History will remember this Roman Catholic team.
In the last two seasons, the Cahillites have lost to Ihmotep Charter in the PIAA 5A state playoffs. Roman had a clean route to a state championship appearance because Ihmotep had moved up to 6A before the 2024 season.
Roman Catholic will compete for a state title for the first time in school history next Friday at Cumberland Valley after defeating West Chester Rustin 41-17 in the 5A playoffs.
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Rustin held a powerful Cahillites offense at bay while Roman forced several three-and-outs, demonstrating the effectiveness of both defenses.
Roman was unable to gain any momentum on its drives due to penalties and two turnovers in the first quarter. A 30-yard field goal by Rustin kicker Freddie Adler was directly caused by one of the turnovers.
Roman led 7-3 at the interval after wide receiver Eyan Stead scored a late goal in the first half.
Compared to the first half, the second half was a total 180. The Cahillites led 21-10 at the start of the fourth quarter after both offenses got some rhythm and scored a total of 21 points.
Its offensive and defensive momentum served as the foundation for everything Roman performed. Roman’s signature explosive exploits were on full display as the Cahillites added 20 more points in the last stanza.
The stars
One Friday night, Roman quarterback Semaj Beals was on.
Dropping dime after dime into the chilly winter air, he appeared at ease throughout the entire night in the pocket. The three-star recruit, who had hand warmers in his pockets, threw for 304 yards and four touchdowns, including a four-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Eisa Nealy.
TOUCHDOWN | Nealy gets a 4-yard touchdown reception after going up top (XP BLOCKED)With 10:03 left in Q4pic.twitter.com/NZNblP0spb, Roman is ahead 34-10.
He converted with his legs on crucial third downs and was a clutch runner as well. Roman’s game-winning drive was the result of one of those clutch plays.
Moments that win games
Roman’s offensive was hampered by its first-half difficulties. The Cahillites fell behind 3-0 as a result of two blunders and late penalties. Roman had a fourth-and-one from its own 37-yard line as the first half was coming to a close.
Rick Prete, the head coach, made the decision to keep his team focused on winning the game while they were on the field.
“You must accept it,” Prete remarked. You must go take it since we don’t play conservatively. We have faith in our defense.
Wide receiver Eyan Stead took a read option 15 yards for a first down, demonstrating that Prete’s aggression paid off.
Eyan Stead with a flex afterpic.twitter.com/Cp853c29DA and a huge run on fourth and one
Beals’ seven-yard scramble moved the chains when he was faced with a third-and-five.
Beals had a huge first down run on the third downpic.Follow LdoIwtrG6M on Twitter.
Beals and Stead connected on an 18-yard touchdown pass following outstanding individual efforts, giving Roman a lead it never let go of.
TOUCHDOWN | Beals complete to Stead for an 18-yard catch and run (XP GOOD)Roman is ahead 7-3 with 1:08 left in the first half.Twitter: pic.twitter.com/48w3Qu3ClV
Up next
Roman Catholic will move on to the PIAA 5A championship game against District 3 winner Bishop McDevitt.
They said it
The kids work really hard. Coaching and being around these kids, it s not about the result of the football game. It s the culmination of the work they put in. It s been six years, to see these guys get to this point through all the adversity, you get to show young people that if you work and grind you got a chance.- Roman head coach Rick Prete on the adversity the Cahillites faced in the first half.
Our expectations are high, so we knew we d get here at some point no matter how we got here.- Roman QB Semaj Beals on being the first team in Roman Catholic history to make a state final.
We had a remarkable season here at Rustin. First 5A district championship since 2008. Our senior class, (the district championship) was our third one. We lost the two before, so it was good to finish the job.- Rustin RB Chase Hatton on the season the Golden Knights had.
Scoring summary
Roman Catholic 0-7-14-20 — 41
West Chester Rustin 0-3-7-7 — 17
SECOND QUARTER
WCR-Freddie Alder 30-yard field goal 9:16
RC-Eyan Stead 18-yard pass from Semaj Beals (Eli Pollack kick) 1:08
THIRD QUARTER
RC-Stead 30-yard pass from Beals (Pollack kick) 10:40
RC-Eisa Nealy 46-yard pass from Beals (Pollack kick) 5:40
WCR-Chase Hatton 2-yard run (Adler kick) 3:33
FOURTH QUARTER
RC-Jojo Delecce 44-yard run (Pollack kick) 11:52
RC-Nealy 4-yard pass from Beals (Pollack kick blocked) 10:03
RC-Jeremiah Tabb 17-yard run (Pollack kick) 5:44
WCR-Hatton 60-yard run (Adler kick) 5:23
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