Leopards ready to roar into The Pit
By ASHLEY CHASE
MVI Sports
Belle Vernon Area enters the WPIAL Class 4A semifinals facing what is likely its toughest test of the season. The No. 4 Leopards (6-1) hit the road to take on top-seeded Aliquippa (8-0).
There’s a much longer history of WPIAL playoff performances by Aliquippa, but Belle Vernon Area has made a name for itself in the last seven seasons under head coach Matt Humbert.
The two programs previously faced off in the WPIAL semifinals in the 1980s, with Aliquippa taking both matchups, an 8-7 win in 1980 and a 14-7 victory in 1989.
Both teams have shown they possess a high-powered offense and staunch defense, which makes for an interesting matchup as Belle Vernon Area seeks a return trip to the final and the Quips look for their 13th straight appearance in the WPIAL championship game.
Belle Vernon Area’s offense averages nearly 42 points per game while the Quips average 46.5.
The Leopards have been led on offense by quarterback Devin Whitlock.
The speedy junior is a dual-threat who has passed for 503 yards, while running for 931 yards and a total of 18 touchdowns.
Complementing Whitlock have been a stable of receivers that includes Tanner Steeber, Louisville commit Ian Maloney, and Quinton Martin, a rising-star freshman who has moved to tailback since an injury to primary running back Dane Anden.
Whitlock and Martin each had three touchdowns in the Leopards’ semifinal win against Chartiers Valley last week.
Aliquippa’s offense puts up big numbers both through the air and out of the backfield. Quarterback Vaughn Morris has thrown for nearly a 1,000 yards and 16 touchdowns. The Quips primary trio of receivers average 20-plus yards per catch. Cyair Clark, Tajier Thorton and Antonyo Anderson combine for 14 touchdowns and each have hauled in more than 260 receiving yards.
But you can’t talk about the Quips offense without mentioning Vernon Redd.
The senior running back has rushed for 1134 yards and 13 touchdowns, averaging 10 yards per carry.
To read the rest of the story, please see a copy of Friday’s Mon Valley Independent, call 724-314-0035 to subscribe or subscribe to our online edition at http://monvalleyindependent.com.
