CHIPPEWA TWP. — In a game where the elements can play a factor, anything can happen. And in the Week 8 Parkway Conference high school football matchup between Central Valley and Blackhawk High School football, the game had a little of everything.
Despite Central Valley giving Blackhawk all it could handle by sending the game into overtime after a second-half comeback, the Cougars prevailed 42-41 to match their best win total since the 2019 season.
“It was a great game, and both teams fought all the way until the end,” Blackhawk head coach Trevor George said. “No one can hang their hat after a game like this one; that is what Beaver County football is all about.”
It may have taken an extra possession for Blackhawk (7-1, 2-1 Parkway) to get the job done, but the team made plays when it mattered the most.
Following a missed 16-yard field goal by Blackhawk as time expired, the team utilized its rushing attack, with Brayden McCarthy finding the end zone for the game-winning score to put the Cougars up by six points.
On Central Valley’s (2-6, 0-2 Parkway) ensuing possession, senior quarterback Braddock Ambrose found his freshman running back, Makai Howard for a seven-yard touchdown.
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With an opportunity to either tie the game with a PAT or go for the win with a two-point conversion, Central Valley head coach Mark Lyons did not flinch when it came to sending his offense back out, but the conversion failed after a bad snap.
“Nobody’s really stopped them [Blackhawk] and we felt that we had to outscore them in this game, and we almost did,” Lyons said. “I’m proud of our guys. We knew that the minute we went to overtime, if we had a chance to win, we were going to go for two.”
At two points in the second half, Central Valley found itself on the ropes after Ambrose threw a pick-six to Blackhawk linebacker Ja’mier Paparella on the opening drive of the third quarter. Wide receiver Zach Feeley also seemed to put the game on ice with a 20-yard rushing score early in the fourth quarter.
However, Ambrose kept his team in the game, bouncing back from that interception and racking up three total touchdowns in the second half while finishing with five in the game.
“Braddock’s a competitor, loves to have the ball in his hands, has thick skin and nothing phases him,” Lyons said. “He just wants a chance to make a play.”
For Blackhawk, it was another strong offensive game for the Cougars, with the team posting 40 points for the sixth time this season.
Hayden Magill led the charge with 22 carries for 217 yards and a score, while McCarthy ran 11 times for 103 yards with the game-winning touchdown.
“The four-minute drill that we worked on throughout the week to move the ball downfield while also taking time off the clock, our kids did a good job with that,” George said. “There’s a lot to be proud of, but there is still work to do.”
Blackhawk will be back in action on Friday, Oct. 23 when it travels to face Kiski Area in non-conference play. As for Central Valley, it will be back on the road next week to face off against New Castle.
Ethan Morrison is the sports reporter for the Beaver County Times. Contact him at emorrison@usatodayco.com and follow him at EthanMorrison26 on X.
This article originally appeared on Beaver County Times: Blackhawk High School football defeats Central Valley in overtime