Beaver Falls football team looks to turn 2018 success into championship
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Sunday, August 18, 2019 | 9:39 PM
Beaver Falls’ Jabarhi Cleckley works out during practice on Thursday, Aug. 8, 2019.
Beaver Falls head coach Nick Nardone works with Jabarhi Cleckley during practice on Thursday, Aug. 8, 2019.
Beaver Falls’ Noah Vaughn catches a pass during practice on Thursday, Aug. 8, 2019.
Beaver Falls’ Kyzer Cleckley works out during practice on Thursday, Aug. 8, 2019.
Beaver Falls’ ChaseThornton works out during practice on Thursday, Aug. 8, 2019.
Beaver Falls’ Tyler Jones works out during practice on Thursday, Aug. 8, 2019.
Beaver Falls’ Tyler Jones works out during practice on Thursday, Aug. 8, 2019.
In 2016, for the first time since 1984, Beaver Falls celebrated a WPIAL championship. In defense of the title in 2017, the Tigers won one game. However, last year, Beaver Falls bounced back to win nine games before falling to eventual Class 3A champion Aliquippa in the semifinals.
This year, Beaver Falls is looking to continue its winning formula.
“We have a solid group of kids on this team,” coach Nick Nardone said. “We bring back a lot of our skill-position guys, but the challenge will be up front. We lost five seniors up front on both sides of the ball, so we need to rebuild that and get stronger.”
Beaver Falls has what could be one of the more intriguing quarterback battles in camp: The Tigers have four players battling to lead the offense.
Last year, quarterback Dalyn Brickner led the team in passing and rushing, throwing for more than 1,000 yards and rushing for more than 1,000, as well.
Josh Hough is the team’s leading returning rusher, going for more than 1,000 yards in his sophomore campaign.
The Tigers allowed 19 points per game last year and will look to improve on that number. The difficulty is the skill that is faced week-in and week-out in the Tri-County West.
“There is no week off in this conference,” Nardone said. “In a conference like this, every game is essentially a playoff game. Not only the players, but the entire staff has to be on point.”
Beaver Falls has time before its opener Friday vs. Ellwood City, but Nardone is locked in on that game to determine what player will be where.
“Despite being a full game, Week Zero will still be used as a second scrimmage,” Nardone said. “We have guys competing at every position, and we plan on using everyone in that game, as well.”
Beaver Falls’ first home game and conference game is the following week against South Park.
Marquee matchups this year include a three-week stretch when the Tigers meet Central Valley on Sept. 6 at home, Quaker Valley on Sept. 13 and Aliquippa on Sept. 20, both on the road.
Schedule
Coach: Nick Nardone
2018 record: 9-3, 6-1
All-time record: 658-411-52
Date, Opponent, Time
8.23, at Ellwood City, 7
8.30, South Park*, 7
9.6, Central Valley*, 7
9.13, at Quaker Valley*, 7
9.20, at Aliquippa*, 7
9.27, Uniontown, 7
10.4, at Keystone Oaks*, 7
10.11, Waynesburg*, 7
10.18, at Blackhawk, 7
10.25, at Hopewell*, 7
*Class 3A Tri-County West Conference game
Statistical leaders
Passing: Dayln Brickner*
37-67, 948 yards, 16 TDs
Rushing: Brickner*
72-769, 10 TDs
Receiving: Amen Cottrill*
15-350 yards, 5 TDs
*Graduated
Tags: Beaver Falls
More Football
• WPIAL Class 3A championship game by the numbers: Avonworth 17, Central Valley 0• Westinghouse falls to Bishop Guilfoyle in PIAA quarterfinals
• WPIAL Class 2A championship game by the numbers: South Park 21, Seton LaSalle 14
• Thomas Jefferson rolls past Clearfield, advances to PIAA semifinals
• WPIAL Class A championship game by the numbers: Fort Cherry 21, Clairton 20
