Football Game Preview: Steel Valley Ironmen vs. Western Beaver Golden Beavers + Official Tickets

The Steel Valley Ironmen will take on the Western Beaver Golden Beavers at 7:00 p.m. on Friday. Both squads will be entering this one on the heels of a big victory.

Steel Valley is on a roll after a high-stakes playoff matchup on Friday. They claimed a resounding 42-6 win over Ellwood City. The victory was familiar territory for the Ironmen, who have now won four games in a row.

Da`Ron Barksdale

Rushing Yards

11/07/25 vs Ellwood City	213
10/24/25 @ South Allegheny	176
10/17/25 vs Ligonier Valley	240
10/11/25 @ Our Lady of the Sacred Heart	126
10/03/25 @ Apollo Ridge	120
+ 6 more games

Da`Ron Barksdale was his usual excellent self, rushing for 213 yards and five scores while picking up 7.1 yards per carry. Barksdale is crushing it when it comes to rushing yards: he's rushed for at least 109 every time he's taken the field this season.

Steel Valley's run defense was locked in: Ellwood City could only muster 0.7 yards per carry. The team can thank Lamrion Rucker for the heroic effort on defense: he. Steel Valley's run defense has been on the up-and-up: they allowed 4.34 yards per carry earlier this season, but they've only allowed 9.57 on average over their last five games.

Steel Valley's defense didn't let Tyler Smiley, get away unscathed either: they got into the backfield for five sacks. Rucker was particularly dangerous to the passing game, picking up two himself.

Meanwhile, everything came up roses for Western Beaver against Apollo Ridge on Friday as the squad secured a 42-14 win. The final result isn't all that surprising considering the Golden Beavers' considerable advantage in MaxPreps' Pennsylvania football rankings (they are ranked 127th, while the Vikings are ranked 258th).

Steel Valley's victory bumped their record up to 8-3. As for Western Beaver, their win bumped their record up to 10-1.

Steel Valley took their victory against Western Beaver in their previous meeting back in November of 2024 by a conclusive 36-13 score. Do the Ironmen have another victory up their sleeve, or will the Golden Beavers turn the tables on them? We'll have the answer soon enough.