Ruby Review: Berwick 51, Scranton Prep 29; Bethlehem Catholic 55, Lehighton 18 + Week 12 Previews
Tagged under: District 11, District 2, District 4
Joe Ruby | November 12, 2014
Ruby Review Week 11: Berwick 51, Scranton Prep 29; Bethlehem Catholic 55, Lehighton 18
It was the coldest night of the half-over fall season. The thermometers read 36 and dropping, but with a stiff wind it felt like 26. It was the kind of night where you wished you had remembered your scarf, your gloves, your pocket warmers. It was the kind of night where you go to the bathroom to get warm.
Throughout the years, those kind of nights have been kind to Berwick, and this past Friday was no different.
Berwick 51, Scranton Prep 29
On this cold Friday night, the Berwick Bulldogs hosted the Scranton Prep Cavaliers in one of the District 2 AAA Semifinals. Both teams entered the game 8-2, and their schedules were difficult to separate on paper. Berwick’s offense figured to be a little more balanced and a little more hard-nosed, while Prep planned to sell out on QB Nick Solfanelli’s arm. The differing styles, though, hadn’t translated into much difference on the field, as both teams came into this one outscoring their opponents by 17 per game.
For a while, it looked like these teams wouldn’t be separated on the field either. Berwick jumped out to a 16-0 lead, scoring easily on its first two drives and then snagging a safety near the end of the first quarter, but by halftime the Cavaliers had turned a blocked punt and an interception into TDs, making the margin 16-14 at the half. As the teams went into the locker room, it was clear that Berwick had played better, but – as noted by the Ruby Review’s analysis of Prep vs. Abington Heights – you can’t keep making mistakes against a team like Scranton Prep, because they’ll capitalize.
The second half appeared to be setting up for déjà vu all over again, as Berwick scored on two nice drives, but then allowed a blocked punt to be returned for a score, making the margin 30-21 at the end of the third. All four of Berwick’s TDs were scored on long drives, and all three of Prep’s TDs were scored off turnovers. You got the feeling that even though the Cavaliers were hungry, waiting for a Berwick mistake, the Bulldogs had their destiny in their own hands. All the needed to do was put together a solid quarter, and they’d earn the victory on their home turf.
And put together a solid quarter Berwick did. Deciding to fight fire with fire, the Bulldogs turned a fumble recovery into a quick score, and LB Max Jones intercepted the ball on the next play from scrimmage, returning it for a score to silence the away fans and give Berwick a 44-22 lead. Prep answered with a 9-play, minute-long drive to keep things interesting, but Berwick brought the hammer down, powering methodically down the field to cap the scoring at 51-29.
The teams’ differing approaches to the game of football were reflected in the distribution of runs and passes. Four different Berwick players – QB Dallas Arner and RBs Nick Talanca, Nate Maczuga, and the explosive Daquan Hellenthal – rushed the ball at least 10 times; in fact, Talanca’s team leading 18 carries equaled the total number of rushes for the entire Cavaliers’ squad. Scranton Prep, in the cold and the wind, tried to get the passing game going but could never quite string completions together. Prep’s go-to WR, Dan Ryan, snagged five passes for 32 yards and 2 TDs, but ultimately a stout Bulldog defense held Solfanelli to a 44% completion rate.
I think it’s safe to say that this was Berwick’s best offensive performance of the season. Scoring 50+ against Williamsport or Hazleton is one thing, but Scranton Prep came in allowing just over 12 per game, and had surrendered more than 28 points just once all year. Berwick’s rushing attack demonstrates that you don’t need to go 50/50 on runs/passes to keep the defense off balance; between Talanca (a powerful up-the-middle runner), Hellenthal (a swift open-field runner) and Maczuga (able to do a little bit of everything), the defense will have enough threats to worry about that they won’t even notice when Arner tucks the ball and scampers around the edge for the score.
Now comes the real test: the Bulldogs will return to Mountain Top to take on the undefeated Crestwood Comets, who exorcised an off-season’s worth of woes with a 28-20 victory over Berwick in Week 1.
Bethlehem Catholic 55, Lehighton 18
On Saturday night, I zipped down to my home-away-from-home District 11 to watch the Golden Hawks of Bethlehem Catholic host the Indians of Lehighton. The game-time temperature was no warmer than on the previous night, and I consider the $10 that I paid for a Hawks Football wool hat to be a bargain.
BeCaHi (9-1) came into this game the top seed in the District, their only loss coming against then-undefeated AAAA Stroudsburg in Week 8. Known for their explosive offense, the Hawks had been held under 40 points only twice all year. The trio of QB Julian Spigner, RB Michael McDaniel, and WR Freddie Simmons had combined for nearly 50 scores on the year. Lehighton (8-2) needed to win their last five games to squeak into the ultra-competitive D11 AAA group, and did so with gusto, allowing only 6.6 per over that span.
This game got off to an explosive start, with both teams snagging big plays. BeCa’s opening drive took 58 seconds, culminating in a 68-yard catch-and-run by Simmons, the first of his three scores. Tiptoeing down the right sideline, Simmons made multiple defenders look goofy trying to tackle him. Lehighton’s Tyler Crum, though, returned the ensuing kickoff 89 yards, making the score 7-6 with 10:50 left on the clock in the first quarter.
After that, though, the big plays kept coming for only one of the two teams, and mostly for just a single player. Michael McDaniel had a huge night, scoring on runs of 26, 1, 11, and 52, as well as a 73-yard fumble return. McDaniel ended with 251 yards rushing despite having three 30+ yard TDs called back on penalties; if you count all the times he ran with the ball in his hands, he probably amassed 500 yards on the night.
That’s why it’s so amazing that, somehow, this offense was also able to work in 9 completions to Simmons for 164 yards. One particular play demonstrated why Simmons is so dangerous, and why Rutgers is glad to have him: on 2nd and 1 from midfield, Simmons took off down the left hash and Spigner hurled the ball towards him. Looking back and seeing that it was underthrown, Simmons stopped on a dime and effortlessly leapt as high as I’ve seen anyone jump on a football field this year, bringing the ball in feet above any defender’s hands.
The Indians had some success on both sides of the ball, but just didn’t have the big-play athleticism to keep up with the home team. QB Tyler Cann passed for 102 yards and rushed for 33, and workhorse RB Wyatt Clements added 101 yards rushing on 21 carries. Bethlehem Catholic’s front seven (or front six, because they were usually in the nickel package) had some difficulty stopping the run, especially on 3rd down, but that was water under the bridge with the way the offense was playing.
In the D11 AAA finals, BeCaHi will take on Saucon Valley, who beat Southern Lehigh for the second time this season, this time by a 20-17 score. Saucon Valley has an extremely talented runner in Evan Culver, and the Golden Hawks will need to tighten their run defense to keep the Panthers from putting up big yards on the ground. Time will tell, though, if Saucon Valley’s defense can hang around with this dynamic Bethlehem Catholic offense.
DISTRICT PLAYOFFS ROUND 2: PREVIEWS AND PREDICTIONS!!!
AAAA – Districts 2/4/11
- Easton (11-0, AAAA #8) vs. 4. Freedom (9-2, AAAA HM)
There were seven teams in the 2/4/11 Section that had at least 8 wins, and Easton, by virtue of being the only undefeated, earned the right to play the section’s 8th team, 6-4 Pleasant Valley. The Red Rovers showed no signs of taking the Bears for granted, putting up a 46-0 scoreline to advance to the Section semifinals.
Freedom keeps winning games that people don’t think they should win. For the second time this year, the Patriots stunned the Whitehall Zephyrs, following their 29-28 OT victory in Week 7 with a 17-14 win this past Friday.
Verdict: The Ruby Review covered Easton’s 47-27 defeat of Freedom in Week 9, and didn’t see anything to suggest the result will be any different this time around. Easton’s on a mission. Easton 48, Freedom 20.
- Delaware Valley (10-1, AAAA HM) vs. 7. Parkland (9-2, AAAA HM)
For the second time this year, the Warriors of Delaware Valley handled the multifaceted offense of Wyoming Valley West, this time doubling up the Spartans by a 38-19 score. Del Val’s RB Lex Rosario only rushed for 222 yards this time around; still, with his 373 against the Spartans back in Week 2, he has 595 against them and 1,813 on the year.
As the Ruby Review predicted, Parkland gave the undefeated Stroudsburg Mounties their first loss of the year, winning 33-10 on the road. As the 7-seed, Parkland will have to win three road games to take the division.
Verdict: I don’t see much between these teams. Easton should watch out for the winner, whoever it is. By virtue of being at home: Delaware Valley 35, Parkland 31.
AAA – District 2
- Crestwood (11-0, AAA #8) vs. 2. Berwick (9-2, AAA HM)
In the other D2 AAA semifinal, it was business as usual for Crestwood: the Comets scored 28 in each half to blank the Dallas Mountaineers 56-0. That scoreline announces to the rest of the state that it’s Hershey or bust for this squad.
Berwick, despite winning by 22 against Scranton Prep, feels like they made too many mistakes. The offense showed that they can stick with just about anyone when they’re on, but Crestwood converts turnovers into points almost automatically.
Verdict: Back in Week 1, I said that, if these two teams play again, Berwick would likely be the favorite. The season’s turned out a little differently than expected, though. I have no doubt that Berwick is a better team now than they were when the season began, but Crestwood might have improved even more. Crestwood 45, Berwick 28.
AAA – District 4
- Jersey Shore (11-0, AAA HM) vs. 2. Selinsgrove (8-3)
Jersey Shore’s out to prove that their first undefeated season in 65 years is not a result of an easy schedule. Rather, it’s the result of stellar defense and great coaching, as was demonstrated in the Bulldogs’ 37-0 victory over Shamokin this past Friday. That gives this team four shutouts on the season.
Selinsgrove also took care of business last week, defeating cross-river rival Shikellamy by a 31-17 margin. My alma mater will now have to travel to Jersey Shore, where they already lost 16-10 back in Week 8. The three teams Selinsgrove has lost to this season now have a combined 31-2 record.
Verdict: Of course I want to say the Seals will win. They almost won last time, and they certainly have the talent between RBs Zachary Adams and Juvon Batts. But Jersey Shore should have its loudest crowd ever, and this feels like the year for the Bulldogs to keep rocketing into uncharted territory. In a repeat of last year’s District Championship: Jersey Shore 20, Selinsgrove 17.
AAA – District 11
- Bethlehem Catholic (10-1, AAA HM) vs. 3. Saucon Valley (10-1)
As stated above, Bethlehem Catholic is one of the most athletic, explosive teams the Ruby Review has seen this year. If you want to beat them, you need to put up points.
Saucon Valley, it just so happens, can put up points. In their Week 10 victory over Palisades, Evan Culver ran for 5 TDs as the Panthers qualified for the playoffs. I’ve noted that this team starts almost entirely underclassmen so, win or lose, this will be great experience for what should be a juggernaut next season.
Verdict: BeCaHi is just a little too fast, a little too strong, a little too good for Saucon Valley. This year. Bethlehem Catholic 42, Saucon Valley 31.
AA – District 2
- Dunmore (10-1, AA HM) vs. 2. Northwest (9-2, AA HM)
In their first half of the season, the Dunmore Bucks were outscored 26-0 by Scranton Prep. Since then, the Bucks have outscored their opponents by 266 points, including their 21-7 victory over Lake-Lehman this Friday. In that game, Dunmore outrushed Lake-Lehman 288-99.
Like Dunmore, Northwest lost their first game of the season, and, like Dunmore, Northwest has won their last 9 games. The only difference is that, back in Week 2, the Bucks beat the Rangers 35-6, holding the visiting Northwest squad to just 29 yards rushing. This is a different Northwest squad, though, who played very well to beat similarly-skilled G.A.R. 26-20 last week.
Verdict: It’ll be a lot closer than last time, but the Bucks are still too good. Dunmore 28, Northwest 21.
AA – District 4
- Southern Columbia (11-0, AA #3) vs. 5. Montoursville (7-4)
The only thing that was surprising about Southern Columbia’s quarterfinal victory over Hughesville was that the Spartans managed 13 points against the Tigers’ 35. Southern is one of Pennsylvania’s true powers, a perennial contender at Single-A and, as of this year, AA. Southern Columbia recently had a string of 17 consecutive regular season mercy rule games come to an end, but that doesn’t mean they’re any less likely to keep plowing through their opponents.
The highest ranked of the three away teams to win this past weekend, Montoursville has now won four straight games by an average of 28 points after starting the season 3-4. Last week, Montoursville avenged their Week 2 loss to Lewisburg by drubbing the Green Dragons 35-6. The Warriors have shown they can beat some of the very best teams – they’re the only squad to take down South Williamsport this year, and they also beat a strong Loyalsock squad in Week 10 – but also lost some games they likely shouldn’t have.
Verdict: You can be a very good team, and Southern Columbia can still make you look very bad. Southern Columbia 42, Montoursville 7.
- Loyalsock (8-3) vs. 7. Towanda (7-4)
Loyalsock started the season ranked 4th in AA, but lost its opener to Mount Carmel, soon fell a second time to South Williamsport, and finished its season with a loss to Montoursville. Still, this team is far more dangerous than their record suggests, as QB Kyle Datres is capable of putting up a huge game every time out. Despite being the lower seed, Loyalsock was favored by most to exact their revenge on Mount Carmel, and they did not disappoint, beating the Red Tornados 20-6.
The biggest of the three first round upsets was Towanda’s 17-6 victory over a one-loss Troy squad. Looking closer at the Black Knights record, though, one sees that all four losses were to teams that finished with at least 8 wins, and each of the four losses was by a smaller margin than the last. This is a team that has improved throughout the year in ways that didn’t show up in the W-L columns. They showed up this past Friday, though.
Verdict: This should be an exciting matchup. Look for Datres to be all over the field. Loyalsock 35, Towanda 20.
AA – District 11
- North Schuylkill (11-0, AA #5) vs. 2. Northwestern Lehigh (10-1, AA HM)
As noted in last week’s Ruby Review, North Schuylkill has won all but one of their games by at least 20 points, and last week was no exception: the Spartans handled Palmerton 38-0. Over the last four weeks, North Schuylkill has scored 25 touchdowns and allowed… wait for it… just one.
Northwestern Lehigh was similarly successful in the second semifinal, taking care of Palisades 42-14. RB Harry Hall has over 1,500 yards on the year and has rushed for 15 scores. He is one of five runners to score multiple TDs for the Tigers this year.
Verdict: Northwestern Lehigh is good, but North Schuylkill is great. North Schuylkill 42, Northwestern Lehigh 21.
A – District 2
- Old Forge (11-0, A #6) vs. 3. Susquehanna (7-4)
PIAA Runners-Up last year, the Blue Devils weren’t expected to do a ton this year. Well, all they’ve done is put up six shutouts (including last week’s 59-0 victory over Holy Cross) and outscore their opponents 331 to 67. No biggie. Seriously, everyone should be scared of this team.
Susquehanna managed to get into the playoffs despite putting up just 17 points in Weeks 9 and 10, both losses. They proved that they belonged, however, by taking care of Lackawanna Trail for the second time this year, winning 31-28 this time around. Two weeks ago, Old Forge beat Susquehanna 26-12, but the Sabres will be looking to turn things around in the District Championship.
Verdict: Old Forge’s defense is too good, and a potential matchup against South Williamsport’s Dominick Bragalone in Week 13 is too juicy to pick against. Old Forge 34, Susquehanna 7.
A – District 4
- South Williamsport (10-1, A #7) vs. 2. North Penn (9-2, A HM)
South Williamsport has put up 553 points this year, good for third-most in the state (behind Aliquippa’s 560 and Clairton’s ridiculous 740). Most of those points have been scored by Dominick Bragalone, who has rushed for over 250 yards in more than half of the games he’s played this season. After a Week 1 loss to Montoursville, only Loyalsock has been able to get with 3 scores of the Mounties, which didn’t bode well for Canton, who they beat 55-24 on Friday. They haven’t scored fewer than 34 points all season.
North Penn started the season 7-0 but dropped a shocker to Canton 37-36 in Week 8 and fell 28-26 against Wellsboro in Week 10. Getting another crack at Wellsboro this past week, the Panthers avenged the loss by a 36-26 margin and earned a shot at the District Title. North Penn brings a balanced attack, with Senior QB Bo Burleigh throwing for 200 yards per game and the team, led by Senior RB Bryce Zaparzynski, rushing for nearly 190 per game.
Verdict: South Williamsport can give up points, and North Penn can score them. But the Mounties take an “anything you can do” approach. This might be the highest-scoring game in the state this weekend. South Williamsport 58, North Penn 39.
A – District 11
- Pius X (9-2, A HM) vs. 2. Marian Catholic (8-3)
When Pius X has won this year, they’ve won by a lot, and when they’ve lost this year, they’ve lost by a lot. In fact, their 26-7 District semifinal win over Mahanoy Area was their closest game all year. It’s safe to say that we don’t know how this team will react if they find themselves in a tie ball game late. It’s also safe to say, though, that we know how they’ll react in general: do-everything QB Tre Jordan will air it out to the tune of 200 yards per game, and the trio of Jordan, Jared Alphonso, and Jalen Simpson – each of whom has 9 rushing scores on the year – will ensure that defenses can’t key in on any one guy.
Marian Catholic won their first three games, lost their next three, and then won their last five, including their second win over Williams Valley (this time by a 35-12 score last week). The run-heavy Colts are led by Junior RB K.J. Snerr, whose 1,300 yards and 13 TDs pace the team.
Verdict: This should be Pius X’s closest game this season, but I think the big-play Royals get it done. Pius X 34, Marian Catholic 27.
Thanks for reading everyone! Look for me at Berwick @ Crestwood on Friday night. On Saturday, I’m going to go out of my normal range and hit up Harrisburg as Bishop McDevitt (11-0, AAA #2) hosts Manheim Central (8-3) in what might be the legendary Mike Williams’s last game as coach of the Barons.
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