PIAA CLASS AAAA CHAMPIONSHIP
ST. JOSEPH’S PREP VS. PITTSBURGH CENTRAL CATHOLIC
6 p.m. SATURDAY, HERSHEYPARK STADIUM
RECORDS: District 12 champion St. Joseph’s Prep 11-3; WPIAL (District 7) champion Pittsburgh Central Catholic 15-0
KEYS TO VICTORY FOR ST. JOSEPH’S PREP HAWKS
1. Balance is the key to this offense that averages more than 360 yards a game. The Hawks are balanced at 180-something rushing and passing. Senior QB Chris Martin is a sharp and even-tempered signal caller. He’ll need to stay patient against this defense in hopes of finding that balance.
2. The Hawks must tackle well in the open field. PCC gets a powerful push up front that creates seams and openings for its running back tandem. Getting either guy down to the turf in the open field will be a big factor as the Vikings looks to drain the clock.
KEYS TO VICTORY FOR PITTSBURGH CENTRAL CATHOLIC VIKINGS
1. This is a very confident football team that has used a little of that WPIAL mystique, along with some stellar execution, to overwhelm its recent playoff opponents. The Hawks have waltzed with a couple pretty strong cats in Dallas Jesuit and Don Bosco Prep. Take a pass on the intimidation factor and stick to execution.
2. Get off the field on third down. Sounds funny to even write that about this defense that’s allowing only 120 total yards a game in the playoffs. The Hawks’ balance will take some getting used to. Make sure third-and-long means a punt more often than not.
WORD ON THE STREET: “Their defense is fantastic. I’m a defensive guy so I have a special appreciation for defensive teams. Their front four comes off the ball very well. Their linebackers are active. When it’s run they are downhill. When it’s pass they are backing up. They are never fooled at all. They swarm to the ball, so you don’t get many second chances.” – St. Joseph’s Prep coach Gabe Infante
“I know St. Joe’s Prep doesn’t fear anybody with the competition they’ve played. This is absolutely the best football team we will have faced this season. As a staff we looked at each other as we looked at the film and said ‘Wow’.” – Pittsburgh Central Catholic coach Terry Totten
SHAY SAYS: Nationally ranked Pittsburgh Central Catholic has amped up its overall game each of the past two weeks. That’s downright football frightening. Less is better when it comes to St. Joseph’s Prep. Keeping that offense on the sideline will be the Vikings goal. The more chances the Hawks have, the more chance they have of springing and upset.
SHAY’S PICK: Pittsburgh Central Catholic 31, St. Joseph’s Prep 14
EPLER’S PICK: Pittsburgh Central Catholic 38, St. Joseph’s Prep 20
SHAY ON TWITTER: @APShay
PIAA Finals Essentials:
Complete PIAA football brackets
Class AAAA: Pittsburgh C.C. vs. St. Joe's Prep | Game News | Box
Class AAA: Bishop McDevitt vs. Archbishop Wood | Game News | Box
Class AA: South Fayette vs. Imhotep Charter | Game News | Box
Class A: North Catholic vs. Old Forge | Game News | Box
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