Hollywood’s Cutting Room Floor- 4A Semifinal Preview Crestwood vs Bishop McDevitt

Tagged under: District 2, District 3, News, Playoffs

Brian Ptashinski | December 1, 2022

Can Upstart Comets Figure Out How to Overcome More Experienced Crusaders to Make it to Cumberland Valley?

Crestwood Commets (13-1) Coach Ryan Arcangelli vs 11-1 Bishop McDevitt Crusaders Friday 7pm Exeter Twp HS.

What’s At Stake: The winner will face the winner of Allentown Central Catholic vs Alliquippa game in the 4A Championship Game next Thursday night at Cumberland Valley.

This is the furthest any Crestwood team has ever advanced in the state playoffs. They are led by RB Noah Shultz who has rushed for over 2,400 yards and is averaging 10 yards per carry and has 36 touchdowns. He has also caught 15 passes for 165 yards. Shultz is coming off a 141 yard performance last week in 21-14 win over Bonner-Prendie last weekFreshman quarterback Jaden Shedlock has also picked up over 1,000 yards carrying the ball and 16 touchdowns. Shultz’s teammate in the backfield Brandon Dennis has also gained over 400 yards on the season.

On the defensive side of the ball, Cole Kakalecik has been making plays all over the field for the Comets as he as accounted for almost nearly 100 tackles far and above the team leader in that category. Magnus Bilba leads the team in sacks with eleven sacks. There is another BIlba, Freshman Lincoln is second on the team with 62 tackles and 4 sacks. Nick Miscavage leads the team in interceptions with 6.

The McDevitt offense will be by far the toughest for the Comet defense. Quarterback Stone Sanders has passed the rock for 3,181 yards on the season and 46 touchdowns and just two picks. His top targets are Tyshawn Russell 48 receptions 1,129 yards and 16 times he crossed the goal line. Rico Scott has also topped a thousand yards with 1,037 yards on 55 catches and 16 scores. The running attack of the Crusader offense is potent as well with Marquese Williams is averaging over ten yards a carry with 1,225 yards and he has found his way into the end zone 25 times.

Kade Warner leads the defense with 93 take downs 17 for losses. Nevan Hopkins has four interceptions. Another key player that could be the difference is Jaire Rawlison whos has a couple of picks on his resume as well.

HOLLYWOOD’s TAKE:

Crestwood will need to get off to a fast start with the running of Shultz and Shedlock if they are to have any chance and to control the ball and scoring on every opportunity presented to them. If they can’t this game could get away from them early. The lack of a passing game for the Comets could be a liability if they get behind early. Crestwood is averaging over 40 points/game while the Crusaders are coming in with over a 50 point per game average. McDevitt lost last year the Quips in the state title game and would love nothing more than to get back to that game to redeem themselves.

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