McKenzie’s big day leads Quips to 2018 PIAA class 3A title

Tagged under: District 3, District 7, News

Phil Myers | December 9, 2018

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On a cold Saturday afternoon at Hersheypark Stadium, Aliquippa’s Avante McKenzie warmed the Quip faithful by slicing, dicing, and at times, powering his way to 198 yards and four touchdowns to give his team the 35-0 triumph over Middletown earning the Quips the Class AAA crown.  Aliquippa’s victory gave them their third state title, the first since 2003.  (A guy named Derrelle Revis helped them win that championship by scoring five touchdowns).

McKenzie scored on runs of 5, 35, 1, and 80 yards.  The 80-yard dash sank the Blue Raider ship and gave the Quips a 28-0 lead twenty-two seconds into the final quarter.  With each score though, one could see the wind deflate out of the Raider sails.  The Quips however, led only 7-0 at half time thanks to an 80-yard drive late in the first quarter that was capped off with The Chief’s (McKenzie) five-yard run and Daniel Elmore’s PAT.

The Middletown Blue Raiders stayed in the game with two picks and a fumble recovery in the opening half.  Four of the Raider six first half possessions ended in Quip territory, but Aliquippa’s steel curtain defense came up big each time.  The main Mid-town threats arose in the second quarter.

The first occurred when Antonio Bryant recovered a fumble at the Quip 33 and returned it to the 16.  Three plays netted six yards to the Quip ten.  On fourth down, Coach Brett Myers elected to go for it trailing by a touchdown.  Scott Ash’s pass fell incomplete and the Quips thwarted scoring chance number one.  The second happened late in the half when Middletown drove to the Aliquippa thirteen.  With five ticks on the clock, Avery Williams’ field goal attempt into the wind was short.  Middletown never threatened again.

On Aliquippa’s second drive of half two, McKenzie ended the 55-yard scoring drive with the 35-yard gallop.  Elmore’s second of five PATs gave the Black and Red a 14-0 margin.  The Chief leapt over the pile for his one-yard score with a minute to go in the third stanza.  He finished his four TD spree with a sprint up the middle for 80 yards early in the fourth.  Eli Kosanovich’s eight-yard TD toss to Gevod Tyson gave the winners a 35-0 lead.  As a result, the Mercy Rule went into effect for the last 7:43 of the game.

Aliquippa outgained Middletown 410 yards to 168, holding Mid-town to a measly 24 total yards in the second half.  Kosanovich ended with 162 yards passing, one touchdown, and two interceptions.  For the Blue Raiders, Jose Lopez was most of their offense.  He garnered 145 yards rushing on 22 carries.  This was Middletown’s third straight trip to the Class AAA finals, but each time they’ve fallen short to a Beaver County team from District 7.  This was Mike Warfield’s first year coaching the Quips, and obviously was well worth it.  His team finished the season 14-1, while Middletown ended the year 14-2.

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