Keystone Oaks ends season with playoff loss
Keystone Oaks football players react after their season ends. The Golden Eagles surrendered the go-ahead touchdown with 20 seconds to play and lost to Beaver Falls, 28-21. The loss also ended KO’s bid to become the first team from the school to compete in the WPIAL finals at Heinz Field.
Quaran Powe (No. 13) attempts to make a reception despite the defensive efforts of Beaver Falls players.
Keystone Oaks quarterback Alex Smith attempts to avoid the defensive pressure applied by Beaver Falls. Smith rushed for 132 yards and a touchdown and passed for 176 yards and two scores but that was not enough as the Tigers defeated the Golden Eagles, 28-21, in the WPIAL Class AAA semifinal game at Ambridge.
A last-second loss to Beaver Falls on Nov. 11 in the WPIAL Class AAA semifinals may have ended the season for Keystone Oaks, but it hardly stopped the rebuilding process of the football program.
“We went from not many wins when we got here and then we got three and then six and now we got nine,” KO field general Greg Perry said. “We are proud but we have to keep it going. It’s not like it’s going to be easy but we’ve got to keep it going and continue building this thing.”
The Golden Eagles must rebuild without 15 seniors, two of whom set new standards at the school. This year’s upperclassmen guided KO to only its second appearance in a Final Four contest and a 9-2 record, that featured an undefeated conference championship. The Golden Eagles finished 7-0 in the Allegheny Conference.
“What the seniors have done for KO it something they need to be proud of,” Perry said.
Alex Smith did all he could to get the Golden Eagles to Heinz Field this weekend but the Tigers eventually stopped the WPIAL’s top passer. Smith completed 16 of 35 passes for 176 yards and two first-half touchdowns to Dylan Knorr. He also rushed for 132 yards on 26 carries and a 3-yard score in the third quarter.
Smith passed for 3,016 yards and 34 scores this fall. He rushed for 1,118 yards and 19 TDs. He set school records for season touchdowns and passing yards as well as career TDs (56) and passing yards (5,126).
His top target was Nick Hrivnak. The senior caught 64 passes for 900 yards and 10 scores this season. He set the school standard with 130 career catches for 1,912 yards and 19 TDs. Hrivnak, however, suffered a leg injury in the second half. That setback hindered KO’s attempts to beat Beaver Falls, which plays Aliquippa on Nov. 18 for the WPIAL title at Heinz Field.
“Obviously, Nick is a great player and a vital part of our offense and with him going down, it hurt us a little bit,” Perry said. “It took one of our weapons away. But somebody has to step up.
“We are a team. We win as a team. We lose as a team,” he added.
KO lost to Beaver Falls for two reasons. One, the Golden Eagles failed to capitalize on several opportunities inside the Red Zone, particularly in the first half. In fact, 21 points was the lowest offensive output this season for the Golden Eagles, who averaged 43.5 points per game. Second, Beaver Falls’ size up front wore them down as the Tigers scored 14, fourth-frame points.
“We came up a little short,” Perry said, “but I’m proud of the effort we gave them.
“They wore us down running the football. We just couldn’t get off the field.
“Offense needs to score, too,” Perry continued. “We had opportunities that we did not capitalize upon. That’s on me. When you are in there, you got to score. We didn’t and credit to them. They needed a long drive and they got one off us.”
Beaver Falls tied the score, 14-14, on a Malik Shepherd 13-yard TD run. Nate Stratton caught a 30-yard scoring strike from Austin French to make it 21-21.
Derrell Carter, however, proved the difference for the Tigers. He rushed for 180 yards on 12 carries and capped the victory with his 7-yard TD rush with 20 seconds to play.
Beaver Falls, which is making its eighth trip to the WPIAL finals, rushed for 346 yards. The Tigers amassed 20 first downs. The Golden Eagles had 18 first downs and 326 total yards of offense.
“I have to give them credit,” Perry said. “They played a “heck” of a game. They are a good football team.”