Bishop McDevitt’s Stone Saunders ends brilliant career by winning the Maxwell Club’s Henry award
Stone Saunders finally got a chance to bask. The singular 6-foot-2, 220-pound Bishop McDevitt senior quarterback has been on a whirlwind tour over the last month. Since winning his second PIAA state championship in the last three years, becoming the state’s No. 1 all-time leading quarterback with 13,719 career yards passing and 204 career touchdowns, […]
The Sacca family dilemma: Penn State or Notre Dame?
Father and son plan to watch Penn State and Notre Dame on Thursday night. They will probably be watching in a public setting, though that may not stop either father or son from openly erupting when things explode. From the outside looking in, you would think Anthony and Tony Sacca have an interesting dilemma on […]
St. Joe’s Prep mows down Pittsburgh Central Catholic, 35-6, to threepeat as Class 6A state champions
MECHANICSBURG, PA — As the media descended on Cumberland Valley High School’s Chapman Field Saturday night with their mics, and hand-held cameras and video phones, no one lined up to talk to Jake Namnun, Kahlil Stewart, or Christian Leonard. They did not need the attention, nor were looking for it. The trio knew they […]
Northwestern Lehigh caps undefeated season with its first Class 3A state championship, 36-33, over Avonworth in OT
MECHANICSBURG, PA — These were different tears. These were not tears of defeat. They were tears of joy and anguish. They were tears of history. Eli Zimmerman could not help himself. The Northwestern Lehigh senior tailback lost a state title a year ago, then lost a friend, Tucker Wessner, over the summer. So, when […]
Bishop McDevitt wins its third state title in a 34-31 overtime classic over Roman Catholic
MECHANICSBURG, PA — A month ago, Aidan Grella was in bed with mononucleosis hoping to kick again this season. On Friday night at Cumberland Valley High School’s Chapman Field, the Bishop McDevitt junior kicker stood there shivering from a combination of leftover nerves and a winter chill with the PIAA Class 5A championship game […]
Troy captures its first Class 2A title, 25-24, over Central Clarion on a memorable magical off-script play
MECHANICSBURG, PA — Mason Smith’s eyes widened. His father’s eyes widened, Troy head coach Jim Smith, up in the coaches booth. The whole Troy sideline’s eyes widened as defenders were converging on Mason Smith on a second-and-six option pass with 75 precious seconds hanging on the clock. Somehow, with his head on a swivel, […]
Bonner Prendergast captures its first state title, taking out Lampeter-Strasburg 40-14 to win Class 4A crown
Photo by Matt Topper MECHANICSBURG, PA — Brett Johnson was being pulled every different direction by every voice around him. The Bonner Prendergast senior defensive back was beyond the cold of the frigid Friday night wind blowing through Chapman Field at Cumberland Valley High School. The only thing he could feel was the warm feeling […]
Taurean Consiglio is happy he found football again, after leading Bishop Guilfoyle to its fifth Class 1A state championship
Photo by Matt Topper MECHANICSBURG, PA — He was filled with doubts that would not go away. He was filled with questions that haunted him. Why do this, he would ask himself? A few years ago, Taurean Consiglio felt empty. His passion for football, a sport he had played since he was a little kid, […]
Keeping Arianna’s promise: Roman Catholic coach Rick Prete serves as an inspiration to his team
Every year began with a question: Is it okay if daddy coaches this season? Each year, Rick Prete would get the same response, “yes.” So, he struggled there in the early evening twilight of Friday night, August 23, with his fist wrapped around a framed picture of her, the one whose response he had to […]
2024 PIAA Class 6A Championship Preview: Pittsburgh Central Catholic (12-2) vs. St. Joseph’s Prep (10-2)
Each year brings a new level of uniqueness when the Pennsylvania high school football community converges on Chapman Field at Cumberland Valley High School the first week of December for the PIAA state championships. This year is no different. Last year, four state champions returned to defend their titles. This year, there is only […]
2024 PIAA Class 3A Championship Preview: Avonworth (12-3) vs. Northwestern Lehigh (15-0)
Each year brings a new level of uniqueness when the Pennsylvania high school football community converges on Chapman Field at Cumberland Valley High School the first week of December for the PIAA state championships. This year is no different. Last year, four state champions returned to defend their titles. This year, there is only […]
2024 PIAA Class 5A Championship Preview: Bishop McDevitt (13-2) vs. Roman Catholic (11-4)
Each year brings a new level of uniqueness when the Pennsylvania high school football community converges on Chapman Field at Cumberland Valley High School the first week of December for the PIAA state championships. This year is no different. Last year, four state champions returned to defend their titles. This year, there is only one, […]
2024 PIAA Class 2A Championship Preview: Troy (15-0) vs. Central Clarion (14-0)
Each year brings a new level of uniqueness when the Pennsylvania high school football community converges on Chapman Field at Cumberland Valley High School the first week of December for the PIAA state championships. This year is no different. Last year, four state champions returned to defend their titles. This year, there is only […]
2024 PIAA Class 4A Championship Preview: Lampeter-Strasburg (14-0) vs. Bonner Prendergast (11-2)
Each year brings a new level of uniqueness when the Pennsylvania high school football community converges on Chapman Field at Cumberland Valley High School the first week of December for the PIAA state championships. This year is no different. Last year, four state champions returned to defend their titles. This year, there is only […]
2024 PIAA Class 1A Championship Preview: Bishop Guilfoyle (14-1) vs. Port Allegany (14-0)
Each year brings a new level of uniqueness when the Pennsylvania high school football community converges on Chapman Field at Cumberland Valley High School the first week of December for the PIAA state championships. This year is no different. Last year, four state champions returned to defend their titles. This year, there is only […]
St. Joe’s Prep rolls by Downingtown West, 36-7, and to its ninth-straight state title game
St. Joe Prep’s Jamir RoweCOATESVILLE — Jamir Rowe was willing to bide his time. He admits, it was not always easy. The St. Joe’s Prep senior receiver had his patience tested. It comes with being a very good player on a team comprised of very good players. So, Rowe waited. And waited. And waited. […]
Khyan Billups plays big in leading St. Joe’s Prep to the 6A semifinals with 46-7 pasting of Parkland
PERKASIE — Khyan Billups grew up in the Frankford projects. He carries the memories with him everywhere he goes. He was once in the middle of a shooting in Frankfort Park. He was nine. He knew enough to hit the ground. It may explain why he runs with an attitude. He’s not the biggest tailback. […]
St. Joe’s Prep sacks Imhotep with a resounding 42-0 victory for District 12 6A championship
St. Joe’s Prep’s Khyan Billups rushes for a touchdown. Photo: Owen McCue/EasternPAFootball) PHILADELPHIA — The look is usually derisive. It is an opening, quick down-your-nose glance that says “Little man, you are not getting by me today.” Yet, season-after-season, game-after-game, state championship-after-state championship, St. Joseph Prep’s smallish defensive line continues to defy logic. It has […]
Brian Delaney scores twice in leading Springfield past Garnet Valley, 21-14, setting up District 1 5A championship against Rustin
SPRINGFIELD — Springfield coach Chris Britton probably gnashed his teeth and thought “No!” The Springfield coaches upstairs certainly screamed it. Brian Delaney was supposed to go left. Instead, the Springfield (Delco) 6-foot-4, 190-pound senior receiver went right. The risk worked. Delaney’s 91-yard kickoff return for a touchdown spelled the winning difference Friday night in Springfield’s […]
St. Joe’s Prep and Imhotep finally collide this Saturday for the District 12 6A championship and maybe the state title?
PHILADELPHIA — This seemed destined to happen a year ago. The PIAA proclaimed it, when the state’s high school sports governing body released its sports’ enrollment classifications for the 2024-25 and 2025-26 school years last November in which each member senior high school found out where it would be competing. In it, Imhotep Charter, a […]
Joseph Santoliquito’s Southeastern PA Top 10/Week of Nov. 13, 2024
St. Joseph’s Prep (7-2) The Hawks got their revenge over La Salle in a classic. Now it’s Imhotep Charter for the District 12 championship this Saturday. La Salle (10-1) The Explorers ended an excellent season with a bright future ahead. Imhotep Charter (10-1) The Panthers barely got by Lincoln in the Pub finals thanks to […]
St. Joe’s Prep gets its revenge in a 21-14 victory over La Salle for the Catholic League 6A championship
AMBLER — A little over a month ago, Charlie Foulke was a mess. The St. Joe’s Prep sophomore quarterback had to be helped to his feet by his teammates, sobbing uncontrollably after the Hawks lost to archrival La Salle in a quadruple overtime classic. On Saturday, as the shadows grew long on the turf and […]
Andrew Pellicciotta steers Malvern Prep to repeat as Inter-Ac champs in 35-0 landslide over Springside Chestnut Hill Academy
L-R Owen Mears, Andrew Pellicciotta, and Jake BauerMALVERN — Andrew Pellicciotta tried to prolong it as much as he could Friday night. The Navy-bound Malvern Prep senior tailback/defensive back had already walked through the gauntlet of one emotional wringer. His eyes were still a touch bloodshot and watery. He did not need to be reminded […]
Joseph Santoliquito’s Southeastern PA Top 10/Week of Nov. 7, 2024
La Salle (10-0) The Explorers will face St. Joe’s Prep in the Game of the Year on Saturday at 1 p.m. at Wissahickon. St. Joseph’s Prep (6-2) The Hawks face their biggest challenge in years in what will be the game of the year. Imhotep Charter (9-1) The Panthers face Lincoln in the Pub 6A […]
Liam Taylor proves to be “the show” in leading Haverford to win its first district home playoff victory, 56-0, over Quakertown
HAVERFORD — “The show” had been going on throughout the regular season. Some are just starting to catch up now, here in November for the PIAA District 1 Class 6A playoffs. At first, “the show” did not look too effective, ramming into the Quakertown defensive front three successive times for a total of six yards. […]
Joseph Santoliquito’s Southeastern PA Top 10/Week of Oct. 31, 2024
La Salle (10-0) The Explorers will face St. Joe’s Prep in the Game of the Year on Nov. 9 at 1 p.m. at Wissahickon. St. Joseph’s Prep (6-2) The Hawks are counting down the days to Nov. 9 at 1 p.m. at Wissahickon. Imhotep Charter (8-1) The Panthers face George Washington in the Pub 6A […]
Malvern Prep’s strong front leads to a 42-14 win over Penn Charter
Malvern offensive line from left to right: Anthony Addis, Lukas Zalota, Orazio Nastase, coach Dave Gueriera, Jake Frank, Brian Johnson, Bryce Willey MALVERN — They like the anonymity. But they know that their teammates are very aware of who they are and what they mean. Spend just a few moments with them and collectively they […]
Springfield slams Strath Haven 35-14 to vault to No. 1 in District 1 Class 5A
NETHER PROVIDENCE — It was football from a bygone era. It was leather helmets on grainy black-and-white celluloid, with twisted muddy noses running isos, toss sweeps and traps. It was brute force football. That’s the brand of football Springfield took from the sepia-toned pages from football past in pounding Strath Haven 35-14 on Friday night […]
Joseph Santoliquito’s Southeastern PA Top 10/Week of Oct. 24, 2024
La Salle (9-0) The Explorers close their Catholic Red season against Roman Catholic. St. Joseph’s Prep (5-2) The Hawks are aiming for a rematch with La Salle on Nov. 9 at 1 p.m. at Wissahickon. Imhotep Charter (7-1) The Panthers have outscored their five Philadelphia Public League opponents 223-26. Central Bucks South (9-0) The defending […]
The St. Joe’s Hawks move along with 48-20 win over Roman, with La Salle still on their minds
PHILADELPHIA — A couple of weeks ago, on a Sunday morning, St. Joseph’s Prep coach Tim Roken addressed his downtrodden team that day after the Hawks lost to archrival La Salle in quadruple overtime. Roken took the responsibility for the loss, blaming himself over the mistakes he felt he made. He felt he let his […]
Springfield makes a point as District 1 5A contenders with 35-23 win over Garnet Valley
SPRINGFIELD — There was no panic. Not this time. There was no finger-pointing. No chaos. No sideline frustration that would spill out onto the field in missed assignments, or players trying to do too much that would leave them out of position. No, this time, the Springfield Cougars knew exactly how to handle the adversity […]
Joseph Santoliquito’s Southeastern PA Top 10/Week of Oct. 17, 2024
La Salle (8-0) The Explorers keep rolling, this time by Bonner-Prendie, 35-13. St. Joseph’s Prep (4-2) The Hawks face the formidable Semaj Beals and Roman Catholic this Saturday night at Franklin Field. Imhotep Charter (7-1) The Panthers have outscored their last three opponents 158-13. Central Bucks South (7-0) The defending 2023 PIAA District 1 Class […]
La Salle’s defense makes easy work of a good Bonner-Prendie team, 35-13
DREXEL HILL — When January meetings started to install the new La Salle defense, one of Dylan Clair’s first impressions of his new defensive coordinator Dave Sowers was “this guy is crazy,” crazy in a good way. Sowers, the long time Upper Dublin assistant coach, is in his first year at La Salle. Clair is […]
Joseph Santoliquito’s Southeastern PA Top 10/Week of Oct. 10, 2024
La Salle (7-0) The Explorers won a quadruple-overtime classic 35-34 over St Joe’s Prep to take the top spot. It’s the first time the Explorers beat The Prep since a 28-21 victory over the Hawks on Oct. 2, 2021 at Franklin Field. St. Joseph’s Prep (3-2) Did La Salle awaken a sleeping giant and fill […]
La Salle goes back to the playground and beats St. Joe’s Prep, 35-34, in quadruple overtime
FORT WASHINGTON — Joey O’Brien was easy to pick out among the mountain of jumping waist-high kids that engulfed him as soon as he left the postgame handshake line. La Salle’s singular 6-foot-4, 185-pound junior defensive back/wide receiver was the hero of little kid’s world—after making what was an indelible backyard little kid’s play. La […]
Joseph Santoliquito’s Southeastern PA Top 10/Week of Oct. 3, 2024
St. Joseph’s Prep (3-1) Rivalry week vs. undefeated La Salle on Saturday night at Upper Dublin at 7 p.m. Since the Nov. 21, 2015 Catholic League Red championship (won by La Salle, 29-28), the Hawks are 14-1 vs. La Salle having outscored the Explorers 543-197, winning by an average of 36.2 to 13.1 in that […]
Bonner-Prendie shows it belongs with the big boys in the Catholic Red after 38-30 win over Roman
DREXEL HILL — Mick Johnson stood there stoically as everyone else around him was whooping it up. He hugged his teammates, like everyone else, and was happy in the moment Friday night. But where everyone else was celebrating Bonner-Prendie’s 38-30 upset over Roman Catholic in the Catholic League Red Division opener for both teams, Johnson, […]
Joseph Santoliquito’s Southeastern PA Top 10/Week of Sept. 26, 2024
This weekend closes the first month of the regular season, with just one more month ahead before the PIAA district playoffs begin the weekend of Nov. 1. St. Joseph’s Prep (2-1) The Hawks open their Catholic League schedule with Father Judge this Friday. Imhotep Charter (4-1) The Panthers opened their PubLic League schedule dominating Lincoln, […]
Strath Haven’s James Fisher explodes in Panthers’ 35-14 statement win over Garnet Valley
NETHER PROVIDENCE — It started with a calculated slow trot right, and then in a blink through a maze of black and white jerseys, James Fisher popped out at the end of the player tunnel that hugged the sideline. And no one seemed to touch him. It was as lethal as a cobra strike. It’s […]
Joseph Santoliquito’s Southeastern PA Top 10/Week of Sept. 19, 2024
St. Joseph’s Prep (1-1) The Hawks take a trip to Maryland against Our Lady of Good Counsel this Friday. Imhotep Charter (3-1) The Panthers saw their 18-game winning streak snapped. La Salle College (4-0) The Explorers host Episcopal Academy this Friday. Roman Catholic (4-0) The Cahillites looked sharp coming back against Malvern Prep. Central Bucks […]
Roman Catholic shows poise in a fourth quarter comeback 21-17 win at Malvern Prep
Semaj Beals (1) and Eyan Stead (12) Semaj Beals laughed. It was only the second time this season that Roman Catholic trailed in a game—and first time the Cahillites were down in the fourth quarter. ‘No problem,’ thought Beals, Roman’s gifted, sleek 6-foot-1 junior quarterback with a pile of college offers a mountain high. Roman […]
Joseph Santoliquito’s Southeastern PA Top 10/Week of Sept. 12, 2024
St. Joseph’s Prep (1-1) The Hawks got back on track last week against Erasmus Hall 44-16 Imhotep Charter (3-0) Panthers stretched their area-leading winning streak to 18-straight games. La Salle College (3-0) The Explorers keep rolling, this time over Calvert Hall (Md). Roman Catholic (3-0) The Cahillites visit always tough Malvern Prep in the game […]
Jabree Wallace-Coleman leads Imhotep by stubborn Chester, 28-24
His head popped up among the crowd of red jerseys and Jabree Wallace-Coleman spoke. It’s something he would not have done in previous years. The Penn State-bound running back from Imhotep Charter deferred to his senior captains, out respect for them. This year marks a difference for Wallace-Coleman. He is listed at 6-foot-1, 213 pounds, […]
Joseph Santoliquito’s Southeastern PA Top 10/Week of Sept. 5, 2024
St. Joseph’s Prep (0-1) The Hawks’ special teams suffered a setback vs. St. Edward’s (OH). Imhotep Charter (2-0) The defending 5A state champion Panthers stretched their winning streak to 17-straight games. La Salle College (2-0) The Explorers passed a big test against Malvern Prep last Friday. Roman Catholic (2-0) The Cahillites keep looking really good. […]
St. Joe’s Prep safety Ryan McDonald plays with a newfound freedom—which makes the Hawks’ defense dangerous
Ryan McDonald is entering his second season as a starting strong safety for two-time defending PIAA Class 6A state champion St. Joe’s Prep. The 6-foot, 190-pound senior has added about 15 pounds since this time last year, yet for some reason he feels lighter on the field. He certainly did last Friday when the Hawks […]
Gavin Sidwar shows poise in leading La Salle past Malvern Prep, 21-17, in a classic at the shore
La Salle coach Brett Gordon knows the feeling. The first-year Explorers’ coach had been in the same situation countless times, with every eye in the stadium trained on him and his next move. Gordon never failed. It’s why he led La Salle to consecutive Catholic League championships in 1996 and 1997. In pressure spots, Gordon […]
St. Joe’s Prep guard Christian Leonard is ready to leave his mark his senior year
The earth movers fall into anonymity, regardless of what school they attend. It’s a curse they bear. Christian Leonard is a little tough to miss though. The St. Joseph’s Prep two-year starting right offensive guard is 6-foot-5, 305 pounds. And he’s lighter. He has dropped 30 pounds from last season and in his time at […]
Joseph Santoliquito’s Southeastern PA Top 10/Week of Aug, 29, 2024
St. Joseph’s Prep (0-0) The Charlie Foulke era begins for the Hawks this Saturday vs. St. Edward’s (OH). Imhotep Charter (1-0) The defending 5A state champion Panthers stretched their winning streak to 16-straight games. La Salle College (1-0) The Explorers face a big test against Malvern Prep this Friday. Malvern Prep (9-1) Friars open their […]
Roman Catholic starts strong beating Neumann-Goretti in opener, 45-12
PHILADELPHIA, PA — It looked too easy. Roman Catholic scored on their first two offensive plays of the season, and by the start of the start of the fourth quarter, Cahillites’ coach Rick Prete’s biggest concern was getting each one of his jayvee players in the game. On a steamy Friday night, with Bruce Springsteen […]
Joseph Santoliquito’s Southeastern PA Preseason Top 10
1. St. Joseph’s Prep (13-1 in 2023) The Hawks will be looking to threepeat as PIAA 6A state champs, while also looking to claim their sixth state title in seven years, and their ninth state title overall in the last 12 years. Since the 6A system was incorporated in 2016, St. Joe’s Prep has been […]
