WEST MIFFLIN, Pa. — Things could not have been any worst for Seton LaSalle head coach Tim Storino in his first year with the team in 2022. The Rebels were winless in Storino’s first season and he knew that he needed to find a way to change the program around.
Fast forward two years later, and Storino is coaching a completely different team and has changed his program in the greatest way possible.
After winning the Century Conference Championship, the Rebels earned the No. 1 seed in the WPIAL 2A bracket and defeated Riverside in the WPIAL Quarterfinals. All the Rebels had to do tonight was to defeat No. 4 Steel Valley in the WPIAL 2A Semifinals and they would play in their first WPIAL Title game in 20 years.
Steel Valley looked to go back to the title game for the third straight season. Seton LaSalle jumped off to a fast start and the Ironmen gave the Rebels a scare in the second half. But at the end of the night, Seton LaSalle play disciplined football and defeated Steel Valley 27-13.
The Rebels jumped to a 13-0 lead and scored on their first two possessions of the game which both concluded in Logan King rushing touchdowns (17,3).
Early in the second quarter, Steel Valley possessed the ball on their side of the field approaching midfield. Donald Barksdale fumbled the football on the drive which was then recovered by Rebels lineman Jaylen Smith. The Rebels took advantage of their first turnover of the night. Rebels quarterback Mike Pastirik connected with Will Martin for a 25-yard reception. King rushed for a gain of 14 and the Rebels concluded the drive with star player Khalil Taylor rushing for a 5-yard touchdown to extend the lead to 20-0.
Turnovers continued to hurt Steel Valley. After another Ironmen fumble, which was recovered by Martin, gave Seton LaSalle good field position starting at the Ironmen 23-yard line. Taylor caught a 15-yard pass and King rushed for his third touchdown on the night this time on fourth-and-goal from the 1-yard line.
On the final play of the first half, Ironmen quarterback Da’Ron Barksdale threw a Hail Mary but his pass was picked off by Jake Ranft.
The Rebels took advantage 27-0 lead at halftime. Things continued to look good for Seton LaSalle as they recovered an onside kick to begin the second half. The Rebels couldn’t generate on offense and had to punt. Pastirik’s punt hit one of his own teammates from behind and gave Steel Valley good field position.
The Ironmen scored two touchdowns in the third quarter thanks to Da’Ron Barksdale, who scored on runs of 35 and 10.
In the fourth quarter, Steel Valley looked to continue dwindle Seton LaSalle’s lead. But Donald Barksdale fumbled inside Seton LaSalle territory which was recovered by Ian Katrina and hurt the Ironmen’s chances of making a comeback.
Seton LaSalle continued to do what they were successful in doing all night which was running and pounding the football and Logan King rushed for a first down with less than two minutes left to set the Rebels in victory formation.
For Steel Valley’s star brother duo of senior Donald and junior Da’Ron Barksdale, this was their last time playing high school football together.
Next Saturday, Seton LaSalle will look to win its sixth WPIAL title in program history when they take on South Park in the WPIAL 2A Final at 2 p.m. at Acrisure Stadium. The Rebels will look to win its first WPIAL title since 2004 while South Park will look to win its first since 2005.
