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FOOTBALL: St. Joseph's Prep, Neumann-Goretti & Archbishop Wood Advance to the PIAA State Quarterfinals

By John Knebels -Photos by Aaron Mitchell & Mike Gray, 11/24/17, 6:45PM EST

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PHILADELPHIA, PA –

   And the beat goes on.

   On Saturday night, St. Joseph’s Prep dispatched Northeast High School, 31-0. Despite the Vikings playing on their home turf, the Hawks did pretty much anything they wanted as they increased their two-year winning streak to 25.

   The Hawks’ reward was the Class 6A District XII championship and a chance to defend their PIAA state title starting this Saturday with a 1 PM battle against Parkland High School at Bethlehem Liberty High.

   The Prep (11-0) meticulously prevented Northeast from having any real chance to garner any momentum. Uncharacteristically unable to pass the ball effectively, the Hawks ran the ball 31 times and averaged a little less than six yards per attempt.

PSD Photo Gallery - SJP vs. Northeast HS by photographer Mike Gray

The main ball carrier was junior Marques Mason, who gained a career-high 109 yards on 12 carries. Sophomore Kolbe Burrell amassed 40 yards and two touchdowns on 10 carries. 

   “I couldn’t have had a game like this without the offensive line putting in work in practice,” said Mason. “They work extremely hard and I love all those guys. Our mindset is taking one game at a time.” 

   The Prep offense probably could have scored more points if needed. However, the Hawks’ defense collected two safeties for four points and added a touchdown via a fumble return by senior DeJuan Dandridge.

   The game’s marquee highlight was senior James Cherry’s third quarter, 71-yard punt return touchdown that was aided by junior Mike Alexander’s key block.

   “I just followed the advice of my coach,” said Cherry. “I was told to ‘knife it’ and to just rely on my speed and teammates, and I did just that. They led me to the end zone.”

Several Hawks were asked if there would be any change in their approach being only three games from a second straight state title and fourth in five years.

   A group that shuns the spotlight, their answers were predictable.

   “We just take it one game at a time, some a little tougher than others, but we believe each game is just as important as the next,” said Cherry. “We take out the publicity and hype and just trust and love one another and our coaches. And at the end of the day, we are playing to stay with each other. We are a family.”

Added Mason: “Our mindset is taking one game at a time. We prepare the same for every opponent. All we are focused on is beating Parkland this weekend.”

   Don’t bet against it.

   In other Catholic school action . . .

Archbishop Wood also captured a championship. The Vikings rode the legs of senior Nasir Peoples (178 yards and four touchdowns on 23 carries) and sped past Simon Gratz, 36-6, in the Class 5A District XII final. Wood will face Wyoming Valley West 1:00 Saturday at Northern Lehigh.

   Neumann-Goretti annihilated Schuylkill Haven, 44-7, in a first-round Class 2A state tournament tilt as seniors Leddie Brown and Chris Walls combined for 282 yards rushing and six touchdowns on only 25 carries. The Saints will meet Southern Columbia 7:00 Friday at Lehighton High School.

   Cardinal O’Hara’s season came to an end in the Class 4A District XII final. In a 40-7 loss to Imhotep, senior Taseer Jones collected 100 yards and a touchdown on 12 attempts.

PSD Photo Gallery - Wood vs. Simon Gratz by photographer Mike Gray

PSD Photo Gallery - O'Hara vs. Imhotep by photographer Aaron Mitchell

O'Hara vs. Imhotep Highlight Video by Aaron Mitchell

(John Knebels can be reached at Jknebels@gmail.com or on Twitter @johnknebels.)