Three years ago, Aliquippa coach Mike Zmijanac broke with tradition at the tradition-rich high school when he promoted a number of ninth-grade football players to the varsity.

A freshman practicing with the varsity, at that time was as rare in Aliquippa as the Quips missing the WPIAL playoffs. But there was sound logic behind the move.

"We did it for a couple of reasons," Zmijanac said. "We were a little thin that year and needed some players, plus we knew that was a pretty good group. We didn't think having them playing junior high ball would challenge them enough."

Those players are now seniors and make up the bulk of Aliquippa's starters this year. Six of them were starters last year when the Quips won WPIAL and PIAA Class AA titles.

One of them -- wide receiver/defensive back Michael Washington -- has been starting since he was a ninth grader.

"I don't think any of the outstanding players we've had here, like Pudgy Abercrombie, started as a ninth grader," Zmijanac said. "Now, it's a little easier doing that if you're a wideout, but still ..."

But still, it's Aliquippa, although Zmijanac has eight freshmen on the varsity roster this season.

He is quick to point out that in practice freshmen rarely go against seniors.

"They really kind of do things on their own," he said. "But I'd much rather have them working with us from July until November than just playing a junior high schedule.

"For the most part, they play in the junior varsity games, but we might get them into a [varsity game] for a play or two and that experience is invaluable."

It's hard to argue with the results. Aliquippa is undefeated after five games and 3-0 in the Midwestern Athletic Conference. The Quips are coming off a 52-13 victory against New Brighton and entertain Beaver Friday night before traveling to Beaver Falls for a showdown Oct. 8.

While Washington, who has caught eight passes for 146 yards and two touchdowns, has the big reputation, there are three other seniors who have been quietly outstanding.

Safety/tight end Tommie Campbell has two interceptions and has been a terror on defense. D'Von Jeter plays defensive end and has spent almost as much time in opposing backfields as the quarterbacks he chases. And Jimmy Brown has been rock-solid at center and linebacker.

Campbell, who is 6 feet 4, 180 pounds, might have the best upside when it comes to playing at the Division I college level. He just turned 17 and isn't done growing.

"He's a real physical specimen," Zmijanac said. "With his size and running ability and the way he hits people, he makes it tough on opponents.

"Jeter is also a tough kid who is a real physical player and Jimmy Brown is the same way. They all played a lot as sophomores."

Although a ninth grader might look like he's ready for varsity action physically, Zmijanac understands there is a maturing process that a player must go through.

"We don't baby them much physically, but we do to a certain extent mentally," he said. "We don't throw them into things right away and try to let them adjust."

Aliquippa played perhaps its best game of the season last weekend in the demolition of New Brighton. Zmijanac went so far as to say he doesn't think the Quips can play any better.

They held New Brighton to 85 yards rushing, while rolling up 263 yards on the ground themselves.

Of course, a team doesn't want to be playing its best football in September. It needs to be at its best in November for the playoffs.

Zmijanac isn't worried about Aliquippa peaking too soon.

"We identified four or five teams in our conference at the start of the season that we thought had a chance to win," he said. "We figured those are the teams we had to beat and our players understand that.

"The one thing we've been able to do well in recent years is maintain an even keel. We know the teams we have to get emotionally ready for and do that."