North Allegheny embraces ‘who we are’ entering state championship clash with St. Joseph’s Prep

By: Chris Harlan
Saturday, December 9, 2023 | 7:00 AM

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The team North Allegheny thought most about this week, the roster of players the Tigers maybe focused on more than any other, was North Allegheny.

Yes, they studied film and game planned extensively to face St. Joseph’s Prep in the state finals Saturday in Mechanicsburg. But North Allegheny coach Art Walker also didn’t want his team drawn into the distractions of facing a seven-time state champion that’s ranked sixth in the nation by USA Today.

So, this was a good time for some introspection.

“We have to stick with who we are and what we do,” Walker said, “and not get caught up in all of the different things being discussed about our opponent.”

North Allegheny faces Philadelphia power St. Joseph’s Prep (12-1) in the PIAA Class 6A final at 7 p.m. Saturday at Cumberland Valley. The Philly Catholic League team has won four of the past five big-school titles including a 42-7 victory over Harrisburg in last year’s finals.

Statewide sentiment surely favors St. Joseph’s Prep to win another title, but Walker encouraged his players to be confident as the last team left standings from the west.

“We got here and there’s a reason we’re here,” Walker said. “We’re down to two teams in 6A. We’re one of them. Don’t forget how we got here and what it took. That’s really important to always consider.”

North Allegheny (13-1) is trying to win its fourth state title, joining those won in 1990, 2010 and 2012.

St. Joseph’s Prep is coming off a 49-0 win over District 1 champion Central Bucks South in the semifinals. In the two weeks prior, Prep defeated District 11 champion Nazareth, 59-21, and topped Philadelphia public school Abraham Lincoln, 35-0, in the District 12 finals.

On average, the Hawks have outscored opponents, 43-8, in their 12 wins this season. Their lone loss was to national power IMG Academy, 17-14, in the season opener.

They’re led by Cincinnati quarterback commit Samaj Jones, who throws to Kentucky recruit David Washington and West Virginia recruit Brandon Rehmann. Jones is a 6-foot-1, 210-pound dual-threat quarterback who passed for 1,697 yards and 17 touchdowns while rushing for 12 more scores.

“He probably has a better arm than people give him credit for,” Walker said. “He’s obviously athletic and gets it done with his feet as well.”

Washington has 27 catches for 547 yards and six touchdowns. Rehman has 23 catches for 430 yards and six touchdowns. Both are 6-foot seniors.

Wisconsin cornerback commit Omillio Agard is another standout in the senior class.

The junior class includes linebacker Anthony Sacca and defensive tackle Maxwell Roy, who each have Georgia and Michigan among their college offers. Another junior, Cameron Smith, has Pitt and Penn State among his options.

All are ranked among the top college recruits in the state.

“We’ve got our work cut out for us,” Walker said. “They’ve got guys all over the place on both sides of the ball. They’ve got size, speed, depth. When you have that, you’re going to have a pretty good football team.”

If North Allegheny is looking for some inspiration, WPIAL champion Mt. Lebanon did stun St. Joseph’s Prep two years ago in the state finals. Jones was a sophomore starter, but many of the players surrounding him have graduated in the two years since.

“Any team is capable of being beat,” Walker said, “but you’ve got to believe, you’ve got to stick together and obviously you have to play exceptionally well. Things have to go your way.”

North Allegheny is coming off a 24-12 semifinal win over Harrisburg led by a strong defensive effort and two rushing touchdowns from Logan Kushner. The quarterback attempted only six passes in that win and completed just one, so they’ll probably need a little more offensive balance in the finals.

But one thing the Tigers didn’t try to do was reinvent themselves.

“We just talked about being us, sticking to what we’ve done and what our formula for success has been,” Walker said. “That includes our scheme, but it also includes who we are as a team, our team chemistry, how our players work together and feel about each other. That all weighs into it.”

Chris Harlan is a TribLive reporter covering sports. He joined the Trib in 2009 after seven years as a reporter at the Beaver County Times. He can be reached at charlan@triblive.com.

Tags: North Allegheny