State Title Hunt: Prospect Watch, Class 1A Semifinals

We have reached the final four in each class as the PIAA Semifinals are upon us! Teams have come too far to go down now as state titles are in reach! In this series, we will highlight prospects from each semifinalist to keep an eye out for. I know I’ll be keeping a close eye on many of the prospects in this piece. &nbsp; <p style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><em>*Bishop Guilfoyle vs. Canton</em></span></strong></p> <strong>Bishop Guilfoyle</strong> <span style="text-decoration: underline; font-size: 14pt;"> - [player_tooltip player_id="91734" first="Cooper" last="Rother"] | 5’10, 175 | DB/RB/WR | 2023</span> <span style="text-decoration: underline; font-size: 14pt;">- [player_tooltip player_id="94819" first="Haiden" last="Garner"] | 6’2, 185 | WR/ATH | 2022</span> Bishop Guilfoyle ran into their first real challenge in Juniata Valley last weekend, but was able to win their third playoff game this post-season. Congrats to BG on securing the District 6 title! Keep an eye out for Rother and Garner going into this one. <strong>Canton</strong> <span style="text-decoration: underline; font-size: 14pt;">- Cooper Kitchen | 5’10, 160 | QB | 2022</span> <span style="text-decoration: underline; font-size: 14pt;">- Riley Parker | 5’11, 185 | ATH | 2023</span> I'll be the first to say that I need to dig deeper on Cooper Kitchen, Riley Parker, and the rest of the crew at Canton. The team doesn't currently have any ranked prospects on the roster which has to change considering this team beat Steelton-Highspire in a close matchup and have now secured their spot in the semis after a 20-14 win over Old Forge. I want to find more talent on the squad, I know it's there. My eyes will be peeled for additional stand-out performers. I saw the clutch connection on fourth down between these two last week. I want to see more of that, wish I could see it live to get a better feel for each of their games. Best of luck to both teams! &nbsp; <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong><em>*Bishop Canevin vs. Redbank Valley </em></strong></span></p> <strong>Bishop Canevin</strong> <span style="text-decoration: underline; font-size: 14pt;">- [player_tooltip player_id="160303" first="Xavier" last="Nelson"] | 5’9, 160 | WR/DB | 2023</span> <span style="text-decoration: underline; font-size: 14pt;">- [player_tooltip player_id="186279" first="Keshawn" last="Harris"] | 5’11, 185 | LB/RB | 2022</span> <span style="text-decoration: underline; font-size: 14pt;">- Willie Banks | 6’3, 205 | DL/LB | 2022</span> Bishop Canevin was the lone team out of this group to cruise by their opponent in OLSH, a super-talented team that has many thinking BC to be the favorite to take the State Title. It’s a good thought when taking a deeper dive into their 42-7 victory last weekend. The BC defense has been on a tear this post-season as they have yet to allow more than two scores in any game thus far. The defense, led by 1st-Team All-Conference defensive end Willie Banks. His tape and efforts this fall should place him on our senior rankings dropping very soon. &nbsp; <strong>Redbank Valley </strong> <span style="text-decoration: underline; font-size: 14pt;">- [player_tooltip player_id="178636" first="Joseph" last="Mansfield"] | 6’2, 195 | DL | 2022</span> <span style="text-decoration: underline; font-size: 14pt;">- [player_tooltip player_id="178635" first="Chris" last="Marshall"] | 6’4, 185 | WR/DB </span> <span style="text-decoration: underline; font-size: 14pt;">- [player_tooltip player_id="178634" first="Marquese" last="Gardlock"] | 6’5, 185 | WR/DB | 2022</span> RBV’s head coach Blane Gold spoke to me before the season. Was adamant about the talent on his team, as well as frustrated with the lack of exposure his kids get. There’s no excuse now for anyone not knowing the kids listed above. One prospect not listed is Ray "Boo" Shreckengost. His stat line from last weekend’s win goes as follows. <em><strong>20 att, 137yds, TD; 2 KOR for 99yd, 79yd TD’s. </strong></em> Unreal effort. I am a fan of many on both of these sidelines and wish both sides the best! &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;