On a weekend that featured six schools making their PIAA championship game debut, the final contest of the weekend includes two schools that have been there, done it several times over.
In fact, St. Joseph’s Prep out of the Philadelphia Catholic League in Philadelphia and Central Catholic out of the WPIAL are squaring off for a third time in the PIAA finals.
Between them, they have a dozen state championships as the Hawks try for No. 9 while the Vikings look to earn one for the thumb when it comes to state championship rings.
Here is a breakdown of the Saturday evening PIAA Class 6A championship game taking place in Mechanicsburg.
PIAA Class 6A championship
Central Catholic (12-2) vs. St. Joseph’s Prep (10-2)
7 p.m. Saturday, Chapman Field at Cumberland Valley, Mechanicsburg
How they got here: Central Catholic was the top seed in the District 7 playoffs and defeated Seneca Valley and two-time defending champion North Allegheny to claim the WPIAL 6A championship before ousting District 6 winner State College in the PIAA quarterfinals and District 3 champ Harrisburg in the state semifinals last week. St. Joe’s Prep was the No. 2 seed in the District 12 postseason and upended LaSalle College and Imhotep Charter to win yet another D-12 title, and then eliminated District 11 champion Parkland in the state quarters and District 1 winner Downingtown West in the PIAA semifinals a week ago.
Last week: Central Catholic 38, Harrisburg 33; St. Joseph’s Prep 36, Downingtown West 7
Players to watch: Elijah Faulkner, Central Catholic (Sr., 5-9, 185, RB/LB); Charlie Foulke, St. Joseph’s Prep (So., 6-2, 185, QB)
Notable
Central Catholic: It wasn’t easy, but Central Catholic held off Harrisburg in the cold of the PIAA semifinals at Mansion Park in Altoona to advance to the PIAA championship game for the first time in eight years. Against the Cougars, Vikings running back Elijah Faulkner, coming off a big WPIAL postseason, got the ball rolling with 42-yard touchdown run in the opening quarter. The senior rushed for 131 yards on 24 carries. Senior quarterback Jy’Aire Walls also contributed a strong performance for Central Catholic, hitting on 7 of 15 passes for 89 yards and touchdown strikes of 26 yards to sophomore wide receiver Max Roman and 23 yards to senior wide out Xxavier Thomas. Walls also scored on a 12-yard scamper and a 1-yard plunge. Vikings senior kicker Billy Lech, who has been a weapon all season in the heat or cold, delivered on four extra points and a 36-yard field goal.
Upcoming Local Events
St. Joseph’s Prep: How dominant have the Hawks been in the district and state playoffs? In their last three games, they have defeated Imhotep Charter, Parkland and Downingtown West via mercy rule by a combined score of 124-14 in earning a ninth straight trip to the PIAA championship game. In the semifinal victory over Downingtown West last week, sophomore quarterback Charlie Foulke connected on 17 of 31 passes for 194 yards and three touchdowns. His top target was senior wide receiver Jamir Rowe, who had three receptions for 78 yards and a touchdown. Rameir Hardy and Khyan Billups also had scoring catches for St. Joe’s Prep. Hawks kicker Leo Ricci booted three extra points and a 35-yard field goal.
Statistical leaders
Central Catholic
Passing: Jy’Aire Walls, 128 of 215 for 2,469 yards, 28 TDs
Rushing: Elijah Faulkner, 268-1,605 yards, 11 TDs
Receiving: Bradley Gompers, 28-802 yards, 11 TDs; Xxavier Thomas, 33-626 yards, 8 TDs
St. Joseph’s Prep
Passing: Charlie Foulke, 169 of 287 for 2,333 yards, 29 TDs
Rushing: Khyan Billups, 165-942 yards, 13 TDs
Receiving: Jett Harrison, 47-767 yards, 9 TDs
Historic factoids
• This is the fourth time in the PIAA playoffs that these two powers from Pittsburgh and Philadelphia have met and St. Joe’s Prep is a perfect 3-0 against Central Catholic. The Hawks beat the Vikings twice in two previous championship games, 35-10 in 2013, and 42-7 in the 2016 finals. The two also played in the 2019 PIAA semifinals, won by St. Joe’s in overtime, 31-24.
• Central Catholic is 19-5 all-time in PIAA playoff games in 10 appearances, including a 4-3 record in state championship games. In the finals, the Vikings defeated Cedar Cliff in the very first PIAA championships in 1988, knocked off Neshaminy in 2004 and Parkland twice for gold in 2007 and 2015 while falling to North Penn in 2003 and St. Joe’s Prep in 2013 and 2016.
• St. Joseph’s Prep and Southern Columbia have been the two most dominant schools in the PIAA football playoff era. In the 12 years since they first appeared in the PIAA playoffs in 2013, the Hawks have reached the state championship game 11 times, including now nine consecutive title game appearances. The only season they did not qualify for the state playoffs was 2015. The Hawks are 8-2 in PIAA title games. Here are their victories:
Featured Local Businesses
*2013 over Central Catholic, 35-10
*2014 over Pine-Richland, 49-41
*2016 over Central Catholic, 42-7
*2018 over Harrisburg, 40-20
*2019 over Central Dauphin, 35-13
*2020 over Central York, 62-13
*2022 over Harrisburg, 42-7
*2023 over North Allegheny, 45-23
The Hawks’ two state title game losses were to Pine-Richland in 2017, 41-21, and in 2021 to Mt. Lebanon, 35-17.
Starting lineups
Central Catholic
Coach: Ryan Lehmeier
Offense
QB, 15, Jy’Aire Walls, 6-2, 175, Sr.
RB, 4, Elijah Faulkner, 5-9, 185, Sr.
WR, 2, Xxavier Thomas, 5-11, 180, Sr.
WR, 11, Bradley Gompers, 6-4, 213, Sr.
WR, 5, Max Roman, 5-10, 190, Sr.
TE, 87, James Halter, 6-4, 240, So.
LT, 65, Jimmy Kalis, 6-6, 280, So.
LG, 52, Matt Bowers, 6-4, 270, Jr.
C, 63, Sam Brackney, 6-2, 265, Sr.
RG, 64, Roman Kane, 6-3, 270, Sr.
RT, 75, Jon Sassic, 6-6, 280, So.
Defense
DL, 50, Da’Ron Goodwine, 6-2, 260, Sr.
DL, 55, Cole Bayer, 6-0, 290, Jr.
DL, 32, Angelo Pugliano, 6-2, 265, Jr.
DL, 8, Ashton Blatt, 6-4, 235, Jr.
LB, 11, Bradley Gompers, 6-4, 213, Sr.,
LB, 0, Roman Thompson, 6-1, 210, So.
LB, 40, Colsen Gatten, 6-2, 210, Jr.
DB, 1, Chrys Black, 5-8, 175, Fr.
DB, 7, Seamus Mahon, 6-0, 185, Jr.
DB, 2, Xxavier Thomas, 5-11, 180, Sr.
DB, 20, Zac Gleason, 5-11, 180, So.
Special teams
K/P, 39, Billy Lech, 6-2, 190, Sr.
St. Joseph’s Prep
Coach: Timothy Roken
Offense
QB, 4, Charlie Foulke, 6-2, 192, So.
RB, 24, Khyan Billups, 5-8, 170, Jr.
WR, 1, Rameir Hardy, 6-2, 175, Sr.
WR, 18, Jett Harrison, 6-2, 178, Fr.
WR, 6, Alijah Turner, 5-10, 176, Sr.
HB, 42, Gavin McConnell, 6-0, 205, Sr.
TE, 11, Rob Novotny, 6-4, 220, Jr.
LT, 54, Sean Molley, 6-3, 270, Jr.
LG, 74, Kahlil Stewart, 6-4, 280, Sr,
C, 62, Jake Namnun, 6-1, 275, Jr.
RG, 75, Christian Leonard, 6-5, 310, Sr.
RT, 79, Bleek Turner, 6-4, 295, Sr.
Defense
DE, 57, Jayson Nitz, 6-1, 220, So.
NT, 94, Shawn Stratz, 5-10, 220, Sr.
DT, 92, Colton Anderson, Jr.
DE, 99, Alex Haskell, 6-4, 240, Jr.
OLB, 0, Cam Smith, 6-1, 205, Sr.
MLB, 10, Anthony Sacca, 6-3, 225, Sr.
OLB, 34, Brandon Lockley, 6-2, 220, So.
Upcoming Local Events
CB, 20, Masiia Acrey, 5-10, 175, So.
CB, 21, Simaj Hill, 6-1, 165, Jr.
SS, 9, Ryan McDonald, 6-0, 180, Sr.
FS, 15, Roman Colaberdino, 6-0, 185, Sr.
Special teams
K/P, 19, Leo Ricci, 6-1, 180, Sr.