Northeast tops Central for Public League 6A title
Last season, after going 11-0 in the regular season, Northeast had its plan of claiming the Public League Class 4A title dashed in a 54-18, title-game loss to Simon Gratz.
Last season, after going 11-0 in the regular season, Northeast had its plan of claiming the Public League Class 4A title dashed in a 54-18, title-game loss to Simon Gratz.
"It hurt a lot, but we learned a lot of from the season and the mistakes we made," Vikings junior Kyle Morasch said. "Our aim was to win it this year."
Northeast achieved that goal by holding Turkey Day rival and previously undefeated Central to one touchdown en route to a 31-8 triumph in the league's Class 6A final Saturday night at Charlie Martin Memorial Stadium.
"We came into this game real focused," said Morasch, a 5-foot-8, 200-pound outside linebacker and part-time running back.
With their strong defensive effort and efficient running game, the Vikings claimed their first league championship since 2010.
"I thought our kids played well on both sides of the ball," Northeast coach Phil Gormley said.
Northeast will take on juggernaut St. Joseph's Prep (10-0) for the PIAA District 12 6A title next weekend at a neutral site and time to be determined.
Two weeks earlier, the Vikings (8-2) were dealt a 44-8 home loss to Public League Independence Division rival and Class 4A powerhouse Imhotep Charter.
Said Gormley: "We got beat up a little bit, but playing a team like Imhotep helps you get ready for the playoffs."
Amir Paulk's first-quarter touchdown runs of 2 and 8 yards gave the Vikings a 16-0 advantage on the Lancers. His first score capped a nine-play, 74-yard drive that was highlighted by Keith Moore's 49-yard burst.
Central (10-1) gained some traction midway through the second frame with a fumble recovery at the Northeast 36-yard line and a seven-play series that ended with Kei-shon Graham's 11-yard TD run.
The Lancers nearly walked to the locker room down by only 16-8. But after time had seemingly expired on a Northeast run, the officials put a second back on the back.
The Vikings capitalized, as Brandon Pridgen's 30-yard TD strike over the middle to Carlos Davila and Dan Scott's conversion run made it 24-8 at the break.
Morasch was aided on defense by fellow linebacker Josh Reoun, end Nahzir Wilson, interior linemen Mohammed Ali, Ormand Isom and Aziz Kaba, and backs Davila and Jaquan Amos.
Central 0 8 0 0 - 8
Northeast 16 8 0 7 - 31
NE: Amir Paulk 2 run (Dan Scott run)
NE: Paulk 8 run (Keith Moore pass from Brandon Pridgen)
C: Kei-shon Graham 11 run (Tavion Rogers run)
NE: Carlos Davila 30 pass from Pridgen (Scott run)
NE: Moore 8 run (Andre Cunha kick)
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