2024 Class 6A Title Game Preview: St. Joseph’s Prep
Tagged under: District 12, Gameday Hub, News, Playoffs
Noah Stomsky | December 6, 2024
St. Joseph’s Prep v Pittsburgh Central Catholic
PIAA Class 6A Title Game
Saturday, 7pm
St. Joseph’s Prep Hawks
PIAA District 12 – Class AAAAAA
League: Philadelphia Catholic League Red Division
Head Coach: Tim Roken
Season Overview: Since the PIAA created the 6A Class in 2016, St. Joe’s Prep has played in every championship game. Dropping their first game of the season to St. Edward losing 35-21 this took a lot of people by shock. Prep bounced back winning their next three but yet again the State was shocked after losing their first game in State since 2021 to La Salle losing 35-34. Since that loss Prep hasn’t slowed down winning all of their remaining games and even beating La Salle in their rematch. In their playoff run, they have a point differential of 145-28. Be prepared for dominance.
Previous Game: After taking down the District 1 6A Champs Downingtown West, St. Joe’s Prep finds themselves back in the Championship. Jumping out early to an early 10-0 lead to end the first all signs pointed to Prep. Prep finished off the half up 30-0 thanks to a Rameir Hardy 7-yard touchdown. The Hawks came out of half not slowing down forcing an early takeaway which would help them get their last score to go up 36-0. They would win 36-7 punching their ticket to Cumberland Valley and set to face Central Catholic.
2024 Schedule:
| OVERALL | PCT | CONF | PCT | HOME | AWAY | STREAK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10-2 | 0.833 | 4-1 | 0.800 | 4-0 | 6-2 | W7 |
08-17 10:00 am @ St. John\’s College (DC) (Scrimmage) – –
08-23 3:00 pm @ Haverford School (Scrimmage) – –
08-31 2:00 pm @ St. Edward (OH) 21-35 L
09-07 7:00 pm @ Erasmus Hall (NY) 44-16 W
09-20 7:00 pm @ Our Lady of Good Counsel (MD) 21-19 W
09-27 6:00 pm vs. Father Judge 42-13 W
10-05 7:00 pm @ La Salle College 34-35 L
10-11 7:00 pm @ Cardinal O\’Hara 35-14 W
10-19 7:00 pm vs. Roman Catholic 48-20 W
10-25 7:00 pm vs. Bonner-Prendie 49-14 W
11-09 1:00 pm @ La Salle College 21-14 W
11-16 12:00 pm @ Imhotep Charter 42-0 W
11-22 7:00 pm vs. Parkland 46-7 W
11-29 7:00 pm @ Downingtown West 36-7 W
12-07 7:00 pm vs. Pittsburgh Central Catholic ????
Key Players/Stats:
QB Charlie Foulke IV: Starting for a nationally known team as a Sophomore can be stressful, Foulke has shown little signs of stress. On the year Foulke is 169/287 for 2,333 yards with 29 touchdowns. The young QB has shined in the playoffs. In the Playoff stretch, Foulke is 59/95 for 760 yards and 10 touchdowns.
RB Khyan Billups: Filling in for the injured Isaiah West, Billups has made a name for himself and let it known that he is a RB1. On the season Billups has 165 carries for 942 yards and 13 touchdowns. He also has 6 receptions for 110 yards; Billups is a safe checkdown option if nothing is open.
WR Jett Harrison: The freshman has put the city on alert after his first season. The brother of Marvin Harrison Jr. had big shoes to fill but stepped up to those expectations and more. 47 receptions for 767 yards and 9 touchdowns, be prepared for a big game in the Championship and for him to make a name for himself.
LB Cam Smith: Ranked 5th in the state and 199th nationally, the Penn State commit is a feared duo with Anthony Sacca alongside him. Smith has 58 tackles (41 solo), 7 sacks, 17 TFL (80 yards lost), 3 pass deflections, and a blocked punt. Smith can play both as a linebacker and an edge rusher. Make sure to spot #0 on the field as he’s expected to make a big play.
LB Anthony Sacca: Ranked 12th in the State and the 48th-ranked LB in the nation, the 6’3 linebacker is bound to be a force on the field. After starting off his HS career as a safety, Sacca knows how to cover the field. 65 tackles (39 solo), 1 INT for a 94-yard pick six, 1 Forced fumble, 4.5 sacks, 15 TFL (43 yards lost), and 10 pass deflections, Sacca can play anywhere on the field and make an impact.
K/P Leo Ricci: Maybe the unsung hero of the team, Ricci has shown his skills as both a kicker and punter. For punting, 25 punts for 928 yards (37. avg) with a long of 48. When it comes to kicking, he’s one of the best in the state. 51/53 on PATs, 5/6 on FGs (Made- 42, 27, 23, 37, 41: Missed- 41) with 24 touchbacks off kickoffs.
Offensive Keys to Winning: Play their game. When Prep plays their scheme they’re unbeatable. Prep has made it known that they can beat you in the air or on the ground. Since this is a young Prep team, as long as they follow their game plan and trust their coaches, Prep should be able to sit back and dissect this Central Catholic defense with little problems.
Defensive Keys to Winning: Keep them off the field. Sr. QB Jy’aire Walls has completed 130 of his 221 passes for 2,486 yards and 28 touchdowns with only 4 ints and 11 rushing touchdowns. Walls has been outstanding this season. Sr. RB Elijah Faulkner has been one of the most impressive running backs this year rushing for 1,582 yards on 268 carries averaging 5.9 per carry, 113 per game, and 20 rushing touchdowns. If Prep wants to win this, they have to dominate the time of possession and keep Central Catholic off the field.
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