Acrisure experience nothing new for Seton LaSalle, Steel Valley in WPIAL Class 2A title game

By: Josh Rizzo
Wednesday, November 19, 2025 | 8:12 PM

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Having a good gameday experience at Acrisure Stadium for the WPIAL football championships isn’t always within the control of officials, players or coaches.

Seton LaSalle coach Tim Storino would like to have a more regimented lead-up to the Class 2A title game on Saturday at 2 p.m. against No. 3 Steel Valley. The top-seeded Rebels, who are chasing their sixth title and first since 2004, had a little extra stress before last year’s game.

Because the Fort Cherry and Clairton game went long last season, the Rebels only had 14 minutes on the field before the game. Storino said it isn’t why Seton LaSalle lost 21-14 to South Park last season, but it didn’t make life easy either.

Due to the television kickoff time being strict, the Rebels’ now-graduated quarterback was scrambling to find missing equipment as the ball was being kicked off.

“Our quarterback was running to the locker room to get his mouthpiece because at first we thought they were going to extend warmups, then he had to get on the field and call a play,” Storino said. “We were extremely prepared going into the game, but we weren’t fast and explosive in that game.”

The Ironmen, meanwhile, have been one of the WPIAL’s most successful programs since the PIAA expanded to six classes in 2016. Steel Valley (9-3) has won three championships in that timespan, with the last coming in 2022.

The Ironmen also lost in the final in 2017 and 2023. Coach Ray Braszo said after Steel Valley’s 34-7 win over Western Beaver in the semifinals that the Ironmen were going to have to take care of the ball.

“We’re going to need to watch our mistakes,” he said. “We won, but had our share of miscues. We need to work on it because Seton LaSalle is an excellent team. That’s why they were the one seed.”

This year’s Steel Valley team is led by running back Da’Ron Barksdale, a Pitt commit. Barksdale has rushed for 1,505 yards on 191 carries. The Ironmen employ a run-heavy attack, as quarterback Tyson Barron has only attempted 49 passes this season.

Seton LaSalle (11-1) has found a way to maintain a high-octane offense that produces 39.7 points per game despite losing playmakers in the offseason. Wide receiver Khalil Taylor transferred to Pine-Richland, Southmoreland transfer Anthony Smith was denied eligibility, and another wide receiver, Tre Littlejohn, transferred to Penn Hills.

Kia Jones Jr. has stepped in at quarterback and thrown for 772 yards and seven touchdowns and added 440 yards on the ground. Kymarr Freeman leads the team with 1,321 rushing yards, averaging 12.1 yards per carry.

Storino said Seton LaSalle’s experienced offensive line has helped open things up for the Rebels. Seton LaSalle brought back three returning starters on the offensive line from last season: Ray Piaggesi, Dom Fani and Brody Dilla.

Aaron Lorrits, a senior tight end/defensive end, and senior Will Martin (TE/LB) have helped to bring the young players along.

“The blueprint for us is high-character kids,” Storino said. “We’ve had some kids step up and take on new roles.”

Ted Sarneso contributed to this story.

Tags: Seton La Salle, Steel Valley