PIAA Class 2A Title Game Preview: Farrell

Tagged under: District 10, Gameday Hub, News, Playoffs

Shane Lux | December 4, 2025

Farrell Steelers vs. Southern Columbia Tigers

Friday, December 5th, 1 pm, Cumberland Valley’s Chapman Stadium

About the Farrell Steelers

PIAA District 10 – Class AA

League – District 10 Region 1

Head Coach: Anthony Pegues

Overview

Farrell is making their seventh trip to the state title game. The Steelers are 4-2 in their previous six final appearances. They won consecutive titles in 2018 and ’19. They defeated Bishop Guilfoyle 10-7 in overtime in 2019 and routed Lackawanna Trail 55-20 in 2018. Farrell lost the state final to Marian Catholic in 1990 (21-13) and to Bishop Guilfoyle in 2015 (35-0). But it’s the Steelers’ back-to-back titles in the mid-’90s that are the most intriguing. In 1995 and ’96, they knocked off Southern Columbia, 14-12 in ’96, and when they beat the Tigers, 6-0, for the ’95 state championship, who was the quarterback? None other than current Steelers head coach Anthony Pegues. Now his son, Aaron Pegues, will try to do as his father did 30 years ago by quarterbacking Farrell past Southern Columbia to a state title.

“30 years ago, when I was the quarterback of this team, we played Southern Columbia for a state championship,” said Anthony Pegues. “That’s funny that it happened this way, and now it comes full circle. Now, 30 years later, my son (Aaron) gets to play Southern Columbia for a state championship. They have the same head coach, Coach Roth, who was there when I was in high school. They’re the kingpin in AA, so we wouldn’t want it any other way. To get a state championship, it’s going to have to go through them, so that’s the way it’s going to be.”

How they got to the title game:

2025 Farrell Football Schedule

Key Players

RB/DB: Juelz Johnson: Nebraska Commit. Has rushed for 2,213 yards and 34 touchdowns, and caught 22 passes for 332 yards and four touchdowns. On defense, he has 91 tackles, has returned an interception for a touchdown, and has added two punt return scores. Became the Steelers’ all-time touchdown scorer with a five-touchdown performance against Richland in the state quarterfinals.

QB: Aaron Pegues: Holds Akron Offer. Has completed nearly 70% of his passes, thrown for 1,849 yards, and 21 touchdowns, while rushing for 554 yards and eight scores.

TE/DE: Carlao Lowe. Holds Akron Offer. Has 68 tackles in 13 games, 2.5 sacks, two receptions for 37 yards, and a touchdown.

MLB/RB: Jason Marshall: Has a team-high 142 tackles, three sacks, and an interception. 362 rushing yards, four touchdowns.

MLB/RB: Deyontay Gillespie: Second on the team with 140 tackles, 0.5 sacks, and an interception.

MLB/OLB: Omario Boatwright: Third Steelers with over the century mark in tackles with 123.

OLB/RB: Rhashaud Dunbar: Team-high 13 sacks, 96 tackles, 24 quarterback hurries.

WR/DB: Dorean Cain: Caught 20 passes for 467 yards and five touchdowns: 79 tackles, team-high six interceptions. Had three interceptions against Karns City in the PIAA playoffs.

WR/DB: Dey’Mar Cain: Caught nine passes for 154 yards, 22 tackles, and had a 77-yard interception return for a touchdown against Seton LaSalle.

WR/DB: Jadon King-Vincent: Leads the team with three punt returns and two kickoff return touchdowns. Has caught 29 passes for 271 yards and three touchdowns.

Offensive keys to victory

Win the battle at the line of scrimmage and give Juelz Johnson the space to do what he can do on the ground, along with Aaron Pegues. Protect Pegues long enough for him to get the ball in the hands of their many playmakers—avoid costly penalties. Get an early lead, force Southern’s Wing-T to do what it doesn’t want to do, and play from behind.

Defensive keys to victory

Find a way to shut down Southern Columbia’s Wing-T offense and three-headed monster in the backfield. Brayden Andrews leads the Tigers with 1,438 yards and 21 touchdowns, while Grady Garcia has 1,028 yards and 17 scores. Joey Williams with 866 yards and ten touchdowns. Farrell will need to keep an eye on quarterback Ayden Hockenbroch, who has passed for 1,261 yards and 17 touchdowns, and rushed for 309 yards and three touchdowns. The Steelers have seen a Wing-T team this year in Wilmington, and while the Greyhounds were a good team, Southern Columbia is a different beast. Farrell beat Wilmington 44-7 on September 26th.

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