North Penn ready for PIAA 6A semifinal showdown with St. Joseph’s Prep
The matchup that everyone’s been waiting for is finally here, as North Penn takes on St. Joe’s Prep in the Class 6A Eastern Final Saturday evening at the Northeast High School Supersite.
Kickoff is at 5 p.m.
The District One Champion Knights come into this one a perfect 14-0, taking on a Hawks squad that seeks its third large schools state title in four years (2013-14, 4A).
“Obviously it’s different being an underdog,” said North Penn junior linebacker and tight end Owen Thomas, “but we’re taking that well. We just have to play really good team football. We all have to focus on our jobs and do a good job in our matchups. Hopefully we can get the win.”
Thomas typifies North Penn’s swarming style on defense, a major reason the team comes into this one with an unbeaten record.
The Knights are coming off a 48-38 victory over Garnet Valley in the district final, as North Penn added its seventh district title to its crowded trophy case. Now, the Knights aim to break through to Hershey for their first state final appearance since 2011 and third in the program’s history (state title in ‘03).
“(The Hawks) are very fast, big and physical,” said Nick Vasger, a defensive end and tight end for the Knights as well as one of five senior captains. “They’re a very well-coached team and disciplined, so we have to be on the top of our game.”
Vasger has been part of a North Penn passing attack that’s been on the top of its game, triggered by quarterback Reece Udinski, with weapons aplenty, including wide receivers Ricky Johns, Justis Henley and Jake Hubler. Running back Nick Dillon has run tough all year for the Knights.
North Penn, averaging 43.5 points per game in the postseason, takes on a St. Joe’s squad that has scored 40.5 points per contest once the playoffs got underway.
The Hawks are a perfect 12-0 on the season, captured the Philadelphia Catholic League Red Division title, and are coming off a 38-17 win over Parkland.
Running back D’Andre Swift, headed to Georgia next year, rushed 17 times for 318 yards and two touchdowns for the Hawks last week, while a defense that includes 6-foot-4, 275-pound lineman Ryan Bryce clogged up Parkland’s celebrated running attack.
The wait is finally over. It’s a matchup of two teams that seemed destined to face each other all season, with a trip to Hershey at stake.
“We see a really talented football team,” Thomas said of St. Joe’s. “They’re really good — all fast and athletic. It’s gonna be difficult but it’ll be fun. It’s gonna be a good game.”
