Central vs. Aliquippa - Western Final AA

[bleacherbum]

@Dragons814 will face @quipfootball Friday, Dec 11, 7  pm at @HempfieldArea_  stadium (greensburg, pa)

[Crimson's Ghost]

It's about the right midpoint between the two schools. Richland had to travel to North Allegheny in 2012 to play them, and they had to travel to Mansion to play Tyrone the year before. Looks like the PIAA is more into an even destination this year.


Central was able to beat Hickory and future Nittany Lion, Andrew Pryts last week. The challenge this week will be stopping future Pitt Panther, Kaezon Pugh. And from what I read in a previous thread, Pryts isn't always a featured member of the Hickory offense. Well, Pugh is featured, and featured prominently. He has 2,014 rushing yards (10 yard per carry average) and 29 Touchdowns. He also has 9 2 point-conversions, so that should tell you a lot about the Quips' kicking game.

That's the challenge for Central, Pugh is a beast, but I think Central has enough to beat them. Karns City gave Aliquippa a game, and Bedford nearly beat Karns City. Perhaps there is a fair amount of parity in Western PA AA this season.

[Manfred]

Hempfield is a pretty decent facility. S. Fayette played FH there a few years ago.

[Coach5]

How do these teams match up ?

[Goldeneagles12]

This game should be interesting. Can Central be the next d6 team to defeat the WPIAL or will Aliquippa be making another appearance in chocolate town. I think Central can win. I've seen them play and they are very good. Good qb and cast around him. The front 7 or 8 better be ready cause Pugh is a big boy and gets the ball a lot. 28-21 Central

[Crimson's Ghost]

Hempfield is a good facility overall, and their gym is used quite a bit for state playoff basketball games. I plan on attending Friday night. Excited to see Central in action, and excited to see Pugh in person. He looks big, hoping he's a good player for Pitt in the near future.

[dougkeklak]

I saw Aliquippa destroy Freedom Area at The Pit earlier this year, Pugh is legit to say the least.  But I didn't come away too overly impressed with the passing game that day, possibly because they just handed off to Pugh!  I think Central can beat them though.   I don't feel like this Aliquippa team is as good as the one that beat Richland a few years back. 

[Coach5]

When is the actual game bc other sources say the game is Saturday at 1pm like on post gazette sports.com

[Crimson's Ghost]

The game is at 7:00 on Friday.

[DragonsDoExist]

Nice article in yesterday's mirror regarding Central's defense which starts 4 seniors and has been a key to their current successes.

http://www.altoonamirror.com/page/conte ... ml?nav=751

Here's my breakdown of the defense (read the article, it's much better)

Juniors Luke Thomas and Brice Brumbaugh are two solid run stuffers on the inside of the DL. Senior Blaize Mock and junior Cam Norris (13.5 sacks) bring outstanding speed off the edge. Kyle Dodson (JR) and JM Knepp (SR) are both very good tacklers and provide great run support from their OLB spots. ILB Damon Langer (SR) has been solid all year long and sophomore Jared Smith has been outstanding of late (8 tackles, 3 TFLs & 1 sack vs Hickory) and continues to grow into that starting MLB spot. Senior CB Justin Helsel is the leader of the secondary and with his track speed about as good a cover guy as I've seen. Helsel has 6 INTs on the year and returned 4 of those for TDs. Junior Larry Corle holds down the other CB spot. Alex Hoenstine leads the team with 95 tackles from his safety spot and plays with great instincts.

Central has always had a reputation of being able to light up the scoreboard but this year the difference has been the outstanding defense. Here's hoping that defense has another great performance in them as it will definitely be needed when lining up with Aliquippa and outstanding RB Kaezon Pugh this Friday night!