Jaguars ready for another Cathedral Prep challenge
By JEREMY SELLEW
jsellew@yourmvi.com
If the Thomas Jefferson football team wants to fulfill their state championship aspirations, they’re going to have to go through a familiar foe to get there.
Erie Cathedral Prep
The Ramblers (10-2), the defending state champions, and the Jaguars (13-0) meet tonight in a PIAA quarterfinal at North Hills High School’s Martorelli Stadium.
The last three times the Jaguars won a WPIAL title, the Ramblers were there to end their state title hopes.
Cathedral Prep defeated the Jaguars 28-21 at Veterans Stadium in 2015, 30-13 at Baldwin in 2016, and 42-17 at Veterans Stadium in 2017. The Ramblers went on to PIAA titles all three years.
“It’s the same story each year and it’s going to be our biggest challenge of the year so far,” TJ head coach Bill Cherpak said. “Erie is athletic, they’re fast and they have it all. They’re the defending state champions for a reason, can’t say anything about that.”
Cathedral Prep coach Mike Mischler said he’s expecting the Jaguars to come out swinging and for the teams to put on a show when they hit the field.
“I anticipate this to be one of the most competitive games in the state this season,” Cathedral Prep coach Mike Mischler said. “Thomas Jefferson is a storied program. They are one of the best teams in the entire state year in and year out. They are extremely well-coached with tough, athletic, disciplined kids to complement the coaching.
“There is a reason why they have been as consistently successful as they have been under coach (Bill) Cherpak. I think it will come down to the line play on both sides of the ball.”
The two offenses aren’t shy about putting points on the board. The Jaguars are coming off a 41-7 win over Belle Vernon Area in the WPIAL championship game. Cathedral Prep knocked off District 6 champion Bellefonte, 49-21, in a PIAA first-round game.
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