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Class AAAA State Final Preview

Class AAAA State Final Preview 6 p.m. Saturday at Hersheypark Stadium. Twitter. Follow @ozoneinq for updates. TV. Live on the Pennsylvania Cable Network.

St. Joseph's Prep quarterback Chris Martin completed 12 of 22 passes for 236 yards in a quarterfinal victory over Parkland. LOU RABITO / Staff
St. Joseph's Prep quarterback Chris Martin completed 12 of 22 passes for 236 yards in a quarterfinal victory over Parkland. LOU RABITO / StaffRead more

Class AAAA State Final Preview

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6 p.m. Saturday at Hersheypark Stadium.

Twitter. Follow @ozoneinq for updates.

TV. Live on the Pennsylvania Cable Network.

Coaches. In four years at the Prep, Gabe Infante is 32-15; Terry Totten is 97-13 in nine seasons at Central Catholic.

Projected starters. Go to philly.com/ozone.

Rankings. The Hawks (11-3) are ranked second in the state in Class AAAA by The Inquirer; the Vikings (15-0) are No. 1.

About Central Catholic. The Vikings, who have outscored opponents by 657-82, are trying for their first state title since 2007 and fourth overall. . . . This year's team has won by an average of 38.3 points. . . . A pro-style, run-heavy offense is headed by RBs Luigi Lista-Brinza (220 carries for 1,604 yards and 21 touchdowns) and Riley Redman (115 for 1,136, 16). . . . Senior J.J. Cosentino has completed 40 of 86 passes for 766 yards and 12 scores, with three interceptions. The 6-foot-5, 220-pound senior has committed to Florida State. . . . Senior WR Shafer Swann (11 catches for 353 yards and four TDs) is the son of former Steelers great Lynn Swann. . . . The Vikings' vaunted defense has yielded an average of 5.5 points, 49 yards rushing and 78 passing per game.

About the Prep. St. Joseph's Prep, in its sixth year in the PIAA, is in position to claim its first state championship. . . . The Hawks have won four playoff games by a combined of 143-82. . . . Since returning from a left-knee injury that sidelined him for two games, Chris Martin has completed 24 of 42 passes for 479 yards and four touchdowns. Overall, the 5-10, 185-pound senior has hit on 141 of 223 throws for 2,066 yards and 26 TDs. . . . The top ballcarriers in a hurry-up, spread attack are Olamide Zaccheaus, D'Andre Swift, and Vince Moffett. . . . The receiving threats are Swift, handyman John Reid, and WR Jawan McAllister. . . . A 4-3 defense is led by ends Jake Strain and Joe DuMond, linebackers Ryan McNulty and Tom Johnson, cornerback Reid, and safeties Moffett and Dillon DeIuliis. Johnson, who missed the early part of the season with a foot injury, notched nine tackles, including seven solos, in last week's 37-21 win over Neshaminy. . . . Pat Walsh has nailed 67 extra-point kicks and two field goals. He also punts.

Analysis. We think the Vikings, with an advantage on the line of scrimmage and continued rushing success, thwart the Prep's title bid.

Pick. Central Catholic, 34-21.

- Rick O'Brien

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