PIAA Class 6A Title Game Team Preview: The St. Joseph’s Hawks @SJPrep_Football @SJPrep_Sports

Tagged under: District 12, Gameday Hub, News

Marcus Sic | December 10, 2021

The St. Josephs Hawks

PIAA District 12 – Class AAAAAA
League: Philadelphia Catholic League – Red
Head Coach: Tim Roken

Overview:

The Hawks have been in 8 of the 9 State Finals that they have been eligible for since District 12(Philadelphia) joined the tournament, they have been in every 6A title game since teams were reclassified in to 6 classes. Although they are on a 9 game winning streak, blowing out formerly ranked #1 Garnet Valley in the Eastern Finals, however this is not your typical Prep team. A majority of their games have been close, many being two score games. They avenged a one score loss to LaSalle by cruising to the Philadelphia Catholic Title over the Explorers 35-7. When needed the Hawks seem to be able to flip a switch and play lights outs. What might be the most frightening aspect of this Prep team, is that the majority of their key players are underclassmen.

How they got to Hershey:

OVERALL	PCT	LEAGUE	PCT	HOME	AWAY	STREAK
11-2	0.846	1-1	0.500	5-2	6-0	W9

DATE	OPPONENT	LOCATION	TIME/SCORE
09-04	vs. St. Mary’s Ryken (MD) (0-1)	Smalls Athletic Fields	W 40-0
09-11	vs. Milton (GA) (1-0)	O’Hara HS	L 21-28
09-17	vs. Gonzaga (DC) (0-1)		W 35-3
10-02	vs. La Salle College (9-2) *	Franklin Field	L 21-28
10-08	@ Middletown (DE) (0-1)		W 24-6
10-16	@ Archbishop Wood (5-5) *	William Tennent	W 38-20
10-22	@ Roman Catholic (3-7) *	Northeast Supersite	W 44-14
10-29	vs. Father Judge (7-5) *		W 21-13
11-05	vs. Archbishop Wood (5-5) (P)	TBA	W 17-14
11-13	@ La Salle College (9-2) (P)	Franklin Field	W 35-7
11-20	@ Northeast (6-4) (SP)	Cardinal O’Hara	W 41-6
11-26	vs. Bethlehem Freedom (11-3) (SP)	Cardinal O’Hara	W 24-22
12-04	@ Garnet Valley (14-1) (SP)	Ridley	W 49-13
12-11	vs. Mount Lebanon (14-0) (SP)	Hersheypark Stadium	6:00 pm

Key players/Stats:
QB Samaj Jones SO 6’1″ 200 106-172 1276 15TD Rush 131-943 19TD
RB Kasim Phillips SO 5’9″ 180 132-679 8TD
RB Blaine Bunch SR115-580 7TD
WR David Washington SO 5’11’ 195 47-537 4TD
WR Elijah Jones SO 5’11” 17521-268 2TD
LB Josiah Trotter JR 6’2″ 230 105 Tackles
DB Anthony Sacca FR 6’3″ 190 69 Tackles 4 INT
LB Coles Nilles JR 6′ 230 68 Tackles 4 Sacks
DL James Heard JR 6’4″ 211 10.5 Sacks 19TFL

Offensive keys to winning:

The Saint Joseph’s offense begins and ends win sophomore standout QB Samaj Jones , he is the leading rusher on the team, has thrown for 1276 yards, and has accounted for 34TDs, while missing 3 games. Jones must be able to gain yardage in chunks running the ball, to open up the Hawks RPO and play action pass game. RBs Phillips and Bunch, will need to pick up yards on the ground, to keep the Mt. Lebo defense honest, not allowing the D to sell out to stop Jones.

Defensive Keys to winning:

Saint Joe’s large aggressive linebackers, led by Josiah Trotter and Coles Nillies, have been reeking havoc on offenses all season. They play fast and play downhill, together they have combined for 173 tackles, including 6.5 sacks and 21 TFL. Freshman sensation Anthony Sacca, has been a force at strong safety, along with DL James Heard’s pressure on the QB, Sacca’s patrolling of the defensive backfield will be key to stopping the Mt. Lebo passing game.

Starting Lineups:

		SJP	DEFENSE

6	DE	JAMES	HEARD	6’4”	210	11
92	DT	RICHARD	JAMES	6’1”	270	10
10	NOSE	DAN	DALY	6’1”	215	12
35	LEO	MATTHEW	DUMOND	6’1”	200	11
11	LB	ROCCO	NICHOLL	6’4”	205	12
40	LB	JOSIAH	TROTTER	6’2”	230	11
45	LB	COLE	NILLES	6’0”	230	11
28	CB	SHAMIR	JOHNSON	5’10”	165	10
4	SS	KEENAN	NELSON	6′ 1”	200	12
39	FS	ANTHONY	SACCA	6’3”	190	9
1	CB	OMILLIO	AGARD	5’11”	165	10
48	P	ANTONIO	CHADHA	5’9”	200	12

		SJP	OFFENSE

70	OL	BRAD	HARRIS	6’4”	270	12
78	OL	GEORGE	REINHARD	6’3”	255	11
74	OL	JULIAN	CERVANTES	6’1′	285	11
62	OL	LAKEEM	STEELE	6’3”	290	10
17	WR	DAVID	WASHINGTON	5’11”	195	10
84	WR	ELIJAH	JONES	5’11”	175	10
16	WR	OWEN	GARWOOD	6’2”	175	11
5	TE	ERICK	WOODS	6’3”	215	11
5	FB	ERICK	WOODS	6’3”	215	11
3	RB	BLAINE	BUNCH	5’7”	175	12
13	QB	DANE	PICARIELLO	6’2”	215	12
48	K	ANTONIO	CHADHA	5’9”	200	12