Photos: Zack Beavers
BY: JOHN KNEBELS
MECHANICSBURG, PA – Roman Catholic High School waited a year for a second chance, and when it arrived, the Cahillites left no doubt.
Even though the most celebrated accomplishment in Roman’s football history is now two weeks old, the reminiscences remain as fresh as if they happened minutes ago.
And it doesn’t matter whom you talk with. The excitement from the Cahillites’ 28-6 PIAA Class 5A state championship victory over Harrisburg’s Bishop McDevitt on December 5 at Cumberland Valley High School hasn’t faded a yard.
“It was extremely satisfying to get this done,” said Roman coach Rick Prete. “We wanted to win this state title for last year’s team, and for all the teams in our school’s history. Our kids and coaches had the right mindset all year, the work ethic was unmatched, and now we have a state title at Roman.”
Prete’s reference to the 2024 squad that walked off the same field after a brutally emotional 34-31 loss to the same opponent will forever be a sore spot for those involved.
However, for those who had the opportunity to avenge the defeat, victory might never taste quite as sweet.
Not only did the Cahillites garner the school’s first-ever state crown, they did so in dominant fashion.
A first-quarter seven-yard touchdown by otherworldly senior quarterback Semaj Beals started the scoring. By the time Beals connected on two touchdown passes — a seven-yard throw to junior Hanif Sheed and a 40-yard bomb to senior Ash Roberts — the Cahillites had seized full control by halftime.
They increased their lead to 28-0 in the third quarter when Beals flipped his third touchdown pass, a one-yarder to senior Eyan Stead that cemented the receiver’s nine-catch, 102-yard performance — a career-defining night. The only blemish, a McDevitt touchdown with 1:12 remaining in the fourth quarter, did little to dim the Cahillites’ postgame enthusiasm as they celebrated with teammates, coaches, and fans that made the two-plus-hour trek.
“Everyone in our program knew what had happened last year whether they were there or not,” said senior linebacker/end Julian Enoch. “I would say everyone just took it personal.
“I wanted to make sure the game was completely over before I got too excited about a win, but when the ref told me ‘Congratulations on the win’ when it was 28-6 and we were waiting for their offense to come out, I knew it was pretty much over.”
Roman Catholic wins first-ever PIAA 5A State Championship 28-6 vs. Bishop McDevitt - PSD Photo by Zack Beavers
Final seconds tick off the clocks as the Cahillites of Roman Catholic celebrate winning the state title - PSD Video by Zack Beavers
Junior Walter Hudson led the defense with 11 combined tackles. Senior free safety Justus Gaskin collected seven tackles and added an assist.
“The end of last year, I remember the feeling of losing the biggest game of my life and realizing I had more in the tank,” said Gaskin. “I was disappointed because it felt like I could do more. I made it a mission to get back to this game and had it circled all year.
“I’ve entered every season with the mindset that we can be the best team. We overcame a lot of adversity, and I felt like that bonded us. By the time the state playoffs came, it was a different type of hunger around this team. You could feel the energy.”
Gaskin took great pride in the fact that the Roman defense played its best game of the season under the brightest spotlight.
“Very satisfying because of the work we put in and how well our defensive coordinator, coach Dave Stedman, prepares us and stresses the details every week,” said Gaskin. “It’s easy to get overshadowed by our fast-paced, high-scoring offense, but it makes us more hungry and makes practice a competitive environment.”
According to senior offensive lineman Dom Ramos, Roman Catholic took umbrage when hearing naysayers assume the Cahillites had lost their powerhouse status heading into the season.
Roman Catholic vs. Bishop McDevitt - 2025 PIAA 5A Championship - PSD Photos by Zack Beavers
“I think that in the beginning of the season we were doubted a lot, especially losing a lot of seniors on both sides of the ball,” said Ramos. “I think that the doubt gave our team an identity, and we kept shocking people and playing as one throughout the whole year. Our whole motto was to get better every week, and I think we accomplished that.”
Roman’s overall accomplishment grew even larger the next day after La Salle won the Class 6A final. Roman Catholic was the only opponent to defeat the Explorers this season, beating them 39-36 at Widener University on September 26.
As a result, the local football conversation understandably maneuvered to considering Roman Catholic the unofficial state champion of all of Pennsylvania.
“I think it solidifies us as the best team in Pennsylvania, but we also acknowledge that our brothers from La Salle are an amazing program and deserve all the accolades they receive,” said Prete. “The PCL is one of the best leagues in the country, and we’re happy that we were able to compete at the highest level of our league. Our real goal now is to be consistent and to continue to elevate as a program.”
Enoch downplayed the comparison.
“We are not too big on rankings,” he said. “At the end of the day, we know we beat them head-to-head and that we are a better team than them. But we also know that if we took care of business against St. Joseph’s Prep — a heartbreaking 40-39 double-overtime loss on October 10 at Widener — then it would be undeniable.
“At the end of the day, we won the state ’chip, which was our goal.”
(Contact John Knebels at jknebels@gmail.com or on X @johnknebels.)