Previewing this week's High School Football Playoffs

By Andrew Marcus
Sportswriter for Montgomery Media

Follow Twitter @amarcus515

PIAA Class AAAA
District One Championship: (11) North Penn at (1) Council Rock South
On Friday North Penn continued its dominant defense against Pennsbury in a 27-3 vicotry. Knights' wide receiver Dan Gervitz has raised his game during the playoffs. The senior had a great regular season, but he should possibly be considered the best player on the field this weekend against Council Rock South.
Council Rock South should still be considered to have the better defense of the two, as they contained Garnet Valley enough to run away with a 38-24 win. Once again they only attempted two passes, but ran for 300 plus yards in the win.

The impact players for the Knights are quarterback Corey Ernst, running back Kyle Mayfield, linebacker Ralph Reeves, and the aforementioned Gervitz.
The impact players for the Golden Hawks are quarterback Brian Donnelly, running back Anthony Alimenti, defensive end PJ Gallo, and defensive tackle Andrew Cohen.
The most intriguing matchup is the Knights' defensive front four against Donnelly, Alimenti and the Hawks run game. Can the likes of Shayne Watson, TJ Smik, Jon Garland, and Reeves shut down the triple option? If the Knights do have a weakness it is their secondary, but it does not look like it will matter much in the title game.
PREDICTION:  The Ernst to Gervitz combo continues to dominate and the Knights' defense slow down the option just enough to hold on for the title. The 11th seeded Knights win 35-27.

PIAA Eastern Semifinal: LaSalle vs Nazareth
Nazareth won 28-21 over Easton on Saturday to capture the District 11 championship. It was their first district title since 1989. They had to score 28 unanswered points to do so after falling down 14-0 early to the defending district champs.
LaSalle had the week off after beating George Washington on November 19.

The impact players for the Explorers are quarterback Matt Magarity, running back Tim Wade, tight end Colin Buckley, and wide receiver Sean Coleman.
The impact players for the Blue Eagles are quarterback Danny Harding and running back Jordan Gray.
The most intriguing match-up resides in the trenches. The District 12 squad is just flat out bigger and it will be interesting to see what schemes the District 11 team implement to counter the size of the Explorers. Senior back Tim Wade runs hard and could have a big day here.
PREDICTION: The Explorers have too much experience and too much skill for a Nazareth team, whose dream season has to come to an end at some point. I think they can feel good about a District 11 championship after bowing out here. The Explorers win 42-8.



PIAA Class AAA
Eastern Semifinal: Pottsgrove at Archbishop Wood
The Vikings had the week off after dominating Dobbins in the city title game two weeks ago. The Vikings have not lost since week one against 4A powerhouse Pittsburgh Central Catholic.
Pottsgrove captured its second District One Class 3A championship in three years with a convincing 42-13 win over Phoenixville on Saturday. The Falcons ran for 557 yards on the ground, which was a school record.

The impact players are all over for the Vikings led by, tight end Colin Thompson, running back Desmon Peoples, fullback Brandon Peoples, quarterback Joey Monaghan, and defensive back Nate Smith.
The Falcons rely on quarterback Tory Hudgins, running back Mark Dukes and fullback Robby Curtin.
The Peoples, cousins Desmon and Brandon, have not been relied on all season to carry the load for four quarters because they have usually have been way ahead by halftime. But with a revenge game against Allentown Central Catholic (they play Shamokin this week) coming up if they can get past Pottsgrove, the Vikings will probably stick with the starters for all four quarters. Can coach Rick Pennypacker motivate his defense enough to stop the Vikings' run game?
PREDICTION: The Vikings continue to roll and keeping their starters in and this one gets ugly. Vikings win 59-20.


STAT LEADERS FOR THE WEEK

100+ yard rushers
Tory Hudgins (Pottsgrove) 262, 4TDs
Ray Schreiner (Abington) 177, 3 TDs
Corey Baker (Pottstown) 176, 2 TDs
Jarred Jones (Spring-Ford) 163, 2 TDs
Casey Saverio (Hatboro-Horsham) 156, TD
Malik Brinkley (Pottstown) 149, 5 TDs
Danny Michaels (Pottsgrove) 135, TD
Kyle Mayfield (North Penn) 110

125+ yard passers
Alex Krivda (Pennridge) 160, 2 TDs
Charlie Hooker (Upper Moreland) 160
Hank Coyne (Spring-Ford) 152, TD
Aaron Channing (Hatboro-Horsham) 132, 3 TDs
Alec McQuiston (Phoenixville) 132, TD

PENNRIDGE FINAL SEASON STATISTICS 7-5, 5-2)

RUSHING 

Mike Class 249-1487, 15 TDs; James Marrero 104-424 4 TDs; Mackenzie Crawford 48-204, TD; Carter Peters 39-126; Cody Reimel 10-87, TD; Peter Psomiadis 2-21; John Kim 2-7; Alex Krivda 46-6; Kyle Bigam 2-4; Matt Pasquale 21-3; Alex Fedel 2-2; John Dubky 1-(-16)

PASSING

Alex Krivda 40-8-8 - 623, 9 TDs; Matt Pasquale 7-17-4 - 145, 2 TDs; Mike Class 1-2-0 - 18

RECIEVING 

Mike Class 11-151, 2 TDs; James Marrero 9-205, 2 TDs; Micah Stutzman 6-101, TD; Peter Psomaidis 5-74, TD; Cody Reimel 4-153, TD; Kyle Bigam 4-28; Mackenzie Crawford 3-30, 2 TDs; Carter Peters 3-15; John Kim 2-17; John Dubky 1-10, TD; Mike Supp 1-6, TD

SACKS 

Carter Peters (5), John Dubyk (4), Anthony Fecondo (2), James Marrero (2), Jeremy Xander (2), Kenny Crawford (2), Andy Groff (2), Alex Fedele, Mike Supp, Jake Newman
INTERCEPTIONS - Cody Reimel (3), Carter Peters (2), Mike Class, Kenny Crawford, Kyle Bigam, John Dubyk

SOUDERTON FINAL SEASON STATISTICS (6-5, 5-2)
RUSHING 

Javon White 125-1135 13 TDs; Joe McNamara 83-425, 3 TDs; Tyler Scholl 85-398, 5 TDs; Jared Reinhard 39-144, 2 TDs; Anthony Williams 57-133 3 TDs; Jeremy Allen 15-75, TD; Tanner Allem 41-40, 2 TDs; Jon Horton 7-36, TD; Kyle Murphy 4-7; Dan Knight 8-5; Jean Prado 1-5; Will Culclasure 4-4; Blake Romanowski 1-3; Michael Dimming 2-0; Kyle Wenger 3-(-3); Ry Yozallinas 2-(-33); AJ Curotto 8-(-39)

PASSING 

Tanner Allem 81-126 6 - 933, 5 TDs; Anthony Williams 1-2-0 - 29, TD; A.J. Curotto 3-8-1 - 29; Kyle Wenger 1-2-0 - 22;
RECEIVING 

Ry Yozallinas 21-403, 5 TDs; Kyle Wenger 22-279; Anthony Williams 9-117, TD; Andrew Butler 7-53; Javon White 7-50; Tyler Scholl 6-45; Joe McNamara 7-42; Blake Romanowski 1-15; Matt Kivlin 1-14; Blake Finkenbeiner 1-10; Jared Reinhard 2-9;
SACKS 

Ry Yozallinas (3), Jared Reinhard (3), Colby Johnson (2), Tyler Scholl, Zakk Hect, Michael Dimming, Tanner Allem, Jeremy Allen, Tyler Hangey
INTERCEPTIONS 

 Anthony Williams (4), Colby Johnson (2), Javon White (2), Kyle Wenger, Jon Horton, Eric Conard, Blake Finkenbeiner

NORTH PENN SEASON STATISTICS (11-2, 7-0)
RUSHING

Kyle Mayfield 173-1385, 6 TDs; James Fielder 91-616, 7 TDs; Dan Gervitz 49-517, 5 TDs; Corey Ernst 56-194, 2 TDs; Ralph Reeves 24-184, 9 TDs; Mike Isabella 35-111; Danny Wynne 7-67; Luke Berry 17-53; Matt Smith 6-33; Taylor Everett 3-16; Chris McGinnis 4-9; Tai Le 1-5; Luke Tilger 2-3; Jordan Henley 1-0; TJ Smink 1-0; Joe Potkovac 1-(-3); Justin Greenleaf 2-(-3); Austin Shearer 10-(-24); Brandon Mandes 1-(-30)

PASSING 

Corey Ernst 136-211-5 - 1916, 25 TDs Austin Shearer 7-12-0 - 133
RECEIVING 

Dan Gervitz 53-828, 9 TDs; Eddie Posavec 18-226, 2 TDs; Ralph Reeves 14-198, 3 TDs; Shayne Watson 15-192, 3 TDs; James Fielder 16-168, TD; Kyle Mayfield 5-162, TD; Danny Wynne 4-41, 2 TDs; Kyle Akins 1-36, TD; Mike Bertescher 3-30; Mike Isabella 5-24; Steve Gozur 2-21; Ryan Moran 3-18; Dominique Kanada 2-16

SACKS 

Ray Kulp, Ralph Reeves, Shayne Watson, Bobby McDonald
INTERCEPTIONS 

Dan Gervitz (3), Kris Akins (2), Danny Wynne, Ralph Reeves, Bobby Bull, Matt Smith