Richland Takes the Next Step.

               The Richland Rams football team set out goals at the beginning of the season. They wanted to win the Laurel Highlands conference outright, and then go on to win the District Six AA Title. All in all, Richland was set to #Win13. The Rams did themselves one better, by winning 14, and they would not mind winning a few more. Richland will face a pretty tough task by taking on Aliquippa High School Friday night at North Allegheny High School. The Beaver County school is not only a state power, but recognized throughout the country. The Quips have produced some of the best in the NFL, including such names like Mike Ditka, Ty Law, Sean Gilbert, Jon Baldwin, and Darrelle Revis. Aliquippa has won two state championships since the PIAA started the state playoffs in 2008, but the Quips have long been a power in the WPIAL with 15 championships to their name. Richland has won exactly one district championship, and one state playoff game in the school's history. Obviously these are two teams with different football history, but that can all be thrown out the window once the meet on the field.


           Aliquippa is led plenty of underclassmen that could be playing in major division one football once their careers are over. The headliner for the Quips is junior, Dravon Henry. He is receiving attention from Pitt, Penn State, and Ohio State. He leads the offense with 1,558 yards and 26 touchdowns. Henry rushed for 119 yards on five carries in last week's 51-15 win over Karns City. His running mate is sophomore, Terry Swanson. Swanson is another quick guy who has rushed for 1,304 yards and 21 touchdowns. It is not all about those two, as there are multiple guys across the field that could take it the distance anytime they touch it. Malik Shegog is a speedy guy at quarterback, who can throw it if he needs to. The defense does not get the attention sometimes, but they only allow 4 points per game. They are led by a future division one junior in Jaleel Fields at Defensive End. The Quips possess a tremendous line on both sides of the ball, and they are very big and strong. This is a team that appears set for a state championship, and they have yet to be seriously challenged through fourteen weeks.

           Richland will be heavy underdogs going into the game this weekend, and that may be just how they like it. Plenty of experts pegged Hickory as the favorites last weekend, but Richland rolled to an easy 38-12 victory. Richland has a true balanced offense, and it may be something Aliquippa has not seen this year. The passing game with Matt Shaffer has thrown for 1,985 yards and 20 touchdowns. He has some good targets in Kyle Flick and Luke Shertzer. Both players have over 50 catches and 800 yards. The Rams have run the ball extremely well, and it starts with Tanner Solarczyk. All he has done is run for 1,946 yards and 26 touchdowns on the year. Matt Shaffer is the team's second leading rusher with 659 yards and 11 touchdowns. Richland also has a big, strong offensive line, that typically controls the line of scrimmage with ease. The Rams defense is not quite as dominant as Alqiuippa, but they do not give up much of anything either. Richland has solid tackling linebackers, and a big defensive line that sets the tone. It could come down to some field position, and Bobby Colvin does a real nice job with kicking.

Prediction-Aliquippa brings all the fanfare with the talent and tradition. Richland is new to still playing football this late in the season. I have picked Richland all season, but they have never played a team like Aliquippa. I am going with the Quips, but unlike the rest of the state, I believe Richland can play with Aliquippa. I also believe Richland could beat them if everything goes right.