Conference title hopes add heft to Aliquippa, Central Valley rivalry

By: Chris Harlan
Friday, October 27, 2023 | 1:27 AM

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One of coach Mike Warfield’s favorite sayings compares the fragility of success with that of a crystal glass, saying both can “break into 1,000 pieces” if you don’t hold onto them.

When it comes to winning conference titles, Aliquippa rarely lets go.

The Quips have won the Parkway Conference title three years in a row and a fourth consecutive title is within their reach. A victory Friday night at Central Valley would make Aliquippa the outright champion once again, but a loss will create a two- or three-way tie atop the standings.

No. 1 Aliquippa (8-0, 6-0) visits No. 4 Central Valley (7-2, 5-1) at 7 p.m. at Sarge Alberts Stadium.

“We’re going go out there and try to win it,” Warfield said. “It’s one of our goals.”

The last time the Quips didn’t win a conference title, Central Valley was to blame. That was in 2019, when both were still playing in Class 3A. The Tri-County West title that year went to the Warriors, who routed Aliquippa, 45-6, in the regular-season finale. The Quips haven’t lost a conference game since, a winning streak now at 23.

Might the Warriors play spoilers once again?

Graduation was expected to take a toll on Central Valley after last season, meaning the Warriors entered this fall with some questions. But their only losses, so far, came against Avonworth by a touchdown and Montour by one point.

“We were kind of flying under the radar all year, which we’re OK with,” Central Valley coach Mark Lyons said. “People probably looked and saw we lost so many guys. We don’t think like that. Our guys don’t think like that.”

With a win over their rivals, the conference title would be Central Valley’s fourth in five years. Montour (8-1, 5-1) also could share the Parkway title, if Aliquippa loses.

“I tell our guys all the time: ‘Just keep your head down, and come late October or November, let’s figure out where we’re at,’” Lyons said. “And here we are.”

The two Beaver County neighbors are rivals in part because of their close proximity. Seven miles separate the schools. But they’re also rivals because their games often carry big ramifications.

Aliquippa and Central Valley met in the WPIAL finals twice in the past four years, with each winning once.

They spent the 2020 and ’21 seasons in different classifications, which let both win state titles. Central Valley won PIAA Class 3A titles in 2020 and ’21. Aliquippa won Class 4A in 2021.

The rivals reunited last fall in the Parkway after Central Valley moved up to 4A. Aliquippa won their regular-season matchup, 35-24, and a WPIAL finals rematch, 34-7.

The Quips aren’t as big on the offensive line as they were a year ago, but do have a 1,000-yard rusher in Penn State-bound junior Tiqwai Hayes. They also have a quick defense led by linebacker Cameron Lindsey, a Pitt recruit.

Central Valley’s success this season has relied largely on a junior and a freshman in the backfield. Freshman Jance Henry has rushed for 860 yards and 12 touchdowns, while junior Mason Dixon has 692 yards and 12 scores.

Junior quarterback Steven Rutherford has passed for 1,102 yards and eight touchdowns.

“We’re definitely going to be in situations where we have to tackle,” Warfield said. “I think that’s the key to the game. How we play up front and whether we tackle by committee.”

Aliquippa is led by a senior class that has never lost a conference game. Senior quarterback Quentin Goode, a 1,200-yard passer this fall, broke the school’s career passing record a week ago.

“They have a lot of guys who’ve played in huge games,” Lyons said. “WPIAL championships. State championships. We understand how valuable that is.”

Chris Harlan is a TribLive reporter covering sports. He joined the Trib in 2009 after seven years as a reporter at the Beaver County Times. He can be reached at charlan@triblive.com.

Tags: Aliquippa, Central Valley