5A Championship Game Preview Bishop McDevitt vs. Roman Catholic

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In a re-match of last year's PIAA 5A State Championship game between Bishop McDevitt vs. Roman Catholic. McDevitt is going for their 4^th state title, and their 3^rd title in the last 4 years. Roman Catholic has never won a state title, so they are playing for their 1^st one.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Bishop McDevitt Most Impactful Players </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["402461"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-692fa3beb7df7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='402461' first='Nazir' last='Jones-Davis'] is an excellent running back. I really like his patience as a running back. He waits for the hole to open up, and then he explodes through it. He then shows his speed when he gets into the open field by running past defenders. He has legit track speed. He is also a physical running back who is hard to bring down. Jones-Davis is a talented player who will need to have a big game in the State Title to beat Roman Catholic. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Senior running back [player_tooltip player_id='402461' first='Nazir' last='Jones-Davis'] surpassed the 1,000 yard mark tonight. <br>Congrats <a href="https://twitter.com/Swoops02?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Swoops02</a>! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TailbackHigh?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TailbackHigh</a>⚔️ <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GoCrusaders?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GoCrusaders</a>⚔️ <a href="https://t.co/T24IUg3KgT">pic.twitter.com/T24IUg3KgT</a></p>&mdash; McD Football (@McD_Football_) <a href="https://twitter.com/McD_Football_/status/1989528969574510890?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 15, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["402457"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-692fa3beb7e88"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='402457' first='Maurice' last='Barnes'] is a good player who makes an excellent 1-2 punch in the backfield with [player_tooltip player_id='402461' first='Nazir' last='Jones-Davis']. He has a great feel as a running back, as he can hit the hole. Then, as a linebacker, he is a huge difference maker. His ability to read and react to the play and come upfield to make a play is impressive. He sees the ball, and he flies upfield to make tackles in or near the line of scrimmage. He is also an excellent tackler, especially in the open field. Barnes also shows a good ability to blitz and put pressure on offenses. Against a talented Roman Catholic team, Barnes will need to chase plays all over the field to help get the win. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Check out my week 1-7 highlights. <a href="https://t.co/wEPHwaziW4">https://t.co/wEPHwaziW4</a></p>&mdash; [player_tooltip player_id='402457' first='Maurice' last='Barnes'] Jr. (@_mbj08) <a href="https://twitter.com/_mbj08/status/1979643200525807812?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 18, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["941129"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-692fa3beb7efa"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='941129' first='Liam' last='Fuller'] is a good two-way player for Bishop McDevitt. His ability to play as a tight end at a high level is impressive. He is a good blocker. His ability to block on the edge is good. He also catches the ball well, especially in between defenders. Then, as an edge defender, he is hard to block one-on-one as he is disruptive against opposing offenses. Fuller will need to be his usual dominant self if they are going to beat Roman Catholic. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["388097"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-692fa3beb7f68"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='388097' first='Jude' last='Slover'] is one of the best centers in the state of Pennsylvania. He is an absolute monster as both a run and pass blocker. In the run game, he is especially nasty. His ability to drive defenders and turn them so they can run behind him is excellent. He is also a good athlete who can pull and get out in front of screen passes to block. Slover is a good player, and he needs to have a good game to beat Roman Catholic. I expect him to be at his best. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Coaches!!! Check out my SENIOR YEAR Weeks 1-5 film!! <a href="https://t.co/IFTEbMSneY">https://t.co/IFTEbMSneY</a><a href="https://twitter.com/CoachWeachter?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachWeachter</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/EdOBrienCFB?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@EdOBrienCFB</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/McD_Football_?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@McD_Football_</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/footballcoach79?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@footballcoach79</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/RMackes?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RMackes</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/chancepowell5?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@chancepowell5</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/mrpafootball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@mrpafootball</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/PRZVicCastillo?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PRZVicCastillo</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/PaFootballNews?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PaFootballNews</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CaryMoyer?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CaryMoyer</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CoachJaimieT?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachJaimieT</a></p>&mdash; [player_tooltip player_id='388097' first='Jude' last='Slover'] (@JudeSlover49) <a href="https://twitter.com/JudeSlover49/status/1971387198810493209?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 26, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Roman Catholic Most Impactful Players</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["386282"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-692fa3beb7fd5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Eyan Stead is one of the best athletes in the 2026 class. His speed and elusiveness are impressive. As a wide receiver, he can score anytime he touches the ball. His ability to make plays after the catch is special. He also has tremendous speed to run by defenders. The other position he excels at is as a defensive back. Stead vs. some of the McDevitt athletes will be a great test for both sides. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">PIAA Class 5A First Round Playoff Game! <a href="https://twitter.com/ZephyrAthletics?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ZephyrAthletics</a> vs. <a href="https://twitter.com/_RomanFootball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@_RomanFootball</a> at Zephyr Stadium in Whitehall, PA<a href="https://twitter.com/Maj_QB1?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Maj_QB1</a> to <a href="https://twitter.com/eyansteadjr1?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@eyansteadjr1</a> for a 68 Yd TD! Roman Catholic leads 7-0 with 11:44 left in the 1st!<a href="https://twitter.com/PaFootballNews?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PaFootballNews</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/ZephyrAthletics?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ZephyrAthletics</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/RomanAthletics?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RomanAthletics</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CoachAndyMarino?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachAndyMarino</a>… <a href="https://t.co/lZ9FOKtDEw">pic.twitter.com/lZ9FOKtDEw</a></p>&mdash; John Fox (@EaglesD15812) <a href="https://twitter.com/EaglesD15812/status/1989484554919313731?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 15, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1352809"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-692fa3beb8043"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1352809' first='Antwan' last='Smith-Ray'] is a disruptive force as a defensive lineman for Roman Catholic. His ability to fire off the ball and attack offensive linemen is impressive. He gets off the ball extremely quickly. He also has good strength as a defensive lineman. Smith-Ray is one of the biggest keys to victory for Roman Catholic because Bishop McDevitt loves to run the ball. He needs to be able to control his gap and stop the run. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">My senior Regular SNZ Tape<br>Check out my highlight - <a href="https://t.co/mhQ8iQFAAj">https://t.co/mhQ8iQFAAj</a><br>⁦<a href="https://twitter.com/Rivals?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Rivals</a>⁩ ⁦<a href="https://twitter.com/On3Richie?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@On3Richie</a>⁩ ⁦<a href="https://twitter.com/247recruiting?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@247recruiting</a>⁩ ⁦<a href="https://twitter.com/247Sports?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@247Sports</a>⁩ ⁦<a href="https://twitter.com/EPAFootball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@EPAFootball</a>⁩ ⁦<a href="https://twitter.com/TheUCReport?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TheUCReport</a>⁩ ⁦<a href="https://twitter.com/DemetricDWarren?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DemetricDWarren</a>⁩ ⁦@Rivals_HS⁩</p>&mdash; 3⭐️ [player_tooltip player_id='1352809' first='Antwan' last='Smith-Ray'] Jr (@AntwanSmithray) <a href="https://twitter.com/AntwanSmithray/status/1982936176894873641?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 27, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1090292"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-692fa3beb80b3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The 2nd center I am profiling for this State Tite Game match-up, [player_tooltip player_id='1090292' first='Khalif' last='McNear'], is a talented player. His ability to block interior defensive linemen is good. What I love about his film is that he can block in many different types of schemes. He can power drive him off the ball if it is needed, but he is also a good zone blocker. He is also athletic enough to pull and block downfield. McNear is a good player who will need to block well to help Roman Catholic win a state title.. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["386283"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-692fa3beb811f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">What a 1-2 punch at wide receiver, [player_tooltip player_id='386283' first='Ash' last='Roberts'] are, along with Eyan Stead. Roberts is a big play machine at wide receiver. His ability to get off the ball and run by defenders is impressive. He has excellent ball skills as well. He is also excellent off the catch and making people miss. Roberts will be a handful for McDevitt to stop. I expect he will make several plays. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">[player_tooltip player_id='386284' first='Semaj' last='Beals'] x [player_tooltip player_id='386283' first='Ash' last='Roberts'] 💴 for Roman Catholic <a href="https://twitter.com/RomanCatholicHC?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RomanCatholicHC</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/AllStatePreps?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AllStatePreps</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/werunthestate?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#werunthestate</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/allstateprepsfb?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#allstateprepsfb</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Maj_QB1?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Maj_QB1</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/ash1roberts?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ash1roberts</a> <a href="https://t.co/nua3wAolQU">pic.twitter.com/nua3wAolQU</a></p>&mdash; EdOBrienCFB (@EdOBrienCFB) <a href="https://twitter.com/EdOBrienCFB/status/1994941437205778944?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 30, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->