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Prep - Imhotep

scs13

Well-Known Member
Oct 11, 2003
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This should be an interesting match-up in no small part due to the unknowns. Admittedly, I have not had the opportunity to watch ‘Tep play this year. I do know that they have a history of fielding teams with several notable D1 prospects. In the past, a lack of discipline, resulting in killer penalties, has been their biggest self-imposed obstacle. I haven’t read about those same issues this year, though. If their strength is their run game, then I’d have to think that Prep’s stout D-line and overall speed on the defense should help limit damage from big plays. If they have speed and talent at all skill positions, then this may pose significant problems. Moreover, if ‘Tep can get pressure and limit time for a young QB, then we’re going to have a ball game. I’m curious to hear from others about this match-up and what you expect to see.
 
This should be an interesting match-up in no small part due to the unknowns. Admittedly, I have not had the opportunity to watch ‘Tep play this year. I do know that they have a history of fielding teams with several notable D1 prospects. In the past, a lack of discipline, resulting in killer penalties, has been their biggest self-imposed obstacle. I haven’t read about those same issues this year, though. If their strength is their run game, then I’d have to think that Prep’s stout D-line and overall speed on the defense should help limit damage from big plays. If they have speed and talent at all skill positions, then this may pose significant problems. Moreover, if ‘Tep can get pressure and limit time for a young QB, then we’re going to have a ball game. I’m curious to hear from others about this match-up and what you expect to see.
Anyone know why the game last weekend against Lincoln was so close when TEP won by four TDs against them about a month ago?

Having seen a bit of TEP on YouTube this year, I will be surprised if SJP doesn't win by at least three TDs.
 
Anyone know why the game last weekend against Lincoln was so close when TEP won by four TDs against them about a month ago?

Having seen a bit of TEP on YouTube this year, I will be surprised if SJP doesn't win by at least three TDs.
I agree, just don’t see this as a close game.
 
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This should be an interesting match-up in no small part due to the unknowns. Admittedly, I have not had the opportunity to watch ‘Tep play this year. I do know that they have a history of fielding teams with several notable D1 prospects. In the past, a lack of discipline, resulting in killer penalties, has been their biggest self-imposed obstacle. I haven’t read about those same issues this year, though. If their strength is their run game, then I’d have to think that Prep’s stout D-line and overall speed on the defense should help limit damage from big plays. If they have speed and talent at all skill positions, then this may pose significant problems. Moreover, if ‘Tep can get pressure and limit time for a young QB, then we’re going to have a ball game. I’m curious to hear from others about this match-up and what you expect to see.
Prep will dominate the LOS on both sides. Defensively they faced one of the best passers of the ball twice in Lasalle’s Sidwar. Tep struggled in coverage last wk and the prep will capitalize on it. Lastly, Prep’s special teams is a good unit. Lasalle didn’t use traditional punt formations to slow down Prep’s rush.

prep and tep lost a bunch of talent in last year’s class. Prep returned more.

Qb Prep
RB Tep w/o West being active
Wrs Prep
OL Prep
DL Even
Lbs Prep
Dbs Even
ST Prep
 
Prep will dominate the LOS on both sides. Defensively they faced one of the best passers of the ball twice in Lasalle’s Sidwar. Tep struggled in coverage last wk and the prep will capitalize on it. Lastly, Prep’s special teams is a good unit. Lasalle didn’t use traditional punt formations to slow down Prep’s rush.

prep and tep lost a bunch of talent in last year’s class. Prep returned more.

Qb Prep
RB Tep w/o West being active
Wrs Prep
OL Prep
DL Even
Lbs Prep
Dbs Even
ST Prep
Thanks for the insight, RCH!
 
Also intrigued by the CB South-North Penn match-up. I know South has been solid this season. NP usually has the athletes and peek at the right time. If Beck can tighten up their defense, they could be tough out. I’d still love to see a South/West rematch for the D1 title game.
 
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Hindsight. While at prep that team had less notables while in HS. This team have almost double that on offense alone.
Of course Swift was only a freshman that year but he was a real contributor. Reid was terrific as a receiver as well as a DB, Zacchaeus was more versatile (as a returner, receiver, and runner) than any current back, and Runyon was at least as good as any of their linemen now--and he went both ways. Tom Johnson, McNulty, Harris, Strain, Martin, Moffatt, McAllister, and Montague were all really good high school players who, because of size in some cases, were never going to be big-time college players. But of course it's hard to compare teams and players eleven years apart. And maybe I'd feel differently if Roy and West were both able to play.
 
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Of course Swift was only a freshman that year but he was a real contributor. Reid was terrific as a receiver as well as a DB, Zacchaeus was more versatile (as a returner, receiver, and runner) than any current back, and Runyon was at least as good as any of their linemen now--and he went both ways. Tom Johnson, McNulty, Harris, Strain, Martin, Moffatt, McAllister, and Montague were all really good high school players who, because of size in some cases, were never going to be big-time college players. But of course it's hard to compare teams and players eleven years apart. And maybe I'd feel differently if Roy and West were both able to play.
Great memory, Tulla. Seeing the Johnson name made me think of a side question. In terms of football legacy links among Prep families, are the Johnsons at the top? Trotters, Dumonds, Cobaughs, Carlins, Harrisons (too early), and others warrant strong consideration, too.
 
Great memory, Tulla. Seeing the Johnson name made me think of a side question. In terms of football legacy links among Prep families, are the Johnsons at the top? Trotters, Dumonds, Cobaughs, Carlins, Harrisons (too early), and others warrant strong consideration, too.
In recent years the Johnsons--all four of them excellent players--stand out. A long way back I remember the McFillans, especially Roger and Frank, were great players. Didn't Frank wind up as a coach in the PCL? I think Steve Quinn (who went on to Notre Dame after graduating from the Prep) was the son of Prep star.
 
This should be an interesting match-up in no small part due to the unknowns. Admittedly, I have not had the opportunity to watch ‘Tep play this year. I do know that they have a history of fielding teams with several notable D1 prospects. In the past, a lack of discipline, resulting in killer penalties, has been their biggest self-imposed obstacle. I haven’t read about those same issues this year, though. If their strength is their run game, then I’d have to think that Prep’s stout D-line and overall speed on the defense should help limit damage from big plays. If they have speed and talent at all skill positions, then this may pose significant problems. Moreover, if ‘Tep can get pressure and limit time for a young QB, then we’re going to have a ball game. I’m curious to hear from others about this match-up and what you expect to see.
Prep over Tep 42-0
 
So the worst Prep team in 10 years will only beat Parkland by 5 TD's next week? If the line was Prep -34.5, would anyone on this board take the points?
 
So the worst Prep team in 10 years will only beat Parkland by 5 TD's next week? If the line was Prep -34.5, would anyone on this board take the points?
Such a shame for the boundary school programs. O’Doyle Rules Football doesn’t do anyone any good.
 
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Such a shame for the boundary school programs. O’Doyle Rules Football doesn’t do anyone any good.
Of course, TEP has the whole city of Philadelphia from which it can draw players. Do they sometimes also get players from outside the city limits?

Would the boundaries vs. no boundaries issue be nearly as contested if it weren't for SJP? If people have no great objections to PCC, McDevitt, Scranton Prep, or Bethlehem Catholic playing boundary schools in the playoffs, then it's not really a matter of principle. (I understand some people want all of them out.)

Wanting separate playoff classifications for boundary and non-boundary schools is a reasonable position to take. My points are 1) that it would be a logistical nightmare, especially for many non-boundary schools 2) that the consequences might not be what many imagine they will be, and 3) that the pre-occupation of some to get SJP out--and maybe the other non-boundary schools too--is making it hard for them to see some of the trends and realities that have given rise to the present situation.
 
Of course, TEP has the whole city of Philadelphia from which it can draw players. Do they sometimes also get players from outside the city limits?

Would the boundaries vs. no boundaries issue be nearly as contested if it weren't for SJP? If people have no great objections to PCC, McDevitt, Scranton Prep, or Bethlehem Catholic playing boundary schools in the playoffs, then it's not really a matter of principle. (I understand some people want all of them out.)

Wanting separate playoff classifications for boundary and non-boundary schools is a reasonable position to take. My points are 1) that it would be a logistical nightmare, especially for many non-boundary schools 2) that the consequences might not be what many imagine they will be, and 3) that the pre-occupation of some to get SJP out--and maybe the other non-boundary schools too--is making it hard for them to see some of the trends and realities that have given rise to the present situation.
Would be boring to separate boundary and non-boundary and unfulfilling for all. Keep system as is and accept it. SJP is just so far ahead its tough to catch up. Not much any boundary school can do, just have to accept it and put best foot forward. No amount of weight room, extra work will get you there. You have to get special team to compete but even if that happens once out of every 5-10 years makes it that much more special for that team if they can win it all when it does happen.
 
Of course, TEP has the whole city of Philadelphia from which it can draw players. Do they sometimes also get players from outside the city limits?

Would the boundaries vs. no boundaries issue be nearly as contested if it weren't for SJP? If people have no great objections to PCC, McDevitt, Scranton Prep, or Bethlehem Catholic playing boundary schools in the playoffs, then it's not really a matter of principle. (I understand some people want all of them out.)

Wanting separate playoff classifications for boundary and non-boundary schools is a reasonable position to take. My points are 1) that it would be a logistical nightmare, especially for many non-boundary schools 2) that the consequences might not be what many imagine they will be, and 3) that the pre-occupation of some to get SJP out--and maybe the other non-boundary schools too--is making it hard for them to see some of the trends and realities that have given rise to the present situation.

Tale as old as time
 
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Would be boring to separate boundary and non-boundary and unfulfilling for all. Keep system as is and accept it. SJP is just so far ahead its tough to catch up. Not much any boundary school can do, just have to accept it and put best foot forward. No amount of weight room, extra work will get you there. You have to get special team to compete but even if that happens once out of every 5-10 years makes it that much more special for that team if they can win it all when it does happen.
Can’t imagine anything being more “boring” than how it is now
 
Yes, there’s shitty non-boundary schools just like there are shitty boundary schools. That doesn’t lesson the advantage of pulling from open boundaries if a certain school administration wants to win football games.

I’m amazed that the big District 1 school ADs haven’t banded together to squash this ridiculous system.
 
Yes, there’s shitty non-boundary schools just like there are shitty boundary schools. That doesn’t lesson the advantage of pulling from open boundaries if a certain school administration wants to win football games.

I’m amazed that the big District 1 school ADs haven’t banded together to squash this ridiculous system.
How strongly would you feel about it if SJP were not in the picture?

SJP's dominance in the last 11 years--10 appearances in the state final and 8 championships--is partly due to some particular circumstances. The first two years they won the championship, LaSalle was close to them and there were some very close games, e.g. against Parkland and P-R in 2014 and against Neshaminy and Frankford in 2013. Then LaSalle beat them for the league championship in 2015. After that LaSalle weakened quite a bit for reasons I'll leave to someone from LaSalle--it wasn't mainly because of anything SJP was doing. Of course, P-R won easily in 2017 and ML won in 2021. Since the PIAA went to six classifications, can we all agree that there haven't been many strong 6A teams from anywhere in the state? You can say that a school like P-R has one team like the 2017 team every few decades--same for ML in 2021, but in 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2022 the teams SJP played in the final were nowhere near as good as P-R in 2017 or ML in 2021.

Looking at where things are now, I'd say LaSalle will go into next season as at least co-favorites for the league championship with SJP. Gordon and his staff are excellent, so I'd be very surprised if the next decade is anything like the last. Plus, lots of other things could change. Prep coaches could decide to move on, other schools in the area could step up like LaSalle did this year, etc. It won't be easy but it wasn't easy for SJP to build its program as it did and to sustain it at the level it's been. No argument that not having boundaries is a big advantage, but many other schools have no boundaries. And SJP does have some disadvantages. I'd invite anyone who doubts that to visit SJP and then go to LaSalle, Malvern, Bishop Eustace, Haverford School, etc.
 
SJP’s current dominance has highlighted the ridiculousness in the rules in recent years. But, before that, it was Erie Cathedral Prep, PCC, Wood, LaSalle getting a taste of Hershey. Just not sure what SJP gets out of O’Doyle Rules Football. It’s like a travel baseball team playing local little league squads to win a tourney at Ripken, “here’s your trophy, Congratulations on your Championship!”

Yes, a multitude of non-boundary schools could step up to create a dynasty to challenge SJP in 6A or in the lower divisions. Imhotep, LaSalle, Bonner, PJP, McDevitt (heck, Shanahan could do it). Football friendly administration, solid coaching staff, non woke education - boys will come.

Inter-Ac schools aren’t part of the equation as they’re ineligible for PIAA playoffs; that should expand to all non-boundary schools.
 
I would not characterize SJP's advantages as being related to "Doyle’s rules," as that would suggest they are relying on older players or operating outside the high school guidelines. These are still high school athletes, just drawn from a larger talent pool. To Tulla's point, we often hear hypothetical scenarios about what teams could have done in a given year—the "what ifs." For example, Imhotep has been vocal about SJP for years, arguing that they were never required to play them. While Imhotep was defeated today, the experience gives them valuable insight into the level of competition needed to succeed. I believe they will learn from this and return better prepared to compete.
 
I would not characterize SJP's advantages as being related to "Doyle’s rules," as that would suggest they are relying on older players or operating outside the high school guidelines. These are still high school athletes, just drawn from a larger talent pool. To Tulla's point, we often hear hypothetical scenarios about what teams could have done in a given year—the "what ifs." For example, Imhotep has been vocal about SJP for years, arguing that they were never required to play them. While Imhotep was defeated today, the experience gives them valuable insight into the level of competition needed to succeed. I believe they will learn from this and return better prepared to compete.
Valuable insight for Imhotep I can see and they could in theory build a program to compete. What is your suggestion for non boundary school to catch up?
 
How strongly would you feel about it if SJP were not in the picture?

SJP's dominance in the last 11 years--10 appearances in the state final and 8 championships--is partly due to some particular circumstances. The first two years they won the championship, LaSalle was close to them and there were some very close games, e.g. against Parkland and P-R in 2014 and against Neshaminy and Frankford in 2013. Then LaSalle beat them for the league championship in 2015. After that LaSalle weakened quite a bit for reasons I'll leave to someone from LaSalle--it wasn't mainly because of anything SJP was doing. Of course, P-R won easily in 2017 and ML won in 2021. Since the PIAA went to six classifications, can we all agree that there haven't been many strong 6A teams from anywhere in the state? You can say that a school like P-R has one team like the 2017 team every few decades--same for ML in 2021, but in 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2022 the teams SJP played in the final were nowhere near as good as P-R in 2017 or ML in 2021.
PR and ML also got to play weaker SJP teams

I think NA and even Central Catholic last year were very comparable to PR in 2017 and ML in 2021
 
I'd be interested in whether others from District 7 agree.

Imagine the following:
  • In 2013 Frankford, which had the ball in the last couple of minutes, scores on a long pass and beats SJP in the D12 final. (The final score was 10-7.)
  • In 2014 the motion penalty that should have been called against Swift with a few minutes left in the game against Parkland is called and SJP faces a 4th and seven rather than a fourth and two. SJP fails to convert and Parkland rather than SJP wins and goes to the state semi-final.
  • In 2016 the North Penn QB holds onto the ball instead of being stripped of it and North Penn goes in for the game-winning score that they very much looked likely to score. North Penn, not SJP, goes onto the state final.
  • In 2017 the Coatesville coach doesn't make a couple of head-scratching decisions midway through the third quarter when they were up two scores on the Prep , and Coatesville goes on to win the game that was very much in their grasp.
  • In 2019 there is no questionable PI call against PCC on SJP's desperate final drive or maybe Harrison's toe falls an inch further north when he makes his extraordinary catch at the end of regulation, making PCC the winner in the state semifinal.
Now eliminate the two bullet points you find too much of a stretch. and you still have a picture that is quite different from the one that makes many believe SJP pretty much punches its own ticket to the state final just about every year. I count eight close games that SJP played in the PIAA playoffs before they made it to the final in the years since 2013. They won each one of them. My point isn't that SJP hasn't really dominated the large school classification in the last 11 years--of course they have--but that the dominance isn't as absolute or pre-determined as many think. Parkland may have little chance to beat SJP on Friday, but they have no chance if they go into it expecting to get blown out.
 
Could of, would of, should of - Results on the field are basically irrelevant to this issue. Non-boundary, especially in dense population centers, is a ridiculous advantage over schools restricted by geographic boundaries. Separate the playoffs; all it will take is the District 1 6A ADs to stand-up to the madness.
 
Could have, would have, should have - Results on the field are basically irrelevant to this issue. Non-boundary, especially in dense population centers, is a ridiculous advantage over schools restricted by geographic boundaries. Separate the playoffs; all it will take is the District 1 6A ADs to stand-up to the madness.
If you’re relying on District 1 you’ll be waiting forever. Although I agree with you district 1 have some advantages that they wouldn’t want to tamper with themselves. To your point some areas are dense while other districts are larger in size and population. Also, district 1 plays 1 game outside of conference in the playoffs for a trip to the state final. Doubt if they want that to change.
 
Couple of points: I don't understand why there isn't any optimism that Central Catholic can give SJP a game this year. They just mercy ruled the next best 6A team in the WPIAL, the western PA journalists are calling their O-line the best in the state, they've got a collection of great athletes, SJP doesn't have their two best players and the SJP sophomore QB doesn't seem ready to win games on his own yet. They've at least got a shot?

In terms of D1 ADs, I think most keep their heads down and the last thing they're going to do is lobby state legislators for a change in the law, which is what's required. It's complicated for them as the D1 committee can't help police transfers to privates within their own geographical territory, as most of those schools are in D12, which has its own committee. As far as the direct path to the semifinals, D1 has 34% of the 6A teams in the state, and isn't one conference. You have to go through the PAC, Ches-Mont, Central and the SOL. I think the D1 title means more to any school than being able to say "I made the state semi-finals", and would happily move from the D1 title game to play D11 or D3 in the quarterfinals instead of SJP in the semis.
 
If you’re relying on District 1 you’ll be waiting forever. Although I agree with you district 1 have some advantages that they wouldn’t want to tamper with themselves. To your point some areas are dense while other districts are larger in size and population. Also, district 1 plays 1 game outside of conference in the playoffs for a trip to the state final. Doubt if they want that to change.
Would you be happy if District 1 was split into District 1 North and District 1 South. Then play each other in quarters. The number of schools in district is so high its arbitrary they get to the semis based on numbers of schools in classification. If it was split into into 15 teams and 15 in 6A you would have same result 2 huge districts only behind District 3 in size. Somewhat similar 5A. If you are saying D12 should be incorporated into District 1 for playoff purposes that may make sense or some other type of seeding could work.
 
Couple of points: I don't understand why there isn't any optimism that Central Catholic can give SJP a game this year. They just mercy ruled the next best 6A team in the WPIAL, the western PA journalists are calling their O-line the best in the state, they've got a collection of great athletes, SJP doesn't have their two best players and the SJP sophomore QB doesn't seem ready to win games on his own yet. They've at least got a shot?

In terms of D1 ADs, I think most keep their heads down and the last thing they're going to do is lobby state legislators for a change in the law, which is what's required. It's complicated for them as the D1 committee can't help police transfers to privates within their own geographical territory, as most of those schools are in D12, which has its own committee. As far as the direct path to the semifinals, D1 has 34% of the 6A teams in the state, and isn't one conference. You have to go through the PAC, Ches-Mont, Central and the SOL. I think the D1 title means more to any school than being able to say "I made the state semi-finals", and would happily move from the D1 title game to play D11 or D3 in the quarterfinals instead of SJP in the semis.
PCC is a non-boundary school, just from a less dense area than Center City Philly. LaSalle as well.

D1 ADs can quickly stand together to force the PIAA's hand. A Southeastern 6A Championship Bracket containing just boundary schools would be ideal. 5A can join in to make the numbers even sweeter.
 
It's not just SJP football

Wrestling
2024: Bethlehem Catholic over Easton
2024: Faith Christian over Bishop McCourt (2A) (McCourt just came off of two year PIAA suspension for violating recruiting rules)
2023: Bethlehem Catholic over Nazareth
2023: Faith Christian over Fort LeBoeuf (2A) (hired a wrestling coach in 2022, transferred in a new team)
2022: Bethlehem Catholic over Nazareth
2022: Saucon Valley over Notre Dame (2A)
2021: Waynesburg Central over Central Dauphin (Becahi didn’t participate)
2020: Nazareth over Waynesburg Central
2019: Behtlehem catholic over Northampton
2018: Bethlehem Catholic over Kiski Area
2017: Nazareth over Bethlehem Catholic
2016: Bethlehem Catholic over Boyertown
2015: Franklin Regional over Cumberland Valley
2014: Bethlehem Catholic over Reynolds (2A) (Becahi elected up to 3A after this season)
2013: Bethlehem Catholic over Reynolds (2A)
2012: Bethlehem Catholic over Boiling Springs (2A)
2011: Bethlehem Catholic over Fort LeBoeuf (2A) (hired a new coach in 2009, brought in an entire club team from MS)

Swimming
2024: North Penn
2023: 1. North Penn 2. LaSalle
2022: 1. Seneca Valley 2. LaSalle
2021: LaSalle
2020: LaSalle
2019: 1. North Allegheny 2. North Penn 3. LaSalle
2018: North Allegheny
2017: 1. north Allegheny 2. LaSalle
2016: LaSalle
2015: LaSalle
2014: LaSalle
2013: LaSalle
2012: LaSalle
2011: 1. Hershey 2. LaSalle
2010: 1. North Allegheny 2. Wilson West Lawn 3. LaSalle
2009: 1. North Allegheny 2. Emmaus 3. LaSalle

Basketball 5A/3A
2024: Imhotep Charter over Franklin Regional
2023: Imhotep Charter over Exeter
2022: Imohtep Charter over New Castle
2021: Erie Cathedral Prep over Archbishop Ryan
2019: Moon over Archbishop Wood
2018: Abington Heights over Mars
2017: Archbishop Wood over Meadville
2016: Neumann-Goretti over Mars
2015: Neuman-Goretti over Archbishop Carroll
2014: Neuman-Goretti over Susquehanna Township
2013: Imhotep Charter over Neuman-Goretti
2012: Neumann-Goretti over Montour
2011: Neumann-Goretti over Montour
2010: Neumann-Goretti over Chartiers Valley
2009: Archbishop Carroll over Greensburg-Salem

Basketball 6A/4A
2024: Central York over Parkland
2023: Reading over Roman Catholic
2022: Roman Catholic over Archbishop Wood
2021: Reading over Archbishop Wood
2019: Kennedy Catholic over Pennridge
2018: Roman Catholic over Lincoln
2017: Reading over Pine Richland
2016: Roman Catholic over Allderdice
2015: Roman Catholic over MLK
2014: New Castle over LaSalle

Baseball is the dumbest postseason in the PIAA (a single elimination baseball tournament is a random championship generator) - no team has been to state finals more than once since 2009, except for LaSalle, who has three titles and four finals appearances since 2012.

If you're talking about separating team championships, it's not just a football driven argument.
 
This is actually working through state legislature as we speak. I believe it came out of a sub committee by a 24-1 margin in favor of separating (well “studying” a separation and some other things, but you can read between the lines). Obviously, these things move slow, but I believe a separation is coming; I think it’s a matter of when, not if. My guess is within the next few years.
 
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Doing some rough back of the envelop math - if you're separating football, I think the sensible split is remain at six classes - four boundary classes, two non-boundary classes. When splitting these, I left District 12 schools subject to the school selection process (lottery based, with or without criteria, like Northeast or George Washington) with the public schools, while schools that have control over their admissions process (charters, Catholic schools, etc.) separated into the two non-boundary classifications. I did not include the Inter-Ac schools, though I think if there is a separation of public/privates for team championships, overtures to the Inter-Ac schools to compete in PIAA non-boundary postseason would make sense. Anyway, here's how I see it splitting (I think I got all of the football playing schools):

Big School Non-Boudary
Lasalle, SJP, Father Judge, Pickett Mastery Charter, Pittsburgh Central Catholic, Roman Catholic, Boys Latin, Bonner-Prendergrat, Cardinal O'Hara, Bishop Shanahan, Archbishop Ryan, Pope John Paul II, Bishop McDevitt, North Catholic, Archbishop Wood, Erie Cathedral Prep, Imhotep Charter, Simon Gratz, Conwell-Egan, Scranton Prep, Notre Dame (GP), Berks Catholic, Archbishop Carroll, Allentown Central Catholic

Small School Non-Boundary
Neuman-Goretti, Shady Side Academy, Bethlehem Catholic, KIPP DuBois Collegiate, Lancaster Catholic, West Catholic, Executive Education Charter, Holy Redeemer, Mercyhurst Prep, Bishop McCourt, York Catholic, Belmont charter, Delone Catholic, Reinaissance Academy Charter, Imani Christian, Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, Marian Catholic, Greensburg Central Catholic, Bishop Guilfoyle, Nativity BVM, Bishop Canevin, Serra Catholic, Elk County Catholic, Nazareth Prep, Kennedy Catholic

Logistically impossible?

I also agree with whoever above said that splitting District 1 in 6A would be a good idea to balance out brackets. In general, I think more flexibilty as we've moved to 6 classes in how counties are disbursed in the postseason would make sense. In 5A, the eastern part of the state is 5 schools in D2, 4 schools in D11, then 27 schools in D1 and 25 in D3. It's a silly way to allocate playoff spots. Having District 12 split into a six team playoff and a two team playoff, with the winner's meeting in a final, is a silly set-up. Ohio balanced regions by the number of teams, which shift every year as classifications numbers shift (so teams on borders, like Quakertown or Pennridge in PA, often shift where they are in a postseason bracket as the number of teams in a class change) and their brackets seem to make a lot more sense. But nobody is putting me in charge.
 
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This is actually working through state legislature as we speak. I believe it came out of a sub committee by a 24-1 margin in favor of separating (well “studying” a separation and some other things, but you can read between the lines). Obviously, these things move slow, but I believe a separation is coming; I think it’s a matter of when, not if. My guess is within the next few years.
Wrestling I think is where a lot of the momentum is coming for in the state legislature. Lots of representatives from little districts in Central PA with old and proud wrestling traditions who are beyond pissed at the "just add water" teams that have popped up since Becahi rose to prominence in 2009. Faith Christian going from having one state qualifier in school history to breaking the PIAA points record in three years broke a lot of brains, as has Bishop McCourt brining in transfers from North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Ohio, and Florida to wrestle with the Bassets (complete with commitment announcement videos).

Scott Conklin, the state rep who is spearheading the proposal, represents the area with Central Mountain, Bald Eagle Area and other wrestling schools that are up in arms and not afraid to make noise about it.
 
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I'd be interested in whether others from District 7 agree.

Imagine the following:
  • In 2013 Frankford, which had the ball in the last couple of minutes, scores on a long pass and beats SJP in the D12 final. (The final score was 10-7.)
  • In 2014 the motion penalty that should have been called against Swift with a few minutes left in the game against Parkland is called and SJP faces a 4th and seven rather than a fourth and two. SJP fails to convert and Parkland rather than SJP wins and goes to the state semi-final.
  • In 2016 the North Penn QB holds onto the ball instead of being stripped of it and North Penn goes in for the game-winning score that they very much looked likely to score. North Penn, not SJP, goes onto the state final.
  • In 2017 the Coatesville coach doesn't make a couple of head-scratching decisions midway through the third quarter when they were up two scores on the Prep , and Coatesville goes on to win the game that was very much in their grasp.
  • In 2019 there is no questionable PI call against PCC on SJP's desperate final drive or maybe Harrison's toe falls an inch further north when he makes his extraordinary catch at the end of regulation, making PCC the winner in the state semifinal.
Now eliminate the two bullet points you find too much of a stretch. and you still have a picture that is quite different from the one that makes many believe SJP pretty much punches its own ticket to the state final just about every year. I count eight close games that SJP played in the PIAA playoffs before they made it to the final in the years since 2013. They won each one of them. My point isn't that SJP hasn't really dominated the large school classification in the last 11 years--of course they have--but that the dominance isn't as absolute or pre-determined as many think. Parkland may have little chance to beat SJP on Friday, but they have no chance if they go into it expecting to get blown out.

In 2014 I believe if PR would have had Coach K calling the D, SJP would not have scored 48 points and PR would have won.
 
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