After a long, arduous season that saw games played from late August to mid-December, it was the Aliquippa Quips that walked into Robert’s Roadside Inn on Wednesday night, with gold around their necks and smiles on their faces.
Though it was a festive night with Robert’s wings, Pizza Joe’s (Beaver) pizza, subs from My Hero Sub Shop in Rochester, and a celebratory cake donated by the Nichol family, there was still time in between bites and plates to reflect on the Quips’ season and their championship victory over Middletown.
Head coach Mike Warfield spoke about how one of the keys to the game was to stop the running game that Middletown had utilized all season:
He also spoke about one of the season’s (and game’s) biggest players, Avante McKenzie, and how his maturity showed through during the playoffs:
McKenzie was one of several high-end receivers for the Quips, who also had the talents of Will Gipson and MJ Devonshire to work with. Derek Moye, the former Steeler and Nittany Lion standout, is now an assistant with Aliquippa and spoke highly of his receivers:
Overall, the night was one of celebration, and one that Aliquippa mayor Dwon Walker says the community needed:
More pictures from last night’s celebration can be found below:
