Eastern PA
by Dave Ferris
District One AAAA Playoffs Week 5 Summary
Last week’s results – District 1 Championship/State Quarterfinals
(3) Upper Dublin 46, (9) North Penn 21
Upper Dublin has slain another giant. They have now taken down the three largest schools in District One all in the last three weeks. North Penn came crashing back to earth after a ten-game winning streak which had many believers thinking they were headed back to Hershey. But Upper Dublin had another idea. Maybe they should be the ones going to Hershey (they just might be). In surprisingly one-sided fashion, they disposed of the perennial D1 favorite.
Upper Dublin got things rolling by scoring the first two times they had the ball as QB sensation, Ryan Stover, guided his team effortlessly through the Knight’s defense. But, North Penn reasserted themselves using their dominant ball-control offense to score three straight TD’s taking a 21-17 lead at halftime. It looked as though they had Upper Dublin right where they wanted them. But the Cardinals had other plans. Having won the game’s coin toss and choosing to defer, Upper Dublin began the second half with the ball. They promptly moved down the field for the TD to take the lead again – this time for good. At this point, the Upper Dublin defense took charge of the North Penn offense forcing one 3-and-out after another and a fumble. The Cardinals scored on their first four possessions of the second half. North Penn could not get back to what they do best – ball control. The knights would not get a second-half first down until the fourth quarter when the game had already slipped away from them. It was total domination by Upper Dublin in the second half as they raised their record to 14-0. North Penn ends at 11-3.
Game notes: North Penn’s Nyfease West rushed for 114 yards in the first half and only 13 yards on 4 carries in the second.
Ryan Stover was a difference-maker as he elusively extended play after play, displayed great leadership, and showed fire in the belly. He passed for 245 yards and ran for 60 more.
UD has won its first District One title ever.
UD is the tenth smallest school of 44 in D1. It is one third the size of NP.
The Rest of the East AAAA
Last week’s results – District 12 vs District 2/4/11 State Quarterfinals
Parkland 16, LaSalle 13 OT
Parkland never led until the last play of the game. In overtime, QB Devante Cross pushed the ball across the goal line to end years of frustration for Parkland and District 11. This is the first time since Liberty won the state championship in 2008 that a District 11 team has won this game. Every year since then it has been either LaSalle or St. Joe’s Prep. Parkland had lost the last three.
This weeks’ game – Eastern PA Championship/State Semifinal
(PIAA district in parenthesis)
Upper Dublin (1) 14-0 vs Parkland (11) 13-1 Saturday 1:00 at Souderton
Both of these teams have overcome great odds. Parkland finally buried the Philly Catholic League jinx. Small-school Upper Dublin slayed all of the District One giants they faced. Unfortunately, one of these two teams will lose this game. Upper Dublin sports a remarkable 14-0 record in the very competitive District One. Perennial District 11 power Parkland has a state championship to its credit in 2002 and a runner up in 2007. Parkland is the bigger school while Upper Dublin is less than half their size. Parkland is a big name in PA football lore. Upper Dublin is not. Is this another giant slayer scenario? It is anybody’s guess.
Western PA AAAA
Last week’s results – Western PA State Quarterfinals
District 3
Cumberland Valley 62, Central Dauphin 61 OT
In a record seventh overtime, Central Dauphin decided to go for a two point conversion to win after closing to within one point. The run fell short and CV came away with the win. The two teams entered overtime tied at 13-13.
WPIAL and Districts 6/8/9/10
Pittsburgh Central Catholic 19, State College 3
The PCC defense dominated the game holding State College to 103 yards of offense. PCC goes to 13-1 while State College ends its season at 9-4.
This Weeks’s Game – Western PA Championship/State Semifinal
(PIAA district in parenthesis)
Pittsburgh Central Catholic (7) 13-1 vs Cumberland Valley (3) 12-2 Saturday 1:00 at Altoona
Cumberland Valley is back in the state semifinals for the first time since 2010 when they lost to eventual state champ North Allegheny 35-17. Pittsburgh Central Catholic last won a semifinal game in 2013 before losing to St. Joe’s Prep in the final. PCC has three 4A titles to its name and CV has one.
