Football - Ligonier Valley vs Steel Valley

October 02, 2020

Ligonier Valley sneaks past Steel Valley 28-26 at Weller Field in WPIAL Class 2A action.

Ligonier Valley earned a hard fought 28-26 victory over Steel Valley claiming their first WPIAL win at Weller Field in the last 50 years.

Ligonier Valley rejoined the WPIAL this season after leaving District 6. The Rams have been on the road for all three of their previous games this year.

The Rams hosted the Steel Valley Ironmen in one of only two home football games they will host this year as a result of their return to the WPIAL.

Ligonier kicked off to Steel Valley to start the Class 2A Allegheny Conference contest that was played under a full moon and a limited fan base due to Pennsylvania Governor Wolf’s Covid-19 limits on event attendance.

The Ironmen opened the scoring when quarterback Ronnell Lawrence threw a 20-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Ahmir Lavar Culmer making the score 6-0.

Steel Valley running back Nijhay Davion Burt then ran in a two point conversion and the visitors took an 8-0 lead.

The Rams finally lit up the Weller Field scoreboard for the first time this season when Lanigan McCulty scored on a 6-yard touchdown run with 10:45 left in the 2nd quarter making the score 8-6.

The Rams went for two and failed leaving the Ironman with a slight lead of 8-6.

The Ironmen wasted no time in putting more points on the board as kick returner Nijhay Davion Burt took the kickoff 85-yards to score an electrifying touchdown.

Steel Valley failed on the two point conversion and the visiting team led 14-6 with 10:45 left in the half.

The Rams mounted an impressive drive in the final minutes of the first half and it culminated with a 35-yard touchdown run by quarterback Haden Sierocky that pulled Ligonier Valley within two points.

Ligonier Valley running back Kaden Faas bowled into the end zone to secure a tow point conversion tying the game at fourteen.

The first half of play came to an end as Ligonier Valley was driving.

Both teams headed into the intermission tied at fourteen.

Steel Valley kicked off to Ligonier Valley to start the second half.

Ligonier Valley marched toward the end zone where Kaden Foss scored on a 4-yard touchdown run and the home team took a 20-14 lead.

The Rams added a two point conversion when Sierocky scored on a keeper extending the lead to 22-14 with 4:22 left in the 3rd quarter.

The Rams scored their last points of the evening when Sierocky threw a 4 yard touchdown pass to Matthew Marinchak making the score 28-14.

Ligonier Valley missed the extra point attempt and the score remained 28-14 with 56 seconds left to play in the 3rd quarter.

Steel Valley mounted a comeback attempt in the 4th quarter when Nijhay Davion Burt scored twice with a 6-yard touchdown run and an impressive 49-yard sprint to the end zone that pulled the Ironmen within two points of the Rams.

Ligonier Valley's Sierocky swatted away a pass attempt by Lawrence for the two point conversion and The Rams held onto to their two point lead with 4:51 left in the game.

The Rams then killed the clock with a drive that came down to a 4th and 1 with 1:29 left in the contest.

Sierocky and his lineman powered past the Ironmen defenders to get the first down and secure the 28-26 win.

Ligonier Valley running back Nick Beitel rushed for 95 yards on the night and Sierocky threw for 111 yards and ran for more than 60 yards.

Steel Valley's Nijhay Davion Burt rushed for 132 yards and three scores in the loss.

Ligonier Valley improved to 2-2 on the season and Steel Valley fell to 1-2 on the season.

The Rams head back out onto the road for the next two weeks before returning home for their last home game of the season.

Watch this link for a full gallery of action photos available for purchase or sharing the day after the game.

Keywords: boys, football, high school, kiski area, north hills, westmoreland county