THIS GAME HAS BEEN CANCELED AND CATHEDRAL PREP MOVES INTO PIAA SEMIFINALS – See Story
Cathedral Prep finds itself in an incredibly familiar position, the PIAA quarterfinals.
Their opponent, Wyoming Valley West, hasn’t played a game since Oct. 16 because of COVID-19 related issues.
The Ramblers (5-2) and Spartans (2-3) have taken drastically different paths to get to this point, but they will meet Friday at 7 p.m. at Brockway to determine a berth in the Class 5A state semifinals.
Cathedral Prep was impressive in a 33-7 win over Hollidaysburg last week, with only a blocked punt in the waning moments of the game preventing a shutout.
WVW, the District 2 champion, is coming off a 48-0 win over Greater Nanticoke four weeks ago.
Here’s how the two teams match up.
Cathedral Prep Offense (35.5 ppg.)
The Rambers want to run, run and run some more. A healthy Jaheim Williams, to go along with Mike Parks and quarterback Tamar Sample had a combined 233 yards on the ground in the win over Hollidaysburg.
Sample, a dual-threat, also threw for 131 yards and a pair of scores to Demario Crawford and Patrick Fortin.
Sample has thrown for 585 yards this season
With Williams back in the fold, this is an offense that is firing on all cylinders.
Wyoming Valley West Offense (20.0 ppg.)
The Spartans have a workhorse in Donte Rhodes, who has rushed for 503 yards and five touchdowns, averaging 7.1 yards per carry.
That’s impressive considering Rhodes is also the quarterback, amassing 465 yards, six touchdowns and two interceptions.
Tyler Weidman is Rhodes’ No. 1 receiver. Weidman has 11 receptions for 268 yards and four touchdowns.
Cathedral Prep Defense (18.0 ppg)
Prep coach Mike Mischler acknowledged how big it was to have WIlliams back at his linebacker position, saying after the Hollidaysburg win: “Defensively, obviously it’s outstanding having him out there. He’s a force in the middle.”
Kelyn Blossey (52 tackles, 5.5 Tackles For Loss), John David Campbell (44 tackles, 6 TFL, 5 sacks), Parks (36 tackles, 5 TFL) and Crawford (3 interceptions) also anchor the Rambler defense.
Wyoming Valley West Defense (26.0 ppg.)
Landon Dietterick (56 tackles, 8 TFL), Conner Olisewski (55 tackles) and Josh Koval (48 tackles, 5 TFL) lead the Spartan defense.
Winner Gets: Upper Dublin/WC Rustin winner in semifinals.
District 9 and District 10 football playoff stories are powered by Luton’s Plumbing, Heating, and Air Conditioning; the Allegheny Grille of Foxburg; Nolf Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep & Ram; BGM Custom Wear by Brookville Glove; Gc Town Properties; Charles Leach Agency; Ed Gerg Allstate Insurance; McKan Trucking in Smethport; Burford & Henry Real Estate; Costa’s Ace Hardware and Costa’s Supermarket; Smethport Collision and Garage; Lezzer Lumber; Potter Family Campground; GT Town Properties, LLC.
