2012 Statewide Football Rankings – Week 16/Final Poll
Statewide football rankings are compiled and updated weekly by EasternPAFootball.com’s Josh Funk and released for publication each Monday. Teams listed in the “Honorable Mention” category are arranged in numerical order by geographic district. AAAA: 1. North Allegheny (7, 16-0) 2. Woodland Hills (7, 10-3) 3. Coatesville (1, 13-3) 4. La Salle College High School (12, […]
North Allegheny rolls over Coatesville to claim 3rd PIAA AAAA title
HERSHEY, Pa. – After drenching head coach Art Walker with ice cold Gatorade following the team’s ninth touchdown, senior linebacker Kevin Edwards had four words for his mentor. “Get sticky!” Edwards bellowed. “Get sticky!” Coatesville’s prolific offense, spearheaded by quarterback Emmett Hunt and speedy back Daquan Worley, found solving NA’s defense to be quite a […]
Wyomissing completes perfect season with first PIAA championship
HERSHEY, Pa. – Aliquippa. The name alone carries with it an aura, a mystique of sorts. Its slogan could very well be “Where legends are made.” But on the state’s biggest stage, Wyomissing wrote a few legends of its own, and arguably the program’s biggest victory in its gridiron history proved to be no tall […]
North Allegheny (7, 15-0)
North Allegheny (15-0), three-time defending WPIAL AAAA champions and the 2010 PIAA AAAA champion, will face Coatesville (13-2) for the PIAA AAAA state championship Saturday night at Hersheypark Stadium, with kickoff slated for 6 p.m. NA will try for its third PIAA title and look to become the fifth WPIAL program to win three state […]
Coatesville (1, 13-2)
It’s been quite a long time since the Ches-Mont League has been in the statewide spotlight. Ever since the late 1990s, the Suburban One League had staked its claim to ownership of District 1 AAAA hardware, with few exceptions sprinkled in, like a pair of Ridley championships in 2007 and 2009. Otherwise, it had been […]
Clairton (7, 15-0)
Sixty-two up. Sixty-two down. That’s been the story facing the opposition since September 2009, when Clairton began its winning streak following a surprising season-opening loss. Only a small percentage of those last 62 opponents have come close to Clairton – take Riverside jumping out to a 24-0 lead in the 2010 state championship game, before […]
Dunmore (2, 14-1)
The last time we heard from Dunmore in the PIAA finals, it was 2007 and the Bucks were a AA program facing Jeannette, led by future Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor and running back Jordan Hall. Both Hall and Pryor scored 30 touchdowns or more for the Jayhawks, who romped, 49-21, over the Bucks. At […]
Aliquippa (7, 15-0)
Aliquippa has finally made it back to the state’s biggest game in Class AA. That’s not to say the Quips haven’t had their share of chances, though. A couple recent near-misses within the last five years proved it was only a matter of time before the traditional Beaver County powerhouse was back in the PIAA […]
Wyomissing (3, 15-0)
The year 2012 had been circled on many a calendar in Wyomissing for the past several years. No, not because of the Mayans. Rather, a talented class of athletes was ascending through the Spartans’ football ranks. And 2012 was the year when it was all going to come together. That talented senior class is reaping […]
Cathedral Prep (10, 14-0)
Cathedral Prep (14-0) has advanced to its fourth PIAA championship game in school history, and first in AAA, and will take on District 12 and Philadelphia Catholic League champion Archbishop Wood (12-2) Friday night for the PIAA AAA championship, with kickoff slated for 7 p.m. at Hersheypark Stadium. Both the Ramblers and Vikings are each […]
Archbishop Wood (12, 12-2)
Make it 5-for-5. It was five years ago, believe it or not, that the Philadelphia Catholic League gained admittance as being a part of the fabric of PIAA football. And, for the fifth year, the PCL has sent at least one of its teams to Hershey to compete for a PIAA football championship. Archbishop Wood […]
PIAA semifinals notebook
Finally, their courses collide. Wyomissing and Imhotep Charter are facing off in a PIAA AA semifinal Saturday afternoon at Germantown High School in Philadelphia. The Spartans and Panthers each share several similarities, too. For starters, the two teams love to run the football. Imhotep and Wyomissing both average better than 300 yards per game on […]
2012 Statewide Football Rankings – Week 14
Statewide football rankings are compiled and updated weekly by EasternPAFootball.com’s Josh Funk and released for publication each Monday during the season. Installments for Weeks 1 through 16 will include the team, geographic district, overall season record and, for Thanksgiving weekend, the team’s most recent result from the previous week. Teams listed in the “Honorable Mention” […]
Bishop McDevitt claims 10th District 3 football championship with victory over West York
HERSHEY, Pa. – It might have been hard not to confuse West York head coach Ron Miller’s strategy for Penn State’s new boss, Bill O’Brien. The Bulldogs went for several fourth down attempts and took a fair share of risks against perennial Mid-Penn Conference power Bishop McDevitt. “We felt tonight that we had to take […]
EasternPAFootball Notebook: Playoff tidbits
If the names Interboro and Bristol don’t sound like familiar PIAA playoff participant names, it’s because neither is often a participant. Interboro (11-2) won its first District 1 football championship since the region began a postseason football bracket in 1992. The Bucs, led by 200-game winning head coach Steve Lennox, face powerful Archbishop Wood Friday. […]
2012 Statewide Football Rankings – Week 13
Statewide football rankings are compiled and updated weekly by EasternPAFootball.com’s Josh Funk and released for publication each Monday during the season. Installments for Weeks 1 through 16 will include the team, geographic district, overall season record and, for Thanksgiving weekend, the team’s most recent result from the previous week. Teams listed in the “Honorable Mention” […]
Selinsgrove forces eight turnovers in romp over University Prep
ALTOONA, Pa. – As a small band of reporters meandered away from Selinsgrove head football coach Dave Hess, the Seals’ ringleader made one small, simple request. “Hey guys,” Hess said, smiling. “Just make me look smart. Please. That’s all I ask.” Truth be told, Hess had already earned straight As for his power-running game plan […]
Wyomissing romps past Bermudian Springs to claim District 3 AA football championship
HERSHEY, Pa. – The Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act was established in 1940 to protect both bald and golden eagles within the United States borders. Bermudian Springs, nicknamed the Eagles, probably wishes high school football teams also received protection under that same federal law, because it got gunned down by Wyomissing. Wyomissing (13-) ripped […]
Delone Catholic claims District 3 Class A football championship
HERSHEY, Pa. – In the game of bowling, three strikes in a row is termed a “turkey” and four consecutive strikes is called a “four-bagger.” Brett Smith, a senior for Delone Catholic, didn’t land four straight strikes Saturday, but he bowled through Steelton-Highspire both offensively and defensively for a “turkey” and a “four-bagger” of a […]
EasternPAFootball Notebook: How losing helped Abington Heights win, other tidbits
Those who know me well know I loathe the “youth soccer” philosophy where everybody, regardless of record, gets a trophy and that losing somehow ruins someone’s self-esteem. Losing can actually be a good thing. It can motivate teams and kids to want to do better. And if it wasn’t for a rare losing season, Abington […]
2012 Statewide Football Rankings – Week 12
Statewide football rankings are compiled and updated weekly by EasternPAFootball.com’s Josh Funk and released for publication each Monday during the season. Installments for Weeks 1 through 16 will include the team, geographic district, overall season record and the previous week’s result. Teams listed in the “Honorable Mention” category are arranged in numerical order by geographic […]
Williams Valley rolls past Tri-Valley to claim District 11 Class A championship
WILLIAMSTOWN, Pa. – It was all about records Saturday night. Running back Cole Barnhardt set a pair of single-season rushing records. Quarterback Stephen Sedesse set a single-season passing yardage record. Heck, even the 50/50 prize of $2,025 was a record. Williams Valley winning a district football championship, however, won’t go down as sounding like a […]
Junior back helps Danville stave off Athens’ stiff upset bid, advance to District 4 AA title game
DANVILLE, Pa. – During halftime, the Athens Area marching band’s color guard dressed up in costume as superheros, as the group’s performance centered around movies like Batman, Spiderman, and others. Then, on the verge of being upset on its home turf, No. 1-seeded Danville got its best “Super Friends” impersonation from junior fullback Sam Dressler. […]
EasternPAFootball.com Notebook: Tidbits from around the eastern half of the state
Mount Carmel Area head football coach Carm DeFrancesco is one of the best postgame interviews around. He’s honest and thorough, and he’s also got personality with his answers. He’s not afraid to react when he hears a stat that blows him away, like the 29 total offensive plays and five first downs the Red Tornadoes’ […]
2012 Statewide Football Rankings – Week 11
Statewide football rankings are compiled and updated weekly by EasternPAFootball.com’s Josh Funk and released for publication each Monday during the season. Installments for Weeks 1 through 16 will include the team, geographic district, overall season record and the previous week’s result. Teams listed in the “Honorable Mention” category are arranged in numerical order by geographic […]
Blocked field goal, 19-point fourth quarter propel Berwick to District 2 championship game
BERWICK, Pa. – There were points in time Saturday afternoon where it seemed Berwick’s offensive front just couldn’t stop Dallas from getting pressure in the backfield. “We just couldn’t block (Dallas linebacker Jason) Simonovich,” said Bulldogs’ head coach George Curry. “That kid is an animal.” It turns out Berwick got a block of a different […]
Mount Carmel punishes Central Columbia with 210-yard rushing effort, advances to District 4 semifinals
BLOOMSBURG, Pa. – Central Columbia was having a blast of a season. Seven wins was exactly half of the Blue Jays total number of victories over the seven seasons prior to 2012. The Blue Jays also found themselves as the No. 2 seed in the District 4 AA playoffs. Then, Mount Carmel did a different […]
EasternPAFootball.com Notebook: Individual milestones/accomplishments; more 1,000-yard backfield duos; A season of “validation” for Selinsgrove; other tidbits
Before delving into some notes from around the eastern half of the state, many individual milestones were achieved throughout the course of the weekend. Some of the following made Dave Mika’s shoutouts which he posts weekly on Eastern PA Football’s Facebook page. Some did not. Check these items out: – Harriton senior quarterback Pat Moriarty […]
2012 Statewide Football Rankings – Week 10
Statewide football rankings are compiled and updated weekly by EasternPAFootball.com’s Josh Funk and released for publication each Monday during the season. Installments for Weeks 1 through 16 will include the team, geographic district, overall season record and the previous week’s result. Teams listed in the “Honorable Mention” category are arranged in numerical order by geographic […]
Wyomissing uses stingy defense, and just enough offense, to stymie Berks Catholic in Saturday showdown
WYOMISSING, Pa. – Even though Berks Catholic and Wyomissing have only faced each other two times, the Week 10 meeting already has a nickname – “The Backyard Brawl.” Meeting No. 2 might go down in history as “The Backyard Scrap.” Wyomissing (10-0, 6-0 Berks Football League Section 2) used another stingy defensive effort and limited […]
PERFECT 10: Tamaqua puts finishing touches on historic season with shutout of Marian Catholic
TAMAQUA, Pa. – Feeling the certainty of history being made, the anticipation on the visiting side of Men of Marian Stadium was building over the final minute. There was a large, paper banner being carried by some cheerleaders. Some fans waved white rally towels. And as the final seconds of the game clock ticked away, […]
ORANGE CRUSH: Danville forces six Selinsgrove turnovers to claim HAC-I championship
DANVILLE, Pa. – Cale Rice, a Danville senior defensive back, had something he’d been itching to tell any member of the media willing to listen. It wasn’t something to be confused for a bold statement or guarantee of a District 4 championship. Rather, it was about a nickname for his school’s defensive unit. “We call […]
Wilson-West Lawn TE/LB Junior Joseph issues verbal declaration to Connecticut
Wilson-West Lawn’s relentless defensive unit now has a second member who has chosen to continue his football career at the Division-1 level. Junior Joseph, a 6’3, 236-pound tight end/linebacker for the Bulldogs, issued a verbal declaration to Connecticut Thursday evening. Joseph announced he had committed to the Huskies, a representative of the Big East Conference, […]
EasternPAFootball.com Notebook: Record-breaking weekend; Perkiomen Valley QB adds name to a short list; Old Forge’s point-scoring binge; other tidbits
The records, they were a-fallin’ this weekend. It wasn’t just one or two – several single-game school records were rewritten. And they seemed especially concentrated in the southeastern part of the state. The following information regarding District 12 records is attributed to long-time Philadelphia prep sportswriting veteran Ted Silary (who, by the way, keeps one […]
Wilson-West Lawn TE/DL Matt Rothrock issues verbal declaration to Lafayette
One of the leaders of Wilson-West Lawn’s impressive defensive unit will continue his collegiate football career in the Patriot League. Matt Rothrock, a 6’2, 237-pound tight end/defensive lineman, issued a verbal declaration to Lafayette, according to the Bulldogs’ official Twitter account Tuesday evening. Rothrock is one of the Bulldogs’ potential collegiate football prospects – linebacker […]
2012 Statewide Football Rankings – Week 9
Statewide football rankings are compiled and updated weekly by EasternPAFootball.com’s Josh Funk and released for publication each Monday during the season. Installments for Weeks 1 through 16 will include the team, geographic district, overall season record and the previous week’s result. Teams listed in the “Honorable Mention” category are arranged in numerical order by geographic […]
EasternPAFootball.com Notebook: 1,000-yard backfield duos; history in District 2; Roman Catholic QB hits milestone
A few weeks ago, the Plymouth-Whitemarsh backfield duo of Corey Kelly and Tim Brown received brief mention in this notebook for making up the bulk of the Colonials’ offensive production. It turns out the pair more than likely could be one of eastern Pennsylvania’s first 1,000-yard rushing duos of the season. Kelly (1,057 yards) and […]
2012 Statewide Football Rankings – Week 8
Statewide football rankings are compiled and updated weekly by EasternPAFootball.com’s Josh Funk and released for publication each Monday during the season. Installments for Weeks 1 through 16 will include the team, geographic district, overall season record and the previous week’s result. Teams listed in the “Honorable Mention” category are arranged in numerical order by geographic […]
EasternPAFootball.com Notebook: St. Joseph’s Prep’s preparation key to success; William Allen scores big victory; Imhotep in striking distance of PPL record
Preparation is key. And when it comes to preparations, the St. Joseph’s Prep football team leaves nothing to chance. Especially defensively. The Prep flattened three-time defending District 12 AAAA champion LaSalle College High School, 24-16, Saturday night at Plymouth-Whitemarsh High School, limiting the Explorers’ potent passing offense to just 148 yards and three interceptions. In […]
2012 Statewide Football Rankings – Week 7
Statewide football rankings are compiled and updated weekly by EasternPAFootball.com’s Josh Funk and released for publication each Monday during the season. Installments for Weeks 1 through 16 will include the team, geographic district, overall season record and the previous week’s result. Teams listed in the “Honorable Mention” category are arranged in numerical order by geographic […]
Central Dauphin, down 14 in fourth quarter, rallies for OT win
HARRISBURG, Pa. – If you listen to head coach Glen McNamee, the Central Dauphin football story didn’t cease being written after the Rams claimed PIAA gold last December. It’s a story, he told his players, which is ever evolving and being written with each additional game. Really, on the surface, what other themes and stories […]
St. Joseph’s Prep forces 7 LaSalle turnovers to remain undefeated
PLYMOUTH MEETING, Pa. – Maybe St. Joseph’s Prep should consider changing its nickname. Yes, they’re called the Hawks. But why not lend consideration to something like, say, the Hornets, because the Prep’s defensive unit swarmed, smothered and stung LaSalle College High School all night long. The Hawks (6-0) rode their strong defensive unit to another […]
EasternPAFootball.com Notebook: A tribute to a sports writer battling cancer, Dranchak nears school record, SCA’s impressive offensive start, Saturday showdowns
Before we get into some interesting football notes and tidbits in this week’s notebook, it is probably best to begin this week’s notebook by extending our thoughts, prayers and positive energy to a prep sports writer from York County. Steve Navaroli, a veteran reporter for the York Daily Record/Sunday News, is undergoing treatments for cancer. […]
2012 Statewide Football Rankings – Week 6
Statewide football rankings are compiled and updated weekly by EasternPAFootball.com’s Josh Funk and released for publication each Monday during the season. Installments for Weeks 1 through 16 will include the team, geographic district, overall season record and the previous week’s result. Teams listed in the “Honorable Mention” category are arranged in numerical order by geographic […]
EasternPAFootball.com Notebook: Eastern York senior smashes multiple rushing records; District 4 team scores early, often, ties a record; West York becoming YAIAA model of consistency
Alex Cooley said “Good Knight” to several rushing records Friday. What Eastern York’s senior running back did in the Golden Knights’ victory over Hanover will go down in school, York County, District 3 and PIAA record books. According to EY assistant coach Steve Kline, Cooley rushed for 500 yards and eight touchdowns on 26 carries […]
2012 Statewide Football Rankings – Week 5
Statewide football rankings are compiled and updated weekly by EasternPAFootball.com’s Josh Funk and released for publication each Monday during the season. Installments for Weeks 1 through 16 will include the team, geographic district, overall season record and the previous week’s result. Teams listed in the “Honorable Mention” category are arranged in numerical order by geographic […]
EasternPAFootball.com Notebook: WV field general quickly learns new system; D4 senior receiver’s milestone; La Salle makes USA-Today’s Super 25 poll
I’ve always enjoyed talking to football players who not only love the game, but get it and immerse themselves in it. Talk for any length of time with Williams Valley’s Stephen Sedesse and you’ll learn quickly that he’s one of those players. Sedesse, a junior quarterback, had to learn a new offensive system with first-year […]
2012 Statewide Football Rankings – Week 4
Statewide football rankings are compiled and updated weekly by EasternPAFootball.com’s Josh Funk and released for publication each Monday during the season. Installments for Weeks 1 through 16 will include the team, geographic district, overall season record and the previous week’s result. Teams listed in the “Honorable Mention” category are arranged in numerical order by geographic […]
HARD KNOCKS: Williams Valley dismisses Line Mountain from the unbeaten ranks
MANDATA, Pa. – Before even coaching a game in Tower City, first-year head coach Tim Savage had already generated talk about his Williams Valley Vikings. He had decided to move 1,100-yard rusher Owen Daniel to wide receiver. “I caught a lot of grief for doing that – you have no idea,” Savage admitted. Turns out […]
Cedar Cliff QB Ford shreds Hershey, Colts 4-0 for first time since ’97
HERSHEY, Pa. – Just in case he needs a backup career plan, Cedar Cliff junior quarterback Andrew Ford might want to consider a career in the medical field. His dissection of Hershey’s defense was, well, surgical. Ford accounted for 432 of his team’s 538 total offensive yards and had a hand in all six touchdowns as […]
