2022 Week 14 (Pennsylvania)
It’s definitely strange to call it Acrisure Stadium. Though, after years of Cleveland Browns Stadium being renamed FirstEnergy Stadium, it is a bit funny that not only did the Steelers lose their naming rights partner that was Pittsburgh based, but now is named after a company that most probably still have no idea what they do.
But they were hosting the WPIAL finals yet again. So, that’s where I’d be on Black Friday. With the first game scheduled for a late morning kickoff at 11am, I left home a bit after 9am. Heading east on US422 and shunpiked the Beaver Valley Expressway and just continued east to I-79. Stopping for breakfast at the Pilot/McDonald’s that wasn’t busy.
At on the way south and into town. It’s easier getting to the stadium from this direction anyways than coming through the tubes or around the West End or Ohio River Blvd. I park near the Science Center usually. But this time, they had a sign saying no event parking. Though, there was an attendant. So, I told them I’m media and have always parked in Lot 32. They let me park. Was going to get a photo of the stadium posted, but didn’t. As I wanted to get down to the field. Made my way through the media entrance and down through the tunnels past the Pitt Panthers lockerroom and toward the Steelers pregame tunnel entrance.
All four of the games featured teams I had seen before. And only one of the games seemed to have a pretty even matchup. First up, was Bishop Canevin and Union. This was my third time seeing Bishop Canevin. Both previous games were home games at Dormont Stadium. This was also my third time seeing Union. First was a road game at Shenango, and second was a home game during the Covid season against Cornell. Which went to overtime and the Scotties won.
#87 – Bishop Canevin v. Union
WPIAL Class 1A Championship – Bishop Canevin v. Union at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA. #87 @PaFootballNews pic.twitter.com/b7uv0pNxqZ
— Sykotyk (@Sykotyk) November 25, 2022
I honestly was expecting Bishop Canevin to win this one. And wasn’t expecting a close game. But, Union had other ideas. Primarily, Bishop Canevin didn’t expect a dog fight, and when they got down by two scores, with a pick six essentially sealing it, put them in a position they were ill equipped to respond.
Braylon Thomas, their QB, started with a TD run of 6 yards, before being denied on a 4th and goal diving attempt. In the third quarter, he added a 38 yard run to go up 14-0. Matt Stanley then added to the score by ripping the ball from the runner, and racing in for six, to go up 20-0. And two minutes later, Mike Gunn put it away, with a pick six to go up 26-0.
WPIAL Class 1A Championship – Union 26, Bishop Canevin 0 – Final #87 @PaFootballNews @UnionScotties pic.twitter.com/G5hCDAi3WM
— Sykotyk (@Sykotyk) November 25, 2022
Everyone knows where Union Area is now!
Union Scotties are your 2022 WPIAL Class 1A Champions!@PaFootballNews @UnionScotties pic.twitter.com/iL1EvJWVzM
— Sykotyk (@Sykotyk) November 25, 2022
#88 – Steel Valley v. Beaver Falls
WPIAL Class 2A Championship – Steel Valley v. Beaver Falls at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, PA. #88 @PaFootballNews pic.twitter.com/X8HWoQuHz2
— Sykotyk (@Sykotyk) November 25, 2022
Next up was the 2A contest between the Ironmen and Tigers. Steel Valley were the favorites, thanks to Cruce Brookins. A 56 yard run and a 53 yard run would go up 13-8. Donald Barksdale would add a 53 yard pick six to go up 20-8 after one. The explosive first quarter led to a scoreless second quarter.
WPIAL Class 2A Championship – Steel Valley 20, Beaver Falls 8 – Half #88 @PaFootballNews pic.twitter.com/JvHh93b0Py
— Sykotyk (@Sykotyk) November 25, 2022
In the second half, Cruce Brookins would add a 5 yard TD run. Before Donald Barksdale would put it away with a 56 yard run with 3:06 left. Winning, 34-14 over Beaver Falls.
WPIAL Class 2A Championship – Steel Valley 34, Beaver Falls 14 – Final #88 @PaFootballNews @SteelValleySD @BrookinsCruce pic.twitter.com/iHloM3iGWQ
— Sykotyk (@Sykotyk) November 25, 2022
The Steel Valley Ironmen are your WPIAL Class 2A Champions!@PaFootballNews @SteelValleySD pic.twitter.com/OXRB6iaiCj
— Sykotyk (@Sykotyk) November 25, 2022
#89 – Belle Vernon v. Avonworth
WPIAL Class 3A Championship – Belle Vernon v. Avonworth at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, PA. #89 @PaFootballNews pic.twitter.com/Yk4WsnInGZ
— Sykotyk (@Sykotyk) November 25, 2022
Despite the advantages, Belle Vernon stayed scoreless through the first quarter. While Avonworth’s ploy of ball control was working. Brand Biagiarelli would score first on a 1 yard run 24 seconds into the second quarter. But then Belle Vernon would answer. After an incomplete would force a field goal, Quinton Martin would add a 4th down, 32 yard TD reception to put the Leopards up, 10-7 with 1:15 left in the half.
WPIAL Class 3A Championship – Belle Vernon 10, Avonworth 7 – Half #89 @PaFootballNews @BVAHS @AvonworthFB pic.twitter.com/ZNLeehthrP
— Sykotyk (@Sykotyk) November 25, 2022
In the second half, Martin would take a long punt return across the field, missing tacklers, for a touchdown. Setting the score at 17-7 and essentially putting it away. Avonworth just did not have the power to score twice more. And early in the fourth, Martin would put it away, with a 45 yard TD run.
WPIAL Class 3A Championship – Belle Vernon 24, Avonworth 7 – Final #89 @PaFootballNews @BVAHS @AvonworthFB @Team_Quinton pic.twitter.com/NYw1mZtaLZ
— Sykotyk (@Sykotyk) November 26, 2022
It's Beachburgh!
Belle Vernon Leopards are your 2022 WPIAL Class 3A Champions!@PaFootballNews @BVAHS @Team_Quinton pic.twitter.com/hgfFsqD0Ky
— Sykotyk (@Sykotyk) November 26, 2022
After the game, it was cooling off, but only one more to go. Aliquippa and Central Valley.
Unlike the 3 early games though… I've SEEN these two. This is my 14th Aliquippa Quips game and 10th Central Valley Warriors game. This is my 90th game of the 2022 season. #90 @PaFootballNews pic.twitter.com/f1j8WMxxrv
— Sykotyk (@Sykotyk) November 26, 2022
#90 – Aliquippa v. Central Valley
WPIAL Class 4A Championship – Aliquippa v. Central Valley at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, PA. #90 @PaFootballNews pic.twitter.com/5oULcO8r0F
— Sykotyk (@Sykotyk) November 26, 2022
This was my 14th time seeing Aliquippa play. And 10th for Central Valley. These two have made some deep runs, so seeing them in the WPIAL finals and PIAA finals have upped the total. It was, also, Aliquippa’s 15th straight year in the WPIAL finals.
This is Aliquippa's 15th straight year playing in the WPIAL championship game. They haven't had a losing season since 1972. @quip_nation pic.twitter.com/MKkDPxDkAt
— Sykotyk (@Sykotyk) November 26, 2022
Tiqwai Hayes would score first, on a 1 yard run, and what felt like an insurmountable lead. Central Valley was struggling offensively. And though the cold was affecting the Quips, they weren’t going to faulter. The Quips would add one more score in the second, to go up 14-0 at the break.
WPIAL Class 4A Championship – Aliquippa 14,Central Valley 0 – Half #90 @PaFootballNews @quip_nation @warriors_cv pic.twitter.com/v7m0Jor0TU
— Sykotyk (@Sykotyk) November 26, 2022
The third quarter was the Quips showing that there was going to be no adjustments for the Warriors. Tiqwai Hayes would add another TD, from 3 yards, to go up 21-0. In the fourth quarter, the Quips would add two more scores. One by John Tracy on a 2 yard run with 4:21 left. But after a quick turnover, Jayace Williams would score on a 34 yard TD pass, left wide open to high step into the endzone. At the very end, Central Valley would break up the shutout on a pass with 1:21 left. But it was long over by this point. Just a matter of the final score. Which was 34-7.
WPIAL Class 4A Championship – Aliquippa 34, Central Valley 7 – Final #90 @PaFootballNews @quip_nation @warriors_cv pic.twitter.com/5ZMUk7KcHG
— Sykotyk (@Sykotyk) November 26, 2022
Aliquippa Nations Reigns Supreme!
The Aliquippa Quips are the 2022 WPIAL Class 4A Champions!@PaFootballNews @quip_nation pic.twitter.com/rKUeUq31sv
— Sykotyk (@Sykotyk) November 26, 2022
After the game, I finished with some photos of the postgame celebration. Before making my way through the stadium and back to my truck. But first, one last look around.
So long from the Stadium Formerly Known as Heinz. @PaFootballNews pic.twitter.com/Heb2lRmQM4
— Sykotyk (@Sykotyk) November 26, 2022
After the game, I ordered hoagies from Peppercini’s. A place I used to order from when I worked in Robinson Twp. Their Steak & Ranch Hoagie is a must. Even at $17.99 for a whole one. I prefer Cardellos, but they’re not open late.
When I went to leave the parking lot, I was expecting to pay the kiosk using the phone number I provided when I arrived. In lieu of a ticket. However, the gates were open with no one present. So, free parking. I headed out I-279 to I-376 and through the Fort Pitt Tunnel. Heading out toward Robinson Twp, and stopped for my hoagie. And then, headed east on PA60 back to I-79 and north. Nothing noteworthy. And then US422 back to home.
I had options for games on Saturday. But, I had plans with my daughter in the morning. So, I missed the afternoon option, and for a night game, was planning for a Youngstown Phantoms hockey game. Though my daughter didn’t want to go so we stayed home. On Sunday, I had already put up my Browns tickets for sale, but the impending rain cratered the price. And I sold them for a sweet $6 each. At least someone got to use them.
Union Scotties (1A)
Steel Valley Ironmen (2A)
Belle Vernon Leopards (3A)
Aliquippa Quips (4A)
[Wasn’t aware of a team picture setup anywhere after the game, had to leave]
PHOTOS OF THE WEEK
SUMMARY
There were no new teams this week. Though I’ve been to 28 games at Heinz Field, and these are the 29th through 32nd games at the stadium. It’s the first year under the name Acrisure Stadium.
Total cost was $61.78. $9.48 for gas, and $52.30 for food. Though, most of that was $38.50 for two hoagies. One for that night, and one for Saturday. They’re that good.
Next Week
I had plans, but they’ve fallen through. And too late to change plans. And then things happened on Wednesday anyways. So, just a few games around Ohio and West Virginia.
2022 Statistics
90 Games
175 Teams
36 Stadiums
14 States
92 New Teams
23 New Stadiums
1,489 different teams
466 different stadiums
1,363 total games
For more, and larger, photos from this weekend, click HERE.
For photos from previous weeks and seasons, visit http://www.flickr.com/sykotyk/sets/