BY ERIC KNOPSNYDER
JOHNSTOWN — Bishop McCort has passed every test with flying colors this season, beating every opponent by at least three touchdowns.
But coach Ken Salem expects the road to get more difficult tonight when the Crimson Crushers (11-0) face Bellwood-Antis in the District 6 Class A championship game at Mansion Park in Altoona.
“I look at them as probably the best challenge we’ve faced all season,” Salem said of the 11-0 Blue Devils, who beat Portage 28-12 in a semifinal matchup of unbeaten teams. “We were very impressed with how they handled Portage’s attack.”
No defense has been able to shut down the Crimson Crushers to this point. Bishop McCort has scored at least 40 points in seven of its games.
“When you look at them, there are no weak spots,” Bellwood-Antis coach John Hayes said. “They have great balance. They have nice size in the line and kids that can move. They have great skill people. A number of different backs and receivers and guys that can do things offensively. Even though they’re strong in the run game, they can throw when they want.”
Josh Seidel leads Bishop McCort with 1,454 yards and
24 touchdowns on the ground. Seidel sat out the Crimson Crushers’ 30-7 victory over Mount Union in the playoff opener but returned to scored touchdowns in last week’s 45-21 win over Penns Manor. Seidel has 27 touchdowns, breaking the school’s single-season mark.
But he’s not Bishop McCort’s only threat. Chaz Merriman has 673 yards and 11 touchdowns on the ground while Dane Domonkos has 407 and 10 TDs.
Luke James has 321 yards and six scores.
Quarterback John Pinkerton, who also missed the playoff opener before returning last week, has completed 69 percent of his passes this season for four touchdowns.
But it was what the Crimson Crushers didn’t do last week – make mistakes – that impressed Salem.
“I thought from an execution standpoint we played well,” he said. “We had no turnovers and no penalties offensively.”
Bellwood-Antis also has a high-powered offense.
Zack McCaulley is the workhorse for the Blue Devils, running for 1,463 yards and
21 touchdowns. Tyler Beech has 435 yards and eight touchdowns on the ground.
Quarterback Nate Plummer has thrown for 1,070 yards with an impressive 16 touchdown passes compared with just five interceptions. On average, one out of every four of Plummer’s completions goes for a touchdown.
“We’ve been in a pretty good situation,” Hayes said of how the Devils’ strong running game has opened things up for the passing attack. “We’re running the ball pretty well, and when we throw it’s in a good situation for us. A lot of the times, we’re able to go for a touchdown.”
Seven different receivers have caught a touchdown pass, including four – Trey Campbell, Nick Degol, Jarred Minori and McCaulley with at least three apiece.
“Offensively they have a strong offensive line, two good running backs and a quarterback that throws the ball well,” Salem said.
Bishop McCort counters with a defense that has allowed only 43 first-half points this season, compared with 109 in the second half, with reserves often on the field.
“(They have) good size up front and tremendous athleticism at linebacker and in the secondary,”Hayes said. “They’re the real deal. They seem to have it all, including special teams. It’s a huge challenge.”
The teams met in the playoffs last year, with Bishop McCort defeating Bellwood-Antis 24-20 on the way to the District 6 Class A title. The Crushers won the two previous Class AA titles, so the seniors will be looking for a fourth consecutive championship.
“I think our kids understand the remarkable run that the program has had the past four or five years,” Salem said. “This group of seniors has been part of the last three championship runs. I think they have a lot of pride in what they have done, but understand that every senior class is measured by what they do.”
Bellwood-Antis won Class A titles in 2007 and ’08, so there is plenty of pedigree in tonight’s championship.
“I think the championship weekend at Mansion Park is always an outstanding football weekend in our area, whether you’re in the Double-A, Triple-A or Single-A tournament, there are always great matchups,” Salem said. “We expect it to be a fantastic atmosphere and a very exciting game.”
Hayes is also expecting a big turnout at Mansion Park.
“I believe with the two schools that are participating and the others that show up for a district championship game, it will be a fine crowd,” he said. “I think it will be something that kids want to be a part of. It’s what high school football should be about.”
