What to watch for as CCHS visits Pottsville

If Allentown Central Catholic football coach Tim McGorry wanted to get the attention of his kids in advance of Friday night’s District 11 Class 4A semifinal against Pottsville, all he needed to do was pop in the film from his team’s last game against the Crimson Tide.

It was Nov. 16, 2019, at Northern Lehigh and the Vikings arrived with an 8-4 record and fresh off a come-frombehind 23-22 win over Northwestern Lehigh in the District 11 Class 4A semis.

They left Slatington with a season-ending 34-7 beating administered by Pottsville in the 4A finals. The Tide ran for 265 yards and compiled 406 yards overall and scored the game’s final 27 points.

“Certainly Pottsville has beaten us before and they’re very good again,” McGorry said. “This will not be an easy game by any means. It’s a well-coached program with good, solid kids. It’s going to be a tough game and remember, we’re a young team with only five or six seniors playing for us. At this point of the season, you have to be focused. If you’re not focused, you’re not going to get to play anymore.”

Here’s a look at the game at Pottsville’s Veterans Memorial Stadium:

No. 3 seed Central Catholic (7-3) at No. 2 Pottsville (8-2)

Top storylines: The Vikings are going for their second straight district gold and 13th overall. Pottsville has won four previous district titles, including three in a row from 2004-06. CCHS has had an up-and-down fall with marquee wins over Parkland and Emmaus and lopsided losses to Freedom, Easton, and Nazareth. But the Vikings won their last three games. The Tide is coming off a 20-12 double-OT win over previously unbeaten and No. 1 state-ranked North Schuylkill in the mud.

Players to watch: Central’s running game features Travis Foster and Caiden Schaffer, who have combined for 934 yards and 10 touchdowns. Junior QB Tamlin Ferguson, who got the job in the third week of the season, has thrown for 1,239 yards and seven scores and has just one interception. Griffin Patridge is

Ferguson’s top target with 37 catches for 465 yards and six TDs. Jareel Calhoun and Armonie Torres have 22 receptions apiece. Central’s defense is keyed by Division I recruit Lavon Johnson upfront. He has 73 tackles, including 31 for loss and eight sacks, and three forced fumbles. Pottsville’s offense is led by senior QB Jazce Carabello-Snowden who had passed for 1,105 yards and 13 TDs and ran for 553 and five scores. Senior running back Travontai Davis has run for 1,235 yards and 15 TDs. Davis also has 11½ tackles for loss on defense.

What to expect: A hard-fought, low-scoring game decided in the trenches by the defenses. A critical sack or a defensive score could decide it.

Keith Groller’s pick: Central Catholic 21-14.