Gateway pass-catch duo moving at a record pace
Seton LaSalle in 2004 (Stull threw for 3,310 yards). Walker and Jackson have developed quite the connection this season and Holl believes some 7-on-7 work for Gateway in the offseason helped.
“I don’t know that they have some kind of telepathic connection,” Holl said. “I’m not trying to be silly, but sometimes it’s as simple as backyard football. I mean, if you’re not open, then get open. And if you’re open, stay open.”
Gateway’s Davis cleared
Gateway running backline backer Derrick Davis has been cleared by doctors to play in the PIAA final.
Davis, a talented freshman, was hurt in the first half Friday in the game against Manheim Central and taken off the field on a board because he had pain in his neck. He was taken by ambulance to a hospital, but later was released and went home on Gateway’s team bus.
“He was more upset that they had to cut his jersey off at the hospital,” Holl said. “There were a lot of precautionary tests, but he has been cleared as far as we know.”
Pipkins and Quakers
Quaker Valley will play for a PIAA championship for the first time in school history, but one person associated with the team has state championship experience in Hershey — as a basketball player.
Maybe you have heard of Tom Pipkins. He’s only the all-time leading scorer in WPIAL boys basketball with 2,838 points at Valley High School from 1989-93. Pipkins now is an assistant coach with the Quaker Valley football team.
As a senior at Valley, Pipkins led Valley to the PIAA Class AAA basketball championship before the Vikings lost to Pottstown, 85-66.
Top player charged
Imhotep Charter of Philadelphia will play Erie Cathedral Prep Thursday for the Class 4A title, but Imhotep will be without standout running back-defensive back Isheem Young who was arraigned late Friday on robbery and other charges, stemming from an incident in July. Young allegedly robbed a Wawa store.
Young had made a verbal commitment to Penn State this summer. But reports say Young no longer is part of Penn State’s recruiting class.
Them again
Some perennial powers have made it to the PIAA championships. But for the best program in the state the past few decades, is there really one better than Southern Columbia?
Southern Columbia will play in the Class 2A final Friday against Wilmington. This will be the 16th titlegame appearance in 24 seasons for the Tigers. They have won seven championships, the most of any team in the state.
This year’s Southern Columbia team features running back Gaige Garcia, who already has 4,075 yards rushing in his career. He is only a sophomore and has 2,137 this season.
Check this out
• All six of the PIAA titles games will be televised live on cable station PCN.
• Pine-Richland plays St. Joseph’s Prep Saturday for the Class 6A title. St. Joseph’s is ranked No. 7 in the country by USA Today and No. 8 by MaxPreps.com. Pine-Richland is ranked No. 24 by Maxpreps.
• High school basketball begins Friday around Pennsylvania, but Jeannette has pulled out of the Hempfield tournament. Many of Jeannette’s basketball players are on the football team.