Six teams still looking for a shot at state title

And then there were six.

Six area teams remain in the hunt for statewide glory. And four of them - La Salle and North Penn in Class AAAA, Archbishop Wood in AAA, and West Catholic in AA - are repeat state quarterfinalists.

Here is an early look at the four games involving area teams next weekend:

Class AAAA

District 1 Championship

 No. 11 seed North Penn (11-2) vs. No. 1 Council Rock South (12-1), at Plymouth Whitemarsh, 7:30 p.m. Friday. This is a rematch of last year's district semifinal, won by the Knights, 28-14, at Walt Snyder Stadium.

After a 1-2 start to the season, North Penn has been a wrecking machine. It has won 10 straight by a combined score of 338-81.

The catalysts for an offense averaging 39.6 points per game are quarterback Corey Ernst, tailback Kyle Mayfield, handyman Dan Gevirtz, fullback James Fielder, and tight end Shayne Watson.

Gevirtz, a multipurpose standout, was a terror in Friday's 27-3 romp over Pennsbury at Crawford Stadium. He caught a 9-yard touchdown pass, ran for a 23-yard score and capped the night with a 63-yard, third-quarter punt return.

Council Rock South advanced to the district final for the first time in its 10-year history with a 38-24 triumph Friday over Garnet Valley. With their wishbone scheme, the hosts netted 325 yards on the ground.

The Golden Hawks, who scored on their first five possessions against the Jaguars, are sparked by quarterback Brian Donnelly. The 6-foot, 185-pounder has rushed 180 times for 1,396 yards and 23 TDs.

Also in the mix for Council Rock South are halfbacks Anthony Ailmenti and Christian Crane, fullback Ryan Whiteley, and tight end P.J. Gallo.

Class AAAA

State Quarterfinal

 La Salle (11-1) vs. Nazareth (12-1), at Frank Banko Field in Bethlehem, 1 p.m. Saturday. The Explorers were idle after capturing their third straight District 12 crown with a 41-7 blitzing of George Washington.

In Saturday's District 11 final, Nazareth posted 28 unanswered points to top Easton, 28-14. La Salle knocked off Easton in the quarterfinal round in each of the last two seasons.

Nazareth's spark plugs on offense are senior quarterback Dan Harding and freshman running back Jordan Gray. Harding threw for 260 yards and three TDs against Easton, while Gray upped his season rushing total to 1,500 with a 148-yard effort.

It was the Blue Eagles' first district title since they won at the Class AAA level in 1989. The program has made significant strides since Rob Melosky took over as coach in 2008.

La Salle is banking on continued solid play from tailback Tim Wade, quarterback Matt Magarity, receivers Sean Coleman and Colin Buckley, and fullback/tight end Mike Piscopo.

Of course, it all starts up front for the Catholic League champs. The anchors of the line are center Connor Kerrigan, left tackle Dan Wasylenko, and right tackle Matt Maginnis.

Class AAA

State Quarterfinal

Pottsgrove (11-2) vs. Archbishop Wood (11-1), at Northeast, 7 p.m. Friday. It's a rematch of the 2009 quarterfinal, won by Wood, 30-28, at Charlie Martin Memorial Stadium.

While the Vikings rested over the weekend, the Falcons, with a spread-option scheme, piled up 542 rushing yards and downed Pioneer Athletic Conference rival Phoenixville, 42-13, in the District 1 final Saturday at Plymouth Whitemarsh.

Wood has been unstoppable since falling to Pittsburgh Central Catholic, 20-17, in Week 1. It has since outscored foes by a combined score of 519-68.

A Vikings offense that averages 44.7 points is headed by lefty quarterback Joey Monaghan, tailback Desmon Peoples, fullback Brandon Peoples and wideouts Nate Smith and Kyle Adkins.

It will be interesting to see what kind of rushing success Pottsgrove has against a stout defensive line featuring tackles Colin Thompson, Frank Taylor and Brandon Arcidiacono and ends Brandon Peoples and Jonathan Vicari. The Falcons spread the ball among speedy junior quarterback Tory Hudgins (193 carries for 1,449 yards, 27 TDs), fullback Robby Curtin and halfbacks Danny Michaels and Marquis Barefield.

Hudgins (260 rushing yards, four TDs vs. Phoenixville) and company rely heavily on a line that includes right tackle Madison O'Connor (6-6, 330), left tackle Scott Schollenberger (6-2, 265), left guard Eric Bonenberger (6-3, 250) and tight end Steve Ambs (6-2, 210).

The Pottsgrove-Wood victor will face either District 11's Allentown Central Catholic (8-5) or District 4's Shamokin (6-7) in the semifinals.

Class AA

State Quarterfinal

 Pen Argyl (13-0) vs. West Catholic (9-3), at Southern, 12 p.m. Saturday. West opened the season with three straight losses but benefited from playing Roman Catholic, Wood and La Salle.

Junior tailback David Williams is the go-to guy for Brian Fluck's squad. The Division I-A recruit has carried 264 times for 1,710 yards and 16 TDs.

Pen Argyl likewise has a highly productive running back. In the Green Knights' single-wing attack, Dylan Evans, a 6-3, 190-pound senior, has carried 284 times for 1,946 yards and 28 TDs.

The other threats for the District 11 titlists are running back Mike Raccioto (93 for 591, 14) and quarterback Conor Gum (92 for 600, 5).

The Burrs are trying to reach the state final for the third time in the last four seasons. After a 35-34 loss to Wilmington in 2008, they beat South Fayette, 50-14, last year.

The Pen Argyl-West Catholic survivor will meet either District 3's Lancaster Catholic (13-0) or District 4's Mount Carmel (12-1) in the semis.

Team Record

Records through Sunday. Last week's rank in parentheses.

  1. Archbishop Wood (1) 11-1

2. La Salle (2) 11-1

3. North Penn (3) 11-2

4. Council Rock S. (4) 12-1

5. Neshaminy (7) 8-4

6. Pennsbury (8) 9-4

7. Downingtown East (9) 9-3

8. Abington (NR) 10-2

9. Garnet Valley (5) 11-2

10. Cent. Bucks South (10) 8-4

Under consideration (listed alphabetically): Malvern Prep (9-2), Pottsgrove (11-2), Roman Catholic (8-3), St. Joseph's Prep (7-4), West Catholic (9-3), West Chester Henderson (8-3).

- Rick O'Brien
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