Nov 30, 2023 By Jonathan Guth 5 min read

The terrific trio of Peters Township, Fort Cherry and Belle Vernon eye a trip to the state football finals when they take the field tonight in the semifinals of the PIAA playoffs..

The Indians and Rangers are looking to win their first state titles in school history, while the Leopards are looking for their second state championship in as many seasons.

Fort Cherry will play Redbank Valley of District 9 at Farrell High School. Belle Vernon will travel to North Allegheny to play Hickory, the District 10 champion. Peters Township will face Cocalico from District 3 at Mansion park in Altoona. All three games are scheduled for a 7 p.m. kickoff.

The winners advance to the state championship finale in their respective classifications next Thursday through Saturday as six games will be played over three days.

Below are five storylines to follow tonight:

1. Stop the veer: Peters Township’s defense will face a Veer rushing attack from Cocalico. The Indians are allowing 8.1 points per game, but are facing an offense that has become passé.

The Eagles (13-1) feature a plethora of backs in Aaryn Longenecker (1,341 rushing yards, 13.3 avg., 16 TDs), Sam Steffey (821 rushing yards, 16 TDs), Josh Myer (739 rushing yards, 11 TDs) and Dane Horning (738 rushing yards, 11 TDs). Longenecker is listed as a running back, Steffey and Horning as fullbacks and Myer is the quarterback.

“They (Cocalico) are a senior-laden team that likes to drain the clock with their offense,” Peters Township coach TJ Plack said. “We will be looking to force them into a lot of third-and-longs, which will get them off their schedule and make them take some chances.”

Peters Township (14-0) hasn’t been challenged much this season. Its smallest margin of victory was 13 points over Class 6A Canon-McMillan on Oct. 20, but last week’s 33-14 win over Erie Cathedral Prep in the quarterfinals was closer than the final score would indicate. Carter Shanafelt kicked four field goals after the Ramblers tied the game at 14-14 in the second quarter.

Shanafelt is also one of the Indians’ top offensive threats. Quarterback Nolan DiLucia is a deep passing threat and Vinny Sarcone has paced the rushing attack. Thomas Aspinall and Ethan Wertman provide DiLucia with two viable options at wide receiver.

“It is nice to have a guy like Carter (Shanafelt) who can do a little bit of everything,” Plack said.

The winner of tonight’s game faces Strath Haven or Imhotep Charter next Friday at Cumberland Valley High School in Mechanicsburg at 7 p.m.

2. Speed vs. speed: Fort Cherry features one of the fastest players in Class A in quarterback Matt Seig, but Redbank Valley is known for its team speed.

Seig and company are 14-0 after winning the program’s first WPIAL title last Friday, a 42-28 victory over previously undefeated South Side Beaver.

Seig can definitely run, but he can pass just as well as he demonstrated against the Rams. He was 9 of 16 for 166 yards and two touchdowns. Shane Cornali caught both touchdown passes and finished with 4 receptions for 91 yards.

Ethan Faletto provides a nice compliment to Seig in the running game, and the Rangers’ offensive line deserves much of the credit for the team’s offensive prowess.

Redbank Valley (12-1) used a spread offense anchored by quarterback Braylon Wagner in a 44-0 victory over Cambridge Springs in the Class A state quarterfinals. Wagner threw for 203 yards and two touchdowns.

Ashton Kahle is a 1,000-yard receiver for the Bulldogs and Drew Byers ran for two touchdowns in last week’s triumph.

3. Leopards back in semifinals: Belle Vernon hasn’t had much trouble this season against Class 3A competition, but the Leopards will face a strong rushing attack against Hickory tonight.

Hickory (11-2) ran for 298 yards in a 26-13 victory over Martinsburg Central in the Class 3A state quarterfinals last Friday.

Hickory quarterback Zander Telesz ran for 101 yards and a touchdown last week, while senior running back Sean Kennedy had 99 yards on 10 carries.

The Leopards have shut down strong rushing attacks in the past, and Belle Vernon features two Division-1 recruits in quarterback Braden Laux (Eastern Michigan) and running back Quinton Martin (Penn State).

4. Business trip: Peters Township is racking up the mileage in the state playoffs with trips to Erie and Altoona.

The Indians head to Mansion Park, which is roughly 2 hours and 15 minutes from Peters Township High School. Peters Township traveled to Hagerty Events Center last week. The trip to Erie County was about the same distance.

“We used to play Altoona when they were in the WPIAL and I asked their coach about how they handle the long trips,” Plack said. “He told us to pack a lunch and look for a place to stop for a little bit to eat and get off the bus and stretch out. Last week, we stopped in Meadville and that really helped us. We use it as a focus trip, and the kids have responded well to it.”

5. Start of winter sports season: For 24 teams across the state, the football season is very much alive, but for most schools, tonight is the beginning of winter sports.

Many football teams feature athletes who play more than one sport, which could drive the basketball, swimming and wrestling coaches crazy, but it is necessary when it comes to the opportunity to play for a state title. Chances are, most of the football players will not have many problems with the transition.

Staff writer Jonathan Guth can be reached at jguth@observer-reporter.com