State AAAA playoffs
Went with more sex and less foreplay this week, adding extra historical data that may be of interest minus player sizes and the tonnage of team stats that can get old. Most of us have a clue about them anyway at this point. So here goes with a peek at the final 8 teams battling for 4A gold.
The East
District 12 champ vs D-2-4-11-12 champ
Nov 29th 1PM Bethlehem School District Stadium
St. Joseph's Prep Hawks (8-3, District 12, Philadelphia Catholic League, 1st place 3-0)
vs
Parkland Trojans (11-2, District 11, Eastern Pennsylvania Conference South, 2nd place tie 6-2)
This could get interesting since the defending state champion Hawks haven't had a games that taxed them since LaSalle six weeks ago. During the same period, Parkland has had a few, losing to Easton 28-21 at home seven weeks ago, edging Freedom 21-13 the following week on the road then beating Easton again last week 13-10 in overtime. All those great games St. Joseph's played at the top of the season have to be good prep for what's ahead. Nothing easy about the PCL-AAAA, just limited comp (tight games) for the Hawks excepting the 35-31 win against LaSalle. Prior to that, they were 1-3 against Mount Carmel-IL, Don Bosco Prep, St. Ignatius and St. Joseph's Regional before winning their last seven games. Parkland is also on a roll, winning their last six.
This is a rematch of last year's quarterfinal game won by St. Joe's 21-10 where they jumped Parkland early, racing out to a 21-0 lead. The Hawks defense was magnificent, forcing Parkland to punt their first seven possessions. Moving on to the semifinal saw them (12-3) defeat Neshaminy (11-3) 37-21 before rolling over previously undefeated Pittsburgh Central Catholic (15-1) 35-10 to win their first Quad-A title. Talk about a whooping! The Vikings left their battle axes at home for that one coming in with an offense averaging 42ppg and a defense allowing 7.
Whether the Hawk's are better this year than last is debatable in some circles but the Trojans are definitely better. They haven't won a state crown since 2002's 14-1 team beat Woodland Hills (13-1) 34-12. Then in 2007 (15-1), they won Silver, losing to Pittsburgh Central Catholic (16-0) 21-0. They are not without flaws but are clearly improved under center with multi-threat DeVonte Cross now a junior and a run stuffing defense allowing 12ppg. Size across the front suggests they can at least bang with the Hawks. And they've demonstrated an effective short passing game recently against Stroudsburg in the 1st round, 33-10, that could counter St. Joe's fierce pass rush. Judged by last year's results, measured against this year's returns and outcomes, this looks like a very tight game.
District 1 Final
Nov 29th 1PM Souderton Area High School
Coatesville Red Raiders (13-0, Ches Mont-National Division 6-0)
Vs
Pennsbury Falcons (12-1, Suburban One-National, 1st place, co-champ 6-1)
How about coach Matt Ortega turning around the Coatesville program in only his sixth season. Following a 5-5 mark in 2009, they won 52 of 63 games through last week. And since sharing the Ches Mont-National in 2010 with Downingtown East at 5-1, they ripped through the conference at a torrid clip, winning 21 of 24 games, winning the National outright this year at 6-0. They won their first district title under Ortega in 2012 (13-3) and the Silver Medal the same year losing to North Allegheny (16-0) 63-28 in the final. Nice, all in six years.
Ditto for Coach Galen Snyder at Pennsbury with a 106-43 won-loss since coming on board in 2002. Comparing Snyder to Ortega shows essentially a dead heat with Coach Snyder at 54-17 since 2009. Bottom line, the district final fittingly brings together two of the top coaches and winningest programs in southeastern Pennsylvania. You've got to like the balance of Coatesville to bale them in a pinch with a hard throwing quarterback like Jordan Young with with multiple weapons. But, Pennsbury counters with a stable of running backs led by Charles Snorweah plus Raheem Thompson, Victor Delgado and Daulton Hose. Contrasting styles for sure but since both have been here before it promises to be a hard fought, close game.
The West
District 3 Final
Nov 29th 6PM Hershey Park Stadium
Wilson Bulldogs (13-0, Lancaster Lebanon-One, 1st place 7-0)
vs
Central Dauphin Rams (11-2, Mid Penn Commonwealth Division, 1st place, tri champ 6-1)
Rematch! Round two will be heated and a thing of beauty after Wilson prevailed in the first encounter on a play that was something beyond controversial. Wilson should be 12-1 with CD the same but the refs thought otherwise. Simply put, a lateral that was called a forward pass denied the Rams a touchdown that would have won the game. The pitch, preceding the pass for the score was deemed a forward pass, allowing the Bulldogs to escape with a 14-12 win. Part of the game and all but if you believe in karma, all will work itself out in the district final Saturday at Hershey Park Stadium. Looking at the coaches, Wilson's coach Doug Dahms is one of the premier coaches in the state, with a record of 106-15 over the last nine years. They've won eight LL-Section 1 titles (7 straight) in that time and two district titles. The school won 521 games since 1945 (!) while garnering 12 perfect seasons. Their last losing season was 1963. So, what's wrong with this picture? Right, no state titles. That was the problem for Central Dauphin, another great program that wasn't in the conversation until winning gold a few years ago. Didn't matter that many of us knew they were an outstanding program. You got to win the gold to get the nod in this state. Back to Wilson, here they are again, challenging, three wins from the gold medal.
Another great young coach in the district is Rams coach Glen McNamee. His philosophy is paying off with a total commitment to special teams and defense, resulting in blocked punts, field goals and kick returns that were big in wins this season, especially against Manheim Township in overtime and Governor Mifflin last week. His prioritizing defense where he places his best players has that unit allowing a mere 12ppg. It's typical CD football, with a physical front four supported by an athletic line backing corps. Coach's won-loss is 87-26 since coming aboard in 2006 with the 2011 team winning states beating North Penn 14-7. Beating Governor Mifflin last week in Shillington suggests they may have arrived despite suggestions here they are a year away. This year's squad is mostly sophomores and juniors. So here we go with two great coaches squaring off with a senior laden Wilson team against the young Rams from Central Dauphin.
District 7 champ vs District 6-8-9-10 champ
Nov 29th 1PM Altoona High-Mansion Park
Pine Richland Rams (13-0, District 7, Northern 8, 1st place 7-0)
vs
State College Little Lions (6-6, District 6, Mid Penn-Commonwealth Division, 2nd place tie 3-4)
Got a new player in town in Pine Richland (or is it the quarterback?) under second year head coach Eric Kasperowicz. Before moving to AAAA, Pine Richland had a strong history of success at the AAA classification, going 64-10 from 2002 through 2007. The 2003 team went 14-1 losing in the final to Manheim Central (15-0) 39-38 in what some called the best game they ever saw; double overtime in a blizzard. (blocked x-tra pt) In 2008, they moved to AAAA where they immediately tanked, going 17-31 through 2012. Last year's turnaround was modest in appearance at 5-5 but reflective of Coach K's dynamic offense, soaring from 23ppg the year before his arrival to 32 a game his first year. In 1993 Coach quarterbacked North Hill's pro-style offense all the way to a 15-0 season (USA Today #2) and a PIAA title (Mansion Park), beating Central Bucks West (11-2, lost to Norristown) 15-14, after the Bucks defeated Easton (11-2-1) 6-3 in the semi-final. LaVar Arringotn played on that team that is still overshadowed by the 1987 13-0 North Hills team voted USA-Today's number 1 team with 11 shutouts, outscoring teams 435 to 20. This year's team is averaging a resounding 46ppg, allowing a scant 13. Three year starter Ben DiNucci (6-3, 200, Sr, Penn) spearheads the offense with a quick release and an uncanny 72% completion rate, throwing for 3476 yards and 35 touchdowns. He has thrown only 4 interceptions. They are the most prolific passing attack in the AAAA playoffs. Still, they are an excellent running team with Connor Slomka (6-0, 225, Sr, Army) rushing for 1285 yards. Four receivers combine for 181 receptions led by Mike Merchaut with 81 catches totaling 1294 yards. Slot-back Luke Everett has 22 for 373 yards with D'Ondre Gastion snagging 49 for 1048 yards. The defense is legit, allowing 13ppg, impressive stuff playing in the Northern Eight against Central Catholic (48-28 win), North Allegheny (28-24 ot) and North Hills (32-15). This is a scary group as they are not as some might imagine a finesse team. No one has given them a game in the postseason where they've had easy wins against Connellsville 63-6, their first playoff win as a Quad-A, Altoona 49-7 and McKeesport 42-7 before edging Central Catholic last week 21-13.
State College is also doing well under first year coach Matt Lintal, a 1999 graduate of State College High School. He was a four year starter at F&M at safety and a seven year assistant coach at Bucknell. From there he served as an assistant to the offense at State High before coming on as head coach this season. They are not far from a 9-3 record, losing to Martinsburg-WV 27-21 (perennial WV power, multiple state champ), Central Dauphin 10-7 and Central Dauphin East 14-12. Needless to say, they are a competent group when they are on as evidenced by those scores and the McDowell score below. They've had no trouble in districts trouncing Dubois 29-7 and McDowell 27-6. And this is with a relatively young team. Junior running back Jordan Misher is a surprise with 1508 rushing yards and they have a 6-4 195 quarterback in John Weakland who is also just over 1500 yards. Five of their leading tacklers are underclassmen. State along with Central Dauphin and Cedar Cliff, all from the Mid Penn are going to be loaded again next year. As mentioned, Pine Richland was romping everyone before edging Pittsburgh Central Catholic last week. You knew that was going to be a war after the regular season game where Pine Richland routed them 48-28. That's the most points scored on Central Catholic since Terry Totten took over as head coach in 2005. To do that to Central, you know they have good team speed and athleticism. The Rams are favored but don't be surprised if the Lions are right there at the end.
This post was edited on 11/28 8:13 AM by Stalker
This post was edited on 11/28 8:31 AM by Stalker
