Like last week, here are some quick hits about the final 8 teams and how they might be re-seeded, just for the fun of it and to get some information and opinions out there. Never happen but it would spice things up a little from the drudgery of the East-West format. As always, feel free to jump in or on. Here’s what it would look like.
#1 St. Joseph’s Prep vs #8 Williamsport
#4 Parkland vs #5 Cumberland Valley
#2 Central Catholic vs #7 Garnet Valley
#3 North Penn vs #6 Wilson
1 St. Joseph’s Prep 11-0; at Northeast Supersite Nov 26th 1-PM vs Parkland
St. Joseph’s Prep gets the top seed over Central Catholic based on an undefeated season against a more difficult schedule rather than Central Catholic, the “defending” state champion. At 41ppg (+9 over last year) the Hawk attack is huge and largely unchecked over the course of the season against teams like Don Bosco Prep, Oaks Christian, Archbishop Wood (mostly without Swift) and LaSalle. Their weapons are too numerous to fully list here but include running backs D’Andre Swift and Christian Waller (out/injury..thanks tulla), wide out Terrence Green, versatile WR/DB Richard Carr and others. The senior O-line should get more press than it does beginning with C Mack Gray (6-1, 280, sr). Who knows his value as an experienced returning center with the young Marquez McCray behind him. Other linemen are LG Jackson Evans (6-4, 295, sr), RG Carter Lynch (6-6, 310, sr), OT’s Sal Cinaglia (6-3, 265, sr) and Taron Hampton (6-3, 290, sr), and TE Jack Crossed (6-2, 210, sr). The defense is in good hands with a few of the aforementioned on the D-line plus DE’s Rayshad Wallace (6-0, 205, jr) and Chris Lowndes (6-2, 215, sr), LBs Bradley Cobaugh (6-1, 195, jr), James Johnson (5-11, 215, sr), DBs Richard Carr (5-9, 180, sr) and Dawson De luliis (5-9, 190, jr) to name a few. They allow 14ppg. Having defeated the PPL champ Northeast (8-3) 44-7 last week, they’ll enjoy their 3rd straight game at the Northeast Super Site against Parkland Saturday Nov 26that 1 PM.
2 Pittsburgh Central Catholic 12-1; at Altoona’s Mansion Park Nov 26 1-PM vs Williamsport
Central Catholic ran rough-shod through their schedule defeating quality teams like North Allegheny (9-3) 55-14 and Pine Richland (8-4) 48-35 before PR’s star QB went down and again in the playoffs, 63-34. The loss was against St. Johns (8-4) 35-14 in the opener. St. Johns lost to DeMatha (12-0, 4th straight title) in the WCAC final 34-29 while North Allegheny lost to Seneca Valley (8-4) 28-27 in the WPIAL semifinal. Other competition came from Seneca Valley (8-4) who they defeated 42-14 in the regular season and again in the postseason, 42-7. Sen Val allowed a year ending 31ppg while Pine Richland allowed 28ppg. They won it all last year at the AAAA classification going 15-1 after defeating Parkland 21-18.
3 North Penn 13-0; at home Nov 25 7-PM vs Garnet Valley, D1 Final
The Knights are unscathed like St. Joe’s and on paper, look like the 2nd best team in the East. Pretty potent stuff here at 41ppg allowing 14 a game (same as SJP) with a schedule featuring wins against LaSalle, Downingtown East, Spring Ford and Coatesville. Their quick DL gets a chance to show how quick this week against Garnet Valley’s unrelenting option attack who will look to pound it hard as they have in previous postseason wins. The Knights need to mount up for this one to chase down these quick and strong Jaguars.
4 Parkland 10-3; at Northeast Supersite Nov 26 1-PM vs St. Joseph’s Prep
Four straight District titles after a 3rd place finish in the EPC-South (!) with another opportunity to take down a PCL team Saturday. They beat LaSalle last year 16-13 in ot on a controversial pass interference call. And except for a few strange stumbles at home against Liberty, losing 14-6 and at Bethlehem Catholic, losing 34-7 (?), they’ve been impressive. The other loss was to Emmaus in ot 24-21. But here they are again in the quarterfinals after winning the silver medal last year (14-2). This could be the Hawk’s toughest game (going back to Wood) in a long time. Coach Tim Moncman is getting it done.
5 Cumberland Valley 9-3; at Hershey Park Stadium Nov 26 6-PM vs Wilson, D3 Final
The Eagles are flying high again (hangover?) having defeated conference rival Central Dauphin for the 5th consecutive time to be here going for their 14th district title. CV and Manheim Central (16 district titles) are pretty much constants in District-3 with CV 48-13 in districts! They rarely beat themselves and are a profound running team with the Wing-T. Occasionally they zing you with the forward pass (real threat with this group) to put everyone back on their heels. If they complete a few throws early, look out. They’re in your head and you’re in trouble. This is District-3’s warhorse and they are always difficult to beat.
6 Wilson 11-1; at Hershey Park Stadium Nov 26 6-PM vs Cumberland Valley, D3 Final
The Bulldogs are gunning for their 3rd straight District-3 crown, much to the chagrin of the prideful Mid Penn Conference who feels these issues are a matter of birthright. But the MPC is still powerful, advancing teams to the district final in 5 of the 6 classifications; Cumberland Valley (9-3) in 6A, Harrisburg (9-3) in 5A, Shippensburg (11-1) in 4A, Middletown (12-0) in 3A and the ever present Steelton Highspire Rollers, even in a down year at 5-7 controlling the locals in another district final at 1A. Wilson comes in behind Cumberland Valley with their loss to Central Dauphin 24-6 and narrow win against Warwick, 14-10….while CV beat Central Dauphin twice, 25-24 and 21-7 at their place combined with the 35-7 thumping of Warwick in the 1st round.
7 Garnet Valley 11-2; at North Penn High Nov 25 7-PM vs North Penn, D1 Final
How about these guys, winning consecutive away playoff games at Central Bucks South, Neshaminy and last week at Perkiomen Valley. Guess we know they are for real now! And it’s good seeing them back where they haven’t been since the deep runs of 2006 (12-2) losing to Pottsville in the East Final 51-20 and 2007 (13-2), losing to Thomas Jefferson in the AAA state final 28-3. They may not be a household name but here in Delco and the western burbs they are recognized for their huge rosters, excellent coaching and consistent quality of play. It’s good football.
8 Williamsport 12-1; at Altoona’s Mansion Park Nov 26 1-PM vs Central Catholic
I’ll give you a million reasons why Williamsport shouldn’t be here. Just kidding but how about these Millionaires getting to the quarterfinals after beating State College 45-38 last week? Averaging 49ppg, we all knew they were explosive. Anyone looking at scores could see that but they were also severely untested….until last week, having played only five 6A teams before the postseason, allowing 22ppg (seasonal) against teams like Mifflin County (3-7). Hazelton (3-8) and Scranton (4-7), winning by an average score of 55-18. This year’s edition returned most of last year’s team (all skill, most linemen) and are loaded with speed beginning with quarterback Isaiah Hankins (5-11, 185, sr) with a 70% completion rate! He’s thrown for 2472 yards (27/4 ratio) while rushing for 860 yards. Sophomore running back Treyson Potts (5-10, 185) ran for 1954 and the entire team can catch the ball. The only negatives are a questionable defense and their lack of big game experience. Particularly the latter since the defense has an explosive offense to cover many of its flaws. And big game experience can be a killer in these situations, especially against the defending state champ. Gulp! Let’s see how they hold up at the Mansion. Another issue about defeating State College last week is that they defeated State College last week. Not that Central Catholic needed focus but you know that got their attention. So, let the games begin and good luck and health to all the teams.
