Prep rallies past powerful Parkland

OREFIELD, Pa. - St. Joseph's Prep has certainly not shied away from elite-level competition in its football season openers.

Last night, the Hawks added Parkland to a list that in the last decade has included North Penn, Neshaminy, Pittsburgh Central Catholic, Bethlehem Catholic and Central Bucks West.

Parkland, last year's PIAA Class AAAA state playoff runner-up, went in ranked No. 25 in USA Today's preseason top 25 poll and carried a 23-game regular-season winning streak.

None of that mattered to Mike Yeager, committed to excelling in his debut as the Prep's go-to ballcarrier. The 5-foot-10, 170-pound halfback rushed 21 times for 110 yards and a go-ahead touchdown as the visiting Hawks downed the highly regarded Trojans, 20-13, at Parkland School District Stadium.

"He's a special player," Prep coach Gil Brooks said.

The Prep, which rebounded from a 10-0 deficit in the first half, netted 206 yards on 51 rushing plays. Mark Giubilato, a senior and first-year starter at quarterback, threw four passes.

The defense, led by junior linebacker Mike Labor, held the Trojans' wing-T attack to 51 rushing yards and 95 passing.

Midway through the fourth quarter, with Parkland ahead by 13-10, Yeager highlighted the winning drive by rushing six times for 30 yards. On second and goal from the 2, he flipped into the end zone.

St. Joseph's Prep 0 10 0 10 - 20

Parkland 7 3 3 0 - 13

P: Cecchini 9 pass from Keiper (Guth kick)

P: FG Guth 27

SJP: FG Skalamera 37

SJP: Compton 1 run (Skalamera kick)

P: FG Guth 30

SJP: Yeager 2 run (Skalamera kick)

SJP: FG Skalamera 21