Champions Honored During Special "Coaches Corner" Show.

Story and photos by Mark Peterson. Published 5:38 A.M. December 16, 2021.

Feature photo: Central Valley High School football players Landon Alexander, Sean Fitzsimmons and Jackson Tonya talk with show hosts Bob Barrickman and Bruce Frey live on Beaver County Radio during an on site broadcast of “Coaches Corner” at Robert’s Roadside inn on Wednesday Night.

(Bridgewater, PA) It was a celebration two premier high school football programs Wednesday evening at the Sports Patio at Robert’s Roadside Inn. Beaver County Radio hosted its weekly “Coaches Corner” radio show on site in the large venue to showcase the special occasion, and also to accommodate the space needed to have most of the Aliquippa and Central Valley football teams and coaches in attendance partaking in the event. The main stars of the evening were the head coaches of both teams. Head Coach, Mark Lyons, from Central Valley basked in the figurative and literal spotlights, as the program was also streamed with live video online, and thus two bright overhead lights were set up at Robert’s Roadside Inn to aid with lighting for the cameras. Also no stranger to spending time “under the lights”, particularly on Friday nights, was Aliquippa Assistant Coach, Vashawn Patrick, who filled in for Head Coach, Mike Warfield, who was unable to attend.

Aliquippa Assistant Football Coach Vashawn Patrick.

Patrick spoke about his teams great perseverance and desire to win this past season, particularly in the state championship victory over Bishop McDevitt, when The Quips overcame an early 14 point deficit. Patrick also spoke glowingly of his players’ resilience when he recounted a hard fought overtime victory in the playoffs when Aliquippa had to go to overtime to defeat McKeesport.

When it was Mark Lyons’ turn to answer questions tossed out by show hosts Bob Barrickman and Bruce Frey from WBVP, WMBA and 99.3 F.M., he emphasized that Central Valley’s current 27 game winning streak isn’t just 27 Friday game nights, it’s 27 weeks on Monday film sessions, 27 weeks of weight lifting and other training, 27 weeks of practice and preparation and many other activities than go into getting reading ready to play each game.

Central Valley Head Football Coach, Mark Lyons (center), joins Bob Barrickman (right) and Vashawn Patrick (left) from Aliquippa. Making a cameo appearance in the background is Robert Skerlec from Robert’s Roadside Inn.

Over 100 guests in attendance enjoyed the special edition of the weekly sports talk show, that aired from 7 to around 8:30 P.M. and included free food provided by Pizza Joes in Beaver, My Hero’s Sub Shop in Rochester and Robert’s Roadside Inn.

Among many outstanding players from both teams who were in attendance and on the air Wednesday night were Central Valley standouts Sean Fitzsimmons and Landon Alexander. Fitzsimmons had just announced and committed to accepting a scholarship to play football at the University of Pittsburgh and Alexander accepted an offer to play at The University of Albany within the past week as well.

Landon Alexander from Central Valley talks about his recent success on the football field while team mates and fans look on from the background.

Central Valley star and Pitt recruit, Sean Fitzsimmons, holds court during “Coaches Corner.”

Here are some other photos from last night’s special championship edition of “Coaches Corner” live broadcast at Robert’s Roadside Inn: