Some of the players on the Aliquippa football team will have a certain San Francisco 49ers look for the WPIAL championships Saturday, thanks to Jon Baldwin.
Baldwin is a former Aliquippa star who now plays receiver for the San Francisco 49ers. He sent a dozen 49ers receivers gloves to his alma mater last week. The Aliquippa players wore them for last Friday's WPIAL semifinal game. (Baldwin is pictured during his Aliquippa days).
"That means a lot to these kids," said Aliquippa assistant coach Sherman McBride.
Aliquippa running back Dravon Henry had 102 yards receiving last Friday against Beaver. It was by far his most yards this season.
"He came to the sideline one time and it was funny," McBride said. "He looked at me and Z [Aliquippa coach Mike Zmijanac]. Z just laughed and said, 'It must be the gloves.'"
The Aliquippa players who make it to the NFL often give back to Aliquippa. Darrelle Revis helped the football team get new Nike uniforms this year. Mike Ditka often gives financial support. Tommie Campbell donated shoes to the track team last spring.
Henry player of the year?
Aliquippa's Dravon Henry is tweeting that he has been selected the Gatorade Pennsylvania Player of the Year. Must be true. No official word yet.
TV games for Root
Root Sports television has announced the schedule for the telecasts of the WPIAL championships Saturday at Heinz Field.
The Class A game at 11 and the AAAA game at 2 will be televised live. Root will carry a Penguins game after the AAAA game. Root plans to show the Class AA final on delay at 10 p.m., and it will be followed by the AAA game.