Penn State coach James Franklin watches Tiqwai Hayes, Aliquippa-Dallas PIAA championship game from sideline

Aliquippa running back Tiqwai Hayes is a junior Penn State commit

Aliquippa vs. Dallas is underway for the Class 4A high school football state championship game in Pennsylvania, and a big-time college coach is checking it out live.

Penn State coach James Franklin is on the sideline presumably getting a look at four-star junior running back Tiqwai Hayes, who's committed to Penn State.

No helicopter was seen swooping in carrying the Nittany Lions coach this time.

Aliquippa's Tiqwai Hayes puts on a show in front of Penn State head coach James Franklin in Pennsylvania Class 4A state championship

Aliquippa struck first with a 36-yard touchdown throw from Quentin Goode to Brandon Banks to give the Quips an 8-0 lead, and Hayes chewed up some yardage on the drive.

In the second quarter Hayes broke free for an ankle-breaking 61-yard touchdown to give Aliquippa a big lead:

A highlight reel 61 yard TD run for @Tiqwaihayes of Aliquippa

Aliquippa leads Dallas 32-7 with 915 left 2Q pic.twitter.com/r6ZW73T5du

— Ryan (@Isley23) December 8, 2023

Dallas vs. Aliquippa: Live updates from Pennsylvania 4A high school football championship game

It was his third touchdown of the first half.

Hayes entered the game with an excellent shot at a 2,000-yard junior season. He has 1,908 rushing yards and 20 touchdowns as he tries to finish his junior year with a state title.

The Quips finished second in Class 4A in 2022.

Penn State football coach James Franklin takes in the 4A PIAA state championship game between Aliquippa and Dallas / Photo by Ryan Isley

Steelton-Highspire's Erby family gets one final hurrah with Pennsylvania Class 1A state title

—

-- Mike Swanson | swanson@scorebooklive.com | @sblivesports