Mid-Penn Commonwealth Division Breakdown

Andy Sandrik
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Mid-Penn Commonwealth Division Breakdown

Predicted Division Finish: Harrisburg, Cumberland Valley, State College, Central Dauphin, Carlisle, Altoona, CD East, Chambersburg

The toughest division in the Mid-Penn Conference is set to kick off, and we’re expecting yet another rough and tumble season with Commonwealth teams beating the stuffing out of each other. Harrisburg, under the direction of reigning Coach of the Year Calvin Everett, who has been suspended the first three games of the season after pleading guilty to selling used cars with his brother without a license, has a team that will set the bar high for the conference, with a number of other top programs giving chase in hope of a district playoff berth. Cumberland Valley and Carlisle have squads full of impact starters and are looking to move up to that next level, while State College and Central Dauphin, a program tasked with replacing its all-star QB, also have visions of Commonwealth supremacy. Football season is always a marathon, but each week in the Commonwealth is a violent sprint, and we’re here for it. If you want to catch multiple Commonwealth teams in action over one weekend, we recommend you check out the season-opening Chambersburg Peach Bowl, with showcase games featuring division members Harrisburg and Chambersburg, as well as fellow Mid-Penn squads Steel-High and Bishop McDevitt.

Team: Harrisburg

Predicted finish position: 1st 

Coach: Calvin Everett

Record last season: 12-2, 7-1 Commonwealth

Team outlook: From our perspective, there is one clear-cut team to beat in the Commonwealth, and that team is Harrisburg. The Cougars return perhaps the best two players in the conference in seniors DE Terrell Reynolds, the Commonwealth MVP on Defense, and Kyle Williams Jr., the top conference “Athlete.” On the offensive side of the ball, Williams is lethal both rushing (115 carries, 740 yards, 6 TDs) and receiving (70 receptions, 788 yards, 11 TDs), while top returning RB Mahkai Hopkins (169-898-9) seems poised for an even bigger year behind the blocking of junior OL Sirkayne Venable (6-foot-4, 310 pounds). Harrisburg also returns a pair of capable QBs in sophomore Shawn Lee and senior Zakii Lewis. Defensively, the Cougars are going to cause some problems for their Commonwealth playmates. In the event opponents evade DEs Reynolds and Micah Chambers, who combined for 33 sacks last season, they will still have to contend with a linebacking corps that includes Hopkins (91 tackles, 2.5 sacks) and Ryan Epps (69 tackles, 3.5 sacks). If Harrisburg can stay healthy, count on the Cougars for a Commonwealth crown, and a deep postseason run.

One player to watch: Terrell Reynolds. Perhaps the baddest man in all of the Mid-Penn this season is the 6-1, 245-pounder, who was the Commonwealth Defensive MVP after putting together numbers that only seem possible in video games. A man amongst boys, Harrisburg records fell when Reynolds compiled 123 tackles, including 37 TFLs and 22.5 sacks. He also intercepted a pass, forced six fumbles, and scored three defensive TDs. There’s no doubt Reynolds has the goods to make a college team very happy some day, but for one more year the Cougars get a chance to watch history made once more. 

Team: Cumberland Valley 

Predicted finish position: 2nd

Coach: Josh Oswalt

Record last season: 5-5, 4-3 Commonwealth

Team outlook: The third season of the Josh Oswalt era is underway at Cumberland Valley, and the Eagles seem ready to fly their highest under his direction. CV’s offense brings back many weapons, including QB Isaac Sines, RBs JD Hunter and Bryce Staretz, and WRs Griffin Huffman and Adam Somerville, not to mention a valuable trench player in Ridge Crispino (6-1, 235). Points could still come at a premium, so even more improvement from the Eagles’ defensive unit is a must. Alex Sauve, a junior LB, brings back 74 tackles and two INTs from his First-Team Commonwealth effort last year. He is joined by DB Hunter (69 tackles, 1 sack, 1 INT) and LB Bryce Beutler (51 tackles). The Eagles have all the ingredients to put together another winning record in the Commonwealth, and possibly a playoff run.

One player to watch: Isaac Sines. With a full season of development in CV’s spread offense and a stable full of capable receivers, senior QB Sines is poised to have his biggest year in an Eagles uniform. The 5-11, 180-pound southpaw runs a very nice option play and is slippery to tackle. Sines improved his throwing last season (74 of 162, 1,020 yards, 10 TDs, 6 INTs) and established some great rapport with Huffman (28-475-5) and Somerville (15-188-0), as well as Hunter (14-200-4) out of the backfield. In a Commonwealth Division that promises to be ruled by defense, CV will need to take points when it can get them, and Sines can help his team do just that as a kicker. Last season he banged 14 of 16 PATs through the uprights and connected on 12 of 13 field goals.

Team: State College

Predicted finish position: 3rd 

Coach: Matt Lintal

Record last season: 8-6, 4-4 Commonwealth

Team outlook: A stable group of returners with size, speed, and high football IQ are eager to restore State College’s status as an upper-echelon team in the Commonwealth. Don’t be fooled by the name “Little” Lions, as the team brings back some big dudes in Michael Dincher (6-2, 300), Justin Castro-Dixon (5-11, 355), and Stephen Scourtis (6-4, 235). State College has a capable group of runners and receivers who, oddly enough, all seem to be engaged in a four-way battle for the QB position. The Little Lions return four players who threw a TD pass last season, including senior Jack Morris (43 of 103, 664 yards, 5 TDs, 4 INTs), senior Finn Furmanek (51 of 94, 834 yards, 7 TDs, 1 INT), junior Owen Yerka (43 of 82, 537 yards, 4 TDs, 5 INT), and senior Ian Brandt (7 of 17, 82 yards, 1 TD, 0 INT). If State College runs a multiple-quarterback system this season, it could make preparation a nightmare for the opposition. 

One player to watch: JW Scott. When this 6-1, 230-pound ILB is on the move teasing the blitz during the pre-snap, expect opposing QBs to sweat. That’s because they know they’ll have mere seconds, if that, to force a rushed throw before Scott makes them one with the turf. As an underclassman last fall, Scott showcased his constant motor and proved himself as one of the division’s most durable and reliable defenders, registering a team-high 139 tackles and three sacks to earn Commonwealth First Team honors. With fellow all-conference defenders up front in DE Stephen Scourtis (6-4, 235) and DL Justin Castro-Dixon (5-11, 355) to take on double teams, look for Scott to once again log a high volume of tackles, and make a few plays along the way.

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Team: Central Dauphin 

Predicted finish position: 4th

Coach: Glen McNamee

Record last season: 5-3, 4-2 Commonwelath

Team Outlook: Look for Central Dauphin to once again set the Commonwealth standard for defensive excellence. Yards will be awfully tough to come across against the Rams, who return a deep linebacking corp that includes David Chase (61 tackles, 5 TFL), Sam Sauers (56 tackles), Xander Toland (68 tackles) and Kyle McCullough (34 tackles), not to mention a dangerous DE in the 6-foot-3 Jett Franz, who logged 50 tackles and 3.5 sacks last season. We get the sense that even in games where the Rams are the underdog, they’ll be within striking distance from first whistle to the last bell, thanks to their defense. With that said, points could be at a premium for the CD offense, which is tasked with replacing QB Max Mosey, who was the division’s Offensive MVP last season. David Chase, a bruising runner and pass catcher, could be a big weapon, but the Rams will need a few more stars to emerge if they hope to contend for the Commonwealth crown.

One player to watch: David Chase. An exceptional linebacker named to the Commonwealth Second Team last season, the 5-11, 190-pound Chase has been training all summer to ensure his senior season is his best one yet. The OLB never gives up on plays and is strong enough to overpower and shed blockers. But as much value as Chase brings as a defender, the success of the Rams just might hinge on how much he has improved on other side of the ball. Chase is the team’s leading returning rusher (28-181-1) and the only returning WR (9-237-2). Central Dauphin will also be breaking in a new QB, so look for Chase to be that safety valve for the offense, at least until the next young crop of Rams playmakers emerge.

Team: Carlisle 

Predicted finish position: 5th

Coach: Brett Ickes

Record last season: 7-4, 4-3 Commonwealth

Team outlook: With a roster stacked with athletes and enough size up front to handle the behemoths of the Commonwealth Division, Carlisle seems more than ready to prove that last year’s winning campaign was more than a fluke. Senior QB Louis Shank (53 of 107, 740 yards, 11 TDs, 0 INTs) will once again line up under center with a solid group of receivers to throw to, including Eli Hargrove (17-285-4), Jeremiah Hargrove and Jeremiah Snyder (6-116-2). The Thundering Herd will be fresh at RB all season long thanks to a deep stable of runners that includes Ezeekai Thomas (106-519-6), Hargrove, Jaqueece Morrell (61-288-3), Marquise Miller (21-248-2) and John Smith (43-199-3). Trench warriors Layton Schmick (6-2, 280) and Thomas Nelson (6-4, 305) will look to control the flow of battle up front. Throw in a defense highlighted by all-conference returners DB Thomas, DL Nelson and DB Hargrove, and Carlisle has the potential to have an even better campaign than last fall.

One player to watch: Jeremiah Hargrove. We’re sure a lot of media outlets will focus their attention on Ezeekai Thomas, who was named the Commonwealth’s Second Team “Athlete” last season, and that’s quite OK with Hargrove, who could fly under the radar on his way to another star-studded season. Hargrove, a junior DB/RB, has grown a few inches since last year’s breakout season, when he was named Commonwealth Second Team on both defense and offense. On defense, Hargrove serves as a key cog for a ball-hawking Carlisle secondary, and offensively, he is a home-run threat both as a rusher (39-308-6) and a receiver (10-155-2). Measuring in at 5-9, 190 pounds, Hargrove can also change the outcome of a game with his explosive play as a kick returner.

Team: Altoona 

Predicted finish position: 6th

Coach: Vince Nedimyer

Record last season: 4-7, 1-6 Commonwealth

Team outlook: The beastly Commonwealth Division chews teams up and spits them out, but Altoona has rolled with the punches and continues to march itself back for more. Don’t expect this year’s strong group of battle-tested Mountain Lions to back down, either. Led by a group of senior playmakers who wear quite a few hats, Altoona seems primed to do some damage of its own within the division. It starts with two do-it-all players in RB/FS Alexander Yost and RB/DB Tyson Reid. Yost, at 6-foot, 200 pounds, was effective on offense both as a rusher (77-392-6) and receiver (7-113-2), and contributed defensively with 32 tackles and an interception, to go along with a few kick return reps. Reid is lightning in a bottle as a rusher (19-160-1) and punt returner (15.8 avg.) and was a ballhawk on defense with three INTs and 43 tackles. Keep an eye on Altoona’s special teams, a scrappy group of players combined with a pair of kicking aces in K Cohen Crawford (51.2 avg.) and PK Ian Palilla, who misfired on just two kicks all of last season. The Mountain Lions will be competitive in all games, but the difference between wins and losses could rest on the progression of projected senior QB Sean Bettwy, who attempted two varsity passes last season.

One player to watch: Manny Miller. When opposing offenses take the field against Altoona this season, the first thing they’ll want to do is find out where the 6-2, 225-pound Miller is lined up. A ferocious pass rusher, Miller can overpower blockers out of a four-point stance from his DE position and is strong enough to approach the line standing and still dispose of the opposition. He piled up 59 tackles and five sacks, with some of those stats coming from splitting out to play OLB. And that’s just what Miller can do with his reactionary time. As an OL with the first move, Miller violently explodes out of his stance and is going to keep the lower center of gravity with almost any defender he engages. Miller is listed a TE on this year’s roster, so any catches will be icing on the cake for one of the Commonwealth’s most phyical returning trench players.

Team: Central Dauphin East

Predicted finish position: 7th 

Coach: Lance Deane

Record last season: 7-4, 5-2 Commonwealth

Team outlook: Word out of CD East camp is the Panthers want to be even better than last year. It’s always good to aim high, but there are a lot of things that will have go just right for CD East to match the success of last season’s playoff team. The Panthers will navigate this fall without nine all-conference players lost to graduation, including Mehki Flowers, now at Penn State. To stay afloat in the Commonwealth, CD East will need its remaining impact players to shoulder more of the load. The defense is led by wrestling standout and LB Thaddeus Krebs (5-9, 170), who earned First Team division honors after piling up 92 tackles, including 12 tackles for loss and seven sacks. Senior OL/DL Vincent Jackson Carroll (6-5, 270) will impact the game on both sides of the ball, while QB/WR Terrence Jackson-Copney will keep the chains moving with his playmaking abilities. The Panthers like their chances, but we’re going to have to see a few more parts to the machine before we declare it a contender.

One player to watch: Terrence Jackson-Copney. With most of CD East’s star power lost to graduation, Jackson-Copney will be the man providing a bulk of the highlights for the Panthers. A 6-1, 180-pound combination of speed, acceleration and athleticism, he played both QB and WR for the Panthers last year, accounting for more than 1,300 yards to go along with 15 TDs. As a QB, Jackson-Copney brings a strong arm to the table, coupled with an ability to extend plays with his legs, while the WR Jackson-Copney has sure hands and big ups to reel in passes. Already with an offer from Wheeling University, Jackson-Copney’s stock can rise even higher with a big campaign on the gridiron this fall.

Team: Chambersburg

Predicted finish position: 8th 

Coach: Mark Luther

Record last season: 2-8, 0-7 Commonwealth

Team outlook: Winless in the Commonwealth a season ago, there’s only one way for the Trojans to go this fall. There are no returning all-stars in Chambersburg’s lineup, but the Trojans are banking on improvements across the board from a large group of young players that was baptized under fire last year. The team has been united in offseason workouts, with seniors Bryce Folmar (slot receiver/safety), Shea Macosy (TE) and Carter Flory (RG/DE) providing leadership. The Commonwealth is a cruel and unforgiving division, but Chambersburg believes it has the pieces to move up a few rungs. 

One player to watch: Carter Flory. The road to improvement begins with the big men in the trenches, and luckily for the Trojans, they have a good one up front in the 6-3, 245-pound Flory. The OL can bulldoze defenders on the run block and provides a wall of protection on the pass block to keep the pocket clean. On the other side of the ball, once DE Flory wraps his arms around you, it’s all over. It’s going to take heart and intensity for the Trojans to move up the ranks, and if they’re successful, we believe Flory will be the man setting the tone.

2021 Pa. Football Writers’ Class 6A All-State Team

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2021 Pa. Football Writers’ Class 6A All-State Team

OFFENSE 

Quarterback 

Beau Pribula, Central York — 6-2, 210 sr. 

Ethan Kohler, Perkiomen Valley — 6-2, 215 sr. 

Joey Daniels, Mount Lebanon — 6-1, 185 sr. 

Ryan Zeltt, North Penn — 6-4, 190 jr. 

Running Back 

Tahir Mills, Ridley — 6-1, 210 sr. 

Alex Tecza, Mount Lebanon — 6-0, 200 sr. 

Jaheim White, York High — 5-9, 195 sr. 

Khalani Eaton, North Penn — 5-10, 210 sr. 

Sam Brown, La Salle College HS — 6-0, 195 sr. 

Wide Receiver 

Eli Heidenreich, Mount Lebanon — 6-0, 180 sr. 

Anthony Ivey, Manheim Township — 6-1, 180 sr. 

Kenny Johnson, Dallastown — 6-2, 190 jr. 

Levi Carroll, North Penn — 6-4, 185 sr. 

Tight End 

Aiden Black, Delaware Valley — 6-4, 225 soph. 

Offensive Line 

Joden Nelson, York High — 6-4, 280 sr. 

Michael Dincher, State College — 6-3, 295 jr. 

Brad Harris, St. Joseph’s Prep — 6-4, 280 sr. 

Kade Capristo, Mount Lebanon — 6-2, 270 jr. 

Jon Ramsey, Wilson-West Lawn — 6-2, 220 sr. 

Cooper Cousins, McDowell — 6-6, 275 soph. 

Athlete 

Samaj Jones, St. Joseph’s Prep — 6-1, 210 soph. 

Kyle Williams Jr., Harrisburg — 6-0, 175 jr. 

DEFENSE 

Defensive Line 

Braelin Moore, Bethlehem Freedom — 6-3, 295 sr. 

Eric Gardner, Archbishop Wood — 6-2, 225 jr. 

Donovan Hinish, Pittsburgh C.C. — 6-2, 275 sr. 

Terrell Reynolds, Harrisburg — 6-2, 245 jr. 

James Heard, St. Joseph’s Prep — 6-3, 225 sr. 

William Harvey, Mount Lebanon — 6-3, 280 sr. 

Linebacker 

Phil Picciotti, Pennridge — 6-3, 225 jr. 

Abdul Carter, La Salle College HS — 6-4, 235 sr. 

Carter Glassmyer, Central York — 6-1, 215 sr. 

Kenneth Talley, Northeast — 6-3, 240 sr. 

Josiah Trotter, St. Joseph’s Prep — 6-1, 230 jr. 

Bryce Wood, McDowell — 6-3, 215 sr. 

Defensive Back 

Keenan Nelson, St. Joseph’s Prep — 6-1, 195 sr. 

Justin Cook, Harrisburg — 5-10, 165 sr. 

Anthony Sacca, St. Joseph’s Prep — 6-4, 190 fr. 

Mehki Flowers, CD East — 6-1, 185 sr. 

Specialist 

Antonio Chadha, St. Joseph’s Prep — 5-9, 195 sr. 

Athlete 

Lebron Bessick, Coatesville — 6-0, 175 sr. 

Cameron Jones, Wilson-West Lawn — 5-11, 180 jr. 

CO-PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Alex Tecza, Mount Lebanon; Beau Pribula, Central York

COACH OF THE YEAR: Bob Palko, Mount Lebanon

2021 Pa. Football Writers’ Class 5A All-State Team

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2021 Pa. Football Writers’ Class 5A All-State Team

OFFENSE 

Quarterback 

Bobby McClosky, East Stroudsburg South — 6-2, 180 sr. 

Brad Birch, Gateway — 6-0, 190 soph. 

Colin O’Sullivan, Upper Dublin — 6-0, 185 jr. 

Carter Green, Penn-Trafford — 5-10, 170 sr. 

Running Back 

Eric Nangle, Exeter Township — 5-10, 175 sr. 

Dayshawn Jacobs, West Chester Rustin — 5-9, 175 sr. 

Nick Singleton, Governor Mifflin — 6-0, 218 sr. 

Cade Yacamelli, Penn-Trafford — 6-0, 205 sr. 

Jontae Morris, Cedar Cliff — 5-10, 160 sr. 

Zyree Brooks, Spring Grove — 5-8, 170 sr. 

Wide Receiver 

Patrick Body, Gateway — 6-2, 175 sr. 

Cooper Eckert, Warwick — 5-9, 170 sr. 

Jeff Nyamekye, Red Lion — 6-0, 170 sr. 

Tight End 

Joey Schlaffer, Exeter Township — 6-6, 210 jr. 

Offensive Line 

Trent Fraley, Moon Area — 6-3, 290 sr. 

Declan Ochendowski, Penn-Trafford — 6-3, 240 sr. 

Jonah Naugle, Governor Mifflin — 6-2, 300 sr. 

Caden Pustelak, Cathedral Prep — 6-4, 305 sr. 

Kyle Helm, Exeter Township — 6-2, 315 sr. 

Brandon Lawhorn-Moore, Kiski Area — 6-6, 295 sr. 

Athlete 

Michael Parks, Cathedral Prep — 5-8, 164 sr. 

Brett Gerlach, Central Mountain — 6-0, 180 sr. 

DEFENSE 

Defensive Line 

Anthony Smith, Shippensburg — 6-7, 275 sr. 

Enai White, Imhotep Charter — 6-5, 235 sr. 

Ben Bladel, Moon Area — 6-0, 235 sr. 

Keon Wylie, Imhotep Charter — 6-3, 220 sr. 

Linebacker 

Jeremiah Hasley, Pine-Richland — 6-3, 225 sr. 

Ty Yocum, Exeter Township — 6-0, 220 sr. 

Trey Rock, Governor Mifflin — 6-1, 215 sr. 

Maurice Beverly, Imhotep Charter — 6-0, 215 sr. 

Micah Walizer, Central Mountain — 5-11, 225 sr. 

J.R. Strauss, Exeter Township — 6-3, 210 sr. 

Defensive Back 

Tanner Maddocks, Fleetwood — 6-1, 172 sr. 

Jamir Reyes, Imhotep Charter — 6-0, 185 sr. 

Eden Johnson, Governor Mifflin — 5-11, 185 sr. 

Robert Dickerson, North Hills — 6-0, 190 sr. 

Specialist 

Nate Millard, Daniel Boone — 5-10, 150 sr. 

Athlete 

Parker Lawlor, Red Land — 6-0, 175 jr. 

DaMario Crawford, Cathedral Prep — 5-10, 158 jr. 

PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Nick Singleton, Governor Mifflin

COACH OF THE YEAR: John Ruane, Penn-Trafford 

2021 Pa. Football Writers’ Class 3A All-State Team

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2021 Pa. Football Writers’ Class 3A All-State Team

CLASS 3A 

OFFENSE 

Quarterback 

Jeff Hoenstine, Central Martinsburg — 5-9, 179 jr. 

Jake Hall, North Schuylkill — 6-0, 215 sr. 

Tyler Gee, Loyalsock — 5-10, 180 soph. 

Dominico Spataro, Lakeland — 5-9, 155 jr. 

Marqui Adams, Neumann-Goretti — 5-11, 175 sr. 

Running Back 

Landon Alexander, Central Valley — 6-1, 190 sr. 

London Montgomery, Scranton Prep — 5-11, 190 jr. 

Rocco Pulizzi, Montoursville — 6-0, 180 sr. 

Parker Gregg, Central Martinsburg — 6-0, 185 sr. 

Tommy Grabowski, Wyomissing — 6-0, 200 sr. 

Wide Receiver 

Carson Persing, Danville — 5-9, 170 jr. 

Rian Glunk, Loyalsock — 6-1, 175 jr. 

Ramarion Whitehead, Hickory — 6-1, 165 sr. 

Joey Flail, North Schuylkill — 6-0, 180 soph. 

Ja’On Phillips, Sharon — 5-9, 170 sr. 

Tight End 

Aiden Mack, Wyomissing — 6-4, 220 sr. 

Offensive Line 

Jven Williams, Wyomissing — 6-4, 310 jr. 

Hunter Hanna, Montoursville — 6-0, 235 sr. 

Josh Waite, Central Martinsburg — 6-3, 275 sr. 

Nick Elko, Wyoming Area — 6-3, 300 sr. 

Gage Dlugonski, Grove City — 6-2, 265 sr. 

Athlete 

Joey Menke, Boiling Springs — 5-10, 170 sr. 

Davion Hill, Loyalsock — 6-1, 175 jr. 

Diohnny Ruiz, Hamburg — 5-11, 185 sr. 

DEFENSE 

Defensive Line 

Sean FitzSimmons, Central Valley — 6-3, 280 sr. 

Oliver Billotte, Clearfield — 6-5, 255 sr. 

Joey Fazzone, Hickory — 6-2, 240 sr. 

Jackson Tonya, Central Valley — 6-2, 225 jr. 

Lacota Dippre, Lakeland — 6-3, 230 jr. 

Tajae Broadie, Middletown — 6-4, 240 sr. 

Linebacker 

Michael Golay, Scranton Prep — 6-2, 240 sr. 

Jack Bible, Central Valley — 6-1, 205 sr. 

Jackson Pryts, Hickory — 6-4, 205 sr. 

Matt Merritt, Central Valley — 6-3, 215 sr. 

Jack Miller, Wyomissing — 5-11, 200 sr. 

Mason Raup, Danville — 6-0, 195 jr. 

Defensive Back 

Jayvin Thompson, Central Valley — 6-2, 190 jr. 

Carson Garvey, Boiling Springs — 6-2, 190 sr. 

Nevin Carter, Wyomissing — 6-5, 190 sr. 

DaVontay Brownfield, Elizabeth Forward — 5-11, 178 sr. 

Specialist 

Serafino DeSantis, Central Valley — 5-11, 180 jr. 

Daniel Mueller, Lancaster Catholic — 5-10, 180 sr. 

Athlete 

Amory Thompson, Wyomissing — 6-1, 185 sr. 

Raleigh Collins, Neumann-Goretti — 6-2, 190 sr. 

Robert Rossi, Scranton Prep — 6-4, 195 sr. 

PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Jeff Hoenstine, Central Martinsburg 

COACH OF THE YEAR: Mark Lyons, Central Valley 

2021 Pa. Football Writers’ Class 2A All-State Team

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CLASS 2A 

OFFENSE 

Quarterback 

Jaren Brickner, Beaver Falls — 6-0, 170 jr. 

Kellan Stahl, Richland — 5-11, 190 sr. 

Robert Footman, Columbia — 6-0, 185 sr. 

Dylan Smoyer, Northern Lehigh — 6-0, 180 sr. 

Running Back 

Gavin Garcia, Southern Columbia — 5-9, 190 sr. 

Anthony Stallworth, Farrell — 6-0, 190 sr. 

Damon Crawley, Forest Hills — 5-10, 192 sr. 

Nijhay Burt, Steel Valley — 6-0, 175 sr. 

Luke McCoy, Laurel — 5-9, 180 sr. 

Jaymar Pearson, Sto-Rox — 5-11, 190 sr. 

Wide Receiver 

Trevor Amorim, Northern Lehigh — 6-0, 175 sr. 

Jackson Byer, Conemaugh Township — 5-11, 190 sr. 

Kylon Wilson, Farrell — 5-10, 165 jr. 

Matt Whysong, Chestnut Ridge — 6-0, 171 sr. 

Offensive Line 

Preston Williams, Farrell — 6-2, 380 sr. 

Carson Savitski, Southern Columbia — 6-2, 250 sr. 

RJ Schirg, Lackawanna Trail — 6-2, 285 sr. 

Matt Kelley, Mount Carmel — 6-4, 319 jr. 

Gabe Leffler, Southern Columbia — 6-0, 195 sr. 

Athlete 

Levan McFadden, York Catholic — 6-0, 175 jr. 

Matt Machalik, Palmerton — 6-0, 195 soph. 

Julien Stellar, Mount Carmel — 5-9, 185 sr. 

DEFENSE 

Defensive Line 

Ryan Brooks, Serra Catholic — 6-2, 215 sr. 

Derek Berlitz, Southern Columbia — 6-2, 245 sr. 

AJ Jimenez, Northern Lehigh — 6-0, 185 jr. 

Mason Imbt, Troy — 6-3, 300 sr. 

Linebacker 

Taidon Strickland, Farrell — 5-11, 205 sr. 

Garrett Garcia, Southern Columbia — 6-0, 185 soph. 

Hunter Wall, Ridgway — 5-10, 192 sr. 

Anthony Jackson, Farrell — 5-10, 210 sr. 

Dominic Fetterolf, Southern Columbia — 6-0, 190 fr. 

Omar Stewart Jr., Farrell — 6-2, 195 sr. 

Defensive Back 

Mehki Clark, Beaver Falls — 5-11, 160 sr. 

Pharoh Fisher, Serra Catholic — 6-2, 180 sr. 

Griffin LaRue, Richland — 6-3, 192 sr. 

Brett Misera, Northern Lehigh — 6-1, 180 sr. 

Specialist 

Isaac Carter, Southern Columbia — 5-11, 190 soph. 

Athlete 

Terrell Booth, Serra Catholic — 6-0, 170 sr. 

Joey Vevasis, Shenandoah Valley — 5-8, 150 sr. 

Dominic Allegretto, Ridgway — 5-10, 174 sr. 

PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Gavin Garcia, Southern Columbia 

COACH OF THE YEAR: Jose Regus, Serra Catholic 

2021 Pa. Football Writers’ Class 1A All-State Team

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2021 Pa. Football Writers’ Class 1A All-State Team

CLASS 1A 

OFFENSE 

Quarterback 

Logan Almeida, Montgomery — 5-9, 155 sr. 

Karson Kiesewetter, Bishop Guilfoyle — 6-1, 192 jr. 

Alex Erby, Steelton-Highspire — 6-4, 210 soph. 

Bryson Bain, Redbank Valley — 6-4, 215 sr. 

Dan McGarry, Curwensville — 5-11, 180 jr. 

Running Back 

Jalen Wagner, Reynolds — 6-0, 175 jr. 

Riley Parker, Canton — 6-0, 190 jr. 

Logan Kent, Conemaugh Valley — 5-9, 170 sr. 

Cooper Rother, Bishop Guilfoyle — 5-10, 169 jr. 

Alex Achenbach, Williams Valley — 5-10, 160 soph. 

Daivin Pryor, Steelton-Highspire — 5-9, 160 sr. 

Wide Receiver 

Coltin Hans, Montgomery — 6-0, 150 sr. 

Tyrone Moore, Steelton-Highspire — 6-1, 185 sr. 

Ty Terry, Curwensville — 6-4, 165 sr. 

Lesae Lacks, Bishop Canevin — 5-8, 140 jr. 

Offensive Line 

Isaac Harris, Muncy — 6-4, 235 sr. 

Caiden Williams, Canton — 6-1, 190 sr. 

Mitchell Mason, Reynolds — 6-2, 220 sr. 

Dion McIntosh, Our Lady of Sacred Heart — 6-4, 290 sr. 

Kainen Brown, Northern Bedford — 5-10, 210 sr. 

Cyllel Rose, Old Forge — 5-11, 225 jr. 

Athlete 

Jake Johnson, Juniata Valley — 6-1, 175 sr. 

Tim Henderson, Cornell — 5-9, 165 sr. 

DEFENSE 

Defensive Line 

Joe Mansfield, Redbank Valley — 6-2, 192 sr. 

Anthony Cioffari, Bishop Guilfoyle — 6-3, 206 jr. 

Dominic Yanoshak, Bishop Guilfoyle — 5-9, 150 jr. 

Sante Bambocci, Bishop Guilfoyle — 5-11, 205 jr. 

E.J. Dawson, Cornell — 6-0, 200 jr. 

Kanye Hawkins, Clairton — 6-4, 255 sr. 

Linebacker 

Hayden Ward, Canton — 5-10, 165 jr. 

Weston Pick, Montgomery — 6-1, 210 jr. 

Nathan Schilling, Blacklick Valley — 5-11, 195 sr. 

Bailey Hadzinikolov, Muncy — 6-0, 205 sr. 

Sal Laure, Rochester — 5-9, 190 sr. 

Defensive Back 

Ross Eyer, Muncy — 6-1, 180 jr. 

Haydin McLaughlin, Reynolds — 6-0, 180 jr. 

Chris Marshall, Redbank Valley — 6-4, 190 sr. 

Specialist 

Jake Mullins, Curwensville — 5-10, 150 sr. 

Athlete 

Weston Bellows, Canton — 5-10, 190 jr. 

Suds Dubler, Glendale — 5-11, 170 sr. 

PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Karson Kiesewetter, Bishop Guilfoyle 

CO-COACH OF THE YEAR: Justin Wheeler, Bishop Guilfoyle; Blane Gold, Redbank Valley 

4th Down Magazine Player of the Week sponsored by Crown Trophy of Harrisburg

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4th Down Magazine Player of the Week sponsored by Crown Trophy of Harrisburg

All Schools 6A-1A:

Here are the 4th Down Player of the Week nominees from Bishop McDevitt’s 34-27 loss to Aliquippa in the PIAA Class 4A championship game:

Stone Saunders, fr., QB — It was not Saunders’s most flawless game, but the rookie with just a handful of starts under his belt acclimated himself well on the biggest of high school football stages. Saunders, who need it be reminded is just a freshman, went 13-of-24 for 239 yards and three touchdowns in Thursday’s loss. He hit Kamil Foster for a 55-yard score, M. Williams for an 18-yarder and the next guy for …

Mario Easterly, sr., WR/DB — 59 yards in the game’s opening minute. The Saunders-to-Easterly connection gifted the Crusaders (12-2) a 7-0 lead less than a minute into the game, and McD briefly boosted that to 13-0 barely a minute later. The advantage didn’t last ,but Easterly finished with four catches for 126 yards and the early TD. He also had five tackles.

Marquese Williams, jr., RB — Williams was held to just 36 rushing yards on 12 carries, but he scored on the ground and through the air Thursday. His first trip to the end zone came from 15 yards out just 2:13 into the game to give McDevitt a 13-0 lead. His second came in a late comeback bit when he hauled in Saunders’s 18-yard TD with 3:02 left to set the final score. Williams ended with three catches for 24 yards.

Ryan Russo, sr., TE/LB — Now we get to the middle of the Crusaders’ rugged defense. Russo recorded a game-high 12 tackles, more than double any Quips defender, and added half a tackle for loss for a Bishop McDevitt defense that impressed all postseason. He finished the season with more than 120 total tackles and 15 tackles for loss.

Riley Robell, jr., TE/LB — And Russo’s running mate. Robell added 7.5 tackles in Thursday’s loss, easily outpacing all Quips defenders as well. He also tied for a game-high 1.5 TFLs. Robell finished third on the team (Russo was first) with more than 80 tackles 

This poll has ended (since 3 years).
Ryan Russo, sr., TE/LB
70.89%
Riley Robell, jr., TE/LB
12.66%
Stone Saunders, fr., QB
8.86%
Mario Easterly, sr., WR/DB
7.59%
Marquese Williams, jr., RB
0.00%

COMMENTARY: 4A title tilt between Bishop McDevitt and Aliquippa lives up to the hype

Andy Shay
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COMMENTARY: 4A title tilt between Bishop McDevitt and Aliquippa lives up to the hype

This was the fourth time since 2010 Bishop McDevitt played for a state championship, and you could make a fair argument this was only the second time the Crusaders and head coach Jeff Weachter had a real shot at ending a drought without a title that dates back to 1995.

McDevitt and Aliquippa put on a football show Thursday night in the PIAA Class 4A championship game. It was two really good teams who played the game at a rarely seen level for 48 minutes.

Each team made one major football mistake — Aliquippa didn’t react to a short kickoff in the first quarter and McDevitt recovered the live ball then scored four plays later, and the Crusaders threw a pick-6 in the first quarter. Each squad essentially had a free touchdown in the 34-27 final.

Otherwise everything else posted on the scoreboard was earned. McDevitt was the more explosive offense in terms of big plays. Aliquippa was more efficient and balanced.

The difference in this one was the Quips offense. They converted 10 times on third and fourth down. They made every big play in key situations in the second half to keep McDevitt’s defense on the field.

Bishop McDevitt didn’t really do a whole lot to lose this game. Aliquippa simply didn’t misfire once when it really mattered to claim its fourth state title in school history.

Sure, you could nitpick about little things here and there with each team that added up. In the end, Aliquippa was better and deserved to win.

Did the McDevitt defense have opportunities in the second half? What’s crazy is this defense, led by 28 combined tackles from Ryan Russo and Riley Robell, created a ton of chances to give the ball back to its offense and couldn’t clear that final hurdle.

Aliquippa converted third-and-1, third-and-9, fourth-and-8, fourth-and-goal, third-and-11 and fourth-and-2 all in the second half. Not very often you see this McDevitt defense create this many chances and not be able to finish.

The critical tipping point in this highly entertaining championship game came in the third quarter when the Quips kept converting on third and fourth down to string together a staggering 17-play drive that covered 80 yards and sucked nearly nine minutes off the clock. McDevitt ran four plays offensively in the third quarter.

When the Quips capped the march on the first snap of the final quarter, it gave them a narrow 27-20 lead.

With opportunities limited, McDevitt had to respond. Derailed by a horrifically bad intentional ground call and pressure from the Quips defensive front, the Crusaders went three-and-out.

Four Aliquippa snaps later, the Quips traversed 47 more yards with ease in only four plays to snare a two-score lead with only nine minutes and change to play.

McDevitt made two trips into the Aliquippa red zone those final nine minutes, but scored once and came up empty once. Honestly it was a tall ask to score twice against another really good defense that had McDevitt’s run game locked down.

After the game, Weachter said that Aliquippa long drive in the second half reminded him of the Archbishop Wood drive in 2013 that salted the game away. He is right in that the drives were similar. But in 2013 the Crusaders had zero say in the outcome of that game. Wood was driving the train that day. This game was much more like the 2010 title game with Allentown Central Catholic where it was a 50-50 proposition who would win until the bitter end.

You will hear from this McDevitt team again in 2022. They lose several key components — star receivers Kamil Foster and Mario Easterly on offense, and LB Ryan Russo and DL Nate Kinsey on defense. But the core of this team led by QB Stone Saunders and DL-OL Riley Robell, returns.

The bad news is the large majority of the Quips top players are underclassmen as well, including four of the five members of what I can safely say is the biggest offensive line I’ve seen in 30 years of covering high school football.

I for one wouldn’t mind seeing Round 2 of this matchup in 364 days. The first one lived up to the billing.

Not like ’95: Aliquippa thwarts Bishop McDevitt’s bid for a second state title, 34-27, in PIAA Class 4A championship

Andy Shay
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Not like ’95: Aliquippa thwarts Bishop McDevitt’s bid for a second state title, 34-27, in PIAA Class 4A championship

Bishop McDevitt fired its very best shot at Aliquippa in a highly entertaining and tense PIAA Class 4A final Thursday night at Hersheypark Stadium. But in the second half the Quips made every big play when it was needed and held off the Crusaders 34-27 to claim the state title.

KEYS TO VICTORY

The bombshells each team dropped to start this contest, which included four total touchdowns in the opening seven minutes, leveled off and the Quips and Crusaders went into halftime deadlock at 20-20. Each defense had found its footing in the game by the third quarter, and the second half opened with an exchange of punts. Then Aliquippa put together a drive that completely changed the dynamic of this game. The Quips traveled 80 yards in 17 plays, chewing up nearly nine minutes of clock, and scored on the first play of the fourth quarter to take a 27-20 lead it would never relinquish.

During the first half, McDevitt’s defense was losing the battle on first down as the Quips averaged 12 yards per carry. In the second half, the Crusaders’ D couldn’t get off the field when it had Aliquippa in a trick down-and-distance. The Quips executed and made plays when it mattered. On that critical 17-play march the Quips converted third-and-9, fourth-and-8 and scored on fourth-and-1. The next time Aliquippa had the ball it converted third-and-11 with a 40-yard pass and scored on an 8-yard touchdown run the very next snap to go up 34-20. 

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

Hard to believe Tiqwai Hayes is only a freshman, but the Quips star RB had a monster game with 32 carries for 139 yards and three touchdowns. … McDevitt freshman QB Stone Saunders threw for 237 yards and three touchdowns, completed 50% of his 26 attempts and threw a pick-6 in the first quarter during the early four-touchdown flurry. … Quips QB Quentin Goode, a sophomore, was the difference in this game. He completed 9 of 12 passes for 127 yards. It wasn’t his volume but rather the timing of his completions that was the difference maker. … McDevitt rushed for only 50 yards on 18 carries, but that’s not a surprise against the Quips defense. … McDevitt took a 13-0 lead before the game was three minutes old. Aliquippa answered back with a long-range 42-yard Hayes TD run followed by a Cameron Lindsey pick-6 less than a minute later to make it 14-13 Quips with nearly five minutes still remaining in the first quarter. … McDevitt WR Mario Easterly had four catches for 128 yards and a touchdown. … Crusaders LB Ryan Russo had a game-high 16 tackes. … McDevitt DL Riley Robell had 12 tackles, including three tackles for a loss. … Aliquippa was 8-for-11 converting on third and fourth downs. … Aliquippa ran 35 plays in the second half, compared to only 15 for McDevitt. … Aliquippa had a massive offensive line with three of its guys measuring 6-foot-4, 325; 6-4, 345 and 6-7, 365.

WHAT WE SAW

Bishop McDevitt played a pretty solid football game overall and was simply beat by the better team on this night. There were some little things that you could point to that the Crusaders could have done better, but overall the Quips executed better when it counted and made every single big play in the second half. Right after that long Aliquippa drive of 17 plays, 80 yards and nearly nine minutes, the Crusaders quickly went three-and-out on the next drive and the lack of an answer by the McD offense in that moment sealed the deal. After the Crusaders’ punt, the Quips quickly scored again to open up a two-score lead.

At the end of the day McDevitt’s defense couldn’t get the stops it needed when it had the advantage to stem the tide. Five times in the second half the Crusaders’ D had the Quips in a bad spot, and each time Aliquippa made the play to keep its march to a state title on track. In a game where the margins are slim and the gap between the two teams was minimal, the Crusaders defense couldn’t make that big stop in a good spot to give its offense a chance.

THEY SAID IT

“We’re a young team, and coming in here the nerves got to us. On top of that they are a good football team. We played our hearts out, but they were the better team today. That (drive) by them really took a lot out of us. We’re giving everything we have out there on the field and they’re driving like that … yeah, it’s draining.” — Bishop McDevitt DL Riley Robell

“We couldn’t get a running game going against them because they are so big. We did better in the second, made some adjustments, spread them out and ran traps. We didn’t have a whole lot of time to do it the second half. When we got the ball back after their big drive, we have the guy open on the play, they get the pressure on the QB, we get intentional grounding and that killed us.” — Bishop McDevitt head coach Jeff Weachter

Aliquippa       14-6-0-14 — 34 

Bishop McDevitt       13-7-0-7 — 27 

First quarter 

McD-Mario Easterly 59 pass from Stone Saunders (Michael Chiha kick), 11:05 

McD-Marquese Williams 16 run (kick failed), 9:47 

AQ-Tiqwai Hayes 42 run (Emmanuel Gyadu-Mantey kick), 5:57 

AQ-Cameron Lindsey 28 interception return (Gyadu-Mantey kick), 4:59 

Second quarter 

McD-Kamil Foster 55 pass from Saunders (Chiha kick), 10:59 

AQ-Jon Tracy 2 run (run failed), 5:16 

Fourth quarter 

AQ-Hayes 1 run (Gyadu-Mantey kick), 11:57 

AQ-Hayes 8 run (Gyadu-Mantey kick), 9:21 

McD-Williams 18 pass from Saunders (Chiha kick), 3:02 

Team statistics           A                     MCD 

First downs                 15                    10 

Rush-yards                  54-225             18-50 

Passing                        127                  237 

Comp-Att-Int              9-12-0             13-26-1 

Fumbles-lost               0-0                   1-0 

Punts-Avg.                  5-27.4              4-32.8 

Penalties-yards            9-52                 6-39 

Individual statistics 

RUSHING: Aliquippa, Tiqwai Hayes 32-139, Jon Tracy 18-78, Isaiah Martinez 2-4, Quentin Goode 1-2, Cyair Clark 1-2; Bishop McDevitt, Marquese Williams 12-38, Cyncir Bowers 3-14, Stone Saunders 4-(minus-9). 

PASSING: Aliquippa, Quentin Goode 9-12-0–127; Bishop McDevitt, Stone Saunders 13-26-1–237. 

RECEIVING: Aliquippa, Cyair Clark 3-75, Isaiah Martinez 2-27, Taijer Thornton 3-22, Brandon Banks 1-3; Bishop McDevitt, Mario Easterly 4-126, Kamil Foster 2-61, Marquese Williams 3-24, Rico Scott 2-15, Nate Kinsey 1-9, Cyncir Bowers 1-2. 

Picks and Predictions for the PIAA State Finals

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Picks and Predictions for the PIAA State Finals

RECORDS (Week 15 — Overall — Perfect Picks):

Andy Shay: 9-3 — 239-59 — 1

Geoff Morrow: 6-6 — 220-78 — 3

Andy Sandrik: 7-5 — 218-80 — 0

Adam Kulikowski: 10-2 — 207-91 — 1

Thursday’s Games

PIAA Class 1A Championship

6-1 Bishop Guilfoyle vs. 9-1 Redbank Valley, at Hersheypark Stadium, 1

Andy Shay: Redbank Valley 27, Bishop Guilfoyle 23: For the second week in a row, my football mind tells me BG is the team better equipped to win the small-school title. I can’t help rooting for the lads from D9, though, because they’ve climbed some major hurdles to get here and possess some elements that could get the Marauders on tilt.

Geoff Morrow: Redbank Valley 23, Bishop Guilfoyle 21: While the Marauders from Altoona have won three state titles since 2014, not a single team from the far reaches of District 9 has ever won a PIAA championship. In fact, I think Smethport in 1992 is the only D9 squad to make it this far, falling to former District 3 small-school powerhouse Scotland in the Class A final. But why not the Bulldogs? Why not now? This collection of multi-sport athletes obviously believe in each other and keep finding ways to win. If RV wins, expect a party unlike any other in Clarion and Armstrong county history. 

Andy Sandrik: Bishop Guilfoyle 30, Redbank Valley 24: Why do I feel like there’s more pressure on the underdog Bulldogs, the team that can make District 9 history, than on the Marauders, who seem to be in state contention nearly every fall?

Adam Kulikowski: Bishop Guilfoyle 28, Redbank Valley 27: On the biggest stage, the team that is most battle-tested hails from Altoona. Experience matters, and this is a crew that should be more prepared to navigate the emotions of playing for a state title.

PIAA Class 4A Championship

3-1 Bishop McDevitt vs. 7-1 Aliquippa, at Hersheypark Stadium, 7

Andy Shay: Bishop McDevitt 28, Aliquippa 21: Couple of young and talented quarterbacks with plenty of offensive weapons around them to help out. At the end of the day, I think the defenses for each team end up having a major say in the outcome of this one.

Geoff Morrow: Bishop McDevitt 21, Aliquippa 20: There will be MANY interesting matchups, but the RB vs. LB battles will really go a long way to deciding this outcome. How about Quips RB Tiqwai Hayes vs. McD LB Ryan Russo, or Crusaders RB Marquese Williams vs. LB Cameron Lindsey? McDevitt really, really wants to add to its lone 1995 title, while Aliquippa seeks its fourth (1991, 2003, 2018). No shortage of talent, so who makes the fewest mistakes?

Andy Sandrik: Bishop McDevitt 31, Aliquippa 21: I think Aliquippa has as good of a chance as anyone against McDevitt, but then I look up and down this Crusaders roster and realize how many different ways Jeff Weachter’s boys can beat you. McDevitt wins its first state title since 1995.

Adam Kulikowski: Bishop McDevitt 35, Aliquippa 33: To me, the Crusaders’ offensive line holds the keys to this battle. Can it keep a strong Quips d-line in check and open holes for Marquese Williams and Cyncir Bowers? And, perhaps most importantly, can this line provide the time Stone Saunders needs to feel comfortable in the pocket and settle into a rhythm?

Friday’s Games

PIAA Class 2A Championship

4-1 Southern Columbia vs. 7-1 Serra Catholic, at Hersheypark Stadium, 1

Andy Shay: Southern Columbia 42, Serra Catholic 19: Is this the “one for the thumb” for the Tigers? A victory by SC would make it an even dozen state titles and five in a row. I like where the Eagles are heading into this matchup, but the Tigers have shown too much might at this level for too long to think they are NOT going to win.

Geoff Morrow: Southern Columbia 45, Serra Catholic 20: The Tigers own 11 PIAA titles, including four straight. Among those championship tilts, the two closest scores aren’t close at all: 31-6 over Rochester in 2002, and 42-14 over Wilmington last year. The Eagles out of McKeesport pulled an impressive upset of Farrell last week, but they’ve never claimed PIAA gold before, and to do so on Friday would be an even bigger stunner.

Andy Sandrik: Southern Columbia 38, Serra Catholic 21: Imagine making it all the way to the state title game and then being picked to get blown out by all of the experts. Nothing personal, Serra Catholic; there is just an ambush of dangerous Tigers waiting on the other side of the field on Friday afternoon.

Adam Kulikowski: Southern Columbia 41, Serra Catholic 28: It feels like each year we’re talking about who the Tigers are going to knock off in the state finals. This year is no different. Quite the achievement to win five straight titles — and this crew should do just that.

PIAA Class 5A Championship

12-1 Imhotep Charter vs. 7-1 Penn-Trafford, at Hersheypark Stadium, 7

Andy Shay: Imhotep Charter 21, Penn-Trafford 7: I think this will be a defensive tussle into the second half. If that’s the way this unfolds, the ridiculous numbers this Panthers defense has rolled up 2021 will win out in the end. I mean, one team has scored twice on Imhotep, and it threw up a shutout in the state semifinal. Call me Mr. Defense this year.

Geoff Morrow: Imhotep Charter 28, Penn-Trafford 7: Do you realize the Panthers out of Philadelphia haven’t allowed more than 13 points in a game all season? They’ve allowed a total of 24 points since October, including a 36-0 shutout of Strath Haven last weekend. Remember the name Rahmir Stewart. The Warriors of Penn-Trafford are obviously an impressive unit, but I can’t get past what the Imhotep defense has done. I’m expecting the Panthers to add another trophy next to their 2015 version.

Andy Sandrik: Imhotep Charter 21, Penn-Trafford 14: I want to contribute something other than “dEfEnSe WiNs ChAmPiOnShIpS,” so I’m going to point out that Imhotep’s only loss came to La Salle College, a team that also beat Bishop McDevitt, another PIAA finalist. Interestingly enough, the Explorers didn’t make it out of the first round.

Adam Kulikowski: Imhotep Charter 24, Penn-Tafford 14: Imhotep’s top two backs average more than 10 yards per carry. How Penn-Tafford combats that explosive duo will dictate how long it remains within striking distance of the Panthers.

Saturday’s Games

PIAA Class 3A Championship

3-1 Wyomissing vs. 7-1 Central Valley, at Hersheypark Stadium, noon

Andy Shay: Wyomissing 24, Central Valley 21: Let’s go beyond the obvious for a second when it comes to this pick. CV has ripped almost every defense it has faced this season, averaging close to 50 points per game. I like the Wyo defense, and it’s better than it was a year ago. Here’s my hidden key: The Wyo offense is more powerful than you think, and it hogs the ball. Will CV get enough chances to wreck this game? Big plays must be avoided by the Spartans’ defense for this to happen. Friendly reminder: Wyomissing beat Southern Columbia 41-21!

Geoff Morrow: Central Valley 27, Wyomissing 21: The only game to feature a pair of unbeaten teams, this is the clichéd heavyweight fight, a rematch of last year’s championship slugfest, won 35-21 by the Warriors. This one gets the hype, deservedly so, with star power galore on both sidelines and on both sides of the ball. If revenge is a deciding factor, tilt it toward the Spartans of Berks County. If history is a deciding factor, CV finds a way. A splendid show no matter what.

Andy Sandrik: Wyomissing 28, Central Valley 21: The more I try to search out a weakness for CV, the more I’m convinced the Warriors have no weaknesses. Still, I trust that the revenge-minded Spartans will find a way after getting beat in the final by CV last year.

Adam Kulikowski: Wyomissing 32, Central Valley 31: Round 2! These two clubs battle for the state title for the second year in a row. This time the Spartans flip the script to bring a state title home.

PIAA Class 6A Championship

12-1 St. Joseph’s Prep vs. 7-1 Mt. Lebanon, at Hersheypark Stadium, 6

Andy Shay: St. Joseph’s Prep 38, Mt. Lebanon 27: I’m on the list of those who thought for some unknown reason that SJP was going to get all it could handle from Garnet Valley last week and picked the Hawks to lose. Yeah, I didn’t swallow the whole bottle of stupid pills, though. I am worried about the Mt. Lebo defense in this matchup.

Geoff Morrow: St. Joseph’s Prep 42, Mt. Lebanon 29: I guess I’m among the suckers who, for whatever dumb reason, thought the Hawks — the same program that’s decisively won six PIAA titles since 2013, including the last three big-school championships — would somehow falter vs. District 1 upstart Garnet Valley last weekend. My bad. Now, as much as I admire what the undefeated Blue Devils have done in reaching this game, I’m unable to pick twice in a row against Prep. I’m also a bit curious about Mt. Lebo surrendering 28 points to State College last weekend, an unusually high point for the Little Lions. I feel there’s something there SJP can exploit.

Andy Sandrik: St. Joseph’s Prep 35, Mt. Lebanon 21: Remember that year SJP wasn’t in the state final? Yeah, neither do I. This is the Hawks’ eighth PIAA championship appearance in the last nine years.

Adam Kulikowski: St. Joseph’s Prep 41, Mt. Lebanon 20: Each year until further notice, just pencil St. Joseph’s Prep as my 6A state champion. After winning the last three titles, it just feels like a formality for Prep to be anointed champs.

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