Aliquippa opens with win
instead of the usual 12.
Aliquippa ended up beating a badly outmanned McKinley Tech team, 48-0, in the Western Pennsylvania vs. Everyone Showcase at the Wolvarena in Turtle Creek.
This was one of six games over two days that WPIAL teams played in the showcase. McKinley Tech, a team from Washington, D.C., has a program that is in a different world than Aliquippa’s.
McKinley Tech has had one winning season in the past 10 years. Aliquippa, meanwhile, played in the WPIAL championship the past 10 years under legendary former coach Mike Zmijanac, who was pushed out by the school board in February.
Warfield, an Aliquippa alum, is the new coach and said he wasn’t nervous for his first game. But he did fell like a weight was lifted off his shoulders just because he has a game under his belt.
When asked would he rather have played a tougher opponent, Warfield said, “This game was put on the schedule before I took the job. We didn’t have tape on them and they didn’t have tape on us. We came into the unknown. But I thought it was a good opportunity as coaches to adjust. It was a good opportunity for the coaches, maybe moreso than the players.”
Warfield had hinted in the preseason that the Quips might use a little different offensive style this season. They used a spread offense, regularly employing four receivers.
Senior quarterback Eli Kosanovich completed 10 of 14 passes for a career-high 226 yards and four touchdowns, two to Deoveon Crute. And get this: Aliquippa even kicked extra points, something that was a rarity for a number of years in Quip town. Dan Elmore made 6 of 7.
“We’re explosive, definitely,” said Kosanovich. “But coach said we’re still going to be a running team. We’ll run first. But [throwing] adds an element that teams still have to prepare for.”
Senior running back Avante McKenzie ran for 90 yards on 15 carries and scored on runs of 1 and 18 yards. Senior receiver-defensive back M.J. Devonshire scored on a 37-yard punt return and a 52-yard reception.
“We’ve got a lot of athletes, across the board,” said Kosanovich.
Warfield said, “The first scrimmage last week, I think we were a little anxious. But when we came in [Saturday] morning, I knew we were ready to play. They were settled down and ready to go. But I know we still have a lot of improvement to do.”
The Quips will likely have a number of other blowouts in the regular season. Just because they are that good. Warfield inherited an experienced and talented bunch. But he is trying to leave his own small imprints on the program.
Aliquippa went away for a week of preseason camp to California University of Pa. The Quips used to do the same every year under Zmijanac.
Aliquippa’s coaches took away the players cell phones for much of this preseason camp.
“I’m pleased,” said Warfield. “The kids are receptive. I know some things are new and some things I’m trying to get accomplished are new. I know that takes time. There weren’t too many complaints about the phones or anything else. The kids have been great.”