Trib HSSN high school football team of the week for Dec. 2, 2024

By: Don Rebel
Monday, December 2, 2024 | 7:22 PM

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Trib HSSN football team of the week – Central Catholic Vikings

Coach: Ryan Lehmeier (2nd season)

Result: Central Catholic 38, Harrisburg 33

Record: 12-2 overall

#Earned: This is the second time this season the Vikings have been named the Trib HSSN Team of the Week. The first one was at the midway point of the regular season when Central Catholic fell behind then rallied to defeat North Allegheny and take over first place in Class 6A. This time, the WPIAL champions jumped out to an early lead in the PIAA Class 6A semifinals and then had to hold on for dear life to eliminate District 3 champion Harrisburg, 38-33. The Vikings had leads of 13-0 and 27-14 in the second quarter and 38-21 in the third quarter, only to watch a furious Cougars comeback fall short on a fourth-down interception in the end zone to secure a 12th straight victory for Central Catholic and the program’s first trip to the state finals since 2016. The win lifts the Vikings into the PIAA championship game for the eighth time in school history.

Statistical standouts: Central Catholic senior running back Elijah Faulkner followed up his massive game in the PIAA quarterfinal victory over State College with another strong performance in leading the Vikings ground attack against Harrisburg. Faulkner rushed for 131 yards on 24 carries for an average of 5.4 yards per tote, plus he got the ball rolling on the scoring with an electric 42-yard first-quarter touchdown run. Vikings senior quarterback Jy’Aire Walls completed 7 of 15 passes for 89 yards, but two of those completions went for touchdowns on a 25-yard scoring strike to sophomore wide receiver Max Roman and a 23-yard touchdown pass to senior wideout Xxavier Thomas. Walls also scored on runs of 12 and 1 yard. With Harrisburg driving for a potential game-winning score in the final minute of play, junior defensive lineman Cole Bayer sacked Cougars quarterback Jaiyon Lewis, then on fourth down, Lewis’ pass in the end zone was picked off by freshman defensive back Chrys Black to seal the victory for Central Catholic.

Last year: For the first time in nearly 20 years, somebody other than Terry Totten was leading the Central Catholic football team in the 2023 season as Ryan Lehmeier was hired as Vikings coach. Central Catholic stormed out to a 6-0 start by scoring 251 points for an average of 42 points per game. The Vikings suffered their first loss of the season in a nonconference showdown with Pine-Richland, 26-19. Central won its final three regular season games to win the Class 6A regular season and earn the top seed. Following a 35-point win over Mt. Lebanon in the district semifinals, Central Catholic lost the rematch to North Allegheny in the Class 6A championship game for the second straight season in a wild title game, 44-41.

Remember when: Central Catholic has won nine WPIAL football championships along with four PIAA state crowns. Five years ago, the Vikings captured the district when they defeated Pine-Richland in the Class 6A finals, 10-7. This season marks the 20th anniversary of one of the best teams in WPIAL history. Central Catholic won the Quad East Conference and finished the regular season with a perfect 9-0 record. In the WPIAL Class 4A playoffs, the Vikings defeated Kiski Area, Bethel Park, Upper St. Clair and Gateway in the championship game by a combined score of 130-19 with two shutouts to repeat as district champions. Central Catholic was even better in the PIAA postseason, crushing Erie McDowell, Bishop McDevitt, led by future Pitt and NFL running back LeSean “Shady” McCoy, and Neshaminy in the state playoffs by a combined score of 137-17 to win PIAA gold for the second time in school history. The Vikings also won the first Class 4A state title game when they edged Cedar Cliff in the inaugural PIAA playoffs in 1988, 14-7.

Week 14 honorable mention

Avonworth Antelopes

On what turned out to be Black Friday for WPIAL champions with Pine-Richland (5A), Thomas Jefferson (4A), South Park (2A) and Fort Cherry (A) all seeing their seasons end with PIAA semifinal losses, only Avonworth in Class 3A was a winner from District 7 on the day after Thanksgiving. The Antelopes came back with a strong second half to defeat District 6 champion Penn Cambria on a snowy Norwin Stadium turf. Avonworth continued its postseason tradition by leaning on one of the Neal brothers in a wildcat offense to pick up the win. This time, it was junior running back Luca Neal rushing for 254 frozen yards on 26 carries and scoring twice, one on a third-quarter 65-yard run and the other on a fourth-quarter 2-yard plunge to seal the deal on the ‘Lopes’ second trip to the PIAA championship game in the last five years.

2024 Trib HSSN teams of the week

Week 13 – South Park Eagles

Week 12 – Clairton Bears

Week 11 – Avonworth Antelopes

Week 10 – Highlands Golden Rams

Week 9 – Mt. Lebanon Blue Devils

Week 8 – Montour Spartans

Week 7 – Woodland Hills Wolverines

Week 6 – Ellwood City Wolverines

Week 5 – Central Catholic Vikings

Week 4 – Central Valley Warriors

Week 3 – South Allegheny Gladiators

Week 2 – Jefferson-Morgan Rockets

Week 1 – Bethel Park Black Hawks

Week Zero – Blackhawk Cougars

Tags: Central Catholic