By John Knebels

PHILADELPHIA – The postseason has arrived with familiar urgency for five Philadelphia Catholic League programs, each now chasing a state championship in a different bracket, at a different site, and with its own storyline. From “almost champions” looking for redemption, to resurgent groups rewriting expectations, the PCL enters mid-November with momentum spread across La Salle, Roman Catholic, Neumann-Goretti, Cardinal O’Hara, and Lansdale Catholic.

“It was awesome,” said McKeogh. “For our seniors, we’ve been building for four years. All the ups and downs along the way built towards this year.”

McKeogh credited the team’s internal culture as much as its talent.

“I think our success has to do a lot with leadership and example from the upperclassmen,” he said. “But the best part is the bond we’ve built. We set the standard of the connection you want to strive for in a team, and that goes a long way in the performance.”

UPDATE: Roman Catholic had no problem in their PIAA Class 5A first-round match Friday night, defeating Whitehall, 49-7. The Cahillites, who narrowly missed a PCL title after a memorable 39–36 win over La Salle and a 40-39 two-overtime defeat against St. Joseph’s Prep, had stormed through the PCL 5A final by crushing Father Judge 63–21, with eight different players scoring touchdowns.

Neumann-Goretti earned a first-round bye in the PIAA Class 3A state tournament and will play next weekend against a yet-to-be determined opponent. After battling through key early injuries, the Saints have surged to win five of their last six.

Coach Albie Crosby praised his group’s identity.

“Our team is a very gritty group and plays very hard,” he said.

Crosby credited the physicality of his offensive line — Keenan Utsley, Cade Jaskolka, Dom Nori, Fawaaz Johnson, and Jahmir Williams — for much of the turnaround.

“It would be extremely important for us to win the state championship,” said Crosby. “Last time in this situation (2022, a controversial 9-8 loss to Belle Vernon), we thought we were in a real good position to win that game.”

Cardinal O’Hara shocked Bonner-Prendergast by  24–3 in the PIAA Class 4A district semifinals and now faces West Philadelphia on November 15 at 11:00 AM at the Northeast Supersite. The Lions avenged a 22–10 regular-season loss by capitalizing on turnovers and controlling the pace. The win came a week after a 44–21 victory over Blue Division champion Archbishop Ryan.

He credited head coach Mike Ewing for the program’s rise.

“We couldn’t be anywhere we are today without our coach,” said Welde. “Coach has been there every step of the way and has showed us that life is hard but it’s how you respond to those challenges.”

A rare four-year varsity quarterback, Welde reflected on the journey.

“I am honored that the coaching staff trusted me and never lost faith in me during the past four years,” said Welde. “I am very fortunate for the teammates around me that allowed me to start for four years.”

Lansdale Catholic has authored one of the season’s most compelling turnarounds. After a heartbreaking 3–0 loss to Archbishop Ryan in the PCL Blue Division championship — surrendered on a last-second field goal — the Crusaders roared back with a 34–0 rout of Conwell-Egan, a 58–8 dismantling of Audenreid for the District 12 2A title, and a 49–21victory over Bristol in the 2A sub-regional.

Quarterback Yeboa Cobbold was electric against Bristol, rushing for 127 yards and four touchdowns, plus two passing scores, while Nick O’Brien added 114 rushing yards, a touchdown, and an interception. Defensively, Matthias Lieber (77 tackles) and Russell Holmes (11 sacks) remain anchors, but senior Braeden Smith has been a force of nature with 53 solo tackles, 49 assists, and three pick-six TDs.

The Crusaders face Lakeland on November 15 at 1:00 PM at the Germantown Supersite.

Smith said the team’s rebound symbolizes its character.

“This really showed how we handled adversity,” said Smith. “Instead of turning on each other, we found a common goal — winning the state championship — and used that thought to work even harder every day.”

Smith believes their best is still ahead.

“We just need to execute on all phases of the game,” he said. “I know that when offense, defense, and special teams all do their jobs, then no team can stop us.”

Morale, he added, is surging.

“The mood of the team has definitely gotten better,” he said. “Everyone is giving it their all in practices and the energy is really high right now. Everyone is really motivated and we all believe that we can go all the way.”

Contact John Knebels at jknebels@gmail.com or on ‘X’ @johnknebels.)