By: Jeremy Park
The Garnet Valley Jaguars will take on the Saint Joe’s Prep Hawks on Saturday at Ridley High School at 7 pm. The PIAA Class 6A state semi-final is the first venture outside of the public school battles for Garnet Valley, as Saint Joe’s Prep recruits from around the tristate area. Prep has one of the strongest strength of schedule ratings in the state of Pennsylvania, with a record of (10-2) on the season. Garnet Valley has played some of the best teams in the state in Coatesville, Ridley, Quakertown, and Strath Haven, every game in which has ended in at least a 20-point win for the Jags.
The Hawks are coming off of a win against Freedom, which they escaped 24-21, and Garnet Valley is coming off of a thrashing of the 4th ranked team in the state, Coatesville, 54-15.
What should we expect in this game?
Prep hasn’t allowed more than 28 points in a game this season, with help from junior LB Josiah Trotter. They run a double QB offense with sophomore Samaj Jones and senior Dane Picariello, Jones having ran for 3 rushing touchdowns in last week’s state quarterfinal game against Freedom, and Picariello being the more throw-heavy quarterback.
Garnet Valley has the #1 offense in Pennsylvania, having scored the most points in the state, averaging 49 points per game, with a season high of 65 at Ridley in the regular season.
This game will likely be a battle on both ends, but we could see both teams getting into the 40s with the firepower on both offenses.
The winner of Saturday’s game will be crowned Eastern PA Champions and earn a trip to Hershey for the state championship game against either Mt. Lebanon or State College. GO JAGS!!!
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