Now-experienced Beaver Falls lineup looks to return to contender status

By: HSSN Staff
Wednesday, August 15, 2018 | 10:33 PM

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After winning both the WPIAL and PIAA championships in 2016, it was an un-Beaver Falls-like 2017 season.

The Tigers finished 1-8 overall and 0-6 in Beaver County Conference play.

“Coming off that championship year, we were very young,” Beaver Falls coach Nick Nardone said. “We only had one returning starter, and he was banged up for much of the year.”

The season also ended the streak of 10 consecutive years in the WPIAL playoffs.

Nardone hopes the experience gained by newcomers last year will get the program back to its accustomed position near the top of the conference standings.

“We were playing 11 new guys on both sides of the ball,” Nardone said. “We pretty much have everyone back. A lot of returnees come back with experience in varsity ball.”

Only six seniors graduated, including leading receiver Adam Brady.

One key returnee is junior quarterback Noah Vaughn, a converted running back who finished the season behind center when quarterback Dayln Brickner suffered a season-ending broken collarbone. Vaughn also plays middle linebacker.

Beaver Falls also will welcome the versatile Amen Cottrill back to town. Cottrill, who can play defensive back, wide receiver, slot receiver and running back, has returned after spending last year in the Beaver Area School District.

Also back is Dante Collins, a tight end/middle linebacker who was part of the 2016 title team as a sophomore. Collins suffered a separated shoulder and missed the last six games in 2017.

The Tigers will continue to run a 4-3 defense.

Last year’s struggles didn’t deter students from wanting to be part of the team; Nardone reports that more than 40 players will be wearing the orange and black.

After many years where Beaver Falls had a distinct local flavor in its schedule, the Tigers will be in for some lengthy bus trips as part of the new Tri-County West Conference.

To be sure, rivals Aliquippa, Central Valley and Hopewell will still be around, but Nardone is anxious to see what other schools have to offer.

“It will be different, for sure,” the second-year coach said. “We’ve never had to travel as much as we will this year. It’ll be cool to see different parts of the area, and we’re looking to see what other schools have to offer.”

Beaver Falls will take to the road to play South Park, Waynesburg and Uniontown. The Uniontown game is a nonconference encounter, while South Park, Waynesburg and Keystone Oaks will be Tri-County contests.

The Tigers’ home field, Geneva College’s Reeves Field, has also undergone a surface facelift.

There is new, artificial turf, with alternating shades of green every 5 yards. The width of the field has also been expanded in order to accommodate soccer.

Beaver Falls will begin its 115th football season with a familiar foe – Ellwood City. The rivalry with that school dates to 1907.

Another factor that might help Beaver Falls rebound from last year is six home games on the schedule.

Schedule

Coach: Nick Nardone

2017 record: 1-8, 0-6

All-time record: 649-408-52

Date, Opponent, Time

8.24, Ellwood City, 7 p.m.

8.31, at South Park*, 7 p.m.

9.7, at Central Valley*, 7 p.m.

9.14, Quaker Valley*, 7 p.m.

9.21, Aliquippa*, 7 p.m.

9.28, at Uniontown, 7 p.m.

10.5, Keystone Oaks*, 7 p.m.

10.12, at Waynesburg*, 7 p.m.

10.19, Blackhawk, 7 p.m.

10.26, Hopewell*, 7 p.m.

*Class 3A Tri-County West Conference

Statistical leaders

Passing: Noah Vaughn

31-89, 516 yards, 3 TDs

Rushing: Dayln Brickner

67-454 yards, 6 TDs

Receiving: Adam Brady*

25-443 yards, 4 TDs

*Graduated

George Guido is a freelance writer.

Tags: Beaver Falls