DENVER, Pa. — For the second time in as many years, Cocalico is back in the PIAA Class 5A semifinals.
The Eagles are hoping for a better outcome this time around.
Last year, Cocalico was defeated 34-12 by Pine-Richland, which went on to capture its third straight state title.
This year, the Eagles will face the team that prevented Pine-Richland from winning its fourth straight crown: Peters Township, which knocked off the Rams 43-17 to capture its first-ever WPIAL title two weeks ago.
The Indians followed that up with a 33-14 triumph over previously undefeated Erie Cathedral Prep last week.
Cocalico and Peters Township will square off at 7 p.m. Friday at Mansion Park in Altoona. (Click here for directions.)
The winner will take on either Imhotep Charter or Strath Haven in the PIAA Class 5A championship game, which is set for December 8 at Cumberland Valley High School's Chapman Field.
Here's a preview of Friday's semifinal clash.
Cocalico (12-1) vs. Peters Township (14-0)
Friday, 7 p.m. at Mansion Park, Altoona
ABOUT PETERS TOWNSHIP: It's already been a historic season for the Indians, who won the first WPIAL title in program history with its victory over three-time defending state champion Pine-Richland. Peters Township then won its first-ever PIAA playoff game with last week's 33-14 triumph over Cathedral Prep.
Sophomore quarterback Nolan DiLucia threw for 184 yards and two touchdowns against Cathedral Prep, while Carter Shanafelt booted four field goals and RB Vinny Sarcone scored on a 30-yard TD run in the fourth quarter.
That was more than enough for the Indian defense, which led the WPIAL in points allowed this season.
DiLucia, whose TD passes against Prep covered distances of 32 and 62 yards, has thrown for 30 touchdowns and more than 2,800 yards this season. Sarcone and Preston Blair have combined for 1,200 rushing yards for the year, while Sarcone's 22 touchdowns are second on the team.
Peters Township has shut out five opponents this season and held four other foes to a single score. Only one team has scored more than two touchdowns against the Indians this season.
ABOUT COCALICO: The Eagles captured their second straight District 3 Class 5A title (and their third in five years) with a 23-9 triumph over neighborhood rival Ephrata last week in a game that also served as the state quarterfinals.
Aaryn Longenecker rushed for 113 yards and a pair of touchdowns and caught three passes for 46 yards and another score for the Eagles, who also got a 25-yard field goal from Todd Becker. Cocalico outgained Ephrata 354-242 in total yards, sacked Ephrata QB Sam McCracken seven times, and forced a pair of turnovers. Longenecker made an impact on defense as well, grabbing one of Cocalico's two interceptions.
It was the fifth district title in program history for Cocalico, which won its 12th straight game. The only team to beat the Eagles this season is Warwick, which won 17-14 in their season opener.
Cocalico will pose a test for Peters Township's imposing defense. The Eagles rely almost exclusively on their rushing attack, which averages 322 yards per game. If they can get that ground game established against Peters Township's stingy defense, they'll be able to keep DiLucia and the dangerous Indian offense safely on the sidelines.
Longnecker is the lead back, with 1,314 yards and 16 touchdowns on 99 carries. Sam Steffey, the Eagles' second-leading rusher, has 821 yards and 16 scores this season, but he hasn't been in the lineup since Cocalico's playoff-opening win over Conestoga Valley. In his absence, QB Josh Myer and RB Dane Horning have assumed larger roles in the ground game. Myer has 739 yards and 11 scores on 130 carries, while Horning has 738 yards and 10 TDs on 133 attempts.
Myer has thrown just 40 passes all season, completing 17 of them for 336 yards and four scores.
Cocalico's defense allows 196 yards per game. The Eagles have allowed just 32 points in three playoff matchups and have yielded 12.6 points per game for the season.