Central Catholic faces a familiar foe in St. Joe’s
For as dominant as Central Catholic has been under coach Terry Totten — winning five WPIAL titles and two state titles in 15 years — there’s one team across the state that’s always had the Vikings’ number.
St. Joseph’s Prep has defeated Central Catholic in the PIAA championship game twice in the last six years, winning 35-10 in the 2013 Class 4A title game and 42-7 in the inaugural Class 6A title game in 2016. The Philadelphia powerhouse has played in five of the last six title games in the PIAA’s largest classification, with its only loss coming to Pine-Richland in 2017.
This year, St. Joe’s (10-2) is ranked No. 1 in Pennsylvania, No. 2 in the East Region and No. 22 in the country by USA Today. Both of St Joe’s losses came against nationallyranked foes as part of the Geico ESPN High School Football Showcase — 21-17 at Marietta, Ga. and 3125 loss vs. IMG Academy, Fla.
“We play for tradition,” Totten said. “St. Joe’s is no different. They play for their tradition, too. Kids are aware of that.”
Totten and the Vikings will get another crack at the defending state champs at 1 p.m. Saturday at Mansion Park Stadium in Altoona, although the stakes are a bit different this time. The two teams are matched up on the same side of the bracket in Class 6A, and are meeting in the PIAA semifinals rather than the championship.
Central Catholic’s longtime coach still views the game in a similar light as the last two meetings.
“I believe these are the two best teams in the state,” Totten said. “We know how formidable they are and we’re both grinding for the same goal, so it should be a good football game.”
Anyone who’s followed the NFL over the last two decades will likely recognize a couple names on St. Joe’s roster sheet. Senior wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. (6-4, 175) is the son of the Pro Football Hall of Famer and an Ohio State recruit. Junior linebacker Jeremiah Trotter Jr. (6-1, 210) is the son of the former NFL AllPro and a Clemson recruit.
The highest-ranked recruit on St. Joe’s roster, though, is junior quarterback Kyle McCord (6-3, 200). McCord is ranked the No. 13 junior in the country by Rivals.com and is also an Ohio State recruit. But he’s missed two games in a row while nursing a knee ailment, and his status is unclear for Saturday’s game.
In McCord’s place, first-year coach Tim Roken has inserted junior wide receiver Malik Cooper under center, and St. Joe’s rolled to a 43-26 win against Northeast in the District 12 district title game before beating District 11 champion Nazareth, 45-24, to advance to Saturday’s semifinals.
“Well, they certainly didn’t bring in any slouch,” Totten said. “That kid runs a sub-4.4 40. You’ve got to have your eyes on him at all times.”
Some may be quick to count the
Vikings out considering the team’s history against St. Joe’s, but they have beaten the Hawks once before. Central Catholic routed St. Joe’s, 38-12, in the inaugural Northeast Sports Group Kickoff Classic in 2004 — the year before Totten took over as head coach.
He may not have been in charge, but Totten was a defensive coordinator under Art Walker on that state title-winning 2004 squad. He believes this year’s defense, led by the fearsome front four of Elliot Donald, A.J. Beatty and twins A’meer and A’maar Allen, may give him his best chance yet to knock off the Vikings’ nemesis.
“Statistically, they’re showing up with everyone who ever lined up here,” Totten said about his defense “We’re playing at a high level on defense, and that’s where we’re hanging our hat.”
Last week’s 24-21 win against State College in the PIAA quarterfinals was the first time Central Catholic gave up more than 14 points all season. Still, Totten knows the Vikings will need more than just a stout defense to keep up with St. Joe’s highpowered offense.
“What we like to do is establish the run. But we’re going to have to hit some passes to keep them off the field,” Totten said. “They’re coming in very highly sought after. They’re a great program, a national program.
“It would be a tremendous win.”