PIAA Class 4A Semi-Final: A Look at Dallas

Tagged under: District 2, News, pfn, Playoffs

Jared Samuel | November 30, 2023

Dallas v Bishop McDevitt, Friday December 1, 7pm @ Northern Lehigh

How they got here (click to see 4A bracket):

2023 Schedule

The Mountaineers had to take it to overtime to defeat Bonner Prendie.  A blocked PAT followed by a Dallas touchdown and successful PAT was the difference in a 28-27 victory up at Mountaineer Stadium last Friday night. This week they’ll face a star-laden Bishop McDevitt squad who are the defending State Champions in Class 4A.  The Crusaders have been to the last 2 State Final games and they know what it takes to get back to the big dance, but Dallas has been here recently as well and they know the effort it will take to get the job done.

Key’s on Offense:

QB Brady Zapoticky has improved tremendously from last season and has only thrown 2 interceptions on the year.  He will need to keep his composure and the confidence that has brought he and the team this far. The Offensive line will face a tough Crusader defense, and will need to give their QB time and also open some space for RB Dylan Geskey and WR Zach Paczewski to make gains on the ground. TE Nick Farrell may also be a key component in both the running and passing games if Dallas is to have any success.

Key’s on Defense:

The secondary has played well all year and will face a huge challenge with the Crusader receiving corps.  DB’s Lucas Tirpak and Nate Malarkey need to continue to do what they do best:  cover and look for the opportunity.  Geskey has made a bunch of tackles this year at LB and that type of effort will be needed again.  Pressure from the edge will be important as well, with Farrell and DL Brady Rosencrans needing to crank up the motors.

Coach Mannello said to his team after the last game:

“Guts…guts and ownership that you’ve got in this whole community and you’ve got in each other.  Don’t ever downplay how important that is, not just in football but in what you do the rest of your life.  Ownership to each other, buy in to the process, commitment to the grind, being able to look at each guy side to side and know he’s got your back.  That’s why you won this football game……you played and you fought and you just kept grinding and grinding and grinding.  You found a way to get it done….you never dropped your head, you just kept playing…..now, we’re leaving here together, coming off a bus together with that big D on that helmet.  And nobody has that.  As long as we’ve got that D on the helmet, we’ve got a shot every time we line up.”

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