Nice write up by Epler. Good luck Coach Meyers, coaches and players
By Eric F. Epler | eepler@pennlive.com
BISHOP McDEVITT VS. BISHOP SHANAHAN
PIAA Class 4A semifinal
7 p.m., Friday, Coatesville Area High School
THE CRUSADERS (11-1): Look, winning a District 3 title, the program’s 15th overall, is a terrific accomplishment. It’s validation across the board, for the players, trainers, coaches, alumni and those who peddle the french fries and volunteers who upsell the team merch. All play a role in a title run. Frankly, that isn’t enough at McD, a program that’s played in 10 PIAA semifinals since the wonder year of 1995. In other words, the Crusaders expected to be here and last week’s tricky 7-0 victory over a tough Lampeter-Strasburg side should be celebrated.
Why? Because no other regional 4A program really stood in the Crusaders’ way. And standing tall against a great competitor like L-S holds real value. McD needs to harness that this week. You know about the frosh QB, the engaging backfield and that still rising O-Line, where guys like RT Ethan Straining C Kameron Zaengle and LG Dimitri Chacon have put in long hours. But coach Jeff Weachter’s defense will again play a vital role. The more McD can shuffle the Eagles’ offense to the sideline, the more opportunities rise for McD’s versatile set of playmakers.
Complete 2021 PIAA Football Tournament brackets
THE EAGLES (11-3): There are many reasons to appreciate coach Paul Myers and his program. For starters, the Eagles continue to play “up” in the Chest-Mont National with the likes of Coatesville, Downingtown East and West and more. Those three 6A strongholds represent the right column in BS’s record. Second, Myers has a dedicated senior class of 30 strong, players who poured the foundation for this type of run. QB Cooper Jordan, a four-year starter, is one of those tactical nightmares for the opposition.
He’s over 1,100 rushing yards and 2,000 through the air, combining for 46 touchdowns. He will distribute to a host of playmakers, including RB-LB Brandon Choi, a likely Ivy Leaguer next season. A ton of offensive yards come behind OT-DT Dylan Jones, a 6-4, 265-pound wrecker who steers the blocking all. Another bright spot is a sterling defense where Choi and DE Dakendrick Daniels (Colorado offer) lead the way. In Bishop Shanahan’s 11 wins, the defense allowed a average of 7.9 points.
AT STAKE: The winner advances to the PIAA 4A Championship at 7 p.m. on Dec. 9 at Hersheypark Stadium to play either WPIAL champ Aliquippa (11-1) or top-ranked Jersey Shore (14-0).
MATCH UP TO WATCH: McD receivers vs. Shanahan secondary. A more favorable forecast in Coatesville Friday could extend both playbooks. The Eagles’ secondary, steered by CBs Sean McGrory and Nick Romano, has produced a gaudy 30 interceptions on the season.
X-FACTOR: Containing Jordan. If the Crusaders want to a return trip to Hershey, keeping Jordan hemmed in is a must. Bishop Shanahan’s QB is fast, elusive and a difference maker.
THE PICK: Bishop McDevitt 21, Bishop Shanahan 14.
By Eric F. Epler | eepler@pennlive.com
BISHOP McDEVITT VS. BISHOP SHANAHAN
PIAA Class 4A semifinal
7 p.m., Friday, Coatesville Area High School
THE CRUSADERS (11-1): Look, winning a District 3 title, the program’s 15th overall, is a terrific accomplishment. It’s validation across the board, for the players, trainers, coaches, alumni and those who peddle the french fries and volunteers who upsell the team merch. All play a role in a title run. Frankly, that isn’t enough at McD, a program that’s played in 10 PIAA semifinals since the wonder year of 1995. In other words, the Crusaders expected to be here and last week’s tricky 7-0 victory over a tough Lampeter-Strasburg side should be celebrated.
Why? Because no other regional 4A program really stood in the Crusaders’ way. And standing tall against a great competitor like L-S holds real value. McD needs to harness that this week. You know about the frosh QB, the engaging backfield and that still rising O-Line, where guys like RT Ethan Straining C Kameron Zaengle and LG Dimitri Chacon have put in long hours. But coach Jeff Weachter’s defense will again play a vital role. The more McD can shuffle the Eagles’ offense to the sideline, the more opportunities rise for McD’s versatile set of playmakers.
Complete 2021 PIAA Football Tournament brackets
THE EAGLES (11-3): There are many reasons to appreciate coach Paul Myers and his program. For starters, the Eagles continue to play “up” in the Chest-Mont National with the likes of Coatesville, Downingtown East and West and more. Those three 6A strongholds represent the right column in BS’s record. Second, Myers has a dedicated senior class of 30 strong, players who poured the foundation for this type of run. QB Cooper Jordan, a four-year starter, is one of those tactical nightmares for the opposition.
He’s over 1,100 rushing yards and 2,000 through the air, combining for 46 touchdowns. He will distribute to a host of playmakers, including RB-LB Brandon Choi, a likely Ivy Leaguer next season. A ton of offensive yards come behind OT-DT Dylan Jones, a 6-4, 265-pound wrecker who steers the blocking all. Another bright spot is a sterling defense where Choi and DE Dakendrick Daniels (Colorado offer) lead the way. In Bishop Shanahan’s 11 wins, the defense allowed a average of 7.9 points.
AT STAKE: The winner advances to the PIAA 4A Championship at 7 p.m. on Dec. 9 at Hersheypark Stadium to play either WPIAL champ Aliquippa (11-1) or top-ranked Jersey Shore (14-0).
MATCH UP TO WATCH: McD receivers vs. Shanahan secondary. A more favorable forecast in Coatesville Friday could extend both playbooks. The Eagles’ secondary, steered by CBs Sean McGrory and Nick Romano, has produced a gaudy 30 interceptions on the season.
X-FACTOR: Containing Jordan. If the Crusaders want to a return trip to Hershey, keeping Jordan hemmed in is a must. Bishop Shanahan’s QB is fast, elusive and a difference maker.
THE PICK: Bishop McDevitt 21, Bishop Shanahan 14.
