Times' top 10 football teams in the Beaver Valley: Week 1 rankings

The Beaver County Times’ sports staff will rank the top 10 teams in our coverage area each week. 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. We will update our Times’ top-10 rankings every Monday throughout the entirety of the regular season.

1. Aliquippa (4A) (1-0)

Last Week: No. 1

The Quips opened its new-look Heinz Field in style with a 37-19 victory over Armstrong. It was Aliquippa’s first game at its own facility since 2021. A multimillion-dollar renovation closed it last year. The Quips showed off their new home with a big win. Tikey Hayes rushed for 170 yards and three touchdowns. Aliquippa welcomes North Catholic (1-1) on Friday. The Trojans lost to Shady Side Academy, 34-28, in overtime.

2. Beaver Falls (2A) (1-1)

Last Week: No. 2

The Tigers dropped a tough 31-28 decision at Beaver. Errors cost Beaver Falls as the Bobcats rallied for the win in the fourth quarter. Da’Talian Beaford led the Tigers with 117 yards rushing on 13 carries and a pair of touchdowns. The schedule doesn’t get any easier this week. Beaver Falls faces a big test against Knoch (2-0), which beat Indiana, 30-24.

3. Central Valley (4A) (1-1)

Last Week: No. 3

Coming off a wild win at Austintown Fitch, the Warriors’ rough schedule continued and they lost at Avonworth, 28-20. It was another wild finish for Central Valley as it had a pass intercepted in the end zone in the final seconds to thwart its rally. Brandon Singleton led the Warriors with 91 rushing yards on 16 carries. Central Valley welcomes Hampton (0-2). Shaler beat the Talbots, 43-8.

4. South Side (1A) (2-0)

Last Week: No. 4

The Golden Beavers got it done in the air and on the ground in a 35-7 win at Riverside. Senior quarterback Brody Almashy passed for 124 yards and two touchdowns. He rushed for 75 more yards. A.C. Corfield had two TD runs and caught a scoring pass as well. South Side welcomes Burgettstown (1-0) this week. The Blue Devils opened their season with a 34-0 decision over Beth-Center.

5. Rochester (1A) (1-0)

Last Week: No. 6

The Rams opened up their regular season with a big test – and passed it – in a 36-12 win at OLSH. Antonio Laure rushed for three touchdowns to power the squad. Carter Mason added a long interception return for a touchdown in the fourth quarter. Rochester returns home to face New Brighton (0-2). Hopewell rolled past the Lions, 56-13.

6. Beaver (3A) (2-0)

Last Week: No. 8

The Bobcats came through with their second big win over a WPIAL Class 2A contender when they held off Beaver Falls, 31-28. Beaver’s defense came up big and Brady Mayo hauled in a 38-yard pass from Travis Clear in the fourth quarter for the go-ahead score. Drew Hall led the Bobcats with 116 yards rushing on 17 carries. Beaver visits Freedom to close out its nonconference schedule. The Bulldogs are coming off a 14-7 loss to Ambridge.

7. OLSH (1A) (1-1)

Last Week: No. 5

Coming off a season-opening win over Shenango, the Chargers couldn’t capitalize on that momentum in a 36-12 loss to Rochester. Quarterback Vann Kavals passed for two more touchdowns in the defeat. OLSH travels to Clairton (0-2). The Bears have yet to score a point this season after enduring their second-straight shutout in a 26-0 loss at Washington.

8. West Allegheny (4A) (1-1)

Last Week: No. 7

The Indians struck early, but South Fayette surged to a 31-14 victory. Teagan Tomei hauled in a touchdown pass from Brody Malatak on West Allegheny’s opening drive. Roman Police added a scoring run early in the second quarter, but the Lions pulled away in the second half. West Allegheny welcomes Ringgold (0-2). The Rams fell to McGuffey, 48-22.

9. Cornell (1A) (2-0)

Last Week: Not Ranked

The Raiders continued their hot start with a 20-6 home win over Monessen. Khylil Johnson had 80 yards rushing and caught a touchdown pass. C.J. Jackson passed for two touchdowns. The Raiders face a big challenge this week as they trek to Union (2-0), the defending WPIAL Class 1A champ and state runner-up. The Scotties rallied to beat Ellwood City, 34-21.

10. Blackhawk (4A) (0-2)

Last Week: No. 9

The Cougars were close to getting their first win, but a Highlands fourth-down stand deep in Blackhawk territory and ensuing 99-yard touchdown run gave the Rams some breathing room to secure the win. Maurice Watson-Trent led the Cougars with 142 yards on 21 carries. Blackhawk visits Mars (1-1), a 42-6 winner over New Castle.

This article originally appeared on Beaver County Times: Times' top 10 football teams in the Beaver Valley: Week 1 rankings