Peters Township advances to state semifinals
ERIE – Peters Township appeared it was going to run away from Cathedral Prep after scoring two touchdowns on its first five plays, but the Ramblers battled and to tie the game before the Indians escaped Dollinger Field at the Hagerty Family Events Center with a 33-14 victory on Friday night in the quarterfinals of the PIAA Class 5A football playoffs.
The Indians (14-0) advance to the state semifinals next Friday or Saturday against the Cocalio. The Ramblers’ season comes to an end with a record of 7-4.
“It’s huge to being able to play in the state semifinals,” Peters Township coach TJ Plack said. “This didn’t happen overnight. It’s been eight years in the making. A lot of good ballplayers have come through here. These guys are putting it together and they understand what the standard is, and better never rests. I am excited for the township and program to be in this situation.”
With the scored tied at 14-14 with 5:03 left in the second quarter, the Indians drove to the Prep seven-yard line, but a penalty pushed the Indians back to the 12 and Carter Shanafelt kicked the first of four field goals, from 29 yards, for a 17-14 lead with 1:53 left in the second quarter.
Shanafelt added a 30-yard field goal just before the halftime break, and kicked a 26-yarder in the third and one from 29 in the fourth for a 26-14 advantage.
Peters Township forced a turnover on downs and Vinny Sarcone’s 2-yard touchdown run extended the Indians’ lead 19 at 8:06 of the fourth quarter. Darius McMillon’s interception set up Sarcone’s score.
“They (Cathedral Prep) have a great defense and they made it tough for us inside the red zone,” Plack said. “We got away with some things early on when they were in man coverage, then they had to get out of it and switch up a couple of things. We just weren’t able to make the plays to get it in and we had to rely on Carter (Shanafelt). He did a great job of putting those field goals in.
“I knew it wasn’t going to be a blowout. It was like the first 15 minutes of ‘Law & Order’ when you know the guy did it, but there was still plenty of time to play.”
Peters Township received the opening kick and started on the Prep 46 following a 15-yard penalty. The Indians needed just four plays to reach the end zone, as Ethan Wertman pulled in a 32-yard touchdown reception from Nolan DiLucia at 10:28 of the first quarter and a 7-0 lead.
The Ramblers drove to the Peters Township 38 on their first drive, but the Indians forced a turnover on downs. DiLucia hooked up with Thomas Aspinall for a 62-yard touchdown pass on the first play after taking over on downs for a 14-0 advantage at 5:41 of the first quarter.
DiLucia was 14 of 32 for 301 yards with two touchdowns. Aspinall caught two passes for 76 yards and Wertman pulled in four receptions for 76 yards.
Prep scored with 15 seconds left in the first quarter after Corey Allen caught a 34-yard touchdown pass from Luke Costello to cut the deficit to 14-7 after Cameron Christman made the first of two extra points.
Suhtaun Lewis scored on a 9-yard run with 5:03 remaining in the second quarter for a 14-14 tie. Lewis rushed for 47 yards on 11 carries.
“We had a couple of blown coverages early and good teams take advantage of that, but I give our guys credit for battle back and tying it up,” Prep coach Mike Krahe said. “They (Peters Township) are a good team that is well-coached that makes you earn everything with their defense and their offense makes you cover the whole field. They are a complete package.”
Wertman stopped a Prep drive with an interception.