Berks Sports Report Paul Roberts
Twin Valley has had one of the most prolific offenses in the state this year. The Raiders were averaging 52 points per game entering Friday’s PIAA-4A semifinal against Aliquippa. Twin Valley couldn’t muster a single first down in the second half, but the (14-0) Raiders came up with a pivotal defensive stand in the final minute to preserve a thrilling 28-24 victory at Mifflin County High School. Twin Valley took advantage of two key turnovers and a long kickoff return to top the (10-4) Quips. Lucas Myers had three touchdown runs and a late sack to help send the Raiders to the state championship for the first time. They’ll face Southern Lehigh in the PIAA-4A Final on Thursday at 7pm at Cumberland Valley’s Chapman Field. The (14-1) Spartans defeated Cardinal O’Hara 28-24 in another semifinal nailbiter.
Twin Valley marched 83 yards on the opening series to take a 7-0 advantage over Aliquippa. Myers rumbled 37 yards for the first score of the night. The 6’1, 215-pound junior ended up with 49 yards on nine carries. The standout linebacker also contributed seven unassisted tackles. The Quips answered immediately with a 1-yard touchdown run by JJ Work. The senior broke off a 13-yard run on fourth-and-3 to keep the drive alive. Work went over 1,000 rushing yards for the season during that possession. The Raiders, however, blocked the extra point to maintain a 7-6 edge with 2:41 left in the first quarter. A 80-yard kickoff return by Drew Engle set up Twin Valley at Aliquippa’s 4-yard line. On fourth-and-goal, sophomore quarterback Maverik Foster kept the ball for a 1-yard touchdown with 41 seconds to go in the quarter. The District 3 champs were in front 14-6 after twelve minutes.
Ryan Rementer, a senior linebacker, picked off a pass by Marques Council and returned it 30 yards to the Quips’ 1-yard line with seven and a-half minutes to play before halftime. A 1-yard TD run by Myers made it 21-6. Rementer piled up a team-high eight solo tackles. With 1:04 left in the second quarter, Aliquippa blocked a 23-yard field goal attempt by Nate Shaffer. The Raiders got the ball right back though when Keenan Munn came up with another interception. The junior linebacker returned it to the Quips’ 10-yard line. On fourth-and-goal from the 2-yard line, Myers scored as time expired and Twin Valley took a 28-6 lead into the locker room. The Raiders began four series inside Aliquippa’s 20-yard line. Twin Valley was in control despite having less than 100 total yards at the break.
Council, a Yale commit, bounced back in a big way during the third quarter. He launched a deep pass over the middle to Qa’lil Goode for a 48-yard touchdown. The two-point conversion failed. The five-time state champs then went 66 yards for another score. Council hit Antonio Reddic on a post for a 19-yard TD pass. Council’s throw on the two-point try was incomplete with 4:06 remaining in the quarter. The Raiders, who were on top 28-18, were forced to punt again on their next possession. Akiva Woods capped a 60-yard drive with a 39-yard touchdown run. The PAT was blocked, but the Quips had pulled within 28-24 with 36 seconds to go in the third period. Aliquippa, a program with 801 all-time wins, wasn’t going away quietly.
The 21-time WPIAL champions took over at their 30-yard line with 6:19 to play. On fourth-and-11, Council found Goode for a 25-yard completion. Council then hit Woods for a 20-yard gain with three minutes left. Council and Woods hooked up again for 27 yards with 2:14 remaining. The scrappy Quips had reached Twin Valley’s 11-yard line. Myers put a halt to their momentum by sacking Council with a minute to go back at the 25-yard line. On fourth-and-24 with 35 seconds on the clock, Munn broke up Council’s pass in the end zone to seal the victory.
Engle, who made six solo tackles, ran for 65 yards on 20 carries. The Army lacrosse commit surpassed 4,000 career rushing yards, a school record. The Raiders, ranked #1 in the state in Class 4A by PennLive, were limited to 113 total yards. Foster was 4-of-7 through the air for (-5) yards. Aliquippa’s defense lived up to the hype. The Quips were giving up just 12.8 ppg. coming into Friday’s state semifinal. While Twin Valley struggled offensively, the Raiders found a way to keep their historic season alive. The boys from the valley still have one more hill to climb to reach their ultimate goal.