov made 34 saves for the Penguins through overtime, then ended the tiebreaker by stopping Will Smith in the third round. Kindel scored on the first attempt of the shootout.

Samuel Girard opened the scoring for Pittsburgh on a slap shot at 8:57 of the first period, and Kindel connected on a power play at 3:28 of the third.

Yaroslav Askarov stopped 33 shots for San Jose.

Up next

Penguins: Host Ottawa on Saturday night.

Sharks: At Utah on Saturday night.

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!

Former Steelers running back and running backs coach Dick Hoak dies at 86

(Caption for Photo: Steelers running backs coach Dick Hoak announces his retirement at team headquarters on the South Side on Jan. 2, 2007. (Credit for Photo: Photo Courtesy of Chaz Palla/Trib Live))

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) The Pittsburgh Steelers announced this morning that former Steelers player and coach Dick Hoak has died.

Hoak passed away today at the age of 86.

He was a native of Jeannette who spent 10 seasons as a running back playing for the Steelers between 1961 and 1970.

Hoak was named to the NFL Pro Bowl in 1968.

He retired after the 1970 season and at the time, he was the number two all-time rusher in Steelers history.

Hoak is still sitting at eighth all-time in rushing yards for the Steelers as of the 2025 NFL season.

After his career as a player, he joined the Steelers’ front office.

He joined the team’s coaching staff as the running backs coach in 1972, which was a position that he held until 2007.

Hoak was also the only coach to work under both Bill Cowher and Chuck Noll.

Isaac Massie Named Geneva College’s New Golf Coach and Director of Athletic Operations

(Credit for Photo: Photo Courtesy of Geneva College Athletics, Posted on Facebook on November 9th, 2026)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Beaver Falls, PA) The Geneva College Athletic Department recently announced the hiring of 2023 Geneva graduate Isaac Massie as its next men’s and women’s golf coach, and he will also fill Geneva’s role of Director of Athletic Operations. 

He is an avid golfer that has experience both playing golf and recruiting athletes at the collegiate level.

Massie earned an undergraduate degree in Finance in 2023 from Geneva and a master’s in business administration in 2024 from Geneva.

He was hired by Hillcrest Christian Academy in Bethel Park to be its Athletic Director and a Physical Education teacher after graduating from Geneva, and that is where he has worked the past two years. 

Massie handled all administrative functions of that school’s athletic department, oversaw the budget, organized gameday operations and set up schedules for all the sports teams.

He also taught physical education classes for K-12 there. 

Massie was hired by Geneva in 2025 as a part-time assistant for the men’s basketball program, which is where he will continue to serve this season as the Golden Tornadoes will welcome in new men’s head basketball coach DJ Damazo. 

He has helped the Geneva men’s basketball program with game planning and recruiting during his tenure. 

2026 WPIAL high school playoffs Round 2 matchups revealed

(File Photo of the WPIAL Logo)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Beaver County, PA) The WPIAL officially released the sites and times for the second round of its 2026 high school football playoffs, and four Beaver County teams are still playing for a state championship. 

All of the games will be played on Friday, November 13th at 7 p.m., with semifinal matchups in Class 6A and Class 4A and quarterfinals in the other four classes. 

Here are the matchups and where they will be played at, with the Beaver County/Beaver Valley teams in bold:

Class 6A Bracket

No. 1 Central Catholic vs. No. 4 Hempfield Area at U.S. Steel Community Field in the Hazelwood neighborhood

No. 3 North Allegheny at No. 2 Canon-McMillan

Class 5A Bracket

No. 8 Trinity at No. 1 Pine-Richland

No. 5 West Allegheny at No. 4 North Hills

No. 7 Thomas Jefferson at No. 2 Penn-Trafford

No. 11 Armstrong at No. 3 Upper St. Clair

Class 4A Bracket

No. 1 South Fayette vs. No. 4 New Castle at Central Valley

No. 2 Montour vs. No. 3 McKeesport at Penn Hills

Class 3A Bracket

No. 1 Avonworth vs. No. 9 West Mifflin at Peters Township

No. 4 Belle Vernon vs. No. 5 Elizabeth Forward at West Mifflin

No. 2 Propel Braddock Hills vs. No. 7 Aliquippa at Deer Lakes

No. 3 Hopewell vs. No. 6 North Catholic at Chartiers Valley

Class 2A Bracket

No. 1 Bishop Canevin vs. No. 9 Beaver Falls at Dormont Stadium

No. 4 Steel Valley vs. No. 5 Western Beaver at Fox Chapel

No. 2 Seton LaSalle vs. No. 7 Ligonier Valley at Mt. Lebanon

No. 6 Neshannock at No. 3 Apollo-Ridge

Class 1A Bracket

No. 1 Washington vs. No. 8 Bethlehem-Center at Charleroi

No. 4 Fort Cherry vs. No. 5 Laurel at Beaver Area

No. 2 Shenango vs. No. 10 Monessen at Ambridge

No. 3 Clairton vs. No. 6 California at Southmoreland

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.