Bre Ford and Nick Kwiatkoski were among a half-dozen Bethel Park football players who traveled to the Wolvarena to watch Saturday's games.
"We wanted to see how the WPIAL was going to do against some of the better teams in the country," Ford said.
One, though, drew extra attention.
Ford and his teammates watched closely as Central Catholic overwhelmed Akron Buchtel, winning by more than four touchdowns, 35-6, against the Ohio power. The Vikings were the only WPIAL team to win during the Rally at the Wolvarena.
Now, Bethel Park gets its shot at Central.
"They showed they're a real good team," said Ford, whose Bethel Park squad will host Central Catholic on Friday at 7:30 p.m. for a nonconference matchup between teams with early season WPIAL title hopes.
"I'm looking forward to Friday," Ford said, "but know it won't be an easy task."
For months, Central Catholic was focused on Buchtel. Now, in less than a week, the Vikings have to refocus for Bethel Park. But Central Catholic coach Terry Totten said he doesn't think it will be a problem.
The atmosphere alone should be almost enough.
"I know (the Bethel Park fans) are going to be hanging from the rafters out there," Totten said. "The whole community is behind them. It's a big football game, don't kid yourself. If kids can't get ready for that, then there's something wrong."
Bethel Park, the WPIAL champion in 2008, had a confidence-building victory over Kiski Area, 48-20, during Week 1.
Though they do it differently, both Bethel Park and Central Catholic prefer to run the football.
Bethel Park uses seniors Ford and Kwiatkoski, who form one of the best running back tandems in the WPIAL. Ford rushed for 1,316 yards in 2009, and Kwiatkoski, who has committed to West Virginiat, added 460.
Against Kiski, Ford rushed for 148 yards and three touchdowns. Kwiatkoski scored two touchdowns - one rushing and one receiving.
"They're very good," Totten said.
Central Catholic's offense starts with junior Damion Jones-Moore, a 1,300-yard rusher last season. Jones-Moore rushed for 119 yards and two touchdowns against Buchtel.
"Damion is a real tough runner," Ford said. "He's one of the best in the WPIAL, in my opinion. We saw good things from him."
Though they've been regulars in the WPIAL Class AAAA playoffs, Central Catholic and Bethel Park have played one another only rarely during the past decade. The teams met in the WPIAL quarterfinals in 2007 and 2004, when Central Catholic won both, 38-6 and 35-7.
Their last regular-season meeting was 2003, when Central Catholic won, 24-14.
"You always look forward to playing some of those better teams to see where you are," Ford said. "But also it's a nonconference game. So, win or lose, it's going to be a learning experience."
Other spotlight games
Class AAAA/AAA spotlight game
Penn Hills (0-1) at No. 5 Gateway (0-1)
Friday, 7:30 p.m.
It wasn't completely surprising to see Gateway and Penn Hills - two of the WPIAL's better football programs - lose their opening games. That's because both scheduled tough out-of-district opponents.
But seeing them outscored, 88-25, was shocking.
Gateway lost to one of the state's best Class AAA teams, Bishop McDevitt, 23-0, in Harrisburg. Penn Hills lost in the Cleveland suburbs to St. Edwards of Lakewood, Ohio, 65-25.
Gateway and Penn Hills are both 0-1.
And, now, they face each other. The neighboring Class AAAA rivals from Pittsburgh's eastern suburbs meet Friday night in Monroeville for their eighth game in five seasons - including three playoff games.
Gateway has won five consecutive over Penn Hills, including twice last season: 19-7 and 35-3.
Gateway's defense is led by linebacker Armstead Williams, a Division I recruit with many college offers. The group limited McDevitt star Jameel Poteat to 73 yards and one touchdown on 24 carries. Poteat, who has verbally committed to Pitt, was highly recruited.
Penn Hills junior Corey Jones scored three touchdowns against St. Edwards, including kickoff returns for touchdowns of 82 and 92 yards.
Class AA/A Spotlight Game
Midwestern Conference
No. 5 Beaver Falls (1-0, 1-0) at No. 2 Aliquippa (1-0, 1-0)
Today, 7 p.m.
TV: FSN Pittsburgh
This will be the first game this season televised by FSN Pittsburgh.
Not that either team needs the bright lights and cameras to get more motivated for one of the most intense rivalries in the WPIAL.
These teams have met twice in each of the past two seasons, with Beaver Falls winning the regular-season matchup and Aliquippa taking the postseason rematch. The Quips won in the semifinals in 2009 and defeated the Tigers, 8-6, in the 2008 championship game.
Aliquippa quarterback Mikal Hall completed 11 of 14 for 155 yards and three touchdowns in a 31-6 victory over Laurel, but the one area where the Quips need work is on extra points. They missed 3 of 4 extra-point attempts, and a run and a pass on 2-point conversion chances.
Aliquippa can't afford to throw away those points against Beaver Falls, which has won or shared the Interstate Conference title the past three seasons.
Last week, Beaver Falls showcased a two-pronged running attack featuring Andre Williams and Trey Hall, both of whom gained more than 100 yards in a victory over Mohawk. Tigers quarterback Carlin Henderson completed 9 of 15 for 156 yards. Beaver Falls ran for six touchdowns and kicked a field goal in the victory.
Additional Information:
Backfield battle
Two of the WPIAL's best running backs will meet Friday night at Bethel Park when senior Bre Ford and junior Damion Jones-Moore share the football field. Both topped 1,300 yards in 2009 and started this season with multi-touchdown games.
Bre Ford
School: Bethel Park
Size: 5-11, 205 pounds
2010: 148 yards, 3 TDs after one game
2009: 1,316 yards, 20 TDs
Damion Jones-Moore
School: Central Catholic
Size: 5-7, 170 pounds
2010: 119 yards, 2 TDs after one game
2009: 1,386 yards, 15 TDs
Additional Information:Other players to watch
Julian Durden , Montour: Junior, RB, 5-7, 165
Strengths: Durden's speed and quickness make him a threat to find the end zone in a hurry.
Last week: Durden, playing in his first game for Montour after transferring from North Catholic, gained 175 yards and scored three touchdowns in the the Spartans' 35-28 victory over Chartiers Valley.
Outlook: Durden wasted no time proving his potential as a leader for Montour, which will face another stiff test Friday at home against explosive runner Rushel Shell and Hopewell. Montour comes into the game ranked second in Class AAA, and Hopewell is No. 3.
Matt McCann , Keystone Oaks: Senior, RB/LB, 5-10, 190
Strengths: McCann, who teams with senior Jordan Maddox to form a potent backfield for No. 4 Class AA Keystone Oaks, is a strong two-way performer with a nose for the ball on defense. McCann finished the 2009 season with 125 tackles, three fumble recoveries and an interception.
Last week: McCann rushed for 145 yards on just 10 carries, including a 29-yard touchdown run, in a 34-7 victory at Ambridge.
College plans: He has verbally committed to Villanova, the defending Division I Football Championship Series champion.
Outlook: McCann, who rushed for 1,649 yards last season, will try to top a productive performance in his season opener when Keystone Oaks plays its home opener Friday against Burrell.
Ryan Ruffing , Thomas Jefferson: Junior, RB/DB, 5-11, 195
Strengths: Ruffing has received much preseason hype as a Class AAA player to watch in the WPIAL after averaging 5.9 yards per carry during an injury-shortened season as a sophomore last year. He finished the season with 557 yards rushing on just 95 carries.
Last week: Ruffing and his Thomas Jefferson mates were shut down Saturday in their opener against two-time Florida state champion Cocoa in a 43-7 loss at the Rally at the Wolvarena at Woodland Hills.
Outlook: Coach Bill Cherpak is counting on Ruffing and bruising senior T.J. Mastracia to jump-start the Jaguars' offense, which has sputtered for two consecutive games dating to last season's WPIAL semifinal loss to West Allegheny. No 5 Class AAA Thomas Jefferson will try regroup Friday at South Park.
