The road to the WPIAL Championships inches closer this week as the quarterfinals and semifinals rounds kick off Friday night, with several teams from across the Beaver Valley still in contention.
Lets take a look at the eight matchups that will affect local teams, with one having an opportunity to make a final next week.
Class 4A: No. 1 Thomas Jefferson vs. No. 4 Aliquippa
7 p.m. at. Chartiers Valley High School
The Quips opened up the playoffs with a decisive 34-14 home win over Trinity.
After a slow start, Aliquippa used a 21-point second quarter to pull away. Senior running back and Penn State commit Tiqwai Hayes returned to the lineup and rushed 22 times for 176 yards and reached the end zone three times.
Marques Council Jr. also had a solid game under center as he was 7-for-15 passing for 147 yards and threw for two touchdowns.
The Jaguars come into the semifinals after defeating fellow Beaver Valley program West Allegheny last week at home 28-7.
Sophomore running back Tyler Eber toted the rock 38 times, rushing for 232 yards and found the end zone twice. Senior quarterback Luke Kosko threw for two touchdowns.
This is the first time these two schools have faced each other in the postseason since 2020, when Thomas Jefferson defeated the Quips in the final, 35-28.
Class 3A: No. 5 Avonworth at No. 4 Beaver Area
7 p.m. at Beaver Area High School
For the second time in two weeks, the Antelopes and Bobcats will face off at Pat Tarquinio Field. In the final week of the regular season, Beaver Area out-gained Avonworth 400 yards to 38 yards in three quarters and had a decisive 34-14 win.
Qualan Cain rushed for 184 yards that night and has been a workhorse for the Bobcats all season, rushing for 1,305 yards and 18 touchdowns.
While Beaver Area is coming off of a bye in the first round, the Antelopes are here after defeating Greensburg Salem 43-27. Dimitri Velisaris led the ground attack that racked up 341 total yards, rushing for 207 yards and three touchdowns.
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Class 3A: No. 7 Freeport at No. 2 Central Valley
7 p.m. at. Central Valley High School
Now back in Class 3A, the Warriors are looking to make a deep run in the postseason. The Warriors begin that quest after a bye last week.
Mason Dixon has led the offensive attack for Central Valley, rushing for 996 yards and 14 touchdowns while sophomore Jance Henry has battled injuries throughout the year while rushing for eight scores.
Senior quarterback Steven Rutherford has completed over 48 percent of his passes for 825 yards finding the end zone five times.
The Warriors suffered just one loss to a Class 3A team this year, falling to conference foe Avonworth on Sept. 27. Its other four losses are against Class 4A schools Montour, Thomas Jefferson, Belle Vernon and Class 5A North Hills.
Freeport comes into the matchup after defeating No. 10 Mt. Pleasant 44-20 last week.
Class 2A: No. 9 Riverside at No. 1 Seton LaSalle
7 p.m. at Dormont Memorial Stadium
Riverside is coming off a 29-8 road upset of of No. 8 Our Lady of the Sacred Heart in the first round. After the offense was dormant for the majority of the first half, Riverside put up 14 points in the final minute of the second quarter.
Robbie Janis led the Riverside rushing attack as he ran for 164 yards and two touchdowns.
Seton LaSalle had a first-round bye after going unbeaten in the regular season, posting a 9-0 record overall and a 6-0 record in Century Conference play.
Class 2A: No. 4 Steel Valley vs. No. 5 Western Beaver
7 p.m. at Moon Area High School
The Ironmen and Golden Beavers are coming off decisive first-round wins.
Steel Valley’s Barksdale brothers ― quarterback Da’Ron and running back Donald ― combined for six touchdowns in a 48-28 win over Washington last week, with Donald rushing for 224 yards.
Western Beaver rolled past No. 12 Carlynton 41-6 in its first home playoff game since 2007.
Vote: For the Times’ high school football player of the week for playoffs Week 1
Sophomore quarterback Jaivin Peel was 11-for-20 passing for 271 yards and five touchdowns while also rushing for a score.
Peel connected with senior wideout Chris Kirkland for three touchdowns while also finding Jadon Bishop for a 35-yard strike and running back Wyatt Sparbanie for a 37-yard score.
Class 2A: No. 6 South Allegheny at No. 3 Ellwood City
7 p.m. at Helling Stadium
For the first time since 2000, the Wolverines will host a home playoff game as they welcome the Gladiators, who defeated Waynesburg Central 53-14 last week.
Senior quarterback Ryan Cortes went 13-for-22 passing for three touchdowns. Along with Cortes, senior running back Cameron Epps rushed for 185 yards and two scores.
Ellwood City completed its first undefeated regular season since 1944 with a win over Beaver Falls on Oct. 25.
The Wolverines have been a balanced offensive unit this season with senior running back Elijah Palmer-McCane rushing for 1,328 yards and 18 touchdowns. Senior quarterback Chris Smiley has passed for 1,194 yards and 14 touchdowns while throwing just five interceptions. Smiley has also connected with five different receivers for touchdowns.
Class 1A: No. 1 Fort Cherry vs. No. 9 Cornell
7 p.m. at West Allegheny High School
These teams faced off in the regular season, with Fort Cherry defeating the Raiders 35-6 on Oct. 4.
The Rangers defeated Brentwood 56-14 in the regular season finale. Quarterback Matt Sieg passed for two touchdowns while rushing for one in the victory.
Cornell upset No. 8-seeded Leechburg 34-20 last week.
Class 1A: No. 3 Bishop Canevin vs. No. 11 South Side Area
7 p.m. at. South Fayette High School
The Rams are riding high into the quarterfinals after upsetting unbeaten No. 6 Jefferson-Morgan last week in the first round, 39-30.
AC Corfield rushed 24 times for 171 yards and two scores, while freshman running back Amare Moman rushed for 28 yards and two touchdowns.
The Crusaders defeated Bentworth 56-3 last week.
This article originally appeared on Beaver County Times: WPIAL high school football: Week 2 teams alive for Beaver Valley
