The Funding Zone
 
SAFR: Safer Through Science
 
 
SAFR: Safer Through Science
CoachComm Cobalt Plus
Turf Tank
 

PIAA Class 1A State Semi-Final Playoff Preview: D4-Canton Warriors(12-1) vs D3-Steelton-Highspire Rollers(12-1)

Tagged under: District 3, District 4, News, Playoffs

| November 29, 2022

PIAA Class 1A State Semi-Final Playoff Preview:
D4-Canton Warriors(12-1) vs D3-Steelton-Highspire Rollers(12-1)

This matchup is a game between the top-2 teams in Class 1A throughout the state. #2-Canton vs #1-Steelton-Highspire. Both teams come in this game with identical 12-1 records as well. The Warriors defeated Muncy 42 to 7 two weeks ago to win their second straight D4 Championship earning them a bye, and a bid directly into the State Semi-Final game this weekend. At the time, the Warriors had no idea who to prepare for until last weekends Northern Lehigh vs Steelton winner was decided. That winner eventually was the Rollers of Steelton-Highspire, who won the game with just :04 seconds to play 42 to 35 after a long tough back and fourth battle with the Bulldogs.

Canton, riding a 5 game winning streak coming into the semi-finals, has been piling up some impressive numbers, scoring an average of 40 points per game, giving up just 8. That said, the Rollers aren’t no slouch in the scoring department either as they have put up a very impressive 48 points a game, however do give up a little more defensively with 21 per game. Don’t let that number fool you though, they definitely can hang with the best. They showed that weeks ago when they dominated an 11-2-Windber team 37 to 7, that scored 42 points a game. Steelton comes into this winners of their last 11 games. Their only loss coming to an undefeated Westinghouse team 39 to18, that has blown out most of their opponents by an average of 45 to 8. The Warriors lone loss was to previously unbeaten Jersey Shore 23 to 0 back in week 9.

Offensively for the Warriors, it’s Austin Allen and Bailey Ferguson at QB, they have combined for 592 yards passing on 37 of 61, throwing 5 touchdowns, with 4 interceptions. The running attack is led by senior 190lb Riley Parker, who has run just shy of 1300 yards on 136 attempts, an insane average of 9.5 yards per carry scoring 24 times in the process. Weston Bellows comes in behind Parker with 419 yards on 70 carries, scoring 4 touchdowns. Five other players can run the ball as well, totaling a good 1247 yards on an additional 175 carries, adding another 21 touchdowns to their totals. Weston Bellows is a main target on the receiving core with 282 yards on 16 receptions, scoring just once. Ferguson isn’t just QB though, no no, he can kick the ball as well, going 4 of 4 on field goals, and 53 of 60 on PATS. Hudson and Hayden Ward lead defensively with 210 tackles between the two with Hayden leading the way in sacks with 5. Bellows at his OLB/CB position has come up with 5 interceptions to go along with his 34 tackles.

Offensively for the Rollers, one would assume it is the Alex Erby show with how he brought his team back at the end of last weeks game win over Northern Lehigh but it isn’t just Erby heading the charge. Junior RB-Ronald Bernette Jr. has been a force as of late, rushing for over 250 yards on 24 carries in last weekends win over Northern Lehigh, scoring three touchdowns. The week before, Bernette ran for 232 yards on 25 carries along with another 3 touchdowns in that game as well. With Bernette running the ball as good as he is, makes it much easier for Erby to control the passing game better when needed. It just opens up the passing game when Ronnie is running as good as he is right now said Erby. Drell Ceasar Jr and Jaieon Perry have come up big on the receiving end for the Rollers as well, especially at the end of last weekends game when Perry would jump up in the back corner of the endzone, make the catch to put the Rollers in the lead for good and get the victory.

Steelton has a lot of athletes with quickness which can make it difficult for the Warriors but the big boys from D4 might have something to say about that just like they did last season when they eliminated the Rollers in the first round of the state playoffs 32 to 27. Canton reached the semi-final game last season but fell to eventual state champion Bishop Guilfoyle 20 to 7. Rollers have also been to the semi-finals before, in fact, Steelton is looking to get back to the state final since their last visit in 2020 where they defeated a decent Jeannette team 32 to 20 and finished the season undefeated 12-0.

Look for both teams to lean on the run game early, depending what team can move the ball the best and put points on the board first, will be the team that will most likely come out on top in this one.

Photos of Canton & Steelton-Highspire:

FOR COMPLETE UPDATED BRACKETS, CLICK THE BOX BELOW ….

click to see brackets

Preview Video…

DON’T FORGET TO FOLLOW @pafootballnews on twitter AS WELL AS @PFNDan570FB, @BPtashinski, @kfeger30, and @FasnachtBrayden FOR ALL YOUR DISTRICT XI HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL COVERAGE !

Follow PA Football News on Twitter @PaFootballNews

 
 
QwikCut
 
GoRout
 
Rainbow Lettering
 
x