Bishop McCort-Carroll vs Bishop Guilfoyle Championship Preview

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Hunter Myers | October 24, 2025

An entire season of work will be boiled down to just 48 minutes when Bishop McCort and Bishop Guilfoyle meet under the lights of DeGol Field at Saint Francis University for the Laurel Highlands Championship. A special meeting between two area Catholic schools played at a Catholic university has led to this game being dubbed the “United in Faith Game.” “[Faith] is the focal point of everything we do at our school,” Coach Smith said during his Coaches Corner interview at McCort. “It is a big part of everything we do here.” These teams will need that unity when they take the field on Friday night.

Since 2012, these teams have done battle annually, with Bishop Guilfoyle holding the 12-2 all-time record. Last season, when these two teams met, the Marauders came away with the 30-12 win, behind a 435-yard offensive explosion. For most, it is not surprising to see the Marauders in the LHAC championship, as they have been one of the best programs in Central PA for some time. Bishop Guilfoyle entered 2025 following a 15-1 season and state championship in Class 1A, their second title and third appearance in the game since 2020. Meanwhile, the Crushers have had success of their own, boasting alumni like NFL Hall of Famer Jack Ham, and they may have one of their most talented teams ever, their most resilient at the very least.

“These kids really stuck with the program, worked hard in the weight room, and trusted each other that we would get this ship turned around,” Coach Smith said about his senior class. The ship has certainly turned around this season, as the Crushers have improved their record to their best since 2017, when they ended the regular season at 9-1, enduring five seasons of three or fewer wins since then. The resiliency learned through the hardships was pivotal to this team, with last week being a perfect example, as they entered the fourth quarter losing for the first time this season, before they responded with 35 points in the final frame. The key to their success has mainly been their explosive play potential, as they have amassed 3,575 yards of offense, an average of 397 per game. Star RB Jon Delia has contributed to almost a third of this offense, with 1,204 yards and 19 touchdowns on the season. However, their defense has been incredible as well, holding opponents to an average of 9.4 points per game. This has been a lethal combination in the Laurel Highlands this season, pushing the Crushers to their undefeated record.

The Marauders have a winning formula as well, which is to run the ball and capitalize on smothering defense. So far in 2025, Bishop Guilfoyle has rushed for 2,219 yards and 26 touchdowns (247 & 2.9 per game), while holding opponents to an average of 8.9 points in their wins. The Marauders were in this game last season, gaining valuable experience in a tough 28-27 loss following a missed PAT. Big games don’t faze Bishop Guilfoyle, though, as Coach Wheeler said, “Most of our guys who are contributing played in last year’s Laurel Highlands championship, as well as the district championship and state championship, so big games are part of what our program is all about.” Jake Kissell, BG’s star athlete, has definitely benefited from the experience, rushing for 1,128 yards, 19 touchdowns, and even adding five touchdowns as a passer this season. On Friday night, these teams’ successful winning formulas (average win margin by week below) will be put to the test.

While these two teams have broader goals than just the Laurel Highlands Championship, this is the first step in a long road that lies in front of them. If McCort can stay in front of the sticks, they will be very difficult to hold out of the end zone. For BG, they will need a big game from their offensive line to control the ball. In a game this star-studded, defense will dictate the offense, as each team will need to keep the ball in their playmakers’ hands and away from the opponents’ stars. Friday night won’t be just a matchup of schemes and stats, but of the resiliency, determination, and battle-tested faith that has carried them to this 48-minute struggle for LHAC supremacy.

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