By Scott Huff
“Our motto from last February has been to go from good to great.”
Ryan Nase – head coach of the District One 5A champion Cheltenham Panthers
Cheltenham has indeed taken that arduous journey from good to great – but how great this 2019 season will be determined on Friday (11/29/19) in the PIAA State Semifinals.
The talented Panthers (13-1) earned their District 1 championship with a thrilling 43-42 victory over Academy Park. The Blue & Gold will square off with Cocalico (11-2) who destroyed Cedar Cliff 45-7 to win the District 3 championship.
This is the third season at the Cheltenham helm for Coach Nase.
In Nase’s ‘sophomore’ season as head coach of the Panthers his team struggled and finished the season with just a 2-8 mark. In his ‘junior’ season Cheltenham improved to 7-3 and lost in the second round of the District 1 playoffs. And now in his ‘senior’ season the Blue & Gold own a District 1 championship.
And along for this glorious ride in Nase’s 3-year tenure has been a foursome of explosive senior players.
“This is destiny…I love my team, I love my coaches, I love my community. This was for them.” – Senior Adonis Hunter.
Hunter is the catalyst of the Cheltenham offense. The superlative quarterback has completed 100 passes for 1186 yards and 23 touchdowns. Hunter has also rushed for 350 yards and 14 touchdowns.
“…I could just feel the whole school backing us. We made history.” – Senior Jamir Barnes.
Barnes is the backbone of the relentless Panther rushing attack. He has 86 carries for 1117 yards and 12 touchdowns. Barnes have averaged 6.0 yards per carry.
“Words can’t describe…we haven’t done this ever in the history of Cheltenham.” – Senior Nate Edwards
Edwards has been an outstanding special team and defensive player for the Blue & Gold. He is also a terrific receiver with 24 receptions for 561 yards and 9 touchdowns. Edwards has averaged a gaudy 23.4 yards per catch.
“This is great…our names are in the book for the first district championship.” – Senior TJ Harris
Harris is also a huge part of the Cheltenham passing game. He has caught a team-high 34 passes for 609 yards and 8 touchdowns. He has averaged 17.9 yards per catch.
The winner of the Cocalico/Cheltenham semifinal game will play the winner of the semifinal game between Gateway and Archbishop Wood. Gateway (12-2) advanced to the semifinals with a 21-20 victory over Peters Township, while Wood (9-3) routed Southern Lehigh 41-7.
“Don’t anyone tell you that you’re not great. You define your own success.” – Coach Nase
The progression from good to great has already been accomplished for Panther head coach Nase – along with seniors Hunter, Barnes, Edwards & Harris. And for the entire Blue & Gold team for that matter.
But again – how great is great?
Stay tuned.
Cocalico Scouting Report
Cocalico was the No. 1 seed in District 3 and earned its title with a 45-7 rout of Cedar Cliff in the finals.
Noah Palm is the sensational all-purpose quarterback for the Eagles. In the win over the Colts, Palm rushed for a game-high 118 yards and 3 touchdowns. Palm only attempted 2 passes in the victory.
Palm (a New Hampshire recruit) has been a touchdown machine for the Birds. He has rushed for 1434 yards and 33 touchdowns and has passed for 1015 yards and 9 touchdowns.
As the top seed, Cocalico had received a bye in the first round. Next came a convincing 42-14 victory over Governor Mifflin in the quarterfinals – and next came a 21-13 come-from-behind victory over Warwick in the semifinals.
The Eagles have scored an average of 39.5 points per game this season and have allowed 20.9 points per game. Cocalico – the 2nd place finisher in the Lancaster-Lebanon Conference 2 – lost to a pair of 6A teams this season - Manheim Township (56-7) & Manheim Central (46-43).
Big School Trivia?
How many Suburban One League schools have won the ‘big school’ football championships since the PIAA state playoffs began in 1988? (a) 1 (b) 2 (c) 3 or (d) 4.
I told you…bet the over
Downingtown West captured the PIAA District One 6A title with a 48-36 shootout victory over defending 2-time District One champion Coatesville.
The Whippets came into the game averaging over 50 points per game, while the Red Raiders came into the game averaging 46 points per game. And both offenses were fueled once again by terrific skill players.
The Downingtown West duo of quarterback Will Howard (301 yards passing) and receiver Alex Rosano were sensational, while Coatesville quarterback Ricky Ortega (348 yards passing) and star receiver Dapree Bryant were equally impressive.
Downingtown West will play Central Dauphin in the PIAA 6A state semifinals next Friday – and a win there would put the Whippets into a 6A final against – without too much of a doubt - St. Joe Prep.
Central Dauphin defeated Harrisburg 27-20 two weeks ago to win the District 3 title. The 6A District 1 bracket is larger than the District 3 bracket and Downingtown West was forced to win one more game to reach the semifinals.
Now that seems fair – doesn’t it?
At least (here I go again) both Downingtown West and Central Dauphin are public schools – the same can’t be said about the ‘other’ side of the bracket.
St. Joe Prep (10-2) must defeat Central Catholic (12-1) to get to the finals. The Hawks play a national schedule and have losses to Marietta (Georgia) by a 21-17 score & IMG Academy (Bradenton, Florida) by s 31-25 score.
The Hawks defeated Nazareth 45-24 to get to the PIAA state semifinals, while Central Catholic defeated State College 24-21.
The lone loss during the course of the season for the Vikings came in an 11-10 (yes, 11-10) loss to North Allegheny.
St Joe Prep – despite the tremendous success of Downingtown West this season – would be a clear favorite if the two teams were to meet in the finals.
But then SJP would be a favorite to beat most small college teams with the advantage in recruiting that this private school has – an advantage that is simply not afforded to a public school like Downingtown West.
Don’t get me wrong – St. Joe Prep and Central Catholic are not breaking any PIAA rules. The rules are the problem.
I know – I have to get over it.
Answer to Trivia
(c) – 3 Central Bucks West has won the most of any school in the state with four state titles. The Bucks collected state championships in 1991, 1997, 1998 & 1999. Neshaminy won a state title in 2001, while North Penn won a state championship in 2003.
Now you know – even if you didn’t care.
And the beat goes on…
FOOTBALL FORECAST
5A PIAA State Semifinal Games
Cheltenham Panthers (13-1) 42 – Cocalico Eagles (11-2) 35
Archbishop Wood Vikings (9-3) 35 – Gateway Gators (12-2) 21
6A PIAA State Semifinal Games
Downingtown West Whippets (13-1) 35 – Central Dauphin Rams (11-2) 28
St. Joseph Prep Hawks (10-2) 45 – Central Catholic Vikings (12-1) 21
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