Scott Huff previews Pennsbury’s PIAA Quad A Eastern Final showdown against defending state champion St. Joe’s Prep.
By Scott Huff
And the beat goes on…
PIAA Quad-A Eastern Final
Pennsbury Falcons (13-1) vs. St Joe Prep Hawks (9-3)
@ Charlie Martin Memorial Stadium
Northeast High School – Philadelphia
Saturday – 1 pm
Last Game:
Pennsbury:
The Falcon defense came up with a terrific goal line stand in the fourth quarter as Pennsbury (13-1) held on to a 21-14 victory over previously unbeaten Coatesville (13-1) in the PIAA Quad-A state quarterfinal game played at Souderton. Running back Charles Snorweah scored on a 75-yard run on the first offensive play of the game for the winners. Raheem Thompson and Mike Alley also had rushing touchdowns for the Falcons. Snorweah (198) and Thompson (102) each rushed for over 100 yards for a Pennsbury offense that generated 336 yards on the ground and earned Pennsbury the District One title.
St. Joe Prep:
The District 12 champion Hawks also needed a strong fourth period to hold on to its 34-30 back-and-forth victory over District 11 champion Parkland. Quarterback Jack Clements passed for 266 yards and four touchdowns to fuel the offense. Running back D’Andre Swift rushed for a game-high 173 yards and a touchdown. Olaminde Zaccheaus was the leading receiver for the Hawks with three receptions for 125 yards.
Playoff Resume:
Pennsbury:
The Falcons opened the District One Quad-A playoffs with a 63-55 victory over Downingtown West. Pennsbury followed with a 45-14 victory over Garnet Valley. The Falcons advanced to the District One title game with a 25-14 victory over Upper Dublin.
St. Joe Prep:
The Hawks opened the District 12 Quad-A playoffs with a 49-7 victory over Father Judge in the Philadelphia Catholic League playoffs. St. Joe Prep followed with a 46-13 victory over La Salle in the PCL finals. The Hawks advanced to the Parkland game with a 47-22 victory over Ben Franklin in the City Championship game.
Season Resume:
Pennsbury:
The Falcons finished the season as the co-champions of the Suburban One League National Conference * Signature wins came over Council Rock North (57-20), Pennridge (41-14), and Central Bucks South (55-7) * the lone loss of the season came against SOL National co-champion North Penn (24-21).
St. Joe Prep:
The Hawks finished the season as the unbeaten champions of the Philadelphia Catholic League Quad-A Conference * Signature wins came over Mount Carmel (Illinois – 28-27); Malvern Prep (49-28), and La Salle (35-31) * losses came against Don Bosco (New Jersey – 35-7); St. Ignatius (Ohio – 42-34); and St. Joseph (Montvale – 47-29).
Stat Track:
Pennsbury * Points Scored Per Game – 40.3 * Points Allowed Per Game – 14.0 * Margin of Victory +26.3
St. Joe Prep * Points Scored Per Game – 36.3 * Points Allowed Per game – 24.7 * Margin of Victory + 11.6
Players To Watch:
Pennsbury:
Rushing: Charles Snorweah (285 carries – 2609 yards – 37 touchdowns); Raheem Thompson (104 – 807 – 6); Victor Delgado (88 – 702 – 10); Mike Alley (56 – 335 – 7).
Passing: Mike Alley (32 completions – 66 attempts – 639 yards – 7 touchdowns).
Receiving: Vinnie Ratamess (7 receptions 171 yards); Cody Tabeek (5-100).
St. Joe Prep:
Rushing: D’Andre Swift (104 carries – 748 yards – 8 touchdowns); Olamide Zaccheaus (91 – 650 – 9); James Bell (80 – 457 – 3).
Passing: Jack Clements (116 completions – 197 attempts – 1864 yards – 24 touchdowns).
Receiving: John Reid (36 receptions – 699 yards – 12 touchdowns); D’Andre Swift (28 – 421 – 5); Olamide Zaccheaus (23 – 378 – 4).
Pennsbury Head Coach Galen Snyder says:
“St. Joe Prep is a very talented football team that does a lot of things extremely well. They have a talented quarterback (Jack Clements) that can throw the ball, and they have three good running backs (D’Andre Swift, Olaminde Zaccheaus, and James Bell). Their offensive line is both big and mobile. We have had good practices this week getting ready for the game. We will go out and do what we do best – and you can run the ball in any kind of weather. It is only a half-hour ride from school to Northeast High – and I won’t complain about that. The team is excited and we will be ready to go.”
Turkey Day Leftovers
Quakertown (11-2)finished its season with a victory as the Panthers edged visiting Pennridge (7-5) at Alumni Field – 8-7. Alec Vera scored a fourth quarter touchdown to secure the win for Q-town. Matt Firuta scored on an 82-yard kickoff return for a touchdown for the only Ram points. Pennridge still holds a commanding 53-27-6 lead in the series.
Upper Moreland (8-4) finished its season with a victory as the Golden Bears defeated host Hatboro-Horsham (3-9) at Hatter Stadium – 34-19. Josh Abrams threw three touchdown passes for the Purple & Gold while Tyler Whitmore rushed for a pair of touchdowns. Whitmore established a school record 30-touchdowns for the season. Casey Walsh threw for two touchdown passes and ran for a third score for the Hatters. Hatboro-Horsham still holds a commanding 51-28-5 lead in the series.
Abington (6-5) finished its season with a victory and a winning record as the Ghosts defeated visiting Cheltenham (6-6) at Schwartzman Stadium – 21-0. Abington’s Jordan Neely scored a pair of touchdowns – one on a 40-yard pass reception – and the other on a 41-yard interception return. Ghost junior Michael Brooks rushed for a career high 135 yards and a touchdown. Brandon Mack completed 12 passes for 160 yards to lead the Panther offense. Abington holds a commanding 57-30-6 lead in the series.
Harry S Truman (7-5) finished its season with a victory as the Tigers captured a 24-0 victory over Conwell-Egan (3-9). Mar Lopez-Shefcyk completed 12 passes for 136 yards to lead the HST offensive effort. The series between the Tigers and the Eagles in now deadlocked at 10-10.
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