2024 Class 5A Title Game Preview: Roman Catholic
Tagged under: District 12, Gameday Hub, News, Playoffs
Willie McGonigle | December 5, 2024
Roman Catholic v Bishop McDevitt
PIAA Class 5A Title Game
Friday, 7pm
Roman Catholic Cahillites
PIAA District 12 Class AAAAA
League Philadelphia Catholic League Red Division
Head Coach Rick Prete
Overview: Usually the Buzz coming from the intersection of Broad and Vine Streets in December is about the latest version of Roman Catholic’s storied basketball team, but this year there’s a little more buzz thanks to the football program. For the first time in program history, the Cahillites find themselves in the State Championship. Their record stands at 11-4 with three of those losses coming to state powers LaSalle, St Joseph Prep (6A Finalist), and Bonner-Prendie (4A finalist). With a win on Friday night, the Cahillites will tie the 2007 team for most wins in a season with 12.
How they got to the Title Game: Last week, Roman Catholic exploded for 34 points in the second half to turn a tight 7-3 game into a convincing 41-17 victory over District 1 Champion West Chester Rustin.
08-17 1:00 pm @ Archbishop Spalding (MD) (Scrimmage) – –
08-23 7:00 pm vs. Neumann-Goretti 45-12 W
08-31 2:00 pm @ St. John\’s College (DC) 52-21 W
09-07 7:00 pm @ A. Philip Randolph 67-0 W
09-13 7:00 pm @ Malvern Prep 21-17 W
09-20 7:00 pm vs. DeMatha Catholic (MD) 12-49 L
09-27 5:00 pm @ Bonner-Prendie 30-38 L
10-05 7:00 pm vs. Cardinal O\’Hara 52-34 W
10-12 1:00 pm vs. Father Judge 54-24 W
10-19 7:00 pm @ St. Joseph\’s Prep 20-48 L
10-26 3:00 pm @ La Salle College 16-35 L
11-02 4:00 pm vs. Father Judge 56-7 W
11-09 1:00 pm @ Frankford 42-12 W
11-15 7:00 pm @ East Stroudsburg South 41-13 W
11-22 7:00 pm vs. Hollidaysburg 48-14 W
11-29 7:00 pm @ West Chester Rustin 41-7 W
12-06 7:00 pm vs. Bishop McDevitt 0-0 –
Key Player/Stats
QB Semaj Beals 255-428 3999 yards 49 touchdowns 61 carries 188 yards 7 touchdowns
RB Jeremiah Tabb 115 carries 595 yards 7 touchdowns
WR Rayshawn Scott 68 catches 1326 yards 15 touchdowns
WR Eyan Stead 48 catches 897 yards 11 touchdowns
WR Eisa Nealy 42 catches 573 yards 11 touchdowns
DB Christian Palmer 46 Tackles 5 Interceptions
DB Will Felder 53 tackles 2 interceptions
Walter Hudson 74 Tackles 6 TFL
Lazyarus Toombs 63 Tackles 16 TFL
Jaasai Simmons 43 Tackles 10 TFL
Offensive Keys to Winning: The Cahillites will need to allow Beals time to get the ball to his dangerous playmakers and be able to mix in the run. In addition, Roman Catholic will need to avoid any turnovers or ill-timed penalties.
Defensive Keys to Winning: The Cahillites’ defense must pressure McDevitt QB, Kentucky commit Stone Saunders. Playing penalty-free football is a must for the Cahillites, who do not want to give the Crusaders offense any extra opportunities.
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