It's a battle of the unbeatens at Clearfield High School with heavyweights Bishop McDevitt (14-0) and Erie Cathedral Prep (13-0) meeting in the PIAA Class AAA semifinals.
Patriot-News writers Eric F. Epler and Andrew P. Shay take a look at the matchup and make their predictions.
Bishop McDevitt keys to victory
1. Light up the red zone. Miscues in the final 20 yards dogged the Crusaders in the district final. Against a team that averages 49 a game, cashing in opportunities will be vital.
2. Get pressure on Mr. Terry. Ramblers QB Damion Terry can play escape artist with his legs in the pocket. That’s a separate concern, though. Get some heat in his kitchen and force him improvise.
Cathedral Prep keys to victory
1. Pressure, pressure, pressure. Damion Terry won’t be the only proven QB on the field, so disrupting McD QB Alec Werner’s timing and space is paramount.
2. Get run game in gear. The Crusaders have done yeomen’s work along the defensive front. Driving success from the Prep tandem can only bolster the pass game.
EPLER’S PICK: Cathedral Prep 27, Bishop McDevitt 24.
SHAY’S PICK: Cathedral Prep 29, Bishop McDevitt 24.
Helpful information
Complete PIAA Class AAA football bracket
Full roster:Bishop McDevitt | Cathedral Prep
Schedule and results:Bishop McDevitt | Cathedral Prep
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Video: Epler and Shay break down McDevitt-Cathedral Prep
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POSITIONAL TALE OF THE TAPE
QUARTERBACK
Bishop McDevitt: Yes he has some good receivers to choose from, but senior Alec Werner has completed nearly 70 percent of his passes this season. Cat is carving up secondaries. He’s thrown for 3,221 yards and 24 touchdowns.
Cathedral Prep: Strong-armed and tough to lasso, Michigan State-bound Damion Terry already owns D10 records in career yards (6,453) and TD passes (83). He’s been rolling in final act with 46 TD tosses and 565 rush yards. As good as they come.
Edge: Even.
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RUNNING BACK
Bishop McDevitt: This is as strong and healthy as the 1-2 punch of Rashad Lawson and Andre Robinson has been in six weeks. Lawson went over 1,000 yards last week and Robinson is seven yards shy of that number.
Cathedral Prep: A dynamic RB/WR hybrid, Delton Williams also picked East Lansing as his next stop. Williams’ 88 receptions is a school record. Working behind dozer Nick Dubowski, Williams has racked up 24 total scores.
Edge: Bishop McDevitt.
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RECEIVERS
Bishop McDevitt: When in doubt look for Brian Lemelle. The senior, who is the all-time leading receiver in state history, is usually open. He’ll be up against a fellow Division I recruit this week. Freshman Kobay White is seeing more targets lately.
Cathedral Prep: As a unit, Prep is averaging nearly 16 yards per catch. Williams, Alex Greenawalt and Brendan Klemensic have teamed up for 129 grabs and 2,181 yards. Jake DeHart provides depth to an impressive unit.
Edge: Bishop McDevitt.
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OFFENSIVE LINE
Bishop McDevitt: Has done a fabulous job in terms of passing blocking. Looking for Tommy Moore, Jordan Mosley and Kendrick Lewis to clear a little more room up the gut for the two backs this week.
Cathedral Prep: Considering the Ramblers have produced more than 5,200 yards and 639 points, you might say these guys can bring it. Guards Andrew Arrowsmith, 275-pounder Nate Carlin and RT Devonne Barnes move with conviction.
Edge: Cathedral Prep.
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DEFENSIVE LINE
Bishop McDevitt: The five-player rotation up front, all underclassmen by the way, has been money the last two weeks against teams that run the rock pretty well. Sophomore Myles Turner is standing out more with each passing week at DT.
Cathedral Prep: Two-way standouts Joe Hampy and Erik Swanson, with a combined 29 TFLs, are valuable commodities. Prep only allows 10.4 ppg. Just 225 pounds, tough-nut James Trucilla joins Barnes in the middle. McD’s O-line better dig in early.
Edge: Even.
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LINEBACKERS
Bishop McDevitt: If McDevitt claims this game, something tells me this trio will have played a huge role in holding down the high-flying Ramblers. Must tackle well in space to keep those big plays in check.
Cathedral Prep: Another solid group with rising prospect Jake Plonski leading the charge. Plonski leads the Ramblers in tackles (61 1/2) while Dubowski, another hot prospect, and Michael Parker are not that far behind.
Edge: Cathedral Prep.
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SECONDARY
Bishop McDevitt: Corners Ty Gibson and Lance Deane will be busy all game. Safety Darnell Holland played in this game two years ago and knows the drill. Remember the term “coverage sack.” The more you hear that the merrier.
Cathedral Prep: Williams has already returned two picks the other way. In fact, fellow DBs Eli Martinez, Marlon Tyree and Felix Manus-Schell, have shared 9 interceptions. About 75 passing yards per contest is all the Ramblers gift wrap.
Edge: Even.
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SPECIAL TEAMS
Bishop McDevitt: Not sure what was up with those muffed punts last week, but Prep has punted only 17 times all season. Any punt return opportunity has to be cherised. Connor Maloney has been a reliable kicker for a long, long time.
Cathedral Prep: You always have a chance for fireworks when Williams handles the rock. The future Spartan has three punt returns for TDs. K John Chereson is a returning all-state selection who has 43 touchbacks and 83 total points.
Edge: Cathedral Prep.
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COACHING
Bishop McDevitt: Since dropping to Class AAA in 2010, head coach Jeff Weachter has won 40 of 46 games and is 2-for-2 in this PIAA semifinal round. Is there one more visit to Hersheypark Stadium in the cards?
Cathedral Prep: Of course, head coach Mike Mischler (14th, 120-52) won’t accept any credit, but the numbers don’t lie. The Ramblers have won 44 tilts over four seasons, many of those against a charged non-con schedule and away from home.
Edge: Even.
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BISHOP McDEVITT STARTING LINEUPS
OFFENSE
Quarterback
13 Alec Werner
Running backs
5 Andre Robinson
3 Rashad Lawson
44 Joey Kerle (FB)
Wide receivers
88 Nate Showalter
7 Brian Lemelle
Tight end
87 Anthony DiMarco
Offensive line
52 Anthony Long (LT)
56 Jordan Mosley (LG)
53 Tommy Moore (C)
50 Kendrick Lewis (RG)
54 Myles Webb (RT)
DEFENSE
Cornerbacks
10 Ty Gibson
19 Lance Deane
Free safety
25 Darnell Holland
Strong safety
30 Connor Marsico
Defensive line
33 Mike Perloski (DE)
56 Jordan Mosley
45 Myles Turner
42 Steve Marrazzo (DE)
Linebackers
47 Porter Miller
26 Nate Monroe
28 Que’Shawn Jenkins
SPECIALISTS
Kickers
82 Connor Maloney (K-P)
7 Brian Lemelle (P)
Returners
7 Brian Lemelle
10 Ty Gibson
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CATHEDRAL PREP STARTING LINEUPS
OFFENSE
Quarterback
6 Damion Terry
Running backs
5 Delton Williams
7 Nick Dubowski (FB)
Wide receivers
2 Jake DeHart
13 Brendan Klemensic
8 Alex Greenawalt
Offensive line
51 Erik Swanson (LT)
55 Andrew Arrowsmith (LG)
59 Joe Hampy (C)
63 Nate Carlin (RG)
52 Devonne Barnes (RT)
DEFENSE
Cornerbacks
5 Delton Williams
11 Felix Manus-Schell
Safeties
10 Eli Martinez
21 Marion Tyree
Defensive line
59 Joe Hampy (DE)
52 Devonne Barnes
68 James Trucilla
51 Erik Swanson (DE)
Linebackers
18 Jake Plonski
7 Nick Dubowski
33 Michael Parker
SPECIALISTS
Kickers
12 John Chereson (K)
4 JT Joint (P)
Returners
5 Delton Williams
2 Jake DeHart