Cold weather?
Rain?
Nothing seemed to bother football players around District 10 on Friday as numerous impressive performances were put together. Cathedral Prep’s Damion Terry along with Joe Hibbler (Seneca) and Tyler Johnson (North East) set school records. Add in thrilling finishes and a few upsets and Week 5 turned out to be the most exciting week of the season yet.
Terry continued his impressive junior season by throwing for a school record 361 yards in a 49-7 win over Bradford. Terry threw for 299 yards in the first half and played one drive in the second half before coming out. His total smashed the school record of 326, set by Jim Gremler in 1997 against Central Dauphin. Terry also etched his name in the record books through two of his touchdown passes. The first of the game, which came on the first play of the game, was a 90-yard touchdown strike to Nathan McLaurin. At the time, it was the fourth-longest reception in Prep history. It became the fifth later in the game when Terry hit Delton Williams for a 91-yard touchdown. Craig DeMarco’s 97-yard touchdown from Mike Stadtmiller is the Prep record, set in 1983.
Hibbler came up with a surprising school record of 361 rushing yards on 38 carries, including four touchdowns. He also caught a touchdown pass to lead Seneca to a 32-21 win over Fairview. Hibbler wasn’t the only running back with a big game as Johnson finished North East’s 35-14 win over Girard with 2,519 career yards. He is now the all-time rusher at North East, passing Rickie Thompson’s record of 2,427. Johnson’s teammate Alex Svetz could also reach Thompson this year. Svetz has 1,928 career rushing yards. Johnson and Svetz have eclipsed 100 rushing yards in all five games this season.
Hickory and Wilmington played a thrilling Region 3 game, while Cochranton’s game against Maplewood came down to the last play as well. Hickory jumped out to a two-touchdown lead on touchdown runs of 60 and 86 yards by standout DeShawn Coleman, who finished with 210 yards. Wilmington stormed back to score four straight touchdowns, including a fumble recovery in the endzone by Tyler Donati. Donati came up big later in the game as Hickory cut the lead to 28-27 with 55 seconds left. The Hornets lined up for the game-tying extra point, by Donati broke through to block the kick. The Wilmington win puts the Greyhounds in firm control of Region 3.
Cochranton found itself in a dogfight with Maplewood on Friday. The Cardinals and Tigers went to overtime before Cochranton coach Tom Haynes made a gusty call. After Maplewood took a 14-7 lead on Kevin Coatoam’s 1-yard touchdown run, Austin Andrews responded by scored from six yards out. The Cardinals decided to go for two and the win, but Clayton Beatty was stopped on a run to give Maplewood a 14-13 win.
For more on Friday’s games, click below.
- Tom Reisenweber
Youngsville proved Friday that it is for real this season. The Eagles upset Mercyhurst Prep 25-13 to take control of Region 2. Cory Craig and Sam Lucas scored two touchdowns each, including three total touchdowns in the second half to complete the huge win. Craig finished with 59 yards on the ground, while the Eagles had 100-yard rushers in Jordan Gurdak (115 yards) and Lucas (112). The Eagles have a huge hurdle in the way in Saegertown but they are on their way to winning the Region 2 title. Mercyhurst Prep was limited on offense and didn’t have a 100-yard rusher. Dwayne Canady and Cornelius Barclay have become nearly automatic when rushing for 100 yards but Canady had 95 on Friday and Barclay contributed 73.
General McLane picked up an important 14-7 win over Northwestern. Chad Kulka scored from nine yards out in the fourth quarter to give the Lancers the win. Kulka finished with 81 yards on 20 carries, while Josh Ponsoll had 127 yards on 25 carries. Northwestern needed to upset McLane, North East or Harbor Creek but the Wildcats received some help with Fairview being knocked off by Seneca. Northwestern can ensure a playoff spot by beating North East or Harbor Creek but it appears the Wildcats won’t need to win either game to sneak into the postseason.
