A win away from claiming a second consecutive WPIAL Class 2A title, top seed Steel Valley was upset by No. 10 Beaver Falls in last year’s championship tilt.
And while the defeat caused heartbreak, it also created inspiration. Inspiration to win a second title in three seasons.
“Everybody is inspired,” senior running back Donald Barksdale said. “From last year, that WPIAL game, everybody just came back harder. Practice is way better. Everything is fast now.”
With Donald and younger brother Da’Ron leading the way, Steel Valley hopes to be on the fast track to winning another title. The three-time defending Allegheny Conference champions are 19-0 in conference play and 33-4 overall the past three seasons.
“The group seems to have a lot of enthusium in practice, and they are working pretty hard,” veteran coach Ray Braszo said. “They seem to be into it. Enthusiasm means a lot.”
So does having talent. Donald Barksdale is coming off a tremendous junior season that saw him rush for 2,061 yards and score 37 touchdowns, both of which ranked among the WPIAL leaders.
“I’m not going to lie, there were times when I was like, ‘Damn, that’s my brother,’” said Da’Ron, who like Donald has Division I offers.
Da’Ron Barksdale, a junior, has been practicing after missing most of last season with a knee injury. Barksdale is not fully cleared yet and is expected to miss Steel Valley’s Week 0 showdown with Class 1A power Clairton at the Wolvarena. Barksdale was the team’s starting quarterback before being injured last season, but when he’s plugged back into the lineup this fall, it’s expected that he lines up at wide receiver.
Senior Jayden Cabbagestalk will start at quarterback after seeing some time last season. He’ll have quite a few weapons at his disposal between the Barksdale brothers and senior wide receiver Del Shields, the team’s leading receiver who doubled as an all-conference defensive back.
Braszo said the Ironmen should be solid on the lines, a big reason for that being the return of senior Rasaun Hough, an all-conference honoree on both sides of the ball. Juniors Dylan Smith and Holden Labishak also return.
Steel Valley will be tested quite a bit early on in the season, as its first three games (Clairton, Washington and Bishop Canevin) are against teams that won at least 10 games last season.
Senior running back Eric Doerue (1,517 yards, 18 touchdowns) and senior lineman Parker Cunningham are two of the standouts for South Park, which went 7-5 and reached the Class 3A quarterfinals a season ago. Cunningham is a James Madison recruit and Doerue has an offer from Bowling Green.
Also moving down from Class 3A is Shady Side Academy, which went 5-6 last season and features senior offensive tackle-defensive end Jack Bellinotti and senior running back-defensive back Darrin Haynes.
Senior quarterback-defensive end Vann Kavals, an Akron recruit, hopes to lead Our Lady of the Sacred Heart to a rebound season after missing the playoffs last fall. Kavals (6-5, 240) missed most of the last two seasons due to injuries.
Apollo-Ridge returns senior all-conference center Ryan Lydon. Junior wide receiver-linebacker Jaden McCray led the team in receptions last season and was also one of the leading tacklers.
South Allegheny looks to rebound from last year’s 1-9 finish. Senior all-conference running back Cameron Epps returns after rushing for 1,269 yards and 15 touchdowns a season ago.
Ligonier Valley went 2-8 last season but returns all-conference senior running back John Jablunovsky, who led the team in rushing (892 yards) and touchdowns (10).
Midwestern Conference
A year after winning the WPIAL title as a No. 10 seed, Beaver Falls must replace lots of top talent and will do so under the direction of new coach Jim Mooney, who was previously an assistant with the Tigers. Senior Za’Saun McElvy is a talented wide receiver-defensive back.
Expectations are high at Ellwood City, which brings senior running back Elijah Palmer-McCane (1,485 yards, 18 touchdowns) and senior lineman Evan Tweddell, both all-conference picks last season. Also returning is senior quarterback Chris Smiley (1,689 yards passing, 17 touchdowns).
Junior wide receiver Bobby Fadden (43 catches, 675 yards, 17 touchdowns) returns for Mohawk, which went 10-3 and reached the WPIAL semifinals a season ago.
Union joins the conference after moving up from Class 1A, where the Scotties won a WPIAL title in 2022 and advanced to the quarterfinals last season. Senior lineman Jamel Mitchell was an all-conference pick on both sides of the ball a season ago.
Western Beaver sophomore quarterback Jaivin Peel threw for a WPIAL freshman record 2,898 yards to go along with 33 touchdowns on his way to all-conference honors in 2023.
Riverside hopes for a big rebound season after going 1-8 last season. Senior running back-defensive back Robert Janis led the Panthers in rushing his junior season. Senior tight end-linebacker Zach Hare, a baseball star at the school, is also expected to play a big role.
Freedom looks to improve on last year’s 3-7 finish. Senior running back-defensive back Cooper Young is one of the top returnees.
John Macuga is the new coach at New Brighton, which didn’t win a game either of the last two seasons after reaching the WPIAL quarterfinals in 2021.
Century Conference
Seton LaSalle showed a lot of promise last year in Class 3A and figures to have one of the stronger Class 2A teams this season as the Rebels return a group of talent that includes sophomore wide receiver Khalil Taylor and senior defensive back Logan King, both all-conference honorees. Taylor is considered a top 100 player nationally in his class.
Washington split the conference title with McGuffey last season when it also reached the WPIAL semifinals. Junior lineman Joe Wilson and junior defensive back Jahvon Woods return after earning all-conference recognition. Junior Tristan Reed returns at quarterback after throwing for 1,310 yards and 14 touchdowns last season.
Waynesburg looks to keep up the positive momentum after following up a winless campaign in 2022 by going 7-4 and reaching the playoffs last season. Senior lineman Vince Maley and sophomore wide receiver-defensive back Jake Ricciuti were all-conference honorees in 2023.
Keystone Oaks must replace five all-conference players from last season’s team that went 6-5. Senior running back-linebacker Billy Bricker is one of the top returning players.
Brendan Blair takes over as coach at Sto-Rox, which finished 2-7 last season. Big things are expected from senior running back-linebacker Shaiky Yates.
Carlynton (2-8 last season) moves up from Class 1A. Senior quarterback-defensive back Devonte Dean was an all-conference selection on defense in 2023.
Charleroi hopes to improve on last year’s winless season. Junior Jackson Keranko returns at quarterback.
Players to watch
Donald Barksdale, Steel Valley, 5-10, 180, RB-DB, Sr. — Rushed for 2,061 yards and 37 touchdowns last season.
Eric Doerue, South Park, 6-0, 205, RB, Sr. — Ran for 1,517 yards and 18 touchdowns last season.
Vann Kavals, O.L. Sacred Heart, 6-5, 240, QB-DE, Sr. — Akron defensive end recruit is also a standout quarterback.
Jaivin Peel, Western Beaver, 6-0, 185, QB, Soph. — Threw for a WPIAL freshman record 2,898 yards to go along with 33 touchdowns last season.
Khalil Taylor, Seton LaSalle, 5-11, 180, WR-DB, Soph. — Dynamic talent with Power Four offers was named all-conference as a freshman.
Brad is a sports writer at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, but he's currently on strike. Email him at beverett@unionprogress.com.