PIAA Class A semifinals primer: Jeannette vs. Farrell

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Thursday, November 30, 2017 | 8:27 PM


Class A

Jeannette (13-1) vs. Farrell (11-2)

7 p.m. Friday, Seneca Valley

On the air: Tribhssn.triblive.com; 107.1-FM

Coaches: Roy Hall, Jeannette; Jarrett Samuels, Farrell

How they got here: Jeannette defeated Imani Christian, 35-34, in the WPIAL championship. Farrell, the District 10 champion, defeated Ridgway/Johnsonburg, 36-0, in the PIAA quarterfinals.

Winner plays: The winner of District 6 champion Homer-Center (12-1) and District 3 champion Steelton-Highspire (12-2) in the PIAA Class A championship game at 1 p.m. Dec. 7 at Hersheypark Stadium.

Players to watch

• Robert Kennedy, Jeannette: The senior standout has thrown for 1,294 yards, run for 1,113 and scored 19 times. He also has intercepted 10 passes as a defensive back.

• Seth Howard, Jeannette: While splitting time with Kennedy at quarterback late in the season, Howard has thrown for nearly 500 yards and six scores. He threw for 185 yards and two scores in the WPIAL title game.

• Jourdan Townsend, Farrell: The talented wide receiver has 66 catches for a District 10-record 1,509 yards and 22 touchdowns.

•Isaac Clarke, Farrell: The Steelers quarterback has thrown for 2,176 yards and 30 touchdowns, with only one interception.

Did you know?

• Farrell is in the Western Final for the third straight season. The two-time state champion Steelers were PIAA runners-up to Bishop Guilfoyle in 2015 and lost to Clairton, 24-6, in the 2016 semifinals.

• Farrell has outscored its past seven opponents 267-78 during a seven-game winning streak and has tallied 563 points this season, an average of 43.3 ppg.

• Jeannette has claimed one PIAA championship, in 2007 behind dual-threat quarterback Terrelle Pryor. The Jayhawks lost to Wilson in the 2006 state championship game.

Prediction

Jeannette, 30-21

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