#2 Parkland (12-0) takes on #9 Nazareth (11-1) in a highly anticpated D11 final that is a rematch of their 24-17 regular season game, where Parkland scored with 1:17 left on a 35 yard strike to Trey Tremba to win an awesome football game. Lots of anticipation up here for a rematch, which should be well played and a classic.
The quality of the final got me looking back to other times that both D11 finalists have been in the top ten in the state. Thanks to PA Football History's new state rankings database that goes back to 1988 with the Harrisburg Patriot News/Pennlive poll, I could pretty easily look it up and compile some history of the best matchups, per the state rankings, of the D11 finals in the biggest classification.
1993: #4 Easton (10-1) vs. #6 Pottsville (10-1): 26-14 Easton
A Darren Smith interception and 64 yard return just before halftime and a number of clock controlling drives behind a big and excellent offensive line were the difference for Easton in a 26-14 win over Pottsville, who featured future Ohio State defensive tackle Randy Homa. Eric Thompson ran for 139 yards on 23 carries and extended his Red Rover school-record with his 28th and 29th touchdowns of the season. Easton lost in the Eastern Final, 6-3, to CB West.
2001: #4 Bethlehem Catholic (9-2) vs #3 Easton (10-0): Bethlehem Catholic 39-14
Easton opened the game with a 13 play, 80 yard touchdown drive that took over eight minutes off the clock. On their first play from scrimmage, Bethlehem Catholic ran a halfback option and threw a 75 yard touchdown play, tying the game in 13 seconds of gametime. That was the script of the game, with Easton desperately trying to play ball control on offense, but unable to counter the high flying proto-spread of Becahi. Adam Bednarik threw for 313 yards in just his third career start. Bethlehem Catholic, probably the best team of the late Bob Stem era, was shocked the following week by Cumberland Valley.
2002: #3 Bethlehem Catholic (11-0) vs #4 Parkland (10-1): Parkland 14-11
Like this season, the top seeded Bethlehem Catholic came in undefeated, while second seeded Parklan’s lone loss was to Becahi. They played an instant classic in the season opener, a 29-28 overtime win where Becahi connected on a two point conversion for the win, and there was relentless hype all season for the rematch. The game lived up to it’s billing, with Austin Scott rushing for 222 yards, cracking the 3,000 yard barrier and breaking James Mungro’s Pennsylvania single season record in the process, and scored both Parkland touchdowns, including the game winner in the fourth quarter. The Trojans went on to win the state championship.
2003: #4 Parkland (9-2) vs #10 Easton (9-1): Easton 23-15
Defending state champion Parkland brought back the core of it’s defense, and despite dropping their season opener to state #2 Cumberland Valley and a weird game to East Stroudsburg, remained firmly in title contention. But it was top seeded Easton, with their only loss out of District to Altoona, who hosted the fina at Cottingham Stadium. The Rovers knocked Parkland out of the playoffs for the fourth time in five years, this time by holding 1,300 yard rusher (and current Parkland basketball coach) Eddie Ohlsen to 22 yards on the ground, and scoring 16 straight points in the third quarter to win their first D11 title since 1993. Easton went on to beat Cumberland Valley the next week, 31-24, before bowing out in the Eastern Final to North Penn.
2004: #3 Easton (10-0) vs #6 Liberty (10-1): Easton 14-7
Like 2002 and this season, Easton came in undefeated, while Liberty’s lone loss came on Halloween, 21-7, to the Red Rovers. One of the tensest and most bizarre football games in the history of the sport, Easton only gained 54 yards of total offense, but used five turnovers (three interceptions and two fumble recoveries) and a blocked punt to stay in the game. Kevin Danko’s third quarter blocked punt rolled to the Liberty 5, and set up a short Ovid Goulbourne touchdown plunge. Then after a Liberty score to tie, it looked lik the Hurricanes were driving to take the lead, but Todd Kresge stripped running back Andrew Lee and raced 65 yards the other way for the decisive score. Easton knocked out inaugural District 12 champion George Washington the following week, before losing the Eastern Final to Neshaminy.
2006: #2 Liberty (11-1) vs #3 Easton (11-1): Liberty 35-14
The highest ranked pair of teams ever in a D11 final, was a rematch of a 17-7 regular season win by Liberty. Easton knocked off previous state #2 Parkland the week before on a field goal as time expired, then beat New Jersey Group IV champion Phillipsburg in the 100th iteration of their Thanksgiving Rivalry, played on ESPN two days before the Easton-Liberty rematch. Their magic ran out as Dan Persa absolutely took over, avenging his playoff loss as a sophomore to the Red Rovers in 2004. He threw for 112 yard and ran for 114 and three touchdowns in a 35-14 win. Liberty went on to the state final after wins over Frankford and a four overtime classic with Pennsbury, but were blown out by Upper St. Clair in the state final.
2007: #3 Parkland (12-0) vs #10 Hazleton (10-2): Parkland 15-14
Hazleton found themselves in the state rankings after an unprecedented subregional run for a Distrct 2 school, winning overtime games against HM Easton and #6 Liberty, with future Kansas City Chief Nate Eachus rushing for 263 yards against Eaton and 387 against Liberty, plus had the game saving tackle on a 2-point conversion to send the Cougars to the subregional final. In the final, Eachus ran for 188 yards, but it was undefeated Parkland who held on, with a blocked 29 yard field goal on the game’s final play to send the Trojans on to the state playoffs. Parkland then beat George Washington and Ridley to make their second state final in six years, but were shutout by Pittsburgh Central Catholic and finished with a silver medal.
2010: #5 Easton (11-2) vs. #9 Whitehall (10-2): Easton 13-10
The Red Rovers hosted as the top seed, but their lone regular season loss came to Whitehall, who scored on a long hook-and-lateral to win 17-14. The game had added intrigue as Easton lost the only overtime game ever in the Easton-Phillipsburg rivalry two days earlier in a blinding snowstorm, 3-0. Forty-eight hours later, Easton played a slugfest with Whitehall. Leading 10-6, Whitehall hit wideout Tyler Artim over the middle on a slant route, and the All State receiver seemed to end the game by breaking through the secondary. But 41 yards later, Justin Pacchioli not only caught Artim, but punched the ball out and Easton recovered at their own 28 and kept it a one possession game. The Rovers then went 72 yards in 10 plays, all on the ground, highlighted by a Justin Pacchioli 33 yard on a quarterback draw down to the 3 yard line, then he punched it in to give Easton a 13-10 lead and their second consecutive D11 championship. Easton lost 19-7 the following week to LaSalle.
2014: #5 Easton (12-0) vs. #9 Parkland (10-2): Parkland 13-10 (OT)
Easton used a block punt and a 90 yard Shane Simpson touchdown sprint to outlast Parkland in their regular season match up, and the D11 rematch at Cottingham proved to be a classic. Parkland only gained 89 yards from scrimmage and had just three first downs, but blocked a punt in the first quarter to set up a 7 yard touchdown drive on a jump ball to future New York Jet Kenny Yeboah, and All State kicker/punter Jake Bissel pinned Easton at their own 1, then was able to kick a 45 yard field goal after the Trojans forced a three and out and got a short field back in the exchange to break a 7-7 tie. But it wasn’t settled until overtime after Easton nailed a 28 yard field goal as time expired, then Parkland to a field goal on their first possession in OT. On the first play of Easton’s possession, DJ Hohman got a hand on a pass to Simpson, and Eric DiGiralomo came down with an interception to send the Trojans to the state playoffs. Parkland lost the following week 34-31 to eventual state champ St. Joseph’s Prep.
2018: #8 Emmaus (11-1) vs. #9 Freedom (11-1): Freedom 49-14
Emmaus and Freedom played an instant classic in the regular season, with Freedom coming bak from down 24-9 with four minutes left to force overtime, then Jared Jenkins connected on touchdown pass and game winning two point conversion in overtime to win 33-32. As such, expectations were sky high for the rematch of teams that combined for 22 wins, but were each playing for their first D11 championship. Instead, Freedom dominated the Green Hornets, using 180 yards and four touchdowns from Jalen Stewart, including a pair of long runs in the first to start a 49-14 rout. Freedom lost the following week to St. Joseph’s Prep.
2019: #4 Nazareth (11-1) vs. #6 Parkland (10-2): Nazareth 22-21 (OT)
One of the best D11 championshp games of all time, Nazareth avenged their only loss, a regular season 23-17 defeat by Parkland, by scoring on two bananas plays to win Tom Falzone’s first D11 title. Trailing 14-7, Nazareth intercepted Ty Tremba and drove into the red zone, but faced a fourth and 5 with the game seemingly on the line. Naturally, they ran a tackle eliglbe throwback screen to offensive lineman Cody Hartnraft to tie the game at 14. In overtime, Parkland scored immediately, running behind All State lineman Nick Dawkins with the short field. Nazareth’s All State quarterback Anthony Harris answered by running nine yards for what seemed like the tying touchdown. But Nazareth lined up to go for two, and ran the Philly Special, with All State wideout Nate Stefanik coming around on a reverse and hitting Jaiden Cabrera for the game winning two point conversion. Nazareth lost the following week to St. Joseph’s Prep.
2022: #9 Freedom (10-2) vs. #10 Parkland (8-4): Parkland 35-10
Honestly, I’m not sure how Parkland was ranked in the state after a 6-4 regular season last year, but moved up to the ten sport after winning a pair of playoff games, including a blowout of top seeded Nazareth after EPC Offensive Player of the Year Sonny Sasso had to miss the game with a broken hand. In the final, Parkland physically dominated with Trey Tremba rushing for 115 yards in the first half of a 35-10 domination of Freedom. Parkland lost to St. Joseph’s Prep the following week.
Honorable Mention Games
1992: #10 Dieruff (10-1) vs. HM William Allen (8-2): Allen 14-7
1996: #2 Parkland (11-0) vs. HM Dieruff (8-3): Parkland 47-14
1999: #5 Bethlehem Catholic (9-2) vs HM Easton (8-2): Bethlehem Catholic 21-20
2000: #6 Bethlehem Catholic (8-3) vs HM Easton (7-3): Bethlehem Catholic 65-0
2008: #7 Liberty (11-1) vs. HM Freedom (10-2): Liberty 28-14
2009: #6 Easton (11-1) vs. HM Parkland (10-2): Easton 21-14
2011: #8 Nazareth (11-1) vs. HM Easton (10-2): Nazareth 28-21
The quality of the final got me looking back to other times that both D11 finalists have been in the top ten in the state. Thanks to PA Football History's new state rankings database that goes back to 1988 with the Harrisburg Patriot News/Pennlive poll, I could pretty easily look it up and compile some history of the best matchups, per the state rankings, of the D11 finals in the biggest classification.
1993: #4 Easton (10-1) vs. #6 Pottsville (10-1): 26-14 Easton
A Darren Smith interception and 64 yard return just before halftime and a number of clock controlling drives behind a big and excellent offensive line were the difference for Easton in a 26-14 win over Pottsville, who featured future Ohio State defensive tackle Randy Homa. Eric Thompson ran for 139 yards on 23 carries and extended his Red Rover school-record with his 28th and 29th touchdowns of the season. Easton lost in the Eastern Final, 6-3, to CB West.
2001: #4 Bethlehem Catholic (9-2) vs #3 Easton (10-0): Bethlehem Catholic 39-14
Easton opened the game with a 13 play, 80 yard touchdown drive that took over eight minutes off the clock. On their first play from scrimmage, Bethlehem Catholic ran a halfback option and threw a 75 yard touchdown play, tying the game in 13 seconds of gametime. That was the script of the game, with Easton desperately trying to play ball control on offense, but unable to counter the high flying proto-spread of Becahi. Adam Bednarik threw for 313 yards in just his third career start. Bethlehem Catholic, probably the best team of the late Bob Stem era, was shocked the following week by Cumberland Valley.
2002: #3 Bethlehem Catholic (11-0) vs #4 Parkland (10-1): Parkland 14-11
Like this season, the top seeded Bethlehem Catholic came in undefeated, while second seeded Parklan’s lone loss was to Becahi. They played an instant classic in the season opener, a 29-28 overtime win where Becahi connected on a two point conversion for the win, and there was relentless hype all season for the rematch. The game lived up to it’s billing, with Austin Scott rushing for 222 yards, cracking the 3,000 yard barrier and breaking James Mungro’s Pennsylvania single season record in the process, and scored both Parkland touchdowns, including the game winner in the fourth quarter. The Trojans went on to win the state championship.
2003: #4 Parkland (9-2) vs #10 Easton (9-1): Easton 23-15
Defending state champion Parkland brought back the core of it’s defense, and despite dropping their season opener to state #2 Cumberland Valley and a weird game to East Stroudsburg, remained firmly in title contention. But it was top seeded Easton, with their only loss out of District to Altoona, who hosted the fina at Cottingham Stadium. The Rovers knocked Parkland out of the playoffs for the fourth time in five years, this time by holding 1,300 yard rusher (and current Parkland basketball coach) Eddie Ohlsen to 22 yards on the ground, and scoring 16 straight points in the third quarter to win their first D11 title since 1993. Easton went on to beat Cumberland Valley the next week, 31-24, before bowing out in the Eastern Final to North Penn.
2004: #3 Easton (10-0) vs #6 Liberty (10-1): Easton 14-7
Like 2002 and this season, Easton came in undefeated, while Liberty’s lone loss came on Halloween, 21-7, to the Red Rovers. One of the tensest and most bizarre football games in the history of the sport, Easton only gained 54 yards of total offense, but used five turnovers (three interceptions and two fumble recoveries) and a blocked punt to stay in the game. Kevin Danko’s third quarter blocked punt rolled to the Liberty 5, and set up a short Ovid Goulbourne touchdown plunge. Then after a Liberty score to tie, it looked lik the Hurricanes were driving to take the lead, but Todd Kresge stripped running back Andrew Lee and raced 65 yards the other way for the decisive score. Easton knocked out inaugural District 12 champion George Washington the following week, before losing the Eastern Final to Neshaminy.
2006: #2 Liberty (11-1) vs #3 Easton (11-1): Liberty 35-14
The highest ranked pair of teams ever in a D11 final, was a rematch of a 17-7 regular season win by Liberty. Easton knocked off previous state #2 Parkland the week before on a field goal as time expired, then beat New Jersey Group IV champion Phillipsburg in the 100th iteration of their Thanksgiving Rivalry, played on ESPN two days before the Easton-Liberty rematch. Their magic ran out as Dan Persa absolutely took over, avenging his playoff loss as a sophomore to the Red Rovers in 2004. He threw for 112 yard and ran for 114 and three touchdowns in a 35-14 win. Liberty went on to the state final after wins over Frankford and a four overtime classic with Pennsbury, but were blown out by Upper St. Clair in the state final.
2007: #3 Parkland (12-0) vs #10 Hazleton (10-2): Parkland 15-14
Hazleton found themselves in the state rankings after an unprecedented subregional run for a Distrct 2 school, winning overtime games against HM Easton and #6 Liberty, with future Kansas City Chief Nate Eachus rushing for 263 yards against Eaton and 387 against Liberty, plus had the game saving tackle on a 2-point conversion to send the Cougars to the subregional final. In the final, Eachus ran for 188 yards, but it was undefeated Parkland who held on, with a blocked 29 yard field goal on the game’s final play to send the Trojans on to the state playoffs. Parkland then beat George Washington and Ridley to make their second state final in six years, but were shutout by Pittsburgh Central Catholic and finished with a silver medal.
2010: #5 Easton (11-2) vs. #9 Whitehall (10-2): Easton 13-10
The Red Rovers hosted as the top seed, but their lone regular season loss came to Whitehall, who scored on a long hook-and-lateral to win 17-14. The game had added intrigue as Easton lost the only overtime game ever in the Easton-Phillipsburg rivalry two days earlier in a blinding snowstorm, 3-0. Forty-eight hours later, Easton played a slugfest with Whitehall. Leading 10-6, Whitehall hit wideout Tyler Artim over the middle on a slant route, and the All State receiver seemed to end the game by breaking through the secondary. But 41 yards later, Justin Pacchioli not only caught Artim, but punched the ball out and Easton recovered at their own 28 and kept it a one possession game. The Rovers then went 72 yards in 10 plays, all on the ground, highlighted by a Justin Pacchioli 33 yard on a quarterback draw down to the 3 yard line, then he punched it in to give Easton a 13-10 lead and their second consecutive D11 championship. Easton lost 19-7 the following week to LaSalle.
2014: #5 Easton (12-0) vs. #9 Parkland (10-2): Parkland 13-10 (OT)
Easton used a block punt and a 90 yard Shane Simpson touchdown sprint to outlast Parkland in their regular season match up, and the D11 rematch at Cottingham proved to be a classic. Parkland only gained 89 yards from scrimmage and had just three first downs, but blocked a punt in the first quarter to set up a 7 yard touchdown drive on a jump ball to future New York Jet Kenny Yeboah, and All State kicker/punter Jake Bissel pinned Easton at their own 1, then was able to kick a 45 yard field goal after the Trojans forced a three and out and got a short field back in the exchange to break a 7-7 tie. But it wasn’t settled until overtime after Easton nailed a 28 yard field goal as time expired, then Parkland to a field goal on their first possession in OT. On the first play of Easton’s possession, DJ Hohman got a hand on a pass to Simpson, and Eric DiGiralomo came down with an interception to send the Trojans to the state playoffs. Parkland lost the following week 34-31 to eventual state champ St. Joseph’s Prep.
2018: #8 Emmaus (11-1) vs. #9 Freedom (11-1): Freedom 49-14
Emmaus and Freedom played an instant classic in the regular season, with Freedom coming bak from down 24-9 with four minutes left to force overtime, then Jared Jenkins connected on touchdown pass and game winning two point conversion in overtime to win 33-32. As such, expectations were sky high for the rematch of teams that combined for 22 wins, but were each playing for their first D11 championship. Instead, Freedom dominated the Green Hornets, using 180 yards and four touchdowns from Jalen Stewart, including a pair of long runs in the first to start a 49-14 rout. Freedom lost the following week to St. Joseph’s Prep.
2019: #4 Nazareth (11-1) vs. #6 Parkland (10-2): Nazareth 22-21 (OT)
One of the best D11 championshp games of all time, Nazareth avenged their only loss, a regular season 23-17 defeat by Parkland, by scoring on two bananas plays to win Tom Falzone’s first D11 title. Trailing 14-7, Nazareth intercepted Ty Tremba and drove into the red zone, but faced a fourth and 5 with the game seemingly on the line. Naturally, they ran a tackle eliglbe throwback screen to offensive lineman Cody Hartnraft to tie the game at 14. In overtime, Parkland scored immediately, running behind All State lineman Nick Dawkins with the short field. Nazareth’s All State quarterback Anthony Harris answered by running nine yards for what seemed like the tying touchdown. But Nazareth lined up to go for two, and ran the Philly Special, with All State wideout Nate Stefanik coming around on a reverse and hitting Jaiden Cabrera for the game winning two point conversion. Nazareth lost the following week to St. Joseph’s Prep.
2022: #9 Freedom (10-2) vs. #10 Parkland (8-4): Parkland 35-10
Honestly, I’m not sure how Parkland was ranked in the state after a 6-4 regular season last year, but moved up to the ten sport after winning a pair of playoff games, including a blowout of top seeded Nazareth after EPC Offensive Player of the Year Sonny Sasso had to miss the game with a broken hand. In the final, Parkland physically dominated with Trey Tremba rushing for 115 yards in the first half of a 35-10 domination of Freedom. Parkland lost to St. Joseph’s Prep the following week.
Honorable Mention Games
1992: #10 Dieruff (10-1) vs. HM William Allen (8-2): Allen 14-7
1996: #2 Parkland (11-0) vs. HM Dieruff (8-3): Parkland 47-14
1999: #5 Bethlehem Catholic (9-2) vs HM Easton (8-2): Bethlehem Catholic 21-20
2000: #6 Bethlehem Catholic (8-3) vs HM Easton (7-3): Bethlehem Catholic 65-0
2008: #7 Liberty (11-1) vs. HM Freedom (10-2): Liberty 28-14
2009: #6 Easton (11-1) vs. HM Parkland (10-2): Easton 21-14
2011: #8 Nazareth (11-1) vs. HM Easton (10-2): Nazareth 28-21
