By Stephen Spiewak
MaxPreps.com
Friday’s PIAA semifinal game between Schuylkill Haven and Steelton-Highspire will be a historic match-up between two of the state’s most decorated running backs, Jeremiah Young and Zach Barket.
Young is Pennsylvania’s all-time leading rusher, having compiled 8,857 yards over the course of his brilliant career with the Steamrollers. He has accumulated 2,291 yards this season alone, following up on a junior campaign in which he rushed for 3,444 yards and led “Steel High” to a Class A state title.
While there’s no denying that Young has been the team’s engine, head coach Rob Diebler says that it’s been a concerted team effort, led by a cohesive senior class.
“We basically have a large group of seniors that we brought up as freshmen. It will be strange not seeing some of these guys around next year,” Diebler said. “Back in 10th grade, their goal was to win two state championships, and we hope that works out.”
The team’s offensive line, which took great pride in Young’s record, has also been key to the Steamrollers success. Steel High’s defense, overshadowed by the team’s prolific offense, has only allowed 136 points in 14 games.
“Our offensive production has gotten a lot of attention, but our defense has really carried us this year,” Diebler said.
Rutgers commit Jordan Hill has led the charge. The 6-foot-3, 292-pound senior has anchored the defensive line from the nose tackle position. He also lines up at linebacker on occasion; Hill was responsible for 19 tackles in last week’s victory over Bishop McCort.
The Steamrollers have yet to face an offensive force like Zach Barket, however.
Perhaps the only player in the state who can match credentials with Young is Barket. While Young is the career rushing leader, Barket has more rushing yards in a single season than any player in Pennsylvania history. This season, the 5-foot-10 Barket has rushed for 4,042 yards.
Barket is also third in career rushing yards with 8,171.
“We have a kid who’s very good in his own right,” said Schuylkill Haven head coach Mike Farr, when asked to analyze the battle of the running backs. “He’s very good at reading where he has to go and taking it to the next level.”
Farr also said that just like Steel High, Schuylkill Haven has a large, skilled offensive line that has done a great job opening up holes. The team applies Wing-T principles to a power running attack, using strategic blocks to create holes for Barket, who Diebler described as a power rusher with great feet.
It is Diebler who has scouted Barket, and must prepare a defense for him.
“I don’t think we’ll stop him, but we have to slow him down,” he said. “That’s our main focus, maybe make them do something they’re not used to doing.”
Though Schuylkill Haven has less playoff experience than Steel High, what it lacks in December stripes it makes up for in football passion. The coal region on Pennsylvania, said Farr, revolves around football.
“We’re from the coal region,” Farr said. “Football is the coal region. Without football, I don’t know what the coal region would have.”
Farr expects over 10,000 people to turn out Friday night to see the battle of two 14-0 teams and two world class running backs.
“This game is one of a kind,” remarked Steel High assistant coach Tom Hailey.
