PIAA Class 5A Semi-Final Playoff Preview – Pine-Richland vs. Cocalico
Tagged under: District 3, District 7, News, Playoffs
Phil Myers | November 30, 2022
Pine-Richland Rams 11-3 vs. Cocalico Eagles 10-4 at Altoona’s Mansion Park on Friday Dec. 2 at 7 P.M. – Pine-Richland is coached by Jon LeDonne. The Rams have won 10 straight after starting out 1-3. They won the District 7 crown by overwhelming Upper St. Clair 34-3. Then last week, the Rams scored with two minutes left in the game to eke out a come from behind 21-14 win over perennial power and 3rd ranked Erie Cathedral Prep. Until the Cathedral Prep game, no one had gotten closer than 11 points during the Rams’ current 10 game win streak. Pine-Richland averages 30 points a game despite playing a very demanding District 7 schedule which included Pittsburgh Central Catholic, North Allegheny, and Penn Trafford. The Ram defense allows 15 points a game. During their unbeaten streak they’ve averaged 36 points and have only given up 12 per game.
Cocalico, coached by Bryan Strohl, has followed a similar path to get to this game. After 7 games their record was 3-4. Since then, the Eagles have rattled off 7 consecutive victories. In the District 3 semi-final contest, the Eagles got revenge for an early season loss by dumping unbeaten Solanco 32-8 who was 6th in the state at the time. Last week Cocalico surprised many by manhandling #2 Exeter Township 34-14. The Eagles have won their last 7 games by an average score of 36 to 9. They average 31 points a game for the year and permit an average of 16. Cocalico’s four losses were to Wyomissing, Solanco, Manheim Central, and Lampeter-Strasburg. Those four teams’ combined record is 44-6.
Pine-Richland – The main reason for the Ram dramatic turn-around is Ryan Palmieri, who became the starting QB after the 4th game. He has raced around with the ball for 1,734 yards and scored 22 touchdowns, including the game winner against Cathedral Prep. He also has 6 TDs and 782 yards passing the pigskin. WR Andrew Mellis is the one of two favorite targets with 27 catches for 367 yards. WR Brad Gelly is the other. He has 25 grabs for 356 yards and 3 TDs. RB Ethan Pillar has rumbled for 1,151 yards and 15 TDs. Luke Randolph has scored 6 times for the Rams. On the defensive side of the ball, Max Heckert has over 140 tackles and Palmieri over 110.
Cocalico – The Eagles have seemed to gel at the right time. Their triple-option veer offense is their bread and butter and is clicking on all cylinders. Cocalico does not throw the ball much at all, averaging four passes a game. As a team, the Eagles have rushed for 4,220 yards or 300 per game. Sam Steffey is the go to guy with 1,775 yards rushing and 23 touchdowns. Josh Myer has scored 11 TDs to go along with his 548 yards carrying the rock. Aaryn Longenecker has 642 yards running and has 9 TDs. Longenecker is the main receiver when the Eagles do pass. He has 13 receptions for 292 yards and 3 TDs. Cocalico’s defense is led by Tyler Angstadt (128 tackles) and Dane Bollinger (114 tackles). The team has an astounding 131 tackles for loss in 14 games.
Keys to Victory – Line play and turnovers always have a part in who will win. Those two aspects will be very important in determining the winner of this game too. Pine-Richland’s road to victory is much the same as the Cathedral Prep game, at least offensively. Pound on Cocalico’s defense with Pillar to wear them down, then free Palmieri to do his thing. They will need to be sharp in their passing game also in order to keep Cocalico from loading the box to stop the run. Defensively, the Rams must solve Cocalico’s veer offense or it may be a long night for the Pine-Richland defense. Loading the box is an option since the Eagles don’t pass, but then the Rams must keep Cocalico’s backs, especially Steffey, from getting outside for long gainers.
Cocalico’s path to the finals on offense is simple. They must run the veer to near perfection and maybe throw a wrinkle or two in like a few passes to keep the defense honest. The Eagles need to have a few lengthy possessions to chew up the clock and not allow Pine-Richland to have the ball. On defense, the Eagles have to adhere to the bend but not break concept, keep Palmieri bottled up, and force Pine-Richland into third and long situations.
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