St. Joseph's Prep (Philadelphia) vs. Central Catholic (Pittsburgh)
It's Pittsburgh vs. Philadelphia as Central Catholic takes on St. Joseph's Prep for the state title.
Photo by Ken Reabe Jr.
Longtime parochial powers from opposite ends of the state meeting for the first time in 10 years with the Class 4A crown on the line. Senior quarterback
Chris Martin threw two touchdown passes and ran for another score to lift St. Joseph's Prep (11-3) to a
37-21 win over Neshaminy (Langhorne) last Saturday. On the other side of the bracket, No. 25 Central Catholic (15-0) was smothering Lower Dauphin (Hummelstown), 45-0 – the largest margin of victory ever in a PIAA 4A semifinal game.
The Vikings allowed just 21 total yards and one first down while recording their eighth shutout of the season.
Just the facts: Saturday will be the first trip to Hersheypark Stadium for St. Joseph's Prep. The Hawks belong to the Philadelphia Catholic League, which did not participate in Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association playoffs until 2008. … This year's Central Catholic team reminds some observers of its 2004 squad that went 16-0 with a 4A crown and Top-5 finish in some national polls. That was the also last season the Vikings played St. Joseph's Prep. Central Catholic won their early-September matchup, 38-12.
Mitch Stephens: Central Catholic 27, St. Joseph's Prep 21
Kevin Askeland: Central Catholic 35, St. Joseph's Prep 20
Jamie DeMoney: Central Catholic 35, St. Joseph's Prep 7
Stephen Spiewak: St. Joseph's Prep 21, Central Catholic 20
Leland Gordon: Central Catholic 32, St. Joseph's Prep 17
Colin Ward-Henninger: Central Catholic 28, St. Joseph's Prep 24
