Category: Sports

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.

Aliquippa moves on after win against Waynesburg Central

Story by Keith Walsh – Beaver County Radio. Published November 6, 2026 11:28 P.M.

(Aliquippa, Pa) It’s playoff time in western Pennsylvania and the Waynesburg Central Raiders Raiders traveled to Aliquippa to play the Quips.

Waynesburg won the toss and elected to receive and ran it out to the 35 yard line. After a series of short runs they go for it on 4th and two and Teagan Crouse takes it himself but is stopped short due to a big performance from the Quips down linemen.

Quips first play from scrimmage goes for 40 yards into the endzone. Again the Raiders try running the ball but can’t make any progress on the ground or in the air.

In the second quarter they did a trick play handing the ball off to the right tackle, then they ran a quick dive up the middle to get it first and goal but then dropped back to pass and Teagen Course gets blasted at the 17 and Avery Colman picks up the ball and goes for a touchdown.

The next set of downs for the Raiders Ky-mani Sumpter takes the ball around the left side for a touchdown.

Waynesburgs’ Cole Phillips intercepts the Quips. Anthony Ingram intercepts it right back for the Quips.

Jolle hands the ball off to Perry and big Mysaun Mills sends a would be tackler flying to clear the path into the endzone.

The next series Mylez Greene made another big stop and it was not much better for anything the Raiders tried as they were living in the Raiders backyard.

It was much of the same, Jeffery Hicks scored a couple and Waynesburghs Ky-mani Sumpter took the ball 95 yards to finish off his game on a high note.

Final score: Aliquippa 52 Waynesburg 14.

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

Judge accepts ex-NFL star Antonio Brown’s guilty plea to reduced charge, sentences probation

(File Photo: Source for Photo: FILE- Former NFL wide receiver Antonio Brown appears in court at the Richard E. Gerstein Justice Building in Miami on Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026. (Carl Juste/Miami Herald via AP, Pool, File)

MIAMI (AP) — Former NFL star Antonio Brown pleaded guilty Friday to aggravated assault with a firearm in connection with a 2025 shooting outside a celebrity boxing match in Miami.

Judge Marisa Tinkler Mendez sentenced Brown to three years of probation, during which time he will have to attend weekly counseling sessions and not possess a firearm, among other conditions.

Wearing a black leather jacket and white pants, he spoke sparingly and in a low voice during the brief proceedings in Miami state court. As he entered his guilty plea, the judge asked him to speak up.

Outside the courtroom, Brown thanked God and said he wanted to “get back to life” and his family.

He declined to answer other questions, but his lawyer, Mark Eiglarsh, said they were “extremely grateful” the case was behind them.

“My client was facing 30 years in prison with a 20-year minimum mandatory, and he was given an offer he just couldn’t refuse,” he said. “Probation was too good to turn down, and we’re both very excited about the outcome.”

The plea to the reduced charge allows the All-Pro wide receiver to not only avoid prison time but criminal conviction.

Brown had initially been charged with attempted murder after police say he grabbed a handgun from a security staffer at the event and fired two shots at a man he had been in a fistfight with earlier.

Brown, 38, maintained he was defending himself from an attack as others were trying to steal jewelry from him.

Florida’s Stand Your Ground law allows people who believe they face death or serious injury to use deadly force to defend themselves without a duty to retreat.

Brown spent 12 years in the NFL, most of it with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He won a Super Bowl with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2021 under quarterback Tom Brady.

The following season, though, Brown effectively ended his career when he inexplicably took off his jersey, shoulder pads and gloves and ran off the field during a game. The Buccaneers released him after the incident.

Brown has dealt with other legal problems in recent years.

He previously was accused of battery on a moving truck driver, faced several domestic violence charges, failure to pay child support and other incidents.

Brown was extradited in November 2025 from Dubai, where he has business interests, after an arrest warrant on the attempted murder charge was issued in June of the same year.

Steelers Announces Jon Kolb as 2026 Salute to Service Award Nominee

(File Photo of the Pittsburgh Steelers Logo)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) The Pittsburgh Steelers announced yesterday their team’s nominee for the 2026 Salute to Service Award, presented by USAA.

This annual award recognizes NFL players, coaches, staff and alumni who demonstrate a commitment that is exceptional to supporting U.S. veterans, service members and their families.

The Steelers selected legendary Steelers offensive lineman Jon Kolb as their nominee for this award.

Kolb is the founder of Adventures in Training with a Purpose (ATP), which is a non-profit organization that focuses on improving the lives of men and women who served in the military through purposeful training to empower and provide them the
freedom to both move and perform daily tasks on their own.

The clients of ATP are active-duty military, first responders and veterans, who all receive services free of charge.

Kolb is one of 32 nominees who were announced yesterday by the NFL and USAA, which is an official NFL Salute to Service partner.

Fans can show their support by voting at NFL.com/SaluteFanVote from now
through Monday, November 30th at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time.

One vote per day per nominee is permitted.

Fan voting will help determine the three finalists for this award, and these individuals will be announced in January of 2027.

The recipient of this award will be recognized at NFL Honors, which is the league’s annual primetime awards special, during the week of Super Bowl LXI which is in Los Angeles.