After challenging season, tradition-rich Beaver Falls eyes success in MAC
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Saturday, August 16, 2025 | 6:01 AM
Beaver Falls quarterback Xavier Clark throws a pass during practice on Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025, in Beaver Falls.
Beaver Falls’ Christian Dawkins works out during punt blocking drills at practice on Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025, in Beaver Falls.
Beaver Falls’ Keshawn Jameson catches a pass during practice on Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025, in Beaver Falls.
Beaver Falls’ Kenny Jewell catches a pass during practice on Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025, in Beaver Falls.
Beaver Falls head coach Jim Mooney talks with his team during practice on Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025, in Beaver Falls.
Beaver Falls quarterback Xavier Clark looks to pass during practice on Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025, in Beaver Falls.
When your football program boasts 122 years of tradition, not to mention six WPIAL football titles, you can consider yourself among the elite programs in Western Pennsylvania’s storied history.
Despite a winless 2024 season that included six shutouts and a scoring disparity of 306 points, things are trending up for coach Jim Mooney and the Beaver Falls Tigers. The air came out last season after an improbable run to the WPIAL Class 2A championship in 2023.
Beaver Falls returns nine starters on offense this fall, and all 11 starters on defense. Despite taking some lumps in the always rugged MAC, the character building and steady game time should pay off in more positive results for Mooney, who begins his second season at the helm after replacing Nick Nardone, who took the Tigers to four straight WPIAL championship games.
“We should carry 32-35 players into the season, and that’s good for us,” Mooney said. “I’m cautiously optimistic about this season. The kids have been working hard since the end of last year. They got a ton of experience along the way. We have a very nice freshman class, and it helps that our numbers are up for 2025.”
One player not coming back on offense is quarterback Austin Campbell who chose not to return. Stepping into his role for the Tigers is sophomore Xavier Clark, who saw plenty of time as a starting safety and also got snaps at wide receiver.
“I lost five seniors this past year, but only two of them had playing experience,” Mooney said. “We lost 14 off the WPIAL championship team. That’s a big dropoff in terms of talent to replace.
“Going into any season, you know there’s challenges. I’m a first-year head coach, not that it’s an excuse. I parted ways with my offensive coordinator in July prior to the start of the season, so I became the offensive coordinator and head coach, both jobs of which I’ve never done. I had a new defensive coordinator as well. We had a lot of learning to do as both coaches and players.”
Among some of the returning starters who should help Beaver Falls are senior Jacob Jesseman, who will help to support the line on both sides of the ball, along with senior wide receiver Kenny Jewell, who caught 22 passes in 2024. He will also play safety.
Mooney highlighted some of younger players on his roster who he expects to have an impact, including lineman Robert Bensing; Jaxson Jesseman, the younger brother of Jesse will also see time on the line; and skill position help from Jackson Quinn.
“We were not physically there last season,” Mooney said. “At one time, I was starting seven freshman. You put them on the field with juniors and seniors with a lot of playing time and the results showed that. We had a JV team last year.”
Despite the struggles of last season, Mooney cited the support of the community and how it helped in what was a rough campaign. His sights are also set on a much different record.
“I want us to win football games,” he said. “I can give you every cliché in the book. We’re going to take it one game at a time. But I can tell you that there won’t be one team we line up against that I don’t think we can beat.
“It’s Beaver Falls man, our expectations aren’t changing. Each day the message changes. Right now, I want to win practice today. I want to see guys playing techniques they are being taught. I don’t want to see balls on the ground. That’s how we win.”
Beaver Falls
Coach: Jim Mooney
2024 record: 0-10, 0-7 in Class 2A Midwestern Conference
All-time record: 705-437-52
SCHEDULE
Date, Opponent, Time
8.22 Blackhawk, 7
8.29 Imani Christian Academy, 7
9.5 at South Side, 7
9.12 Western Beaver*, 7
9.19 Mohawk*, 7
9.26 at Freedom*, 7
10.3 Union*, 7
10.10 at New Brighton*, 7
10.17 at Riverside *, 7
10.24 Ellwood City*, 7
*Conference game
STATISTICAL LEADERS
Passing: Austin Campbell**
60-126, 623 yards, 2 TDs
Rushing: Za’Saun McElvy*
105-401 yards, 4 TDs
Receiving: McElvy*
23-343 yards
*Graduated
**Did not return to team
FAST FACTS
• There have been numerous players to come out of Beaver Falls that played in the NFL, but the school’s most famous alum is Joe Namath, who graduated in 1961, went to Alabama and later won arguably the most famous Super Bowl ever played with his “guarantee” to defeat the Baltimore Colts in 1969. The 16-7 win for the upstart AFL Jets is still regarded the most shocking win in the game’s 59-year history.
• Of the school’s six WPIAL titles, it’s first came in 1924.
• Beaver Falls is one of eight WPIAL schools in the 700-win club (705).
Tags: Beaver Falls
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