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Aliquippa Defense Dominates Leopards Run in 33-25 Thriller

Tagged under: District 7, News

| November 7, 2020

The stars were out on a clear cool night in Aliquippa, set for a big time WPIAL semifinal matchup between Aliquippa and Belle Vernon. The quips, playing up into 4A due to the PIAA success formula, dominated the competition regardless. Led by a bevy of offensive weapons, the Quips’ explosive offense hadn’t been held to under 31 points the entire year. The Leopards on the other hand were led by a deep defense that had held 5 out of the 7 regular season teams on the schedule scoreless. 

 

The highlights started early, as on the second play from scrimmage, Leopards freshman phenom. Both teams would trade turnovers and big defensive stops for the majority of the quarter, going for blow for blow with the score 6-0. Finally, Devin Whitlock would take matters into his own hands, making it 13-0 after a punt return TD. 

The quips wouldn’t be held down in the same way the Leopards ran away from the Chartiers Valley Colts a week prior. An opportune fumble by Devin Whitlock gave the Quips fantastic field position which would lead to a Vaughn Morris carry in for the Quips first points.

The Leopards would build on their momentum with a 76 yard Devin Whitlock carry to the goal line and an ensuing TD run to put the Leopards up 19-7. 

The Quips used preceding drives to gain a competitive edge gameplan wise, and it paid off on the following drives. The Quips used a long bomb to set up a handoff to Karl McBride to put the Quips right back within striking distance. A fumble by Devin Whitlock gave the Quips the opportunity to take the lead, which they seized. 

From then on, the Aliquippa defense stood up as the offense did what it needed to win. The Leopards offense appeared one dimensional up until the final drive of the game. Their inability to pass would be their downfall. 

 

On the offense, a deep bomb from Morris to Dorious Moreland put the Quips up by 8 in the early 3rd. And then in the mid 4th, Vernon Redd iced it to put the Quips up by 14. 

The Leopards made it interesting with a 39 yard scamper by Devin Whitlock to pull within 8 once again, however the Quips offense would once again pull through, running out the clock on the Leopards season. 

What’s Next: The Quips will play the defending WPIAL champs in the 4A Final at North Allegheny on Saturday at 1 in the Thomas Jefferson Jaguars

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