Kiski Valley 10U Knights celebrate Super Bowl victory

Michael Love
Sunday, Nov. 27, 2022 2:34 p.m. | Sunday, Nov. 27, 2022 2:34 p.m.

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Courtesy of Ashley Dodd-Freeman

The Kiski Valley Knights won the Big East Youth Football League 10U division championship Nov. 5 with a 24-8 victory over Penn-Trafford in the title game. Team members are Tre Hartill, Marley Carter, Austin Coughanour, Kee-Ontae Frank, Javan Shearer, Jason Dick, Landon Hepler, Triston Shaw, Louie Harshman, Colin Mele, Dezmond Chambers, Arabella Campbell, Trent Jackson, Paul Hans, Liam Lookhart, Logan Aftanas, Alvie Eshelman, Carter Gamble, William Cline, Ashton Taylor, Isaac Cox, Carter Woods, Brayden Arner, Mason Ogden, Jacob Keenan, Wyatt Heilman, Roger Shearer, Aden Schall, David Babyak, Youseff Bounova, Trent Billingsly, Levi Campbell, Demonte Chambers, Chase Hans, Gavin Dodd, Donavan Hughley and Jordan Flemm. Head coach Kyle Harris was assisted by Charlo Edwards, Lamont Johnson, Jermaine Hughley and Jason Murphy.

It was a productive fall season for the Kiski Valley Lancers youth football teams as three of the four made the Big East Youth Football League playoffs and the 10U Knights captured the championship of their division.

The Knights defeated Penn-Trafford, 24-8, in the Super Bowl Nov. 5.

Kiski Valley came into the playoffs as the No. 3 seed with a 7-2 record behind regular-season co-champions Gateway and Penn-Trafford.

The Knights would gain a measure of revenge in the playoffs after losing regular-season games to Gateway, 12-0, and Penn-Trafford, 8-0.

Dubbed “PayBack Season” by head coach Kyle Harris, Kiski Valley’s playoff run started in the quarterfinals with a 28-6 victory over Franklin Regional.

The Knights then beat No. 2 Gateway, 22-8, in the semifinals, before defeating No. 1 Penn-Trafford, 24-8 in the Super Bowl.

Harris said he was proud of his stingy defense he dubbed, “The Hit Squad,” which gave up just six touchdowns in 12 overall games.

Harris, also the defensive coordinator, also credited the play of Ashton “The Big Bad Wolf” Taylor as the leader on both sides of the ball.

He pointed to the effectiveness of the offense led by offensive coordinator Charlo Edwards.

The Kiski Valley 12U team finished the regular season 4-5 and landed in the No. 6 position for the BEYFL playoffs.

The team was not able to advance past the first round, falling to No. 3 Jeannette, 40-20.

Kiski Valley flag (ages 5-6) hoped to advance to the semifinals, but Ar-Ken eliminated them in a close contest, 30-24.