READING -There was a lot at stake heading into last night’s game at Don Thomas Stadium. The game featured stars on both sides of the ball. The winner would advance to play in the PIAA Class 4A State championship game next weekend at Cumberland Valley High School.
Last night, Bishop McDevitt’s defense was dominating. McDevitt held Crestwood to 26 total yards. On offense, Stone Saunders led the Crusaders’ charge throwing three touchdowns. That was the good.
But instead, we saw the field turning yellow because of all the penalty flags thrown.
As the game went on, the game got chippier. Both teams combined for 28 penalties for 267 yards. But end to end, McDevitt blanked Crestwood 35-0 to advance to a second straight PIAA Class 4A championship game. They get a rematch with Aliquippa, who defeated Allentown Central Catholic 31-10.
“This is what we have been battling all year for,” said McDevitt’s Head Coach, Jeff Weachter. “Aliquippa has always been on our minds. Most people in the state were saying it’s going to be a rematch, so I guess it will be.”
“They have been focused all year and we have played one game at a time,” said Weachter. “It’s a short week and we will enjoy this tonight, but we have to get back to work tomorrow.”
Going into the game, Crestwood needed to control the clock to keep McDevitt’s offense off the field. They did that in the opening drive. The Comets ate up over six minutes of the first quarter clock, keeping the ball away from the Crusaders’ high-octane offense.
Crestwood faced a fourth-and-eight on McDevitt’s 32. An incomplete pass by Jaden Shedlock caused the Crusaders to take over on downs.
“Its a tough offense when you are not used to it,” said Weachter. “Our players never saw it before but we adjusted to it. After the first drive, our defense did a good job stopping them.”
Stone and company began to move the ball down the field. They converted on fourth down twice to keep the drive alive. But the Comets, Cole Kakalecik, and Magnus Bibla specifically, came up with a big sack on Saunders on third down. Facing fourth-and-17 on Crestwood’s 30, Saunders calmly stepped up in the pocket and threw a laser to Rico Scott in the end zone for a 30-yard pass. Gustavo Garcia’s kick was no good and it was 6-0 McDevitt at the end of the first quarter.
Crestwood would struggle to move the ball the rest of the half and McDevitt struck twice in the second quarter. Saunders hit Tyshawn Russell for a seven-yard touchdown pass and Marquese Williams found paydirt from 15 yards out.
At halftime, The Crusaders lead 20-0.
McDevitt got the second-half kickoff and didn’t waste any time. Scott followed his blockers down the sideline for the 81-yard kickoff return. Just 16 seconds into the third quarter and the score was McDevitt 27-0. The Crusaders finished the scoring with a Saunders to Russell 15-yard touchdown pass.
How good was McDevitt’s defense last night?
After Crestwood’s first drive of the game, they didn’t give up another first down until about ten minutes left in the game. They held the Comets’ star running back, Noah Schultz, to ten carries for one yard and only allowed five rushing yards.
With 1:24 remaining in the game, things got really chippy. After offsetting penalties and time running out, McDevitt’s Head Coach Jeff Weachter thought it would be best for his team to head to the locker room after the game and not shake hands with the Comets. McDevitt’s coaching staff did shake hands with the Comets.
McDevitt’s stars of the game
Stone Saunders passed for 230 yards and three touchdowns
Marquese Williams rushed for 140 yards and one touchdown
Rico Scott caught seven passes for 95 yards and had an 81-yard kickoff return
Tyshawn Russell had nine catches for 83 yards and two touchdowns.
The defense held Crestwood to 26 total yards of offense.
Scoring Summary
| Final | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | T |
| Crestwood | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Bishop McDevitt | 6 | 14 | 15 | 0 | 35 |
1st Quarter
McD – Rico Scott 30-yard pass from Stone Saunders (Gustavo Garcia kick no good) 0:00
2nd Quarter
McD – Tyshawn Russell 7-yard pass from Stone Saunders (Gustavo Garcia kick) 7:40
McD – Marquese Williams 15-yard run (Gustavo Garcia kick) 3:20
3rd Quarter
McD – Rico Scott 85-yard kickoff return (Gustavo Garica kick) 11:44
McD – Tyshawn Russell 15-yard pass from Stone Saunders (Scott pass from Saunders) 8:05
Touchdown McDevitt!! @stone_saunders8 hits @rico_scott1 for the 30-yard touchdown pass. End of 1st: Bishop McDevitt 7, Crestwood 0 @mcd_football_ @hailtotheemcd @tommymealy @CometsFootball2 #PAHSFB @hsfbamerica @DavidMikaJR pic.twitter.com/VYD5d1ANZ2
— EasternPAFootball (@EPAFootball) December 3, 2022
. @stone_saunders8 throws a laser to Tyshawn Russell for the 7-yard touchdown pass. Bishop McDevitt 13, Crestwood 0 2nd 7:40@mcd_football_ @hailtotheemcd @tommymealy @CometsFootball2 #PAHSFB @hsfbamerica @DavidMikaJR pic.twitter.com/9aSXW2bRyY
— EasternPAFootball (@EPAFootball) December 3, 2022
. @MarqueseW5_ scores from 15-yards out. Bishop McDevitt 20, Crestwood 0 2nd 3:20@mcd_football_ @hailtotheemcd @tommymealy @CometsFootball2 #PAHSFB @hsfbamerica @DavidMikaJR pic.twitter.com/EZ5zm7EibR
— EasternPAFootball (@EPAFootball) December 3, 2022
. @rico_scott1 takes the 2nd half kickoff 81 yards. Bishop McDevitt 27, Crestwood 0 3rd 11:44@mcd_football_ @hailtotheemcd @tommymealy @CometsFootball2 #PAHSFB @hsfbamerica @DavidMikaJR pic.twitter.com/lVdKBMYKvQ
— EasternPAFootball (@EPAFootball) December 3, 2022
. @stone_saunders8 hits Tyshawn Russell for the 15-yard touchdown pass. Bishop McDevitt 35, Crestwood 0 3rd 8:05@mcd_football_ @hailtotheemcd @tommymealy @CometsFootball2 #PAHSFB @hsfbamerica @DavidMikaJR pic.twitter.com/DZjDW1kQH5
— EasternPAFootball (@EPAFootball) December 3, 2022
