ROMAN CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL vs WEST CHESTER RUSTIN
How they got here: It will be a new experience for both Roman Catholic and West Chester Rustin as both teams are making their inaugural appearance in the state Eastern Finals. Roman comes out of the Philadelphia Catholic League, they beat Father Judge for the Catholic League 5A championship, then defeated Frankford for the District XII and Philadelphia City championship, followed by a win at East Stroudsburg South and a victory in the state quarterfinals against Hollidaysburg. The Cahillites have outscored their playoff opponents 187 to 46.
The Golden Knights rumbled through the District 1 tournament starting with three home contests defeating Oxford in round one, followed by a dismantling of Chester and semifinal win against Upper Dublin. Rustin dominated Springfield in the District 1 final 34-2. Rustin is averaged 39 points per game, while giving up 10 points.
ROMAN CATHOLIC
Roman is a fast-paced offense with a lot of firepower. In only three years, QB Semaj Beals has broken the city passing record held by now Syracuse QB Kyle McCord. On the season, Beals is 232/393 for 3,701 yards and 45 touchdowns. His best passing game came against St. Johns College in their second game of the year. Beals threw for 465 yards on 23/31, adding six touchdowns on top of it. Throughout the playoff stretch, Beals has completed 54 passes on 82 attempts for 910 yards and 12 touchdowns. Beals is playing some of his best ball in these last four games.
Romans’ rushing game took a hit halfway through the season when Xavier Kingcade went down. In his six games, Kingcade rushed for 349 yards on 69 carries with three rushing touchdowns. Jeremiah Tabb – who split snaps with Kingcade earlier in the year – has taken over as RB1. On the year, he’s rushed for 529 yards off 105 carries and 6 rushing touchdowns. Roman’s rushing game has exploded over the last four playoff games, eclipsing 200 yards in 2 of the 4 games with 245, 182, 144, and 256 yards. Roman has already let it be known that they have a dangerous passing attack, adding on a great rushing game makes it trouble for opposing defenses.
Speaking of the passing game, no one on Roman catches the pass better than Rayshawn Scott. If you don’t know who he is, get to. On the season Scott has 65 catches for 1317 yards and 15 receiving touchdowns (2 rushing). While Rustin keeps their focus on Scott, don’t let Eyan Stead’s name go under the radar. 792 yards on 42 receptions and 9 touchdowns on the season makes him a very reliable WR2. If those two are covered, look for Eisa Nealy or Zamir Newsuan, who have combined for 62 catches for 823 yards and 13 touchdowns. Roman has a debate for the most explosive offense in the 5A playoff bracket. With their fast-paced style of running hurry-up offense after every snap, Rustin best stay on their toes and be well conditioned.
On defense, Walter Hudson leads the team in total tackles with 74 (43 solo), followed by Lazyarus Toombs with 63 (36 solo). While Toombs is second in total tackles, he’s made up for it leading the team with 5 sacks and 16 tackles for loss resulting in 71 yards of loss. Freddy DiNardo follows Toombs in sacks with 4.5 and Jojo Delecce follows tackles for loss with 11. Christian Palmer has been their best member in the secondary leading the team with 5 picks (1 touchdown), 11 pass deflections, and 1 fumble recovery for a touchdown. The team as a whole has allowed 1190 rushing yards on 450 rushes. Allowing ~2.6 yards per carry shows how well this D-Line and Linebacking core has been playing. The passing game has been hard to come by also. 2082 yards off 300 attempts completing only 141 passes. 6.94 yards per pass attempt followed by a 47% passing completion percentage, pick your poison on throwing or rushing, Roman’s prepared for both.
WEST CHESTER RUSTIN
The Golden Knights roll into the Eastern Finals game on an eight game winning streak, gaining more and more momentum as they have bullied their way to a district championship. There are no secrets when Mike St. Clair’s team steps on the field, they are there to drag you down in the gutter and get in a street fight. On offense they will pound the ball with their run first, run second, run third wing tee power game. When they have lulled you to sleep they will throw the ball over the top often catching the defense flat footed. In last week’s game St. Clair actually came out in a five wide empty set, then threw the ball for a 58 yard touchdown.
When the Knights are on defense, they play just like their offense, they grab you and relentlessly pound the running backs, QB, receivers and linemen. They play a base 4-4 cover 3 scheme, that gets down hill fast and punishes the offense. The defense yields a paltry 9 points per game. If there is one small chink in the Golden Knights’ armor it is there punt team. They will need to tighten up their punt squad if they intend to move on to next week’s state championship.
When the Knights have the ball QB Dave McClain is the triggerman. One of the most underrated details of any good wing tee team is the ability of the QB to handle the ball. Deception and ball fakes are a key ingredient to Rustin’s’ running success. McClain’s ball handling is on an elite level, he confuses the defense and often has them chasing shiny objects as his backs are flying down the field. His stablemates Chase Hatton and Ryan Loper have piled up massive yardage, gutting each of their playoff opponents’ defenses, while controlling the clock.
The defense has been anchored by a quick line including Luke Spitzer and Kalief Cunningham, linebacker Patrick Maychak has been a hunter, flowing quickly to plug hole. Safety Chase Hatton has delivered blows like the hammer of Thor, punishing whoever gets in his way. Jimmy Boland, who had two interceptions in the District Final including a scintillating pick six, leads an aggressive defensive backfield.
The key to the game for the Golden Knights is to control the ball, end drives in kicks limiting Roman’s possessions. If the Knights can grab a lead early they will be very tough to comeback on.
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