EXPLAINING OUR PICKS: It’s championship week in Pennsylvania.

Twelve teams will descend on Cumberland Valley High School for three days beginning Thursday afternoon for the 2023 PIAA football championships. One Mid-Penn team is left standing, undefeated and defending Class 1A champion Steel-High. The Rollers, who have dominated almost everyone who crossed their path this season, take on WPIAL champion Fort Cherry on Thursday at 1 p.m.

And the 4th Down Magazine team is here to tell you who will win all six title games. For one last time in 2023, this year’s group of experts includes veteran reporters Andy Shay and Andy Sandrik, as well as 4th Down owner and manager Adam Kulikowski.

Here’s who we think will win each game and why, with the kind of analysis you won’t find anywhere else. 

Our final episode of 4th & Goal with Andy Shay and Jake Adams features an interview with Steel-High’s Ronald Burnette Jr. plus we break down the keys to victory for Steel-High and other PIAA state final match-ups. We’ll also looking back at what went wrong for Bishop McDevitt and Harrisburg in the PIAA semifinals.

2023 Standings

Picker: Last Week — Overall — Perfect Picks

Andy Sandrik: 1-2 — 232-68 — 0

Adam Kulikowski: 1-2 — 230-70 — 2

Andy Shay: 2-1 — 219-81 — 1

* Records in parentheses after school name; District and seed in parentheses before school name.

THURSDAY, DEC. 7

PIAA CLASS 1A CHAMPIONSHIP

3-1 Steel-High vs. 7-1 Fort Cherry, at Cumberland Valley HS, 1 p.m.

Andy Shay: Steel-High 41, Fort Cherry 30: The quarterbacks in this matchup are both elite and have plenty of weapons around them to choose from. This game could be combustible for stretches, and each defense is going to see an offense the likes of which they haven’t experienced yet. Entertainment factor here is off the charts.

Andy Sandrik: Steel-High 45, Fort Cherry 27: The Rollers will allow some points, sure, but their offense is just so dialed in I don’t think there’s another Class 1A defense that can stop them from nailing down the program’s third state title in the last four years. I have a bittersweet feeling knowing that this is the last time I’ll get to watch this masterful team in motion. 

Adam Kulikowski: Steel-High 55, Fort Cherry 38: Where does a team that could claim its third state championship in four seasons rank among the best in Steel-High history? Top five in my book if the Rollers complete the mission Thursday afternoon.

PIAA CLASS 4A CHAMPIONSHIP

2-1 Dallas vs. 7-1 Aliquippa, at Cumberland Valley HS, 7 p.m.

Andy Shay: Aliquippa 42, Dallas 14: That was a massive upset Dallas pulled off a week ago. Its defense and special teams were spectacular. And it will need the same kind of help this week as the Quips bring a physical element to the table that is hard to prepare for. The 1-2 punch at RB for Aliquippa is simply lethal.

Andy Sandrik: Aliquippa 39, Dallas 21: There’s a big part of me that believes Dallas cracked the code when it knocked off Bishop McDevitt and has all the tools to duplicate the feat against Aliquippa. There’s an even bigger part of me that worries the Mountaineers played well beyond their capabilities just to get here and are one of the teams in these PIAA finals most vulnerable to a blowout loss. 

Adam Kulikowski: Aliquippa 48, Dallas 20: Dallas did all the small things right to capitalize on Bishop McDevitt’s miscues and knock off the defending state champions. Counting on the Quips to open the door again would be foolish. 

FRIDAY, DEC. 8

PIAA CLASS 2A CHAMPIONSHIP

4-1 Southern Columbia vs. 8-1 Westinghouse, at Cumberland Valley HS, 1 p.m.

Andy Shay: Southern Columbia 34, Westinghouse 20: I can see a path to victory for the upset-minded Bulldogs from Pittsburgh, however, the Tigers demand a certain level of excellence over 48 minutes to knock them off that is hard to reach. I keep hearing this isn’t the same Southern team, but good gracious the results and record look very, very familiar.

Andy Sandrik: Southern Columbia 28, Westinghouse 14: I was impressed with how thoroughly Southern Columbia beat up on what I thought was a very physical Dunmore team. Westinghouse is unbeaten, but the Bulldogs haven’t always been dominant. My gut is telling me SoCo will be one or two steps ahead from beginning to end.

Adam Kulikowski: Westinghouse 28, Southern Columbia 27: Betting against the Tigers is hardly ever where the smart money goes, but I’m chasing a two-game deficit in our pick standings and this is one matchup the venerable Bulldogs can help a brotha out! 

PIAA CLASS 5A CHAMPIONSHIP

12-1 Imhotep Charter vs. 7-1 Peters Township, at Cumberland Valley HS, 7 p.m.

Andy Shay: Peters Township 27, Imhotep Charter 23: In so many ways this is about as level of a playing field of any matchup in the state championships. The quality of what the District 7 champions faced on a weekly basis this season shows a lot of adaptability and mettle. That matters in my book and should serve them well in this tight affair.

Andy Sandrik: Imhotep Charter 28, Peters Township 14: Imhotep, 1-6 in state title games, has gained the reputation of being the Buffalo Bills of Pa. high school football. But I think they turn it around this week. The key matchup for me is Peters Township sophomore QB Nolan DiLucia vs. a Panthers secondary that has picked off 22 passes this season.

Adam Kulikowski: Peters Township 34, Imhotep Charter 27: Let me help translate Mr. Sandrik’s prediction for those of you who may not have been born in the early 90s: the Buffalo Bills played in four straight Super Bowls in the early 90s and came away with nothing but parting gifts. I actually find that a fitting comparison for IC, which is 1-6 in the big game in its history while Peters Township makes its first appearance in the state final. 

SATURDAY, DEC. 9

PIAA CLASS 3A CHAMPIONSHIP

11-1 Northwestern Lehigh vs. 7-1 Belle Vernon, at Cumberland Valley HS, 1 p.m.

Andy Shay: Belle Vernon 26, Northwestern Lehigh 24: This is pretty simple. No way I’m picking against the defending PIAA champions. The Leopards’ balance on offense is hard to slow down with any consistency, and it taxes a defense.

Andy Sandrik: Belle Vernon 28, Northwestern Lehigh 21: My favorite part about the PIAA title games is seeing the stars. And Belle Vernon RB Quinton Martin, a Penn State recruit, is a star who leads his team in both rushing and receiving.

Adam Kulikowski: Northwestern Lehigh 31, Belle Vernon 29: Northwestern Lehigh is in the big dance for the first time in school history after taking down Wyomissing last week. Yes, Belle Vernon has a Division I-pedigree back in Quinton Martin, but throw some respect on Lehigh’s Dalton Clymer, who piled up 1,807 stripes and 31 scores on the ground. Expect a tight battle where one score should decide it.

PIAA CLASS 6A CHAMPIONSHIP

12-1 St. Joseph’s Prep vs. 7-1 North Allegheny, at Cumberland Valley HS, 7 p.m.

Andy Shay: St. Joseph’s Prep 35, North Allegheny 17: Since the PIAA went to six classifications for football in 2016, St. Joseph’s Prep has played in the championship game all seven previous years. Make it 8-for-8 now. SJP has won five of the seven state championship games. Look, I love what NA brings to the table, but no way I’m picking against the horse for the course.

Andy Sandrik: St. Joseph’s Prep 38, North Allegheny 14: Even if you ignore SJP’s history of dominance in the 6A classification and just focus on this season, the Hawks still deserve to be overwhelming favorites based on how badly they’ve massacred their PIAA competition.

Adam Kulikowski: St. Joseph’s Prep 45, North Allegheny 20: This is the 10th trip to the state finals in the last 11 seasons for St. Joseph’s Prep. In the biggest games, experience matters and Prep has it. Oh, and it has a defense that has completely snuffed out even the highest octane offense this season. 

For more content from Eric Epler, visit Pennlive.com.

CLASS 6A 

Rank – Team – District – Record – Previous 

1. St. Joseph’s Prep (12)          — 12-1 – 1 

2. North Allegheny (7)            — 13-1 – 2 

3. Harrisburg (3)                      — 12-2 – 3 

4. Manheim Township (3)       — 12-1 – 5 

5. Pittsburgh C.C. (7)               — 10-2 – 6 

6. Central Bucks South (1)      — 13-2 – 4 

7. Nazareth (11)                      – 12-2 – 7 

8. Parkland (11)                      — 12-1 – 8 

9. Downingtown West (1)       — 11-3 – 9 

10. Downingtown East (1)      — 11-1 – 10 

Honorable mention: Central Bucks West (1) 12-1, Central York (3) 11-1, Cumberland Valley (3) 7-5, McDowell (10) 8-5, Souderton (1) 11-1. 

CLASS 5A 

Rank – Team – District – Record – Previous 

1. Imhotep Charter (12)          — 14-0 – 1 

2. Peters Township (7)            — 15-0 – 2 

3. Cocalico (3)                         — 12-2 – 3 

4. Strath Haven (1)                  — 13-2 – 4 

5. Chester (1)                          — 12-2 – 5 

6. Roman Catholic (12)           – 8-3 – 6 

7. Cathedral Prep (10)             — 7-4 – 7 

8. Delaware Valley (2)             — 10-4 – 8 

9. West Chester Rustin (1)      — 10-2 – 9 

10. Ephrata (3)                        — 12-2 – 10 

Honorable mention: Cedar Cliff (3) 10-2, Penn Hills (7) 9-3, Pine-Richland (7) 9-4, Springfield-Delco (1) 11-2. 

CLASS 4A 

Rank – Team – District – Record – Previous 

1. Aliquippa (7)                       – 13-0 – 2 

2. Dallas (2)                             — 15-0 – 4 

3. Bishop McDevitt (3)            – 13-1 – 1 

4. Selinsgrove (4)                    – 13-1-1 – 3 

5. McKeesport (7)                   – 11-2 – 5 

6. Manheim Central (3)          — 11-2 – 6 

7. Pope John Paull II (1)          — 12-1 – 7 

8. Jersey Shore (4)                  — 10-1-1 – 8 

9. Bonner-Prendergast (12)    — 9-3 – 9 

10. Montour (7)                      — 10-2 – 10 

Honorable mention: Allentown C.C. (11) 9-3, Bethlehem Catholic (11) 7-6, Lampeter-Strasburg (3) 9-3, Twin Valley (3) 10-2, Valley View (2) 10-3. 

CLASS 3A 

Rank – Team – District – Record – Previous 

1. Belle Vernon (7)                  – 12-1 – 1 

2. Northwestern Lehigh (11)  — 15-0 – 3 

3. Wyomissing (3)                   – 12-2 – 2 

4. Danville (4)                          — 12-2 – 5 

5. Avonworth (7)                     – 12-1 – 6 

6. Hickory (10)                         — 11-3 – 4 

7. Central (6)                           — 12-1 – 7 

8. Scranton Prep (2)                — 12-2 – 8 

9. Elizabeth-Forward (7)         — 10-2 – 9 

10. Palmerton (11)                  — 12-1 – 10 

Honorable mention: Clearfield (9) 8-4, Neumann-Goretti (12) 10-2, North Schuylkill (11) 9-3, Sharon (10) 9-3, West Perry (3) 11-2. 

CLASS 2A 

Rank – Team – District – Record – Previous 

1. Southern Columbia (4)        – 14-1 – 1 

2. Westinghouse (8)                – 13-0 – 2 

3. Bald Eagle Area (6)              — 12-2 – 3 

4. Farrell (10)                           – 11-2 – 4 

5. Troy (4)                                — 12-1 – 7 

6. Dunmore (2)                       — 12-3 – 5 

7. Beaver Falls (7)                    — 9-6 – 6 

8. Steel Valley (7)                    — 10-2 – 8 

9. Central Clarion (9)               — 11-1 – 9 

10. Mercyhurst Prep (10)        — 10-1 – 10 

Honorable mention: Camp Hill (3) 8-6, Mohawk (7) 10-3, Richland (6) 11-2, Washington (7) 11-2, Williams Valley (11) 10-3. 

CLASS 1A 

Rank – Team – District – Record – Previous  1. Steelton-Highspire (3)         — 15-0 – 1 

2. Fort Cherry (7)                    — 15-0 – 2 

3. Redbank Valley (9)              — 12-2 – 3 

4. South Side (7)                     — 13-1 – 6 

5. South Williamsport (4)       — 11-3 – 4 

6. Lackawanna Trail (2)           – 13-1 – 6 

7. Northern Bedford (5)          — 12-1 – 7 

8. Bishop Canevin (7)              — 10-2 – 8 

9. Muncy (4)                            — 10-2 – 9 

10. Cambridge Springs (10)    — 12-2 – 10 

Honorable mention: Cambria Heights (6) 10-4, Clairton (7) 10-3, Lakeview (10) 9-3, Port Allegany (9) 10-3. 

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Quincy Brannon, jr., WR, Harrisburg: Brannon had a career day, even though the Cougars lost 24-12 to North Allegheny in the PIAA Class 6A semifinals. The junior had a career-high 115 yards and two touchdowns of 82 and 15 yards on four catches. 

Ronald Burnette Jr., sr., RB/LB, Steel-High: Burnette was brutally efficient, averaging nearly 10 yards a carry as the Rollers dominated South Williamsport 48-21 in the PIAA Class 1A semifinals Friday night. He finished with 116 yards and touchdowns of 8 and 23 stripes on just 12 carries.

Alex Erby, sr., QB, Steel-High: It was easier sledding this week for Erby, who carved up South Williamsport for 229 yards and three touchdowns on 13-of-18 passing Friday night. He’s now two TDs away from breaking the state single-season record of 57 set in 2021 by Central Martinsburg’s Jeff Hoenstine. Erby also ran for a 35-yard TD.

Nazir Jones-Davis, so., RB, Bishop McDevitt: Jones-Davis did his part to try to prevent the Crusaders’ shocking end Friday in the state 1A semifinals. He ran for 97 yards on 18 carries, scoring the opening TD from a yard out. He also caught the tying TD pass from 13 yards out in OT, but McD lost to Dallas 26-23.

Shawn Lee Jr., jr., QB, Harrisburg: Lee recorded his ninth straight 100-yard rushing game in Saturday’s state semifinal loss, churning out 104 stripes in 20 attempts. He also completed 13 of 22 passes for 210 yards and a pair of touchdowns to Brannon. Lee finished the season with 1,509 rushing and 2,256 passing yards, both career highs.

Jaeion Perry, sr., WR/DB, Steel-High: Everything Perry touched nearly turned to gold in Friday’s win to clinch a return trip to the state championship. In six total touches, Perry scored twice — on a 39-yard reception 25 seconds into the game and a 70-yard carry in the third quarter — and finished with 70 rushing yards and 121 receiving (on five grabs).

For the third time in his four-year career, Steel-High quarterback Alex Erby steered his team to the PIAA Class 1A championship game.

The United State Naval Academy commit and the Rollers are gunning for back-to-back championships after they easily dispatched South Williamsport 48-21 Friday night in Shamokin.

The all-time passing yards leader in Pennsylvania history is 2-0 in championship games, and this team is dialed in at another level right now with 91 points in its last two state playoff games.

Erby had four touchdowns by halftime, three passing and one rushing, as the Rollers raced to a 35-7 halftime cushion on the strength of 21 consecutive points to start the game. The senior finished with 229 passing yards, completing 13 of 18 passes.

And don’t be fooled by the final four-touchdown margin. It wasn’t that close.

Less than two minutes into the fourth quarter the running clock kicked in on a Ronald Burnette 23-yard touchdown run. Burnette finished with 116 yards on only 12 carries.

The mercy rule would have gone into effect midway through the third quarter, but the Rollers missed an extra point and led 41-7. For the most part, like many regular season games for Steel-High, the competitive phase of this one was over by halftime.

South Williamsport might have scored 21 points, but two of those touchdowns came in the fourth quarter after the mercy rule was in full bloom. Through 36 minutes, the Rollers’ D allowed only one touchdown.

Thursday’s state title game should be something special. Steel-High and WPIAL champion Fort Cherry are both 14-0 this season. The Rangers’ defense surrendered less than 13 points a game this season. How enticing is that matchup?

Special teams lets down Bishop McDevitt in stunning upset

When you climb to the upper reaches of the PIAA championships, all three phases of the game are, obviously, critical. Special teams matter, too.

Dallas pulled off a massive upset in the PIAA Class 4A semifinal round by knocking off defending state champion Bishop McDevitt 26-23 in double overtime and bringing the Crusaders’ reign as champions and their 26-game winning streak to a halt.

Make no mistake, this is a massive upset.

The undefeated Mounts played excellent defense against the high-powered Crusaders’ offense, limiting it to fewer than 300 total yards. And that was a critical piece of the puzzle.

But the real difference-maker for the District 2 champions was special teams. They dominated, and that cleared the path for the upset.

Dallas blocked a punt and returned it for a touchdown, recovered a fumble on a kickoff and opened the second half with a deliciously well-executed onside kick. And most importantly it blocked a PAT in regulation, then blocked a field goal in the second OT to set up the opportunity to kick the game winner on second down.

That’s a ton of mistakes by one team (McDevitt) and the other squad (Dallas) taking full advantage of those miscues. It’s a minor miracle the Crusaders even made it to extra time with that many mistakes in one phase of the game.

McDevitt’s defense surrendered one touchdown in regulation — on a short field after the fumbled kickoff return — and allowed less than 200 yards of total offense. And the Crusaders lost the game. 

That high-octane offense we saw all regular season and early in the playoffs sputtered for long stretches last week, and that continued in this one.

And no matter how well the defense or offense plays or how much talent the roster has, that many miscues that cost you points on special teams is nearly impossible to overcome.

Twenty-four teams remain standing. Three of them are from right here in Harrisburg.

Harrisburg (Class 6A), Bishop McDevitt (4A) and Steel-High (3A) are among the PIAA football state semifinalists this weekend. And all of them have recent championship pedigrees. The Cougars face WPIAL power North Allegheny on Saturday; the undefeated Crusaders take on District 3 champ Dallas on Friday; and the small-school titans and undefeated Rollers get District 4’s South Williamsport. 

Can the Mid-Penn Conference claim three state championships in a week’s time. We’re about to find out.

As always, bookmark this page on your phone, laptop or tablet to follow every matchup and see every highlight from the Mid-Penn and some of the teams in the Colonial-Schuylkill League. We’ll update scores throughout the night on this page (refresh the page to see new updates), and you can follow our Twitter feed below for minute-by-minute updates.

PIAA football playoffs: State semifinals analysis, staff picks and previews

Each week 4th Down Magazine will preview the weekend slate, predict the winners and provide extra analysis. Here’s everything to get you ready for the PIAA semifinals involving local teams:

• Who’s gonna win? The 4th Down crew picks winners in this week’s district and state playoff matchups
• PIAA football rankings: See Eric Epler’s state rankings from Class 6A to 1A
• See who is the latest Mid-Penn Player of the Week

PIAA football playoffs schedule and scores: 

Looking for the latest updates and final scores from this weekend’s games involving Harrisburg-area teams? We have you covered:

Friday, Dec. 1

PIAA CLASS 4A SEMIFINALS

• 3-1 Bishop McDevitt 23, 2-1 Dallas 26 Final, 2OT

PIAA CLASS 1A SEMIFINALS

• 3-1 Steel-High 48, 4-1 South Williamsport 21 Final

Saturday, Dec. 2

PIAA CLASS 6A SEMIFINALS

• 3-1 Harrisburg vs. 7-1 North Allegheny, at Altoona HS, 1 p.m.

Pennsylvania high school football live updates and highlights

Click on this Twitter/X list link to follow updates from area teams and reporters from tonight’s games.

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EXPLAINING OUR PICKS: We’re down to the Final (Twenty-)Four.

It’s PIAA state football semifinals week. Four teams in all six classifications are still standing, including three Mid-Penn Conference juggernauts.

And the 4th Down Magazine team is here to tell you who will win these three games. This year’s group of experts includes veteran reporters Andy Shay and Andy Sandrik, as well as 4th Down owner and manager Adam Kulikowski.

Here’s who we think will win each game and why, with the kind of analysis you won’t find anywhere else. Stick with us all the way through the PIAA state championships next week.

2023 Standings

Picker: Last Week — Overall — Perfect Picks

Andy Sandrik: 4-1 — 231-66 — 0

Adam Kulikowski: 4-1 — 229-68 — 2

Andy Shay: 4-1 — 217-80 — 1

* Records in parentheses after school name; District and seed in parentheses before school name.

This week’s edition of 4th & Goal with Andy Shay and Jake Adams features an interview with Bishop McDevitt and Alabama recruit Rico Scott plus we preview semifinal match ups with Mid-Penn Conference participants and more.

PIAA CLASS 6A SEMIFINALS

SATURDAY, DEC. 2

3-1 Harrisburg vs. 7-1 North Allegheny, at Altoona HS, 1 p.m.

Andy Shay: North Allegheny 34, Harrisburg 26: Still a run-centered offense for the Tigers, but they have sneakier balance than you think and can play any type of game thrown their way. Know this: NA has seven wins against teams that ended 2023 with a winning record. But Harrisburg has nine such quality victories. Harrisburg’s passing game has to be a force to win this game.

Andy Sandrik: Harrisburg 27, North Allegheny 21: For most of the season I was convinced that Manheim Township was going to be the one District 3 team in 6A contending for a state title. And then the Cougars blew up those plans. For that reason I’m going with Harrisburg, the man who beat the man, so to speak.

Adam Kulikowski: Harrisburg 28, North Allegheny 24: The Cougars enter this tussle brimming with confidence after taking down Manheim Township last week. Can Coach Cal Everett’s crew parlay that momentum into another state championship game berth? It’ll take their best performance of the season, but I won’t doubt this crew. 

PIAA CLASS 4A SEMIFINALS

FRIDAY, DEC. 1

2-1 Dallas vs. 3-1 Bishop McDevitt, at Northern Lehigh HS, 7 p.m.

Andy Shay: Bishop McDevitt 42, Dallas 14: The Mountaineers bring a perfect record and a handful of one-score victories to the table against a Crusaders team that needed to dig deep to keep its winning streak alive a week ago. Four of the five best players in the game suit up for McDevitt. That will matter.

Andy Sandrik: Bishop McDevitt 41, Dallas 14: For all of the weapons and talent the Crusaders have on the offensive side of the ball, it was the unheralded McDevitt defense that really rose to the occasion against Manheim Central last week. Something tells me the Crusaders’ offense bounces back this week.

Adam Kulikowski: Bishop McDevitt 48, Dallas 7: The Crusaders are a bit banged up heading into this semifinal. It won’t matter. McDevitt is simply that much better.

PIAA CLASS 1A QUARTERFINALS

FRIDAY, DEC. 1

4-1 South Williamsport vs. 3-1 Steel-High, at Shamokin HS, 7 p.m.

Andy Shay: Steel-High 40, South Williamsport 20: Right now, with the way Alex Erby is running this offense, the balance it has with a solid running game and all those weapons on the outside in space, I can’t see how a Class 1A team competes with the Rollers. And remember, Steel-High is no slouch in the trenches, either.

Andy Sandrik: Steel-High 34, South Williamsport 14: Of the three remaining Mid-Penn teams still playing in December, Steel-High is the one I see with the best odds of hoisting a PIAA trophy.

Adam Kulikowski: Steel-High 49, South Williamsport 21: The Rollers haven’t lost a football game since Sept. 2, 2022 — that’s a 26-game winning streak. Can South Williamsport have a say in breaking that momentum? I just don’t see a pathway.

For more content from Eric F. Epler, visit Pennlive.com.

CLASS 6A 

Rank – Team – District – Record – Previous 

1. St. Joseph’s Prep (12)          — 11-1 – 1 

2. North Allegheny (7)            — 12-1 – 3 

3. Harrisburg (3)                      — 12-1 – 5 

4. Central Bucks South (1)      — 13-1 – 6 

5. Manheim Township (3)       — 12-1 – 3 

6. Pittsburgh C.C. (7)               — 10-2 – 8 

7. Nazareth (11)                      – 12-2 – 4 

8. Parkland (11)                      — 12-1 – 9 

9. Downingtown West (1)       — 11-3 – 7 

10. Downingtown East (1)      — 11-1 – 10 

Honorable mention: Central Bucks West (1) 12-1, Central York (3) 11-1, Cumberland Valley (3) 7-5, McDowell (10) 8-5, Souderton (1) 11-1. 

CLASS 5A 

Rank – Team – District – Record – Previous 

1. Imhotep Charter (12)          — 13-0 – 1 

2. Peters Township (7)            — 14-0 – 2 

3. Cocalico (3)                         — 12-1 – 3 

4. Strath Haven (1)                  — 13-1 – 5 

5. Chester (1)                          — 12-2 – 4 

6. Roman Catholic (12)           – 8-3 – 9 

7. Cathedral Prep (10)             — 7-4 – 7 

8. Delaware Valley (2)             — 10-4 – 6 

9. West Chester Rustin (1)      — 10-2 – 10 

10. Ephrata (3)                        — 12-2 – 8 

Honorable mention: Cedar Cliff (3) 10-2, Penn Hills (7) 9-3, Pine-Richland (7) 9-4, Springfield-Delco (1) 11-2. 

CLASS 4A 

Rank – Team – District – Record – Previous 

1. Bishop McDevitt (3)            – 13-0 – 1 

2. Aliquippa (7)                       – 12-0 – 2 

3. Selinsgrove (4)                    – 13-0-1 – 3 

4. Dallas (2)                             — 14-0 – 6 

5. McKeesport (7)                   – 11-2 – 4 

6. Manheim Central (3)          — 11-2 – 5 

7. Pope John Paull II (1)          — 12-1 – 8 

8. Jersey Shore (4)                  — 10-1-1 – 10 

9. Bonner-Prendergast (12)    — 9-3 – 7 

10. Montour (7)                      — 10-2 – 9 

Honorable mention: Allentown C.C. (11) 9-3, Bethlehem Catholic (11) 7-6, Lampeter-Strasburg (3) 9-3, Twin Valley (3) 10-2, Valley View (2) 10-3. 

CLASS 3A 

Rank – Team – District – Record – Previous 

1. Belle Vernon (7)                  – 11-1 – 1 

2. Wyomissing (3)                   – 12-1 – 2 

3. Northwestern Lehigh (11)  — 14-0 – 5 

4. Hickory (10)                         — 11-2 – 8 

5. Danville (4)                          — 12-2 – 4
6. Avonworth (7)                     – 12-1 – 3 

7. Central (6)                           — 12-1 – 6 

8. Scranton Prep (2)                — 12-2 – 8 

9. Elizabeth-Forward (7)         — 10-2 – 9 

10. Palmerton (11)                  — 12-1 – 10 

Honorable mention: Clearfield (9) 8-4, Neumann-Goretti (12) 10-2, North Schuylkill (11)   

9-3, Sharon (10) 9-3, West Perry (3) 11-2. 

CLASS 2A 

Rank – Team – District – Record – Previous 

1. Southern Columbia (4)        – 13-1 – 3 

2. Westinghouse (8)                – 12-0 – 2 

3. Bald Eagle Area (6)              — 12-2 – 5 

4. Farrell (10)                           – 11-2 – 1 

5. Dunmore (2)                       — 12-2 – 7 

6. Beaver Falls (7)                    — 9-5 – NR 

7. Troy (4)                                — 12-1 – 6 

8. Steel Valley (7)                    — 10-2 – 4 

9. Central Clarion (9)               — 11-1 – 9 

10. Mercyhurst Prep (10)        — 10-1 – 10 

Honorable mention: Camp Hill (3) 8-6, Mohawk (7) 10-3, Richland (6) 11-2, Washington (7) 11-2, Williams Valley (11) 10-3. 

CLASS 1A 

Rank – Team – District – Record – Previous   

1. Steelton-Highspire (3)         — 14-0 – 1 

2. Fort Cherry (7)                    — 14-0 – 3 

3. Redbank Valley (9)              — 12-1 – 6 

4. South Williamsport (4)       — 11-2 – 7 

5. Lackawanna Trail (2)           – 13-1 – 2 

6. South Side (7)                     — 13-1 – 4 

7. Northern Bedford (5)          — 12-1 – 8 

8. Bishop Canevin (7)              — 10-2 – 10 

9. Muncy (4)                            — 10-2 – NR 

10. Cambridge Springs (10)    — 12-2 – 5 

Honorable mention: Cambria Heights (6) 10-4, Clairton (7) 10-3, Lakeview (10) 9-3, Muncy (4) 10-2, Port Allegany (9) 10-3. 

Harrisburg took the best punch Manheim Township could deliver in the District 3 6A championship game Friday night. The Cougars were wobbly and on the edge of being knocked out again by the undefeated Blue Streaks.

Two big-time blows, one seconds before the half and another less than 120 seconds into the third quarter that put 14 Township points on the board, put Harrisburg in a 28-7 hole on the road against a team that had already cracked the Cougars by 32 points earlier in the season.

When Harrisburg finally punched back, though, Township didn’t have an answer. How a contender responds to adversity in big games defines their championship pedigree.

The Cougars claimed their third consecutive district big-school crown in overtime with a furious comeback and a crazy, edge-of-your-seat finish to show their true championship pedigree.

Losing to Township earlier in the season, getting pushed to the brink of a massive upset bid by CD East and being forced to slog through a sticky game with State College gave the Cougars all the football ingredients to pull off such an epic comeback.

After getting cuffed to the tune of 66 points by the Blue Streaks in six quarters and change, Harrisburg’s defense stood up and made its voice relevant by pitching a shutout the final 22 minutes.

Harrisburg scored the final 21 points in regulation, including a TD pass from QB Shawn Lee Jr. to Elias Coke covering 4 yards with 23 seconds remaining and a desperation two-point conversion that the pair hooked up for.

But wait, it gets a lot crazier.

Overtime was epic in terms of the drama both teams faced. Harrisburg scored first then missed the extra point. The Blue Streaks’ path to victory was clear as day: score a touchdown, convert the extra point and a championship was theirs. 

So Harrisburg had to slam the door shut in order to win. Of course, it wasn’t easy as Harrisburg’s defense had to face fourth down not once or twice, but three times on the final Blue Streaks’ possession.

Harrisburg’s mettle as a championship team faced every test imaginable Friday  and the Cougars passed them all with complementary football and big-time contributions on both sides of the ball.

A state semifinal awaits with powerful WPIAL champion North Allegheny.

Can Harrisburg return to the PIAA Class 6A championship game and possibly win a state title? Sure, why not?

These Cougars can take a punch and are a difficult team to beat. That’s a championship combination.

Early season lessons pay off for Bishop McDevitt

Remember that early season tough schedule Bishop McDevitt played in 2023? The one where the Crusaders trailed in a couple games and had to rally against high quality opponents to post three non-conference victories to open the season?

The value proposition of enduring that gauntlet was in the memory bank for the Crusaders, and they relied on that experience to rally against a Manheim Central squad that brought its A-plus game to the table Friday night in the District 3 Class 4A title game at The Roc.

In fact, you could argue from start to finish over the course of 48 minutes the Barons were the better team and fully deserved to win. But after two months of playing on cruise control, the Crusaders managed to put together one quarter of the next-level quality football they are capable of, and Central didn’t have an answer.

Some might say the Crusaders escaped with a district crown. I think it was more of them getting their cage rattled and needing to remember what a competitive game looks and feels like. And they are talented enough where for one night a single quarter of excellence was enough. They know next week that won’t cut it.

McDevitt’s offense didn’t score until the fourth quarter. That alone tells you how good the Barons’ defense was on this night. But two touchdown passes covering 68 total yards in a span of 15 seconds was enough for the Crusaders to rally for a 23-17 victory.

Reminder, this is not the first time this McDevitt team has rallied from behind in the fourth quarter to win a game. They did it twice in the first three games.

At the end of the day, the McD defense surrendered only 107 total yards and 17 points. That’s doing their job. It had been so easy for this offense for so many weeks, a bump in the road is not a surprise, really.

Remember, defense can win championships and the Crusaders’ defense was critical to winning the state title a year ago. McDevitt might have rallied late to edge the Barons with two quick strikes from its offense. They don’t have that chance without this War Eagle defense showing up for 48 minutes.

It’s Alex Erby’s world, and we’re all just living in it

Rollers veteran quarterback Alex Erby, a United States Naval Academy commit and the No. 1 passer in Pennsylvania history, is playing at a level that makes it feel like it’s almost impossible for any Class 1A team in the state to stop him.

Mother Nature took a shot last week for a half, but once the torrential rain subsided he carved up the opposition with keen precision. This week, Lackawanna Trail brought a defense to the table that seemed capable of presenting some challenges.

Erby made that notion evaporate by halftime, guiding the Rollers to 29 points at the break against a defense that had not surrendered more than 21 points all season and was on a heater of five straight games surrendering six or fewer points.

The senior is showing how far he’s come in four years and playing another level that’s supremely impressive. He completed 21 of 26 passes for nearly 400 yards and four touchdowns. The Rollers had a pair of 100-yard receivers in this one in the form of Durrell Ceasar Jr. and Jaeion Perry. Plus, running back Ronald Burnette powered for 100-plus yards on the ground, including a 57-yard scamper in the second quarter that made it 22-0, and he nearly made it three Rollers with 100-plus receiving yards by kicking in 93 yards on four grabs.

This against a defense that nobody had shredded all season. The options and depth of weapons at Erby’s disposal are elite. His execution and understanding of how to make this offense lethal is uncanny and a testament to how far he’s progressed over four seasons.