PHILADELPHIA – St. Joseph’s Prep is one step away from reaching the PIAA state tournament. On Saturday night, the Hawks will meet Northeast High School on the latter’s own turf in the PIAA District XII Class 6A championship.
Anyone who figures the Prep will simply overlook the seemingly overmatched Vikings is in for a surprise. This past Friday night, at the same location, the Hawks reminded everyone that they are not simply a machine that shows up, stretches, plays, and walks back to the bus an automatic winner.
SJP vs. La Salle - PSD Game Photos by Mike Gray
SJP vs. La Salle - Photos by Mike Gray
In its 17-3 Catholic League Class 6A championship victory over La Salle, the Hawks were strong, but they did not resemble the juggernaut that has now won 24 straight over a course of two seasons. That’s rather scary since the numbers – at least on defense – indicate otherwise. The Prep (10-0) surrendered only 151 yards of offense while holding the Explorers (7-4) to their fewest point total since being shut out by North Allegheny, 21-0, in the state championship in 2010.
“We prepared a lot for this game,” said senior linebacker Brad Cobaugh. “Everyone was just working on all cylinders. It was a battle.”
The Prep’s offense relied mostly on senior quarterback Marquez McCray. Although junior Marques Mason managed 75 yards on 16 carries and sophomore Kolbe Burrell scored on a two-yard plunge (handed off by back-up sophomore quarterback CJ Duell, subbing for McCray, who needed an equipment adjustment), it was McCray who used his legs to notch key first downs, several of which visibly deflated the exhausted Explorers. McCray gained 85 yards and scored a touchdown on 15 carries.
In McCray’s defense, his passing numbers of 10 for 21 for 79 yards were sullied by a perfectly thrown touchdown pass that was dropped in the end zone. But the Hawks’ ability to stifle a La Salle offense missing injured senior starting quarterback Danny Solecki allowed the Prep offense to endure a rare tepid production – the game was tied 3-3 after two quarters – considering it had averaged 35 points per game until that point.
“Coming in 3-3 at half, (the mindset is that) defense wins the game,” said senior defensive lineman Ryan Bryce. “We had a lot of good stops. We knew we had to stop the run and fortunately we did.
“The cold weather had an affect. There were a lot of dropped passes on the offensive side. We knew we had to step up as a defense.”
The Prep took its first lead with 3:32 left in the third quarter on Burrell’s two-yard run. With 11:34 remaining in regulation, the Hawks doubled their lead on a one-yard keeper by McCray. With the way the Prep defense was playing, the only remaining uncertainty was the final score.
“We play the same way,” said Bryce, referring to playing with a lead instead of being tied. “That’s always the mindset because we know we’re a good defense. We know how good we can be.”
Playing the same team twice in a span of three weeks did not deter the Prep.
Final seconds tick away, and SJP celebrates with Coach Gabe Infante
SJP linebacker Brad Cobaugh lauds La Salle's Great Program:
SJP soph. QB CJ Duell talks about his big play - a handoff that resulted in a touchdown
“It’s very difficult,” said Bryce. “We know each other very well. We know what plays they’re going to run, and they know what plays we’re going to run.”
Cobaugh concurred.
SJP will play Northeast High School on Saturday, winner advances to the PIAA 6A State Tournament - PSD Photo by Mike Gray
“We have nothing but respect for La Salle,” said Cobaugh. “They’re a great program. It’s always fun playing them. It’s a great tradition. It was real good fight. A real good defensive battle was going on. It was great to come out on top.”
Before the game, the Prep focused on stopping the run.
“We emphasized tackling,” said star senior linebacker Phil O’Connor. “We had to keep wearing them down.”
Now comes a virtual city championship against Northeast and a chance to start competing for a state championship for the fourth time in five years.
“We’re not done,” said Cobaugh. “We have a lot more to do.”
Defensive lineman Ryan Bryce summarizes the Prep's victory
Linebacker Phil O'Connor explains the Prep's defensive strategy
In other games involving the Catholic League . . .
Archbishop Wood defeated Archbishop Ryan, 48-0, to win the Class 5A Catholic League title. The Vikings will face Simon Gratz to determine the District XII 5A champion 1 PM Saturday at Northeast High School.
While winning their sixth straight, the Vikings (8-2) watched senior Nasir Peoples surpass the 1,000-yard rushing mark. His 122 yards on only 10 carries gives him 1,078 for the season, and his three touchdowns increased his number to 17 for the year and 13 in the past five games.
The Vikings held Archbishop Ryan (5-7) to only 86 yards of offense.
WCP vs. NG - 58 Photos by Aaron Mitchell
Neumann-Goretti vs. West Catholic - Photos by Aaron Mitchell
In the District 1/12 Class 2A sub-regional final, Neumann-Goretti remained undefeated. The Saints (10-0) blanked Blue Division foe West Catholic, 18-0, and will take on Schuylkill Haven 6 PM Saturday at the South Philadelphia Supersite in the first round of the PIAA Class 2A tournament.
Among the highlights for the Saints were two touchdown passes by junior Charles Britt, a short, three-yard fling to senior tight end Jayvonne Campfield and an 87-yard catch and run by senior Dymir Cave – amazingly, his first catch ever, this after turning his first run ever into a 63-yard touchdown run against Strawberry Mansion the previous week. Seniors Chris Wells (13 carries for 71 yards) and Leddie Brown (16 for 62) sparked the running game.
Lansdale Catholic and Conwell-Egan were both victorious in the District 1/12 Class 3A sub-regional semifinals. The two will compete for a trip to the state tournament 7 PM Friday at Harry Truman High School in Levittown.
The Crusaders (5-6) upended The School of the Future, 42-30, behind senior Matt Casee (140 yards rushing on eight carries, putting him over the 1,000-yard plateau for the season) and sophomore Danny Dutkiewicz (116 yards on eight carries; he needs 26 yards to reach quadruple digits).
The Eagles (5-6) romped past New Hope-Solebury, 42-14. Junior Patrick Garwo gained 97 yards and scored his 21st touchdown of the fall. Junior Terome Mitchell added two scores.
The two teams faced each other during the season, with Lansdale Catholic coming away victorious, 31-21.
(John Knebels can be reached at Jknebels@gmail.com or on Twitter @johnknebels.)