Data: 7 p.m. today at Aliquippa High School, Aliquippa.
Coaches: Joe Cowart, 7th year at New Castle. Mike Zmijanac, 22nd year at Aliquippa.
Last meeting: Aliquippa won, 44-28, in last season’s opener.
History: The Quips and Hurricanes used to face each other often, but have been in different classifications since the late 80s. Though both are storied programs, last year was the first time Aliquippa and New Castle had played since 1989.
Quick hits: Both teams advanced to their classifications’ championship before being eliminated from the playoffs. New Castle lost to Thomas Jefferson, 42-0, in the WPIAL 4A championship and Aliquippa lost to Beaver Falls, 35-22. Last season, Aliquippa scored 32.8 points and gave up 19.3 points a game on average, while New Castle scored 31.1 points and gave up 26.2 points a game on average. Aliquippa DB Kwantel Raines, who has a number of Division I offers including Pitt, Penn State, West Virginia, Kentucky and Florida, is questionable with an injury. The Quips are poised to continue their strong ground game with Avante McKenzie, Tyriq Jones, Kiyon Fooks and Xavier Harvey. The Hurricanes are led by running back Marcus Hooker, an Ohio State commit.
Worth watching
South Fayette at Central Valley, 7:30 p.m.: South Fayette is No. 2 in 4A and Central Valley is No. 2 in 3A.
Gateway at Woodland Hills, 7 p.m.: Woodland Hills will face its first season without George Novak, who had coached the Wolverines since the program’s inception in 1987. Kevin Murray, who was hired to replace Novak, resigned as coach and principal, so acting head coach Tim Bostard will lead the Wolverines into the season.
Jeannette at East Allegheny, 7 p.m.: This is a rematch of last year’s season opener when Jeannette beat East Allegheny, 42-7.
Wayne, Ohio at Pine-Richland, 1:30 p.m. Sunday: Pine-Richland’s season opener will be featured on ESPN. Pine-Richland lost to Central Catholic, 63-34, in last season’s 6A semifinals.
First Published: August 25, 2017, 11:00 a.m.