The sixth game of a nine-game regular season is a little late for a mid-term test, but that is exactly what awaits Center tomorrow night against Aliquippa in the last installment of an old Beaver County rivalry.

It is the Trojans who will enter Sarge Albert Stadium Friday night with the undefeated record (5-0 overall, 4-0 in the Midwestern Athletic Conference) and the lofty ranking (No. 2 in the Post-Gazette WPIAL Class AA rankings and No. 5 in PIAA Class AA).

But it is Aliquippa (4-1, 3-1) that has owned this series the past decade and perhaps even comes into this Midwestern showdown as a favorite.

Center has not defeated the Quips since 2002 and this season is the Trojans' last and maybe best chance to knock off Aliquippa since then. With next year's merger with Monaca, the Center football team will be no more. The combined schools will be known as Central Valley and will probably compete in Class AAA.

Last year in a near identical situation, Center carried a 5-0 record into "The Pit" at Aliquippa and went home with a 28-17 loss but the Trojans hung tough with an Aliquippa team that had routinely blown them out in the previous several meetings.

"Ours kids last year left everything out there," Taddeo said. "They gave everything they could. There were times as a coach you see kids who fold up a little bit in 'The Pit,' I didn't see that from my kids. Now we get them at home. It will be a great game."

Although some may view Aliquippa as the favorite because of its historic past, its recent history against Center and perhaps even its title as defending WPIAL Class AA champions, Aliquippa coach Mike Zmijanac wants to hear none of it.

Since the preseason he has attempted to downplay his team, citing the loss of talent from last year's senior-laden team and only two returning starters on either side of the ball.

"I just don't think we are real good," Zmijanac said. "We have been able to beat the teams we play and hang tough."

Most Class AA coaches are not buying Zmijanac's poor-mouthing and Taddeo is one of them.

"Aliquippa is good. I have been watching them play and they have players. Mike is playing his card saying he is young and he has a lot of freshmen ... but he is full of [baloney]," Taddeo laughed.

Last week for the Quips it was Tyriq Dorsett leading the offense on the ground with 118 yards rushing and quarterback Mikal Hall throwing for 131 yards.

Preston Dawson has been quarterbacking the Center spread offense that has consistently put up big numbers. The Trojans are averaging 34 points per game this season.

More than any personnel difference between the two teams, the biggest difference up to this point has been the schedules. The Trojans' and Quips' schedules have played out like polar opposites.

While Aliquippa's toughest games are behind it, Center has played five teams all with losing records and a combined 5-20 overall.

"I told my kids this morning, we got through the Freedoms, the New Brightons and the Riversides and now we have to start focusing on Aliquippa," Taddeo said. "I told them you work your tail off for a game like this and it is crunch time. Everything is pending here. We haven't had home-field advantage in a long time."

Of course, while Sarge Albert Stadium may be the host site of future playoff games if the stadium is chosen as the home field of Central Valley, this season is the last chance it would be home for the Trojans in the postseason. The Quips hold a commanding 25-3-1 edge in the all-time series.

"Everyone is asking about the merger but I don't talk to [the team] about it at all," Taddeo said. "They know the merger is happening.

"We are just focusing on Aliquippa. We have been down the road before with Aliquippa, this is the last year for Center and the last Center-Aliquippa game," Taddeo said.

Then he quickly corrected himself -- "maybe the last meeting."

Aliquippa High School's Haetaun Mathis, a junior wide receiver/defensive back, has become a big-play guy. He scored on a 73-yard pass against Beaver Falls and this past Friday he pulled in a 78-yard pass for a touchdown against Mohawk. He also has two interceptions on the season.

• What: Aliquippa at Center.

• When: 7 p.m. tomorrow.

• Where: Sarge Albert Stadium, Center High School.

• The skinny: Center is undefeated and tied with Beaver Falls for first place in the Class AA Midwestern Athletic Conference; Aliquippa is 4-1 overall and a game behind the leaders in the MAC. This is the final meeting between Center and Aliquippa since Center and Monaca will merge next year to form Central Valley High School.

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