After being moved up to quad-A because of an enrollment spike, the Beaver Area football team has shown that they are up for the challenge.
“Beaver Area was notified of our change to quad-A football classification last winter, so we have known for some time. Our coaches were able to put in many off-season hours in preparation for our new conference opponents, and our team expectations have not changed since last year,” said head coach Dr. Jeff Beltz.
Further, “I think we are going to play well as a team and get better as the season goes on, because that gives the younger kids in our offense and defense time to grow,” said senior quarterback Brodie List.
In week 0 August 24, the Beaver Area football team took on the Brashear Bulls, defeating them 26-8.
But such a decisive win might have given the Bobcats a false sense of confidence. Traveling into week 1 the team took on the South Fayette Lions: a tough match-up August 31. A tough loss 35-7.
“These new teams we are playing aren’t doing anything new or special we haven’t seen before, but the size of them is what makes it difficult because they have so many seniors and good players to put in when we only have so many,” said senior outside linebacker George Peroni.
Bouncing back in week 2 the team took on the Knoch Knights September 7 coming out with a 35-21 win to really kick the season into full gear.
For week 3 the team took on the New Castle Hurricanes September 14, defeating them 21-13 continuing their winning streak.
“New Castle isn’t what they use to be; they don’t have any standout players that could change the course of a game in just one or two plays,” said wide-receiver Mason Rose.
September 21 the Beaver Area football team traveled an hour to Highlands for a tough match-up, losing 40-19.
“We have played competitive football through the early season, and we still have our sights focused on being a playoff football team. Those goals are still achievable,” said Coach Beltz.
Be sure to read additional Bobcat coverage in our upcoming football stories.