Quips heading back to title game after win over Allentown Central Catholic
Tagged under: District 11, District 7, Gameday Hub, News, Playoffs
Billy Splain | December 2, 2022
It wasn’t pretty. But a win is a win. Aliquippa overcame injuries and penalties thanks to a defense that force two interceptions and shut down the Vikings nearly the entire game, coming away with the 31-10 win. “There was some unnecessary things that we were doing that will get you beat against a good quality team, we have to eliminate that but this is something we wanted to accomplish. We’re not done” said Quips head coach Mike Warfield.
From the start, it looked like we were in for a good game. Central Catholic took possession after the opening kick at their 45 and marched straight to the 18 of Aliquippa but a sack on third down by Jayace Williams forced the Vikings to attempt a 32 yard field goal. The kick was good and Central Catholic held the early 3-0 lead. Both teams struggled to find footing in the first quarter, exchanging punts and drawing penalty flags. With Just under three minutes to go in the quarter, the Quips hit the big play. Tiqwai Hayes took the handoff and was off to the races for a 56 yard, one play touchdown jaunt. The point after was no good but Aliquippa had the 6-3 lead with 2:39 left in the first quarter. It was a lead the Quips would never relinquish.
Boom! @Tiqwaihayes 56 yards. @quip_nation 6 @acchs_football 3. 2:39 first pic.twitter.com/aHpZpX8Vfp
— Pennsylvania Football News (@PaFootballNews) December 3, 2022
After that, the scores came quickly for the Quips thanks to a defense that found it’s groove. “I wasn’t too worried about that. It usually takes us a little bit to get caught up to the speed. Until you see that speed in person you can’t adjust but we did there” said Warfield about falling behind early due to the hurry up offense the Vikings were running. On their next possession at their own 33, Guentin Goode hit John Tracy with a quick screen over the middle. Tracy did the rest hitting the sideline, making a nice move to stay inbounds then racing 66 yards. Once again they missed on the point after but held a 12-3 lead.
Screen pass from @lil_cheezg to John Tracy goes for 66 yards and the score! 9:18 second. @quip_nation 9-3 pic.twitter.com/if2omX3PMc
— Pennsylvania Football News (@PaFootballNews) December 3, 2022
The Quips defense forced the next two scores. Donovan Walker intercepted Tamlin Ferguson at the ACC 35. It took 9 plays, but eventually Tracy scored his second td of the night carrying the ball in from the five and with 4:23 left in the first half Aliquippa held a 18-3 lead. On the very next play Brandon Banks gave Tamlin his second interception putting the Quips on the Viking 28. Goode hit Banks down the left side and he slipped into the endzone putting Aliquippa up 24-3 just before the halftime break.
Two interceptions. Two yds in a row. @lil_cheezg to @b_banks6 28 yards. @quip_nation up 24-3 late second pic.twitter.com/ErAgdSLSDH
— Pennsylvania Football News (@PaFootballNews) December 3, 2022
The third quarter saw the Vikings best drive since the first one of the game, with ACC getting deep into Quip territory but the Aliquippa defense came up with a big 4th down stop to turn the comeback attempt away. Cameron Lindsey took the same screen pass that Banks had earlier and romped 49 yards for the final score for the Quips. The Vikings got a pick six late in the game, but it was the Quips defense that shined tonight.
Aliquippa earned a state title game rematch with Bishop McDevitt, a 35-0 winner over Crestwood.
Pics by Brendan Ricciardi
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