Tough test
The deeper a team advances in the playoffs, the stiffer the competition it will face.
It doesn't always play out that way, but it certainly has in the WPIAL Class AA football bracket.
When Cardinal Wuerl North Catholic (10-2) meets Washington (11-0) in a semifinal at Moon's Tiger Stadium Friday night, both teams will be facing their biggest Class AA test of the season.
CWNC, coming off a dominating 35-14 effort against Serra Catholic in the quarterfinals, is preparing to face a Prexies squad with a workhorse in the backfield.
Junior Nick Welsh (5-foot-9, 195 pounds) has gouged defenses for 1,865 rushing yards this season, the second-most in the WPIAL, regardless of class. He has scored 26 touchdowns and is averaging 12.9 yards per carry.
As a team, Washington is averaging 297 yards per game on the ground.
“The best part of our defense is what we've done against the run,” said Trojan coach Patrick O'Shea, “but I don't know if we've faced a team with a running game as strong as Washington's. Their offensive line is big and physical and reminds us a lot of Central Valley, a Triple-A team we played earlier this year.”
The Prexies' front is highlighted by senior right tackle Ian Smith (6-foot-8, 280 pounds).
CWNC's defensive line will have its hands full, but O'Shea has been impressed with its play to this point. The group includes nose tackle Dom Prentice and a rotation of ends John Prentice, Carson Primrose, Justin Howell and Alex Michalski.
Washington coach Mike Bosnic has seen his confidence in his team's passing game grow during the course of the season. Quarterback Zack Swartz has tallied 1,737 yards and 25 touchdowns through the air.
In last week's 54-7 drubbing of East Allegheny, Swartz completed 9-of-10 passes for 253 yards.
“He's only a sophomore and a first-year starter,” said Bosnic. “He's getting better and more confident each week.”
CWNC's offense is not short on star power with quarterback Zack Rocco, running back Joe Meinert and receivers Ryan Maziarz, Cam Branch and Tyree Brown. But the Trojans will have to be at their best come Friday.
“Washington's defense can make up ground quicker than any team we've played,” said O'Shea.
Washington's defense is led by inside linebacker and leading tackler Chance Hightower and outside linebacker/strong safety Isaiah Schoonmaker, a Miami (Ohio) University recruit.
The Prexies recently completed their fourth straight undefeated regular season, but the team fell in the district semifinals in 2014 and 2016 and failed to emerge from the quarterfinal round in 2015.
Washington last won a WPIAL and state title in 2001.
“The kids are hungry to take the next step and get to the title game,” said Bosnic.
Friday's other semifinal pits defending WPIAL and state champion Steel Valley (10-0) against Riverside (9-2).
The WPIAL Class AA title game will be played at 6 p.m. Nov. 25 at Robert Morris University.
