Times' top 10 football teams in the Beaver Valley: Week 2 Rankings
In addition to our WPIAL Rankings, each week, the Beaver County Times' sports staff will rank the top 10 teams in our coverage area. These rankings do not indicate the best team in the area. Programs in higher classifications will almost always have the upper hand against ones from lower classifications.
Instead, they rank which teams we believe, pound-for-pound, have the best shot at winning a WPIAL and PIAA championship. As is the case for our WPIAL rankings, we will update our Times' top-10 rankings every Monday throughout the entirety of the regular season.
Times' top 10 football teams in the Beaver Valley: Week 2
1. Central Valley (2-0)
One day notice to prepare against a local rival? No problem. Central Valley shined in its last minute matchup against Blackhawk in Week 1, after having its original game against Beaver canceled due to a COVID outbreak. Warriors star Landon Alexander led the way, rushing for over 200 yards and three scores. The test gets even tougher for Central Valley this week, as it hits the road to face off against Aliquippa in what is viewed as one of the top regular season contests that will take place throughout the entire state this fall.
2. Aliquippa (1-0)
The Quips were able to overcome a slow offensive start and constant cramping issues thanks to their depth across the board, battling to beat rival Beaver Falls 39-25 on the road last Friday. Once it got rolling, Aliquippa looked to be very hard to slow down. We will see if the Quips can continue to improve this Friday against the defending state champions.
3. Rochester (1-0)
Despite losing starting quarterback Parker Lyons to injury the Rams were able to rally behind JD Azulay and grind out a 27-20 victory over local rival New Brighton. With or without Lyons, Rochester will have to regroup and prepare for another tough battle in Week 2 against Mohawk.
4. Moon (2-0)
Another week, another impressive performance from the Tigers. A 35-6 blowout victory over Montour has Moon on the prowl for a higher spot in our rankings. With Pine Richland looking slow out of the gate, the Tigers are a part of the small group of teams who have a legitimate shot at winning the Class 5A WPIAL championship.
5. OLSH (2-0)
It took overtime, but the Chargers improved to 2-0 after fending off a scrappy Riverside team in Week 1. Like Rochester, OLSH lost its star quarterback Nehemiah Azeem to injury and his status for next week is up in the air. The Chargers are going to need him in Week 2, as they take on Beaver Falls.
6. Blackhawk (1-1)
Few teams are able to actually go up in the rankings after a loss, yet, Blackhawk delivered a strong enough showing against Central Valley to warrant it. On just a days notice, the Cougars were able to keep things respectable against by far the most talented team in the area. They'll have another big game in Week 2, taking on 2-0 North Catholic.
7. West Allegheny (1-0)
As advertised, the West Allegheny offense was lethal in Week 1, out-gunning Trinity for a 48-34 win. Gavin Miller threw for nearly 300 yards and two touchdowns, while Jashon Spencer found the endzone three times. West Allegheny will have a bit more of a challenge this week, on the road once again against Montour.
8. Beaver Falls (0-2)
The reality is, Beaver Falls is still more than capable of winning a WPIAL championship this fall. The Tigers' two losses came at the hands of two very good Class 4A teams that we expect to make deep runs in the WPIAL Playoffs. At 0-2, we have to move them down for now. However, if the Tigers can get a win over OLSH on Friday, look for them to start creeping their way up once again.
9. New Brighton (1-1)
Like Blackhawk, New Brighton delivered a strong showing against a very notable opponent. Gabe Haddox looks to be the real deal and New Brighton seems to have more than enough to give any team on its schedule a tough game. After back-to-back road games, the Lions aim to get back in the win column in Week 2 at home against South Side.
10. Western Beaver (1-1)
Responding from a tough loss in overtime is always key. It wasn't pretty, but Western Beaver did what it needed to do, pulling out a 14-12 win in Overtime once again, over Freedom in Week 1. The Golden Beavers are set to face another gritty opponent in Week 2, hosting Riverside.