WPIAL Class 3A final preview: Derry set to face perennial contender Aliquippa in title-game debut

By: HSSN Staff
Wednesday, November 14, 2018 | 6:21 PM

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One team is one of the most decorated football programs in WPIAL history. The other is attempting to make history.

That’s whats’s on tap for the WPIAL Class 3A championship game, set for 2 p.m. Saturday at Heinz Field when perennial power Aliquippa, seeded No. 1, battles No. 2 Derry.

Aliquippa (11-1) has won a WPIAL-record 16 titles and played in 28 championship games, including 11 straight and counting. Derry is making its first trip to the championship game.

It’s a classic David vs. Goliath matchup.

“They’ve played there so many times, maybe they should rename the stadium Quips Field,” Derry coach Tim Sweeney said.

This will be the 13th time Aliquippa has played in the championship game at Heinz Field. The Quips have won five times and lost seven since Heinz Field opened in 2001.

In fact, the Quips have dropped title games the past two seasons: 35-32 to Beaver Falls in 2016 and 2-0 to Quaker Valley in 2017.

First-year Aliquippa coach Mike Warfield played quarterback for the Quips. He graduated in 1987 and went on to play at Catawba in North Carolina. He’s been to the WPIAL championship game five times as an assistant coach at Aliquippa and Central Valley, so he’s familiar with what’s in store.

“I hope the players have amnesia (from the past two years),” Warfield said. “I believe they will. They’ve worked hard and know the job in front of them. Derry’s a good football team.”

Aliquippa was stunned in the final game of the regular season, falling to Central Valley, 14-8. A week later, Derry blanked Central Valley, 46-0.

“Central Valley deserves all the credit,” Warfield said. “We were outcoached and outplayed. Derry showed me a lot when it won the next week. I’d say they should be favored.”

Aliquippa has a balanced offensive attack led by senior running back Avante McKenzie, who has rushed for 1,386 yards and 29 touchdowns, and senior quarterback Eli Kosanovich, who has thrown for 2,471 yards and 31 scores.

The other dangerous offensive players are M.J. Devonshire, who had eight punt returns for scores and 19 total touchdowns, and William Gipson, who has 46 catches for 1,329 yards and 15 touchdowns.

“Avante and Eli are not only great players and leaders, they are solid in the classroom and on the field,” Warfield said. “M.J. is another great player.”

Derry (11-1) is coming off its biggest win in school history and maybe the biggest comeback in WPIAL playoff history.

The Trojans trailed North Catholic in the semifinals by three touchdowns late in the third quarter Friday but rallied to score the game’s final 28 points for a stunning 36-29 victory.

Now, Sweeney has the job of getting his players refocused for Aliquippa and the championship game.

And considering how far Sweeney has brought the program since he took over in 2014, a year after the team allowed 563 points, went 0-10 and allowed more than 50 points in every game, the task isn’t daunting.

“This is great,” Sweeney said about making the championship game. “This is why we work so hard to do the things we do.

“We’re happy we’re here. We get an extra day to prepare, and, hopefully, we’ll have a good week of preparation and be ready to go.”

Sweeney and his players say they plan to just keep things simple.

“We’re going to focus and do what we do best,” senior linebacker Dom DeLuca said. “Aliquippa has a lot of tradition, but we have to play our game.”

What Derry does best is run the football with a stable of backs.

Senior Justin Flack has carried the Trojans because of injuries. He rushed for 1,240 yards and scored 35 touchdowns. Now he’s getting help because Derry is getting healthy.

Onreey Stewart, who rushed for 203 yards against North Catholic, is back after recovering from a shoulder injury sustained against South Park. He’s rushed for 984 yards and scored seven times.

Also back are Colton Nemcheck and Justin Huss, who began the season nursing injuries.

Stewart said the key has been the play of the offensive linemen.

“They go out and block their heart out,” Stewart said. “We’re looking forward to working hard and preparing for the championship game.”

One of the jobs Sweeney has is getting the players adjusted to the atmosphere at Heinz Field and focusing on the game.

“You don’t want to show up at Oakmont (Country Club) and the first time playing and hit three or four shots out of bounds. You can’t recover,” he said.

“The same thing with going to Heinz Field. You can’t get too hyped up, and we can’t get too caught up in the moment. We have to realize this moment isn’t bigger than we are, and certainly not bigger than Aliquippa because it plays there every year.”

Now Sweeney wouldn’t mind if Derry starts making annual trips to Heinz Field.

Paul Schofield is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Paul at pschofield@tribweb.com or via Twitter @Schofield_Trib.

Tags: Aliquippa, Derry Area