To say that the Bishop Guilfoyle Marauders have been on a roll is a huge understatement. The two time defending PIAA Class A State Champions are in the midst of a 45-game winning streak. The Marauders have out scored their three playoff opponents this year by a combined score of 165-12.
To top things off, Guilfoyle got back standout player Evan Chadbourn for the title push. Evan had been sidelined all year due to a summer knee injury. Friday night in Chambersburg, Bishop Guilfoyle’s next obstacle in their title pursuit was Steelton-Highspire. The District 3 A champs played much larger schools for a sub 500 regular season mark. Playing like size schools in the post season, the Steamrollers have been dominant. Bishop Guilfoyle jumped out to an early lead and then cruised to a 48-6 win. The victory sends the Marauders to the PIAA Class A title game. Bishop Guilfoyle is attempting to win its third state title in a row.
The Marauders offense was led by RB Andrew Irwin. Andrew scored five TD’s and led BG in rushing. The Bishop Guilfoyle Defense was dominant all night long. Josh Yasulitas was a force on defense for the Marauders.
A very emotional Bishop Guilfoyle Head Coach Justin Wheeler said, ” It has been an unbelievable run. Our guys work so hard and perform so well. I never would have imagined in a million years to get there once, but to get there three times in a row.” Andrew Irwin talked about his five TD performance by saying, “The credit goes to the line, my blockers. They were phenomenal tonight. They opened up big holes when we needed them.”
Standout Evan Chadbourn played in his first game of the season following a summer knee injury. Evan said after the game, ” It feels amazing. It has been a really long process to get back. I really pushed myself to make it back. I had a lot of support from my family and friends. To actually come back and play in the state championship…its crazy.” Chadbourn played alternate defensive possessions into the third quarter.
Both teams came out with a case of the nerves. After trading turnovers Bishop 
Guilfoyle took charge. A dominant drive ended with an Andrew Irwin TD making it 7-0 Marauders. The next BG possession was productive as well. A Nathan Callahan 11 yard TD made it 14-0 at the 4:58 mark of quarter one. Steelton High could not move the ball again. Andrew Irvin’s second TD culminated the next Marauder drive. It was 20-0 as quarter one ended.
Steelton High’s first possession of the second quarter proved productive. Javion Grant hauled in a TD pass. It was 20-6 Bishop Guilfoyle with 10:34 till half. Bishop Guilfoyle would have none of this. A ground and pound drive answered Steel High. Irvin’s third TD made it 27-6 with 6:51 till the break.
Andrew Irwins 3rd score @BGMarauderFball 27 Steel High 6 6:51 till half @EPAFootball @WPAFootball @PIAA_Football @HSFBamerica @AndyBrackets pic.twitter.com/gRDUHfGtwt
— Bruce Badgley (@BadgleyBruce) December 3, 2016
After a partially blocked punt BG took control once again. Andrew Irwin’s fourth TD put the Marauders up 34-6 3:15 till half. Steelton High could not get anything moving and the first half ended Bishop Guilfoyle 34 Steel High 6.
Bishop Guilfoyle took the second half kick and asserted themselves once again. Andrew Irwin’s fifth TD made it 41-6 Marauders early in quarter three. A Luke Frederick TD grab closed out the scoring for BG and the game. The fourth quarter was a back and forth under mercy rules. The final score was Bishop Guilfoyle 48 Steel High 6.
The Bishop Guilfoyle Marauders move on to try to secure a third PIAA Class A state title in a row. They will play in the Class A title game at 1:00 Friday in Hershey
