DORMONT, Pa. — The No. 10 Beaver Falls Tigers upset the heavily favored No. 3 Washington Prexies 28-26 on Friday night, clinching a 2A WPIAL Championship Game appearance in the process.
The Tigers took an early 14-0 lead, but Washington recovered to make a game of it. The two sides combined for ten turnovers in an error-filled matchup, with eight of those takeaways in the second half alone. Beaver Falls’ defense played an excellent game, limiting the Prexies to just one touchdown: Washington’s defense scored the other three.
Beaver Falls received the opening kickoff, going up 6-0 on a one-yard carry from senior Brixx Rawl. Rawl bounced off several tackles before sneaking into the right corner of the end zone.
A short punt set Beaver Falls up at the Washington 30-yard line, and receiver Da’Sean Anderson scored soon thereafter on a 14-yard carry. Di’Nari Harris converted on the two-point attempt to give the Tigers a 14-0 lead.
Washington drove into Tigers’ territory early in the second quarter, but Beaver Falls’ defensive back Za’Saun McElvy picked off an underthrown pass.
Washington Storms Back
The Prexies returned the favor when Elijah Thomas intercepted a pass in his own end zone and returned it 101 yards for a touchdown.
Washington forced a three-and-out, then scored on a 50-yard receiver screen caught by Zxavian Willis. Tailback Eddie Lewis punched in the two-point try to knot the game at 14.
The Tigers had another chance to go up late in the second, but a goal line fumble ended the drive.
Washington went three-and-out to open the second half. Beaver Falls got the ball at the 2-yard line after the snap went through the punters’ legs, and Da’talian Beauford put the Tigers up 20-14.
The Tigers blew up a Prexies handoff on the ensuing drive, giving them another turnover in plus territory. The advantage didn’t last long, though, as Jayden Nemeth reeled in a 70-yard pick six off a screen pass to tie the game.
Anderson picked off a pass at his own 3-yard line to save a touchdown, but the Tigers botched the next snap. Willis fell on the loose ball in the end zone, putting Washington up 26-20.
The lead didn’t last long, though, as Washington fumbled during a punt return as the rain began to pick up. Christian Dawkins of Beaver Falls recovered the ball, and Beauford put the Tigers up 28-26 with a touchdown and two-point conversion.
The Prexies attempted a wide receiver screen, but the pass ended up a dropped lateral. Tigers’ defender Michael Blackshear fell on it, but Beaver Falls ended up turning the ball over on downs.
The Tigers forced another three-and-out, with the Prexies’ punt barely getting back to the line of scrimmage. Beaver Falls muffed the catch, and Washington got a new breath of life.
The Tigers forced a turnover on downs, then ran the clock out to clinch the championship game appearance.
Friday Night WPIAL High School Football Playoff Scoreboard
