It took a while for Beaver Falls to establish this season's running competition. However, it came at the right time.

After the team graduated from the three star running backs of Josh Hoff, Shirek Livingston and Taylor Jones, the growing pains were expected. Last fall, these three ran nearly 3,400 yards on the ground, leading the Tigers to the WPIAL 2A championship.

As the backcourt work was underway this fall and the early schedule was cruel, Beaver Falls separated the game with a 0-3 ratio. However, in the end, the Tigers' situation is still good. Their emerging ground game helped promote a nine-game winning streak, allowing the team to return to Heinz Stadium at 5pm on Friday against the Sierra Catholics to defend its WPIAL. Championship title.

"To be honest, it feels great to be back," Beaver Falls junior quarterback Jaylen Brickner said. "A lot of people doubted us this year. Proving that everyone is wrong will give you a good feeling. Now, you just have to win it."

Beaver Falls successfully passed the ball to a handful of running backs. However, Isaiah Aeschbacher has become the protagonist. The junior who grew up in Beaver Falls moved back to the area from Petroleum City before the school year, where he helped the Oilers win consecutive Division 10 4A championships.

"Honestly, this is great," Aeschbacher said. "I know some players from the AAU basketball team. After coming to a brand new team, they welcome me to join the team very much. Through them doing so, it makes me feel very comfortable in the backcourt. We just clicked. A few games were a bit difficult, but after that, I was locked."

Many tigers have a chance to run the ball in every game. Aeschbacher and Quinton Adamson are the busiest running backs. Usually, Brickner dribbles with Quadir Thomas, Trey Singleton, Brixx Rawl and Mekhi Clark.

"Isaiah and Quinton go in and out. They are different threats. This worries the team," Brickner said. "Isaiah is more like an outside runner. Quinton will hit the hole and let you hit 8 yards. Knowing that people are now afraid of our running game and it feels good; it started the passing game like last year."

Aeschbacher has always been a force on the defensive end. He feels very comfortable in the Tigers system and shares the burden of sprinting.

"It's great to be able to play my role," he said. "We have two main threats and I have full confidence in my team."

The junior led the Tigers on the ground with 783 yards and 9 touchdowns. In the team's first two playoff games, Eschbach dribbled 26 times for 168 yards and 3 touchdowns. In the semifinals, he defeated the top seed Kotani 21-8 and scored a team-high 39 yards in 10 attacks. 

"Can't explain how great it feels to reach Heinz Field," Aeschbacher said. "I'm very excited, but this is just another business trip for our Tigers."

The running game complements the successful passing game. Aeschbacher is also one of them, with 15 catches for 115 yards this year. Singleton, Clark and Thomas, and close end Tyler Kane are Brickner's main targets.

"They all are extremely fast and know how to run a good route," Brickner said.

Beaver Falls is satisfied with the way it saved the season after starting 0-3. The team is easily discouraged and falls into free fall. Instead, it refocused and soared.

"Our main key is to concentrate and keep hunger. We know what we can do, we just need to concentrate," Aeschbacher said. "This is a blast. This is the most interesting thing I have ever played on the football field, especially with a group of people around me."

The Tigers (9-3) hope they can maintain their winning streak against the upstart Hawks (13-1).

"We just need to continue playing the game we have been playing throughout the playoffs," Brickner said. "For four quarters, everyone has remained calm and didn't relax until everything was over."