'25 PIAA State Playoffs HS Football Thread

Tom McAndrew

BWI Staff
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Oct 27, 2021
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Please use this thread for the discussion of all games in the 2025 PIAA State playoffs (football)
 

Tom McAndrew

BWI Staff
Staff member
Oct 27, 2021
72,017
53,982
113
Round 1 matches are played on 11/14-15

6A:
Easton - 42, Parkland - 17
North Penn - 35, Neshaminy - 7
Central York - 42, Wilson West Lawn - 7
La Salle College - Imhotep Charter -- play 11/15
Pennridge - 17, Coatesville - 14
Harrisburg - Manheim Township -- play 11/15
State College - Wilkes-Barre Area -- play 11/15
Pittsburgh Central Catholic - North Allegheny -- play 11/15
 
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Relayer

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Pennridge holds on to beat Coatesville 17-14 and will host North Penn for the D1 Championship.

Imhotep plays LaSalle at Northeast HS at 3pm tomorrow.
 
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Tom McAndrew

BWI Staff
Staff member
Oct 27, 2021
72,017
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Round 1 matches are played on 11/14-15

5A:
Delaware Valley - Hollidaysburg -- score not yet in
Roman Catholic - 49, Whitehall - 7
Springfield-Delco - 26, Strath Haven - 10
Chester - West Chester Rustin -- play 11/15
Pine-Richland - Moon -- score not yet in
Peters Township - 31, Upper Saint Clair - 6
Solanco - 43, New Oxford - 12
Bishop McDevitt - 42, Exeter Township - 0
 
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Tom McAndrew

BWI Staff
Staff member
Oct 27, 2021
72,017
53,982
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Round 1 matches are played on 11/14-15

4A:

Southern Lehigh - Bethlehem Catholic -- score not yet in
Shamokin - 42, Bellefonte - 13
North Pocono - 40, Bishop Shanahan - 36
Cardinal O'Hara - West Philadelphia -- play 11/15
Susquehanna Township - 37, Wyomissing - 35
Twin Valley - 45, West York - 14
Oil City - 47, Punxsutawney - 14
McKeesport - Aliquippa -- play 11/15
 
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Tom McAndrew

BWI Staff
Staff member
Oct 27, 2021
72,017
53,982
113
Round 1 matches are played on 11/14-15

3A:
Trinity - 17, Berks Catholic - 0
Scranton Prep - 28, Mifflinburg - 21
Northwestern Lehigh - 35, Notre Dame Green Pond - 14
Avonworth -44, North Catholic - 24
Imani Christian Acad. - 48, Central Valley - 0
Penn Cambria - 27, Brockway - 0
Sharon - 20, Hickory - 17
 
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Tom McAndrew

BWI Staff
Staff member
Oct 27, 2021
72,017
53,982
113
Round 1 matches are played on 11/14-15

2A:
Steelton Highspire - 52, Chestnut Ridge - 20
Southern Columbia - 42, Troy Area - 0
Williams Valley - 34, Schuylkill Haven - 31
Lansdale Catholic - Lakeland -- play 11/15
Farrell - 48, Karns City - 20
Bishop McCort - Richland -- play 11/15
Seton-Lasalle - 27, Washington - 19
Steel Valley -34, Western Beaver - 7
 

Tom McAndrew

BWI Staff
Staff member
Oct 27, 2021
72,017
53,982
113
Round 1 matches are played on 11/14-15

1A:
Bishop Guilfoyle Acad - 62, Juniata Valley - 6
Westinghouse - 44, Meyersdale Area - 0
York Catholic - Belmont Charter -- play 11/15
Line Mountain - Lackawanna Trail -- play 11/15
Laurel - 24, Fort Cherry - 14
Clairton - 42, Bishop Canevin - 22
Wilmington - Greenville -- play 11/15
Port Allegany - 41, Redbank Valley - 19
 

LB99

Heisman
Oct 27, 2021
9,104
12,752
113
Round 1 matches are played on 11/14-15

6A:
Easton - 42, Parkland - 17
North Penn - 35, Neshaminy - 7
Central York - 42, Wilson West Lawn - 7
La Salle College - Imhotep Charter -- play 11/15
Pennridge - 17, Coatesville - 14
Harrisburg - Manheim Township -- play 11/15
State College - Wilkes-Barre Area -- play 11/15
Pittsburgh Central Catholic - North Allegheny -- play 11/15
Something to watch here. LaSalle QB Sidwar is committed to Missouri and Drink. If Drink gets the PSU job, does Sidwar follow?
 

Relayer

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In 6A today,

Harrisburg 34 Manheim Township 7
LaSslle 31 Imhotep 16
 

Tom McAndrew

BWI Staff
Staff member
Oct 27, 2021
72,017
53,982
113
Round 1 matches are played on 11/14-15

6A:
Easton - 42, Parkland - 17
North Penn - 35, Neshaminy - 7
Central York - 42, Wilson West Lawn - 7
La Salle College - 31, Imhotep Charter - 16
Pennridge - 17, Coatesville - 14
Harrisburg - 34, Manheim Township - 7
State College - 52, Wilkes-Barre Area - 0
Pittsburgh Central Catholic - 42, North Allegheny - 7
 
Last edited:

Tom McAndrew

BWI Staff
Staff member
Oct 27, 2021
72,017
53,982
113
Round 1 matches are played on 11/14-15

5A:
Hollidaysburg - 56, Delaware Valley - 42
Roman Catholic - 49, Whitehall - 7
Springfield-Delco - 26, Strath Haven - 10
Chester - 27, West Chester Rustin - 13
Pine-Richland - 34, Moon - 24
Peters Township - 31, Upper Saint Clair - 6
Solanco - 43, New Oxford - 12
Bishop McDevitt - 42, Exeter Township - 0
 
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Tom McAndrew

BWI Staff
Staff member
Oct 27, 2021
72,017
53,982
113
Round 1 matches are played on 11/14-15

4A:

Southern Lehigh - 49, Bethlehem Catholic - 28
Shamokin - 42, Bellefonte - 13
North Pocono - 40, Bishop Shanahan - 36
Cardinal O'Hara - 34, West Philadelphia - 6
Susquehanna Township - 37, Wyomissing - 35
Twin Valley - 45, West York - 14
Oil City - 47, Punxsutawney - 14
Aliquippa - 21, McKeesport - 12
 

Tom McAndrew

BWI Staff
Staff member
Oct 27, 2021
72,017
53,982
113
Round 1 matches are played on 11/14-15

2A:
Steelton Highspire - 52, Chestnut Ridge - 20
Southern Columbia - 42, Troy Area - 0
Williams Valley - 34, Schuylkill Haven - 31
Lansdale Catholic - 43, Lakeland - 7
Farrell - 48, Karns City - 20
Richland - 14, Bishop McCort - 7
Seton-Lasalle - 27, Washington - 19
Steel Valley -34, Western Beaver - 7
 
Last edited:

Tom McAndrew

BWI Staff
Staff member
Oct 27, 2021
72,017
53,982
113
Round 1 matches are played on 11/14-15

1A:
Bishop Guilfoyle Acad - 62, Juniata Valley - 6
Westinghouse - 44, Meyersdale Area - 0
Belmont Charter - 36, York Catholic - 20
Lackawanna Trail - 31, Line Mountain - 20
Laurel - 24, Fort Cherry - 14
Clairton - 42, Bishop Canevin - 22
Greenville - 25, Wilmington - 22
Port Allegany - 41, Redbank Valley - 19
 
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PAgeologist

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Oct 19, 2021
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Round 1 matches are played on 11/14-15

2A:
Steelton Highspire - 52, Chestnut Ridge - 20
Southern Columbia - 42, Troy Area - 0
Williams Valley - 34, Schuylkill Haven - 31
Lansdale Catholic - 43, Lakeland - 7
Farrell - 48, Karns City - 20
Bishop McCort - Richland -- score not yet in
Seton-Lasalle - 27, Washington - 19
Steel Valley -34, Western Beaver - 7
Richland beat McCort. 14-7
 
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Arivacalion

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Aug 25, 2025
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Please use this thread for the discussion of all games in the 2025 PIAA State playoffs (football)
The entire thing is a joke. There will never be any true champions until the playing field is level: The PIAA remains the most crooked and corrupt organization in the state of Pennsylvania. Catholic and private schools that recruit need put into a separate category. Just last night once again the biggest cheat school of them all BISHOP Guilfoyle has a 62-0 lead at halftime against Juniata Valley in the class A d6 "championship game"
 

PAgeologist

All-Conference
Oct 19, 2021
1,027
1,804
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Round 1 matches are played on 11/14-15

1A:
Bishop Guilfoyle Acad - 62, Juniata Valley - 6
Westinghouse - 44, Meyersdale Area - 0
Belmont Charter - 36, York Catholic - 20
Lackawanna Trail - 31, Line Mountain - 20
Laurel - 24, Fort Cherry - 14
Clairton - 42, Bishop Canevin - 22
Wilmington - Greenville -- score not yet in
Port Allegany - 41, Redbank Valley - 19
Greenville beat Wilmington 25-22.
 
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LB99

Heisman
Oct 27, 2021
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The entire thing is a joke. There will never be any true champions until the playing field is level: The PIAA remains the most crooked and corrupt organization in the state of Pennsylvania. Catholic and private schools that recruit need put into a separate category. Just last night once again the biggest cheat school of them all BISHOP Guilfoyle has a 62-0 lead at halftime against Juniata Valley in the class A d6 "championship game"
I’d say Saint Joe’s Prep is at the top of the category since they have players from multiple states on the team.
 

bwc

Junior
May 22, 2014
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I’d say Saint Joe’s Prep is at the top of the category since they have players from multiple states on the team.

I understand your position but at least SJP is playing in a high classification. BG's recruiting footprint includes Altoona, all of Blair County and sometimes bordering counties, going up against a co-op team that is still towards the bottom of single A enrollment when counting both schools' kids. BG had around 80 kids on their sideline, including Junior Varsity. Juniata Valley had about 25 available, including Junior Varsity.

Bishop Carroll will be handling it the right way next year, but they are the reason why Bishop McCort was good this year. Was happy to see Richland pull the upset.
 

LB99

Heisman
Oct 27, 2021
9,104
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I understand your position but at least SJP is playing in a high classification. BG's recruiting footprint includes Altoona, all of Blair County and sometimes bordering counties, going up against a co-op team that is still towards the bottom of single A enrollment when counting both schools' kids. BG had around 80 kids on their sideline, including Junior Varsity. Juniata Valley had about 25 available, including Junior Varsity.

Bishop Carroll will be handling it the right way next year, but they are the reason why Bishop McCort was good this year. Was happy to see Richland pull the upset.
Yeah, that isn’t right. SJP has kids from other states and are allowed to compete for a PIAA state championship. Think about that for a moment? Put them all in one classification ASAP. The PIAA has no backbone. Cowards
 
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bwc

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May 22, 2014
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Yeah, that isn’t right. SJP has kids from other states and are allowed to compete for a PIAA state championship. Think about that for a moment? Put them all in one classification ASAP. The PIAA has no backbone. Cowards

Yeah, either the team shouldn't be eligible for the playoffs or the out of state students shouldn't be eligible to play in the playoffs. Juniata Valley had a kid transfer in this year (family moved to the area) from a public, and he was deemed ineligible for districts/playoffs.

Privates should be separate. It's even worse in basketball and wrestling.
 

Relayer

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The 6A quarterfinal between LaSalle and Easton will be streamed tomorrow night. Here's something to think about. If Easton pulls off the upset, they will play 2 games next week in 3 days. They will never cancel the Thanksgiving game against Phillipsburg.

 

RovernNation05

Redshirt
Aug 22, 2010
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The 6A quarterfinal between LaSalle and Easton will be streamed tomorrow night. Here's something to think about. If Easton pulls off the upset, they will play 2 games next week in 3 days. They will never cancel the Thanksgiving game against Phillipsburg.


Having no consistent place to post about this Easton season is a bummer. Such a fun team and year. All of the things we hoped for when Matt Senneca got hired have come to fruition. Happy to repost my big preview from a different site. Rovers will need to play their best game in 22 years (‘03 Cumberland Valley) to pull it off. But they probably played their best big game of my life last weekend in mauling Parkland, so who knows.

An Easton-Pennridge semi with both teams having Thanksgiving games would be kind of fun.
 

TheBigUglies

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Oct 26, 2021
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The 6A quarterfinal between LaSalle and Easton will be streamed tomorrow night. Here's something to think about. If Easton pulls off the upset, they will play 2 games next week in 3 days. They will never cancel the Thanksgiving game against Phillipsburg.


Love that they keep tradition no matter what!!
 

RovernNation05

Redshirt
Aug 22, 2010
6
6
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Having no consistent place to post about this Easton season is a bummer. Such a fun team and year. All of the things we hoped for when Matt Senneca got hired have come to fruition. Happy to repost my big preview from a different site. Rovers will need to play their best game in 22 years (‘03 Cumberland Valley) to pull it off. But they probably played their best big game of my life last weekend in mauling Parkland, so who knows.

An Easton-Pennridge semi with both teams having Thanksgiving games would be kind of fun.
I used to do these previews for PaPreps, don’t have a good place to put them anymore, so enjoy.

Easton vs. LaSalle
Easton State Playoffs
: 1991 (SF), 1993 (SF), 2003 (SF), 2004 (SF), 2009 (QF), 2010 (QF)
LaSalle State Playoffs: 2009 (champs), 2010 (finals), 2011 (SF), 2012 (SF), 2015 (QF)
History: 2009 – LaSalle 17 Easton 14 (state quarters) / 2010 – LaSalle 19 Easton 7 (state quarters)
The 2009 game was a classic, with Easton racing out to a 14-0 lead, but LaSalle engineered a TD drive, then Easton fumbled the ensuing kickoff and LaSalle scored to tie the game at 14 before halftime. The second half was played in driving snow, with neither team really able to move the ball much, but LaSalle’s Mike Bennett hit one of the great field goals in PIAA history, 38 yards in the snow to win 17-14. Easton had the ball at the LaSalle 20 in the fourth quarter, but threw an interception to end the game. Easton partisans like myself would tell you that was the de facto state final as LaSalle crushed Ridley in the semis and State College in the finals. In 2010, Easton took a 7-3 lead into halftime, after holding the ball for nearly the entire second quarter on a 10 minute TD drive, but LaSalle took a 12-7 lead in the third quarter and then after Easton crossed the 50 with five minutes left, Jamal Abdur-Rahman took an interception 65 yards for the clinching score.

LaSalle College High School
* - First Team All Conference

QB: Gavin Sidwar (Sr. 6’3 190; Missouri): 186-264, 2,771 yards, 32 TDs
RB: Ahzir Nelson (Jr. 5’9 190)*: 119 carries, 689 yards, 12 TDs
WR: Joey O’Brien (Sr. 6’4 190; Notre Dame)*: 66 catches, 977 yards, 16 TDs
WR: Owen Johnson (So. 5’10 180): 52 catches, 728 yards, 8 TDs/2 carries, 55 yards, TD/2 Return TDs
WR: Jimmy Mahoney (5’8 160)*: 23 catches, 428 yards
TE: John-Patrick Oates (Sr. 6’3 220; James Madison): 30 catches, 440 yards
LT: Grayson McKeough (Sr. 6’8 290; Notre Dame)*
LG: Chris Bernesky (Jr. 6’3 290)
C: Jacob Jackson (Sr. 6’2 250)
RG: Andrew Sorge (Jr. 6’2 290)*
RT: Danny Lawyer (Sr. 6’3 285)

DE: John-Patrick Oates (Sr. 6’3 220; James Madison): 30 tackles, 5 TLF, 2 sacks
DT: Jemel Williams (Sr. 6’2 270; Albany): 51 tackles, 7 TFL, 2.5 sacks
DT: Kyree Mitchell (So. 6’0 270): 16 tackles, 4 TFL, 2 sacks
DE: Ryan Fandozzi (Sr. 5’11 210): 48 tackles, 6 TFL, 1.5 sacks
LB: Cooper Heilig (Sr. 6’2 210; Ohio State – lacrosse)*: 78 tackles, 6 TFL, 2 sacks, FF
LB: Trey Hopkins (Jr. 6’2 195): 22 tackles, 2 TFL
DB: Aidan Christy (Sr. 5’10 175): 29 tackles, 2 TFL
DB: Joey O’Brien (Sr. 6’4 190; Notre Dame)*: 42 tackles, TFL, INT, FF
DB: Lucas Johnson (Sr. 5’10 175): 28 tackles, INT
DB: Josh Simmons (Sr. 5’10 185): 18 tackles
DB: Keenan Stahl (Sr. 6’0 185): 20 tackles,
DB: Jimmy Mahoney (Sr. 5’8 160): 24 tackles, TFL, 2 INTs
Not Playing (PIAA Transfer Rules)
LB: Zykee Scott (Jr. 6’2 220)*: 58 tackles, 6 TFL, FF

All State Candidates: Gavin Sidwar (QB), Joey O’Brien (WR/FS), Greyson McKeough (OL), John-Patrick Oates (TE), Jemel Williams (DT), Cooper Heilig (LB)

The offense is obviously what pops out to you when looking at LaSalle. Three year stater at quarterback who can really spin it and is going to play in the SEC. He’s got the best stable of receivers in Pennsylvania with O’Brien as probably the 6A Player of the Year, Johnson is one of the better sophomores in the state, and I think Oates really gives them a different look in the passing game. They’re massive up front, when your runt of a lineman is 6’2 250 you’re just a different beast in high school. Which is why it surprises me they don’t run it more, I think you’d want to get those big boys down hill, but they just don’t commit to the run. Nelson has only carried it 15 times or more in four games all season, but last week’s 19 for 181 against Imhotep could be a sign of things to come in the playoffs? On defense, they’re not as physically imposing as they are on offense, with only JP Oates going both ways up front. They’ve got the two big tackles, with Williams being an All State caliber plug in the middle. But without Zykee Scott they’re a little light in the back seven, but make up for that by being really fast. O’Brien is obviously a problem playing centerfield.

They’re going to attack Easton through the air aggressively, and really put pressure on Easton’s secondary. McPeek vs. O’Brien is an interesting match up from body types, with O’Brien obviously being more talented, but he’s not going to see a lot of other 6’5 corners. Defensively, it’s all about discipline in the RPO game and forcing Ordway to make sub-optimal decisions in the option game. If they can get Easton off of the field quickly, it could be a long night for the Red Rovers.
 

RovernNation05

Redshirt
Aug 22, 2010
6
6
3
I used to do these previews for PaPreps, don’t have a good place to put them anymore, so enjoy.

Easton vs. LaSalle
Easton State Playoffs
: 1991 (SF), 1993 (SF), 2003 (SF), 2004 (SF), 2009 (QF), 2010 (QF)
LaSalle State Playoffs: 2009 (champs), 2010 (finals), 2011 (SF), 2012 (SF), 2015 (QF)
History: 2009 – LaSalle 17 Easton 14 (state quarters) / 2010 – LaSalle 19 Easton 7 (state quarters)
The 2009 game was a classic, with Easton racing out to a 14-0 lead, but LaSalle engineered a TD drive, then Easton fumbled the ensuing kickoff and LaSalle scored to tie the game at 14 before halftime. The second half was played in driving snow, with neither team really able to move the ball much, but LaSalle’s Mike Bennett hit one of the great field goals in PIAA history, 38 yards in the snow to win 17-14. Easton had the ball at the LaSalle 20 in the fourth quarter, but threw an interception to end the game. Easton partisans like myself would tell you that was the de facto state final as LaSalle crushed Ridley in the semis and State College in the finals. In 2010, Easton took a 7-3 lead into halftime, after holding the ball for nearly the entire second quarter on a 10 minute TD drive, but LaSalle took a 12-7 lead in the third quarter and then after Easton crossed the 50 with five minutes left, Jamal Abdur-Rahman took an interception 65 yards for the clinching score.

LaSalle College High School
* - First Team All Conference

QB: Gavin Sidwar (Sr. 6’3 190; Missouri): 186-264, 2,771 yards, 32 TDs
RB: Ahzir Nelson (Jr. 5’9 190)*: 119 carries, 689 yards, 12 TDs
WR: Joey O’Brien (Sr. 6’4 190; Notre Dame)*: 66 catches, 977 yards, 16 TDs
WR: Owen Johnson (So. 5’10 180): 52 catches, 728 yards, 8 TDs/2 carries, 55 yards, TD/2 Return TDs
WR: Jimmy Mahoney (5’8 160)*: 23 catches, 428 yards
TE: John-Patrick Oates (Sr. 6’3 220; James Madison): 30 catches, 440 yards
LT: Grayson McKeough (Sr. 6’8 290; Notre Dame)*
LG: Chris Bernesky (Jr. 6’3 290)
C: Jacob Jackson (Sr. 6’2 250)
RG: Andrew Sorge (Jr. 6’2 290)*
RT: Danny Lawyer (Sr. 6’3 285)

DE: John-Patrick Oates (Sr. 6’3 220; James Madison): 30 tackles, 5 TLF, 2 sacks
DT: Jemel Williams (Sr. 6’2 270; Albany): 51 tackles, 7 TFL, 2.5 sacks
DT: Kyree Mitchell (So. 6’0 270): 16 tackles, 4 TFL, 2 sacks
DE: Ryan Fandozzi (Sr. 5’11 210): 48 tackles, 6 TFL, 1.5 sacks
LB: Cooper Heilig (Sr. 6’2 210; Ohio State – lacrosse)*: 78 tackles, 6 TFL, 2 sacks, FF
LB: Trey Hopkins (Jr. 6’2 195): 22 tackles, 2 TFL
DB: Aidan Christy (Sr. 5’10 175): 29 tackles, 2 TFL
DB: Joey O’Brien (Sr. 6’4 190; Notre Dame)*: 42 tackles, TFL, INT, FF
DB: Lucas Johnson (Sr. 5’10 175): 28 tackles, INT
DB: Josh Simmons (Sr. 5’10 185): 18 tackles
DB: Keenan Stahl (Sr. 6’0 185): 20 tackles,
DB: Jimmy Mahoney (Sr. 5’8 160): 24 tackles, TFL, 2 INTs
Not Playing (PIAA Transfer Rules)
LB: Zykee Scott (Jr. 6’2 220)*: 58 tackles, 6 TFL, FF

All State Candidates: Gavin Sidwar (QB), Joey O’Brien (WR/FS), Greyson McKeough (OL), John-Patrick Oates (TE), Jemel Williams (DT), Cooper Heilig (LB)

The offense is obviously what pops out to you when looking at LaSalle. Three year stater at quarterback who can really spin it and is going to play in the SEC. He’s got the best stable of receivers in Pennsylvania with O’Brien as probably the 6A Player of the Year, Johnson is one of the better sophomores in the state, and I think Oates really gives them a different look in the passing game. They’re massive up front, when your runt of a lineman is 6’2 250 you’re just a different beast in high school. Which is why it surprises me they don’t run it more, I think you’d want to get those big boys down hill, but they just don’t commit to the run. Nelson has only carried it 15 times or more in four games all season, but last week’s 19 for 181 against Imhotep could be a sign of things to come in the playoffs? On defense, they’re not as physically imposing as they are on offense, with only JP Oates going both ways up front. They’ve got the two big tackles, with Williams being an All State caliber plug in the middle. But without Zykee Scott they’re a little light in the back seven, but make up for that by being really fast. O’Brien is obviously a problem playing centerfield.

They’re going to attack Easton through the air aggressively, and really put pressure on Easton’s secondary. McPeek vs. O’Brien is an interesting match up from body types, with O’Brien obviously being more talented, but he’s not going to see a lot of other 6’5 corners. Defensively, it’s all about discipline in the RPO game and forcing Ordway to make sub-optimal decisions in the option game. If they can get Easton off of the field quickly, it could be a long night for the Red Rovers.
Easton
QB: Cole Ordway (Sr. 6’0 180)*: 84-132, 1,191 yards, 16 TDs, 5 INTs/201 carries, 1,828 yards, 34 TDs
RB: Chris Martinez (Sr. 5’9 180): 265 carries, 1,319 yards, 7 TDs
RB: Trevon Tyler (Sr. 5’7 160): 37 carries, 389 yards, 3 TDs
WR: Andrew Biddle (Sr. 5’11 165): 38 catches, 420 yards, 2 TDs
WR: Sean McPeek (Jr. 6’5 215): 13 catches, 340 yards, 5 TDs
WR: Skyler Fowlin (Sr. 5’11 170): 10 catches, 226 yards, 4 TDs
TE: Kurtis Crossman (Sr. 6’3 230; Stonehill)*: 7 catches, 69 yards, TD
TE: Justin Cosover (Jr. 6’1 200): 4 catches, 22 yards, TD
LT: Algee Macon (Sr. 6’2 225)*
LG: Anthony Diaz (Sr. 6’2 220)
C: Gavin Crossman (Sr. 6’0 290)
RG: Matt Kirchner (Sr. 5’9 200)
RT: Elijah Grovesnor (Sr. 6’3 240)

DE: Kurtis Crossman (Sr. 6’3 230; Stonehill)*: 57 tackles, 10 TFL, 4 sacks, INT, 3 FF
DT: Elijah Grovesnor (Sr. 6’3 240): 25 tackles, 6 TFL, sack
DT: Anthony Diaz (Sr. 6’2 220): 37 tackles, 9 TFL, 3 sacks
DE: Algee Macon (Sr. 6’2 225): 51 tackles, 16 TFL, 8 sacks
LB: Sean Kilpatrick (Sr. 6’1 220)*: 101 tackles, 13 TFL, 3 sacks, FF
LB: Justin Cosover (Jr. 6’1 200): 42 tackles, 4 TFL, INT
DB: Skyler Fowlin (Sr. 5’11 170)*: 69 tackles, 5 TFL, sack
DB: Trevon Tyler (Sr. 5’7 160): 52 tackles 2 TFL, INT
DB: Sean McPeek (Jr. 6’5 215)*: 40 tackles, 2 TFL, 6 INTs, 4 DEF TDs
DB: Andrew Biddle (Sr. 5’11 165)*:34 tackles, TFL, 5 INTs
DB: Jayden Foreman: 35 tackles, FF

All State Candidates: Cole Ordway (QB), Algee Macon (OL/DE), Kurtis Crossman (DE), Sean Kilpatrick (LB), Sean McPeek (DB)

Easton’s bread and butter all year has been the RPO, with a heavy emphasis on the zone-read between Martinez and Ordway. Martinez does a nice job getting little chunks and falling forward, while Ordway is a 4.5 40 yard dash guy who can hit the home run when you finally crash on Martinez. That’s been the formula all year, though last week against Parkland they showed more designed QB run than I’ve seen all year to get Ordway behind an extra blocker with the running back leading on QB counter. The offensive line is not big, but has a bunch of multi-sport athletes, including the two tight ends who are really effective in the run game. Offensive line coaches Mike Fleming and Bob Stroble were both good college linemen with fabulous line coaches (Fleming was an All American at East Stroudsburg for Mike Santella, Stroble was a three-year starter at Lafayette for Bob Heffner) and both learned under the legendary Scott Byrd at Easton. The technique and physicality of the o-line play has been the biggest single change in the Senneca era and it’s been what’s driven the program to the 25-2 record over the last two years. Those five plus the tight ends are going to need to play their absolute best tonight to have a chance. Easton’s passing game is kind of a mystery. Ordway threw for 2,000 yards as a junior, but they’ve been so successful running the ball this year that they just haven’t put it in the air a ton. But his mechanics have cleaned up so much and the ball comes out with way more life. That said, the biggest plays last week were throws Ordway made, including the back-breaking 45 yard bomb before halftime that was right on the money when Parkland walked their safeties up into the box. He’s going to need to make 5-8 big throws tonight, think third down conversions, some kind of chunk plays, for Easton to have a chance. Andrew Biddle has the most catches, but Sean McPeek and Kurtis Crossman I think are the targets he’ll need tonight, both big bodies (6’5 215 and 6’3 230) who can make contested catches. Crossman is an MFer in the run game, but is an FCS recruit and tight end and has the hands to contribute in the passing game that I think Easton has kept in their pocket. Fowlin is the guy who can take the top off of the defense. And the wild card is Trevon Tyler, their fastest player who didn’t get any carries until week nine, but has been used as a change of pace back and has hit big home runs the last two weeks. He’s also returned a pair of kicks for touchdowns.
 
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RovernNation05

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Aug 22, 2010
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6
3
Defensively, this is a massive challenge for Easton. Like I said above, McPeek has the size to at least have a chance with O’Brien, and he’s not going to totally stop him, but he has to slow his production down. He’s an All State candidate himself and a Division I athlete (I’ll believe he plays lacrosse over football when I see it), but he can’t run like O’Brien. The rest of Easton’s secondary is fine, but there isn’t a Jarred Holley, Jermaine Moore, or Shane Simpson back there who is a true difference maker on an island. It’s an 11 man effort. The real match up to watch is Easton’s front four against LaSalle’s big old offensive line. Crossman and Macon are Easton’s best players on defense, by a lot. LaSalle is massive up front, but outside of McKeough (which, other than that, how was the play Mrs. Lincoln) they don’t have blue chip guys there. My question is always, how does the 290 pound tackle who is not a Division I athlete match up with the 225 pound end who can run like hell? Last week, Macon abused Parkland’s 305 pound tackle, who didn’t have the feet to match his get off,and was sucking wind in the second half. Can Easton get pressure on Sidwar? I don’t think they can cover forever behind the pass rush, to it’s going to be all about how they can make Sidwar get rid of it before he wants to. That’s kind of the whole football game.

Outlook
I think LaSalle is a solid, solid favorite tonight. If you look at the Born Index power rating, they have LaSalle as a 14 point favorite and I think that’s a pretty good line. The Massey Index thinks it’s a laugher, with a predicted score of LaSalle 42-14 and a 92% chance of winning. I think something like LaSalle 35 Easton 21 is probably where this one settles. For Easton to win, they’re going to have to control clock on offense and get a real pass rush on defense. If Easton can get to 30, they’re in the ballpark, but historically, that’s been the struggle in playoff games. That’s all in the Steve Shiffert/Bob Shriver era, and in Senneca’s biggest true talent-equated playoff game, his team just scored 42 points. So we’ll see. Hoping I’m wrong, but making an unbiased prediction, that’s where my money would be.
 

Tom McAndrew

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Here are all the quarterfinal matchups, by Division.

6A
All games scheduled for Friday, 11/21

Easton - La Salle College
Pennridge - North Penn
Central York - Harrisburg
State College - Pittsburgh Central Catholic

5A
3 games scheduled for 11/21, 1 game scheduled for 11/22

Hollidaysburg - Roman Catholic
Springfield-Delco - Chester
Pine-Richland - Peters Township (11/22 game)
Solanco - Bishop McDevitt

4A
All games scheduled for Friday, 11/21

Southern Lehigh - Shamokin
North Pocono - Cardinal O'Hara
Susquehanna Twp. - Twin Valley
Oil City - Aliquippa

3A
3 games scheduled for 11/21, 1 game scheduled for 11/22

Neumann-Goretti - Trinity
Scranton Prep - Northwestern Lehigh
Avonworth - Imani Christian (11/22 game)
Penn Cambria - Sharon

2A
3 games scheduled for 11/21, 1 game scheduled for 11/22

Steelton-Highspire - Southern Columbia
Williams Valley - Lansdale Catholic
Farrell - Richland
Seton-LaSalle - Steel Valley (11/22 game)

1A
3 games scheduled for 11/21, 1 game scheduled for 11/22

Bishop Gulifoyle - Westinghouse
Belmont Charter - Lackawanna Trail
Laurel - Clairton (11/22 game)
Greenville - Port Allegany
 
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Relayer

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I used to do these previews for PaPreps, don’t have a good place to put them anymore, so enjoy.

Easton vs. LaSalle
Easton State Playoffs
: 1991 (SF), 1993 (SF), 2003 (SF), 2004 (SF), 2009 (QF), 2010 (QF)
LaSalle State Playoffs: 2009 (champs), 2010 (finals), 2011 (SF), 2012 (SF), 2015 (QF)
History: 2009 – LaSalle 17 Easton 14 (state quarters) / 2010 – LaSalle 19 Easton 7 (state quarters)
The 2009 game was a classic, with Easton racing out to a 14-0 lead, but LaSalle engineered a TD drive, then Easton fumbled the ensuing kickoff and LaSalle scored to tie the game at 14 before halftime. The second half was played in driving snow, with neither team really able to move the ball much, but LaSalle’s Mike Bennett hit one of the great field goals in PIAA history, 38 yards in the snow to win 17-14. Easton had the ball at the LaSalle 20 in the fourth quarter, but threw an interception to end the game. Easton partisans like myself would tell you that was the de facto state final as LaSalle crushed Ridley in the semis and State College in the finals. In 2010, Easton took a 7-3 lead into halftime, after holding the ball for nearly the entire second quarter on a 10 minute TD drive, but LaSalle took a 12-7 lead in the third quarter and then after Easton crossed the 50 with five minutes left, Jamal Abdur-Rahman took an interception 65 yards for the clinching score.

LaSalle College High School
* - First Team All Conference

QB: Gavin Sidwar (Sr. 6’3 190; Missouri): 186-264, 2,771 yards, 32 TDs
RB: Ahzir Nelson (Jr. 5’9 190)*: 119 carries, 689 yards, 12 TDs
WR: Joey O’Brien (Sr. 6’4 190; Notre Dame)*: 66 catches, 977 yards, 16 TDs
WR: Owen Johnson (So. 5’10 180): 52 catches, 728 yards, 8 TDs/2 carries, 55 yards, TD/2 Return TDs
WR: Jimmy Mahoney (5’8 160)*: 23 catches, 428 yards
TE: John-Patrick Oates (Sr. 6’3 220; James Madison): 30 catches, 440 yards
LT: Grayson McKeough (Sr. 6’8 290; Notre Dame)*
LG: Chris Bernesky (Jr. 6’3 290)
C: Jacob Jackson (Sr. 6’2 250)
RG: Andrew Sorge (Jr. 6’2 290)*
RT: Danny Lawyer (Sr. 6’3 285)

DE: John-Patrick Oates (Sr. 6’3 220; James Madison): 30 tackles, 5 TLF, 2 sacks
DT: Jemel Williams (Sr. 6’2 270; Albany): 51 tackles, 7 TFL, 2.5 sacks
DT: Kyree Mitchell (So. 6’0 270): 16 tackles, 4 TFL, 2 sacks
DE: Ryan Fandozzi (Sr. 5’11 210): 48 tackles, 6 TFL, 1.5 sacks
LB: Cooper Heilig (Sr. 6’2 210; Ohio State – lacrosse)*: 78 tackles, 6 TFL, 2 sacks, FF
LB: Trey Hopkins (Jr. 6’2 195): 22 tackles, 2 TFL
DB: Aidan Christy (Sr. 5’10 175): 29 tackles, 2 TFL
DB: Joey O’Brien (Sr. 6’4 190; Notre Dame)*: 42 tackles, TFL, INT, FF
DB: Lucas Johnson (Sr. 5’10 175): 28 tackles, INT
DB: Josh Simmons (Sr. 5’10 185): 18 tackles
DB: Keenan Stahl (Sr. 6’0 185): 20 tackles,
DB: Jimmy Mahoney (Sr. 5’8 160): 24 tackles, TFL, 2 INTs
Not Playing (PIAA Transfer Rules)
LB: Zykee Scott (Jr. 6’2 220)*: 58 tackles, 6 TFL, FF

All State Candidates: Gavin Sidwar (QB), Joey O’Brien (WR/FS), Greyson McKeough (OL), John-Patrick Oates (TE), Jemel Williams (DT), Cooper Heilig (LB)

The offense is obviously what pops out to you when looking at LaSalle. Three year stater at quarterback who can really spin it and is going to play in the SEC. He’s got the best stable of receivers in Pennsylvania with O’Brien as probably the 6A Player of the Year, Johnson is one of the better sophomores in the state, and I think Oates really gives them a different look in the passing game. They’re massive up front, when your runt of a lineman is 6’2 250 you’re just a different beast in high school. Which is why it surprises me they don’t run it more, I think you’d want to get those big boys down hill, but they just don’t commit to the run. Nelson has only carried it 15 times or more in four games all season, but last week’s 19 for 181 against Imhotep could be a sign of things to come in the playoffs? On defense, they’re not as physically imposing as they are on offense, with only JP Oates going both ways up front. They’ve got the two big tackles, with Williams being an All State caliber plug in the middle. But without Zykee Scott they’re a little light in the back seven, but make up for that by being really fast. O’Brien is obviously a problem playing centerfield.

They’re going to attack Easton through the air aggressively, and really put pressure on Easton’s secondary. McPeek vs. O’Brien is an interesting match up from body types, with O’Brien obviously being more talented, but he’s not going to see a lot of other 6’5 corners. Defensively, it’s all about discipline in the RPO game and forcing Ordway to make sub-optimal decisions in the option game. If they can get Easton off of the field quickly, it could be a long night for the Red Rovers.
How about that Rover? I was thinking the PaPreps site might be picked up by On3. Glad you found the thread. Hope to see you over on the wrestling board too.
 

Tom McAndrew

BWI Staff
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Oct 27, 2021
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6A
All games scheduled for Friday, 11/21

La Salle College - 49, Easton - 7
North Penn - 21, Pennridge - 14
Harrisburg - 38, Central York - 10
Pittsburgh Central Catholic - 42, State College - 21
 

Tom McAndrew

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5A
3 games scheduled for 11/21, 1 game scheduled for 11/22

Roman Catholic - 55, Hollidaysburg - 20
Springfield-Delco - 34, Chester - 12
Pine-Richland - Peters Township (11/22 game)
Bishop McDevitt - 38, Solanco - 20
 
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Efejle

Senior
Apr 30, 2023
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Its just so sad. Every year the same exact teams or the same exact kinds of teams: Catholic, charter, and private schools that recruit beating the tar out of the public schools that can't, and the PIAA sitting there refusing to do a damn thing about it. So many other states now have separated the Catholic charter from the public schools and they all have level playing fields while the PIAA is a joke putting out false champions each year. No end in sight
 

Tom McAndrew

BWI Staff
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3A
3 games scheduled for 11/21, 1 game scheduled for 11/22

Trinity - 26, Neumann-Goretti - 22
Northwestern Lehigh - 42, Scranton Prep - 14
Avonworth - 30, Imani Christian - 6
Penn Cambria - 12, Sharon - 7
 
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Relayer

All-Conference
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5A
3 games scheduled for 11/21, 1 game scheduled for 11/22

Roman Catholic - 55, Hollidaysburg - 20
Springfield-Delco - Chester
Pine-Richland - Peters Township (11/22 game)
Bishop McDevitt - 38, Solanco - 20
Springfield over Chester 34-12
 

Efejle

Senior
Apr 30, 2023
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State College with one of their better teams in years and it's totally irrelevant because once again fill in the blank "Catholic" blows them out. Holidaysburg with maybe their best team ever and guess what? 7-55 against, you guessed it fill in the blank Catholic.
 

Tom McAndrew

BWI Staff
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Oct 27, 2021
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2A
3 games scheduled for 11/21, 1 game scheduled for 11/22

Southern Columbia - 55, Steelton-Highspire - 26
Lansdale Catholic - 33, Williams Valley - 7
Farrell - 32, Richland - 14
Seton-LaSalle - 21, Steel Valley - 14
 
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