PIAA Class 4A Semi-Final Preview: A look at Selinsgrove

Tagged under: District 4, News, Playoffs

Billy Splain | November 30, 2023

Aliquippa (12-0) @ Selinsgrove (13-0-1) @ Central Cambria HS – 7:00 pm

How they got here (click to see 4A Bracket)

2023 SCHEDULE

It’s been an emotional roller coaster of a ride for the Seals. A close win over 5A quarterfinalist Delaware Valley, then in week three the tie game with Jersey Shore, a game I’m sure we all remember. Then the Seals hit cruise control demolishing teams on their way to the state playoffs. There they met a strong Bethlehem Catholic team that gave coach Derek Hicks’ Seals all they could. Last week Selinsgrove easily dispatched of Juniata to get to the Semi-Final round.

KEYS ON OFFENSE:

As Tucker Teats goes, so go the Seals. Teats has rushed for over 2,200 yards and run the ball into the endzone 32 times. Ethan Miller and Brett Rice ad 900 yards on the ground. Overall the Seals have marched for almost 3,400 yards. But this team isn’t all about the run game with Teats. Mark Pastore has really matured throughout the season and has the passing game humming. He’s thrown for over 1,600 yards and 21 tds and his main target of late has been Gavin Batsian. Roy Sassaman will also see the ball come his way as well as Teats. The Seals offensive line has the size, they just need to believe in themselves. The Seals are averaging a respectable 43 points per outing. They’ll also need to win the turnover battle over a very opportunistic Quip team.

KEYS ON DEFENSE:

This is a quick defense. Miller and Ryan Gavason lead the way for Selinsgrove with 230 tackles between them. Miller has a whopping 18 tackles for loss. Defensive end Devon Mitchell has 7 sacks. As a whole, the Seals have picked off opposing quarterbacks 21 times. They’ll need to keep everything in front of them. Tiqwai Hayes and Cameron Lindsey are committed to PSU and Pitt respectively. They’ll be a handful. If the Seals don’t find a way to contain them and prevent the long run they’re in trouble. They also can’t sleep on the Quips passing game. Quentin Goode can throw.

QUOTES FROM COACH HICKS

How’d you get here? “We had crazy start of the year. We just persevered and we made it to playoffs and we’re playing our best football right now. This is a unique, fun team but they know how to dial it in when they’re on the field on gameday.  It’s been the Teats show but the difference down stretch is, when you look at the improvements our wide receivers have made. Gavin Bastian is playing very well. Mark playing his best all year. This year I turned to offensive play calling over to Ryan Keiser. He calls the offense and he does a very good job”.

About Aliquippa: “It’s Aliquippa. They have athletes everywhere. Everyone knows about Hayes. A four star Penn State commit and darn good. Then when he’s out they put in Cam Lindsey and he’s crazy good too. They have athletes everywhere.  I like our offensive and defensive lines right now. They’re up to the task. It’s gonna come down to skill guys. Who can make a play.  At practice today I can feel it. They’re confident. They aren’t bought into the mystique of Aliquippa. They really believe they can win.

Follow PA Football News on Twitter @PaFootballNews