PIAA Football Semifinals Preview

Pennsbury (13-1) vs. St. Joseph's Prep (9-3)

When: 1 p.m. Saturday.

Where: Northeast High.

At stake: The winner plays District 7's Pine-Richland (14-0) or District 3's Wilson (14-0) in the final at 6 p.m. next Saturday at Hersheypark Stadium.

Pennsbury: The Falcons are making their first appearance in the state semis since 2006, when they lost to District 11's Bethlehem Liberty, 45-38, in four overtimes. . . . Senior Charles Snorweah has rushed 294 times for 2,608 yards and 37 touchdowns. . . . The squad has won six straight games since a 24-21 loss to Suburban One League National Conference rival North Penn on Oct. 17. . . . Pennsbury shared the National Conference title with North Penn.

St. Joseph's Prep: The Hawks are looking to become the first team to repeat as Class AAAA champ since Central Bucks West won three in a row from 1997 to 1999. . . . Quarterback Jack Clements (eight) and backs Olamide Zaccheaus (nine) and D'Andre Swift (eight) have combined for 25 rushing TDs. . . . Clements, in his first year as a full-time starter, has thrown for more than 1,800 yards and 24 scores. . . . End Jake Strain, consistently causing havoc, arguably has been the Prep's best defender in the playoffs.

Pick: St. Joseph's Prep, 28-13.

Arch. Wood (12-1) vs. Somerset (13-1)

When: 1 p.m. Saturday.

Where: Chambersburg High.

At stake: The victor will face District 3's Bishop McDevitt (14-0) or District 7's Central Valley (14-0) in the final at 7 p.m. next Friday at Hersheypark Stadium.

Archbishop Wood: Since the Catholic League joined the PIAA in 2008, the Vikings have reached the state championship game four times. They won in 2011 (by 52-0 over McDevitt) and 2013 (22-10 over McDevitt). . . . The Catholic League and District 12 titlists have outscored opponents by 566-168 this season. . . . Tight end/linebacker Jake Cooper, a Penn State recruit, and defensive tackle Devon Cobb are expected to return from injuries and play vs. Somerset. . . . Instead of waiting to leave early Saturday, Wood traveled to Chambersburg on Friday afternoon.

Somerset: Somerset, of District 5, is about 70 miles southeast of Pittsburgh and the biggest town (population: about 6,100) in Somerset County. It is trying to become the first team from Districts 5, 6, 8, or 9 to win a state crown since District 6's Tyrone Area took top honors in Class AA in 1999. . . . The Golden Eagles lean heavily on junior Jake Heiple, who has carried the ball 171 times for 1,498 yards and 25 touchdowns. . . . Junior Dylan Barnes has thrown for 1,470 yards and 19 TDs.

Pick: Archbishop Wood, 49-7.

- Rick O'Brien

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