Highway to Hershey week 1 of 2 Central Valley Defeats Bald Eagle Area 45-0

    

Recap

      In the PIAA state playoffs semi-finals game on 11/29/19 the Central Valley Warriors faced the Bald Eagle Area Eagles. Coming off the bye week the Warriors were feeling rejuvenated with an “Extra hop in their step,” as head coach Mark Lyons put it. This was absolutely the case, the Eagles never lit up their side of the score board, as the Warriors pitched a shutout for the second time this season (Week 1 vs Quaker Valley 55-0). The Warriors never really let the Eagles have a chance in the game as they only had 3 trips to the red zone; 2 ending in INTs, one by Reed FitzSimmons on the last play of the 1st half, and another by Matt Merritt, which he would take to the house for a 90-yard pick 6. The only other time the Eagles appeared in the red zone, it was a missed field goal from 30 yards out.

     The Warriors’ recent win, an emotional classic vs Aliquippa, at Heinz Field for the class 3A title didn’t hinder their ability to preform in the semi-finals game.

     Reed FitzSimmons, a senior offensive lineman-linebacker who played despite a broken wrist suffered in the WPIAL title game states, “Obviously, you don’t want to come in and be cocky,” “We had two weeks to celebrate winning a WPIAL title,” Fitzsimmons said. “We got it out of us and now we want to win a state title.” 

The Game

     The Warriors’ quick-strike offense was on full display all throughout the game, as well as their unselfish play as a defensive unit, and a whole team.

     The Warriors on their first drive, drove 91- yards to Bald Eagle’s 1 yard line but couldn’t punch it in when they went for it on fourth and goal. 2 plays later, #44 Justin Thompson smothered Bald Eagle’s Quarterback Jaden Jones in the end zone for a sack-safety.  Later, a 15-yard rushing touchdown by Jaylen Guy. On the kickoff after, Central Valley recovered a fumble at Bald Eagle’s 30-yard line. 1 play later, Ameer Dudley throws a home run strike to #8 Jawon Hall for a touchdown. 

These two touchdowns coming only eleven seconds apart. The half would be topped off by a double reverse taken in for a touchdown by #21 Michael Barbudo and an INT by Reed FitzSimmons. This would make it 28-0 at the half. 

Central Valley didn’t back off either in the third quarter, making it 35-0 heading into the fourth. Late in the fourth, a 90-yard pick 6 touchdown for #6 Matt Merritt. This would make it 45-0, dashing the slim hope Bald Eagle had of winning and proved to be too much to overcome as they fell to the Warriors 45-0.

“I’ve been talking about this since I was a young kid,” senior tackle Jake Wilson stated. “I’ve always wanted to go to Hershey.”

“It means a lot for our seniors. This is the first time in five years we’re going,” junior quarterback Ameer Dudley stated, “We went through a whole generation of high school that didn’t go to a state championship, so this is like starting over.” 

Destination Hershey: PIAA 3A state championship preview 

The Central Valley Warriors will face the Wyoming Area Warriors for the class 3A Pennsylvania state title at HersheyPark Stadium in Hershey, PA @12 noon on 12/7/19. Both teams are 13-1 and undefeated in conference play. A win for Central Valley (or Wyoming Area for that matter) would be their first in school history. The Center and Monaca school districts never won a state championship title either. Central Valley’s only trip to Chocolate Town was in 2014 against Archbishop Wood, who they lost to 33-14. 

Central Valley will look to keep their current dominance going and reverse what came of the 2014 PIAA state championship game. 

Photos and Highlight Reel Video

Sources: 
https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/high-school-football/2019/11/29/PIAA-Class-3A-semifinal-Central-Valley-dominates-Bald-Eagle-in-PIAA-Class-3A-semifinal/stories/201911290148?cid=search

timesonline.com/sports/20191129/central-valley-routs-bald-eagle-to-book-spot-in-state-final

Road to Heinz week 3 WPIAL championship/ PIAA semi-finals preview

“ Warriors receiver Michael Barbuto ran for a 10-yard touchdown on the first play of overtime as his entire offensive line pushed him in from behind, then Ethan Ott drilled the extra point to give Central Valley a seven-point lead.  Aliquippa scored and coach Mike Warfield decided to try for the win, but Isaiah Towler was stopped at the 2 and the game ended.” According to Warfield, Aliquippa’s coach, “We were struggling a little bit, as far as kicking the ball, and we didn’t want to put that on our kicker,” Warfield said. “We didn’t make it. They made a good play. I’m not going to second-guess that.”

“Nobody’s heads were down when [Aliquippa] scored,” Warriors coach Mark Lyons said. “They were just anxious to get lined up and let the whistle blow, and let’s play and see what happens.” Lyons now has three WPIAL titles in 10 seasons as Central Valley’s head coach, since the merger of the Monaca and Center school districts in 2010. “I think our defense has been flying under the radar all year, and that’s OK,” Lyons said. “Our skill guys get a lot of the publicity and rightfully so, but our defense, they know what’s important this time of year.”

The teams went nearly 24 minutes without a point before the Quips got the scoring started as Aliquippa quarterback Vaughn Morris hooked up with wide receiver Chinua Solomon for an 11-yard scoring strike on third-and-9 with 22 seconds left in the half. Daniel Elmore’s extra point attempt went wide right, but the Quips took a 6-0 lead into the break.

After a scoreless third quarter, Dudley led the Warriors down the field for a game-tying score early in the fourth, finding Guy wide open for an 8-yard touchdown pass on fourth-and-goal. But Ott missed the extra point wide to the left to keep the score tied, 6-6, sending the game into overtime and setting the stage for Barbuto’s heroics.

Check out a highlight reel of the game Below!

The Warriors will face the Bald Eagle Area( PA) Eagles @ Moon Area High School on 11/29/19 @7:00. A win for the Warriors will send them to their second PIAA state championship in school history, since the merger of the Monaca and Center school districts in 2010. The Warriors have never won a state championship, their only trip to Hershey was in 2014 where they would end up losing. If they win Central Valley will face the winner of the Wyoming Area (PA)/Tamaqua (PA) game.

Sources:
https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/high-school-football/2019/11/18/WPIAL-football-championship-2019-Central-Valley-Aliquippa-Mark-Lyons/stories/201911170200

https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/high-school-football/2019/11/16/WPIAL-Class-3A-Final-central-valley-aliquippa-high-school-football-championships/stories/201911160057

Road to Heinz:WPIAL playoffs week 2 preview/ week 1 recap Aliquippa vs Central Valley

Central Valley routed the Derry Area Trojans in a playoff rivalry game to see who would end up in Heinz Field this year. Final score 42-7 in favor of the Warriors.

Derry football coach Tim Sweeney said Central Valley’s greatest strength is the fact that they don’t have a weakness. 

Top-seeded Central Valley piled up the yardage, and the big plays, and mercy-ruled the Trojans, 42-7, in the WPIAL Class 3A semifinals Friday night at North Allegheny’s Newman Stadium. No. 4 Derry (9-3) was seeking its second straight trip to the finals, but the Trojans could not muster offense from the start and saw two key starters go down with injuries in the first half. Derry did not register a first down in the first half as it fell behind, 42-0. Stephon Hall scored three rushing touchdowns (2, 4 and 4 yards) and quarterback Ameer Dudley threw for 245 yards and a touchdown and also ran for two scores — all in the first half. Dudley topped the 1,500-yard passing mark for the season and now has 20 TD passes.He threw an 80-yard bomb to Jawon Hall, who pulled in two deep passes and had 134 receiving yards.

“We run to the football,” Lyons said.  “Our guys know their assignments and they have a lot of speed too.”

“It wasn’t just about their team speed,” Sweeney said. “It’s on me. We didn’t do enough tonight.”

Central Valley rolled up 524 yards, including 279 rushing. Jaylen Guy ran for 78 yards on 19 carries. Backup Landon Alexander added 60 in the second half. Jayvin Thompson had an interception for the Warriors.

Central Valley (11-1) will play for the class AAA WPIAL championship title at Heinz Field against the Aliquippa Quips (11-1) on 11/16/19 @2 P.M. Game broadcasted on TRIBLIVE and televised on The CW network for Pittsburgh. 

The Warriors will try to win their first WPIAL championship since 2014 when they would get to the class AAA PIAA state championship. The Warriors have won 2 WPIAL championships since their inception in 2010, 2013 and 2015. Their last trip to Heinz was in 2015 where they would eventually lose. Aliquippa will try to repeat their previous Hienz Field outcome, winning and eventually winning states.

Below is a recap/ highlight video of both games. Enjoy!

Sources: https://tribhssn.triblive.com/central-valley-shows-no-weakness-routs-derry/
Let’s Go Warriors!!!!

Road to Heinz: 3A Playoffs week 1 Central Valley vs Mt. Pleasant preview

Central Valley is coming off an absolute dominant performance against the, then, 1st ranked Aliquippa Quips. It was the shock of the season as some may say. That win earned them the #1 seed in the 3A playoffs dropping Aliquippa to #2. The Warriors (9-1) will face the Mt. Pleasant Vikings (5-5)  on 11/1/19 in a home playoff game in Sarge Alberts Stadium. Central Valley is the favorite team to win the WPIAL championship game vs the Finalist favorite Quips at Heinz Field on 11/16/19. The Vikings are coming off a relatively average season in 3A only winning 5 games. The Warriors hope to keep their winning ways going with their solid, at times looking, unbreakable defense, and their steady explosive play offense with weapons such as Ameer Dudley, Jaylen Guy, Jawon Hall, Myles Walker, who is also a solid Special Teams weapon, and Michael Barbudo. The game on Friday is a 7:00 kickoff at Sarge Alberts Stadium.

Watch my inspirational hype video!

Let’s Go Warriors!

Central Valley vs Aliquippa, Week 9 recap

On Friday 10/25/29, Central Valley crushed Aliquippa 45-6 in a Tri-County West showdown to decide 1st place in the conference. The game started with Aliquippa fumbling the ball on the first play from scrimmage, it was recovered by #6 Matt Merit. Quarterback #3 Ameer Dudley took the ball in himself for a TD. Later, Dudley completed a long pass to #21 Michael Barbudo. This drive was capped off by a 6-yard TD run by #2 Jaylen Guy. Guy would later get another rushing TD. Later, Aliquippa tried to come back with a long drive, but later fumbled into #51 Reed Fitzsimmons’ hands who returned it for a TD. Central Valley then attacked in the air, Dudley threw on to #8 Jawon Hall for a long TD pass. Jawon would later catch another TD pass. Central Valley then drive deep into Aliquippa territory, but could only settle for a field goal by #19 Ethan Ott. In the 4th Quarter, Aliquippa finally got on to the score card with a passing TD, but failed a 2 point try. Central Valley rolls over Aliquippa. Central Valley’s 1st round playoff opponent is TBD on Monday 10/28/19 at 7:00 P.M.

CV football week 4 recap/ Week 5 preview

Central Valley faced the Keystone Oaks Golden Eagles on 9/20/19. The crowd there observed a blowout on The Warriors senior night. The final was 56-6 Central Valley. Central Valley, for the second straight game, scored on their first play; Ameer Dudley handed the ball off to Jaylen Guy for a 44 yard rushing touchdown.Next, Dudley took it in himself for a 47 yard touchdown on his lonesome. Still in the first, Dudley throws on to Jawon Hall for a 15 yard passing touchdown. Later in the first, Dudley finds Michael Borbudo for a 23 yard jump ball touchdown. The Warriors scoring frenzy in the first would go unmatched and proved to be enough to get the job done. In week 5 they head to Waynesburg to face a 2-3 Raiders squad in a 3A tri-county west conference matchup. Check out my Week 4 recap Highlight video above

Also check out the best high school marching band around! Click!

Central Valley week 4 preview

Central Valley is coming off a resounding win versus the non-conference North Catholic Trojans 35-14. The 4-0 Warriors will face the 3-1 Golden Eagles Of Keystone Oaks in a conference matchup. The Golden Eagles are coming off their first loss of the season against the South Park Eagles 28-14. Last year The Warriors prevailed @Keystone Oaks 28-27 for their first win of the 2018-19 season, (record of 5-6) which ended in a blowout playoff game @ Derry. The Warriors hope to keep their recent success going and also hope to stay undefeated in the process. After their win on Friday, Coach Mark Lyons had this to say about his star QB Ameer Dudley, “I thought Ameer had a solid performance with his legs,” said Lyons. “He might not have been as sharp in the air as we wanted him — and he knows that — but I thought he made up for it with his legs. We have enough balance where we don’t need to force it to anybody.” Later talking to Ameer,  Dudley is quoted saying, “I feel like we’re really hard to beat when we’re all playing at a high level.” This wasn’t an understatement, The Warriors have outscored their opposition 143-35 in the first 4 games. It shows why they are tied for first in the Wpial AAA Tri-County West conference with the 4-0 Aliquippa Quips.