Destination Hershey: Central Valley routs Bald Eagle Area 45-0
Luke Ganoe
RECAP
In the PIAA state playoffs semi-finals game on 11/29/19 the Central Valley Warriors faced the Bald Eagle Area Eagles. Coming off the bye week the Warriors were feeling rejuvenated with an “Extra hop in their step,” as head coach Mark Lyons put it. This was absolutely the case, the Eagles never lit up their side of the score board, as the Warriors pitched a shutout for the second time this season (Week 1 vs Quaker Valley 55-0). The Warriors never really let the Eagles have a chance in the game as they only had 3 trips to the red zone; 2 ending in INTs, one by Reed FitzSimmons on the last play of the 1st half, and another by Matt Merritt, which he would take to the house for a 90-yard pick 6. The only other time the Eagles appeared in the red zone, it was a missed field goal from 30 yards out.
The Warriors’ recent win, an emotional classic vs Aliquippa, at Heinz Field for the class 3A title didn’t hinder their ability to preform in the semi-finals game.
Reed FitzSimmons, a senior offensive lineman-linebacker who played despite a broken wrist suffered in the WPIAL title game states, “Obviously, you don’t want to come in and be cocky,” “We had two weeks to celebrate winning a WPIAL title,” Fitzsimmons said. “We got it out of us and now we want to win a state title.”
THE GAME
The Warriors’ quick-strike offense was on full display all throughout the game, as well as their unselfish play as a defensive unit, and a whole team.
The Warriors on their first drive, drove 91- yards to Bald Eagle’s 1 yard line but couldn’t punch it in when they went for it on fourth and goal. 2 plays later, #44 Justin Thompson smothered Bald Eagle’s Quarterback Jaden Jones in the end zone for a sack-safety. Later, a 15-yard rushing touchdown by Jaylen Guy. On the kickoff after, Central Valley recovered a fumble at Bald Eagle’s 30-yard line. 1 play later, Ameer Dudley throws a home run strike to #8 Jawon Hall for a touchdown.
These two touchdowns coming only eleven seconds apart. The half would be topped off by a double reverse taken in for a touchdown by #21 Michael Barbudo and an INT by Reed FitzSimmons. This would make it 28-0 at the half.
Central Valley didn’t back off either in the third quarter, making it 35-0 heading into the fourth. Late in the fourth, a 90-yard pick 6 touchdown for #6 Matt Merritt. This would make it 45-0, dashing the slim hope Bald Eagle had of winning and proved to be too much to overcome as they fell to the Warriors 45-0.
“I’ve been talking about this since I was a young kid,” senior tackle Jake Wilson stated. “I’ve always wanted to go to Hershey.”
“It means a lot for our seniors. This is the first time in five years we’re going,” junior quarterback Ameer Dudley stated, “We went through a whole generation of high school that didn’t go to a state championship, so this is like starting over.”
DESTINATION HERSHEY: PIAA 3A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP PREVIEW
The Central Valley Warriors will face the Wyoming Area Warriors for the class 3A Pennsylvania state title at HersheyPark Stadium in Hershey, PA @12 noon on 12/7/19. Both teams are 13-1 and undefeated in conference play. A win for Central Valley (or Wyoming Area for that matter) would be their first in school history. The Center and Monaca school districts never won a state championship title either. Central Valley’s only trip to Chocolate Town was in 2014 against Archbishop Wood, who they lost to 33-14.
Central Valley will look to keep their current dominance going and reverse what came of the 2014 PIAA state championship game.
