Steel Valley defeats Beaver Falls to win WPIAL 2A Championship

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Andrew Schaffer | November 25, 2022

It was big plays and defense that won the game for Steel Valley in their 34-14 win over Beaver Falls. “Some people throw long passes, some people have long runs that’s how we’ve been winning, they come through that line and they’re gone” said Coach Braszo.

The first quarter was certainly a wild one. Steel Valley got the ball first and on the second play of the drive. Cruce Brookins scored on a 56 yard run to make the score 6-0 Steel Valley with 11:01 in the first quarter.

Brookins Opens up the Scoring for Steel Valley

The first drive for Beaver Falls wasn’t a very successful as they went three and out. Steel Valley also went three and out on their second drive.

The second drive for Beaver Falls started at their own 36 yard line. After a big pass they were into Steel Valley territory. On fourth down Beaver Falls went for it and they got a big pass interference call. A couple plays after that Jaren Brickner found Trey Singleton for a 24 yard touchdown pass. That gave Beaver Falls an 8-6 lead with 1:53 in the first quarter.

On the next drive it didn’t take long for Steel Valley to retake the lead. Cruce Brookins scored on a 53 yard run making it 13-8 Steel Valley. Brookins was a major factor in the win for Steel Valley he had 183 yards on 17 carries. “It was great but I was just trying to get the win” said Brookins.

On the next drive for Beaver Falls another big moment occurred on second down the ball was intercepted and returned by Donald Barksdale for a 53 yard touchdown with 28 seconds left in the first quarter. That made the score 20-8 Steel Valley. “That was huge  after that we started feeling pretty good, that was a big part of this game” said Coach Braszo.

Barksdale finds the endzone to extend the Ironmen lead

The second quarter was pretty much uneventful. Steel Valley had the ball deep in Beaver Falls territory but several penalties stalled the drive.

Late in the quarter Beaver Falls was putting a great drive together. A big pass got them into Steel Valley territory but later in the drive a pass was intercepted by Cruce Brookins. “Those were all big plays because the game isn’t over” said Coach Braszo. The score at halftime was 20-8 Steel Valley.

Beaver Falls started the second half with the ball and was a good long drive. Eventually Da’Talian Beauford scored on a 2 yard run which made the score 20-14 Steel Valley. The drive took 11 plays and went 68 yards and took up 5:04 in the third quarter.

It didn’t take long for Steel Valley to respond the kickoff was returned down to the Beaver Falls 22 yard line and on the second play Cruce Brookins scored for a third time on a 5 yard run. That made the score 27-14 Steel Valley with 6:07 in the third quarter.

Later in the game Steel Valley was driving and went to go punt the ball the kick was blocked and Beaver Falls started at the Steel Valley 24 yard line. After a couple of plays and a first down the ball was fumbled and Steel Valley recovered. Steel Valley’s defense was a factor in their win. “That’s the strength of our team” said Coach Braszo.

Donald Barksdale and JeSean Wright celebrate after the game capping TD

Before the game ended Steel Valley added one last touchdown on a 56 yard run by by Donald Barksdale that made the final score 34-14 Steel Valley.

Next week Steel Valley plays the winner of the Westinghouse Farrell game in the PIAA 2A Semifinals.

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