In a game that was dominated by turnovers, Beaver Falls earned its fourth consecutive trip to the WPIAL Class 2A title game with a 28-26 upset of No. 3 seed Washington in a game played at Dormont Stadium.

It was the third consecutive upset for the No. 10-seeded Tigers (8-5), who also beat No. 7 Keystone Oaks and No. 2 Neshannock.

Each team committed five turnovers, and three of Washington's touchdowns came on turnovers.

Beaver Falls jumped out to a 14-0 lead with a 1-yard run by Brixx Rawl and a 13-yard run by De'Sean Anderson.

From local dispatches

Westinghouse outpaces high-flying Central Clarion offense in PIAA Class 2A first-round shootout

Washington tied the game at 14-14 with a 100-yard interception return by Isaiah Thomas and a 50-yard pass from Tristan Reed to Zxavian Willis.

Da'Talian Beauford scored twice in the second half for Beaver Falls on runs of 2 and 3 yards and scored the deciding points on a two-point conversion run. Beauford rushed for 116 yards.

Washington's other two touchdowns came on a 70-yard interception return by Jayden Nemeth and a fumble recovery in the end zone by Willis. The Prexies (11-2) missed both conversion attempts.

Beaver Falls will face No. 1 seed Steel Valley in the title game at 2 p.m. next Friday, Nov. 24 at Acrisure Stadium.

Class 3A:

Avonworth 21, Elizabeth Forward 10: Andrew Kuban scored one touchdown and threw for another as the No. 2-seeded Antelopes (12-0) earned a return trip to Acrisure Stadium by defeating the Warriors (10-2) at Gateway High School.

Avonworth rallied from a 14-10 deficit with two touchdowns in the fourth quarter. Kuban capped a 65-yard drive with a 2-yard run. An interception by Lucas Gardas set up the final scoring drive, capped by Kuban's 8-yard pass to Benjamin Barnes.

Will Aldrich

3-pronged rushing attack propels Belle Vernon to dominant performance against East Allegheny

Kuban, who led all rushers with 137 yards on 17 carries, also set up Avonworth's first touchdown with runs of 43 and 40 yards. Dimitri Velisaris capped the 3-play, 86-yard drive with a 3-yard run.

Elizabeth Forward's only points came on a 34-yard field goal by William Sinay in the second quarter and a 2-yard pass from Ryan Messina to Isaiah Turner in the third quarter.

Avonworth will face top seed Belle Vernon in the title game in a rematch of last year's final. The game is scheduled to begin at 5 p.m. next Friday, Nov. 24 at Acrisure Stadium.

First Published: November 18, 2023, 3:54 a.m.