MAJOR UPSET

By Delaney Baker

Senior O'Malley Daly is starting his final high school season strong. On September 8th, 2023, the Rebels football team beat the Steel Valley Ironmen at Peters Stadium by a score of 23 to 20 in double overtime, which led the Rebels to their third win this season. 
After two consecutive losing seasons, he and the team have found ways to win on the gridiron. Daly stated, “I was relieved to know I was able to win the game for my team.” 
After a winless 2022 season, the coaches and players made significant changes following a 0-10 record. In the 2023 season, they gained new talent from transfers and freshmen. Major assets like freshman Khalil Taylor and transfer Logan King, plus other key returning players like senior Aric White and junior Carson Barone helped add to the team's fire. 
They even developed a three-game win streak. The team is referring to this season as their “Revenge Tour” because they want to beat every team that defeated them last year. The players circled the Steel Valley game on the schedule after last season’s 62-7 loss. 
The Rebels didn't want to be embarrassed again. 
The players went into the game knowing it would be a tough battle, but ultimately they believed that the coaches prepared them to succeed. Most players said they would win because they had an effective week of practice. 
Their predictions proved to be accurate.
The game was very close the entire time, in which both teams would get a lead of a touchdown. At the end of the 4th quarter, the game was tied back and forth with both teams scoring field goals. 
Eventually, Daly scored the game-winning touchdown, which gave him a total of 130 rushing yards for the night. Daly explained, “It felt good to have 130 rushing yards and help my team beat the reigning WPIAL Champs.”