Schuylkill-Colonial Football District XI Class 1A Finals Preview and Bracket: Marian Catholic vs Minersville

Tagged under: District 11, News, Playoffs

Daniel Reed | November 7, 2023

A pair of Schuylkill-Colonial League football teams will get together this Friday night at the Eagles Nest at Blue Mountain HS to battle for the 2023 Class 1A District Championship.

                VS           

Marian Catholic Colts(7-4) vs Minersville Battlin’ Miners(9-2)

These two team met what feels like just not too long ago but, back in week-2 at Stan Dakosty Field, people saw a high scoring game when the Battlin’ Miners bested the Colts 41 to 39. In the game, it was the Minersville RB-Luke Stevenosky that led the way with 316 yards, scoring 4 touchdowns. QB-Dante Carr followed behind the line as well, putting up 87 yards on just 4 carries, scoring twice. For the Colts, it was the passing game and Senior QB-Bruce Hopeck, racking up 220 yards through the air, throwing 3 touchdowns, two of which would go to WR-Jesse Rodino.

Don’t let the 7-4 record fool anyone however, the Colts defense is way better than that first matchup might show. on the season, the Colts have given up just 12.5 points a game, posting 3 shutouts along the way. Since their matchup in week-2, Marian Catholic has held all but 1 team to single digits, that other team scoring 13. Minersville on the other hand, is led mainly by the offense. The Battlin’ Miners can hit you with multiple skilled players, again Luke Stevenosky leading the way with 39 touchdowns, then you have the Sophomore QB-Carr, who has put up just over 900 yards through the air with 11 touchdowns, has also ran for over 500 yards, scoring another 9 touchdowns. Senior WR-Lorenzo Yourey, is the leading receiver with 276 yards, scoring 6 touchdowns.

Last week saw the Colts take down Tri-Valley 14 to 6. QB-Bruce Hopeck threw for 159 yards on 11 of 18 passing with 2 touchdowns. RB-Rory Dixon ran for 88 yards. On the receiving end, was Nova McGuire and Jesse Rodino scoring touchdowns. Minersville went to overtime with the Green Wave from Nativity BVM, coming out victorious 19 to 16, sealing the victory with an interception. Leading the way offensively was QB-Dante Carr totaling 227 yards, scoring twice.

For the Miners to be victorious again, they will definitely have to limit the penalties unlike in that first game, the Battlin’ Miners were penalized 8 times for 95 yards as well as turning the ball over 4 times. For the Colts, they will have to control the time of possession and limit Minersville’s offense being on the field.

CLICK HERE FOR CLASS 1A BRACKET>>>>> https://pafootballnews.com/brackets/2023-playoffs/piaa-class-a-double/

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE STATE BRACKETS>>>>>

Quick Stats:

PASSING:
Bruce Hopeck: 73-150-8=1277 (10 TDS) Marian Catholic
Dante Carr: 51-114-5=910 (11 TDS) Minersville

RUSHING:
Rory Dixon: 202-926 (8 TDS), Jesse Rodino: 59-343 (3 TDS) Marian Catholic
Luke Stevenosky: 210-2077 (31 TDS), Dante Carr: 49-536 (9 TDS) Minersville

RECEIVING:
Michael Gelatko: 21-366 (1 TD), Nova McGuire: 12-300 (1 TD), Jesse Rodino: 15-233 (3 TDS) Marian Catholic
Lorenzo Yourey: 14-276 (6 TDS), Logan Hutsko: 12-275 (2 TDS), Paiten LaPoint: 11-207 (2 TDS) Minersville

TOTAL TACKLES:
Nova McGuire: 101, Dylan Zullo: 100, Charlie Hower: 93, Jesse Rodino: 93, James Rodino: 84 Marian Catholic
Cade Schultz: 83, Emiliano Conklin: 79, AJ Holford: 74, Luke Stevenosky: 73, Lorenzo Yourey: 71 Minersville

SACKS:
Jesse Rodino: 9, James Rodino: 5, Aidan Milkovits and Charlie Hower: 3 Marian Catholic
Luke Stevenosky and Owen Fortna: 3, Emiliano Conklin and Matthew Dube: 2.5, Aiden Boom and Lorenzo Yourey: 1.5 Minersville

INTS:
Brandon Klitsch: 4, Michael Silliman: 2, Michael Gelatko and Dylan Rodino: 1 Marian Catholic
Logan Hutsko: 2, 6 others with 1 each Minersville

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