Central Catholic hopes to finally solve North Allegheny as teams clash again in WPIAL 6A final

By: Chris Harlan
Saturday, November 16, 2024 | 3:14 AM

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Xxavier Thomas is about to play in his fourth WPIAL championship game, a rather rare feat accomplished by the Central Catholic senior.

But he admits he expects more out of this one after three runner-up finishes.

“Hopefully, we can come out victorious,” said Thomas, a Penn State-bound cornerback and wide receiver. “Be able to put a ring back on our finger and put up another banner for Central Catholic.”

The challenge is the same as the past two.

No. 1 Central Catholic (9-2) plays No. 2 North Allegheny (10-1) in the WPIAL Class 6A final for the third year in a row. Kickoff is 6:05 p.m. Saturday at Norwin.

Theirs has become quite the rivalry.

“We’re not so much focused on them,” Thomas said. “We’re focused on what we need to do.”

North Allegheny is a two-time defending WPIAL champion, winning 44-41 last year and 35-21 in 2022. With another win, the Tigers would become the first team to claim three straight 6A titles.

Central Catholic seeks its first since 2020.

“This is what you work for,” said NA coach Art Walker, who has won seven titles. “You don’t work just to win the section or try to make the playoffs or try to make the championship. You’re putting in the work and the commitment and the sacrifice to do everything you can to win a championship.”

Central Catholic has reached the finals six years in a row and 11 of the past 12. The Vikings have won eight titles overall.

“Expectations are exceptionally high at Central Catholic,” second-year coach Ryan Lehmeier said. “We don’t shy away from that. The bar is set high. Not only by me but the kids and my assistants, there’s an accountability factor to keep it there.”

Central Catholic won its regular season matchup with North Allegheny, 27-14, in Week 5.

The Vikings grabbed control with a couple of interceptions including a pick-six by linebacker Colsen Gatten. Running back Elijah Faulkner rushed for 127 yards and a touchdown in the win.

Along with two costly turnovers, North Allegheny was hurt by a few miscues on special teams.

“There are things that we can control, that we can fix,” Walker said. “That makes you more hopeful in that regard.”

North Allegheny has won five in a row since that loss. The Tigers are coming off a 48-14 win over No. 3 Mt. Lebanon in the semifinals. Luke Rohan rushed for two touchdowns and Dylan Brokos also scored.

Central Catholic has a nine-game winning streak. The Vikings reached the finals with a 38-14 semifinal win over No. 4 Seneca Valley. Faulkner rushed for 151 yards and three touchdowns in the win.

This is the first time that two teams in the WPIAL’s largest classification have met in three consecutive finals. Both teams have changed quite a bit over the years.

Notably, each has a new starting quarterback since they met in the finals last season. Central Catholic senior Jy’Aire Walls has thrown for 2,079 yards and 22 touchdowns. North Allegheny sophomore Brady Brinkley has 1,197 yards and 10 TDs.

Lehmeier said he’s a big believer in the mantra that a new year brings a new team.

So, recent history gets left in the past.

“We’ve reflected more about things that have happened this season with this group, because it’s not really about anybody else,” Lehmeier said. “It’s not about any guys who played in this game before, unless they’re playing in this one.”

But after a few near misses by Central Catholic’s seniors, winning a title now might mean even more.

“It definitely would,” Thomas said. “It would mean the world.”

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: Central Catholic, North Allegheny