Central Catholic captured its ninth WPIAL football title in school history a week ago with a dominating 45-14 victory over North Allegheny, pushing the Vikings into the state playoffs against a familiar opponent in the State College Little Lions.
Meeting for the fourth time in history, Central Catholic held the upper hand in the series with a 3-0 record, including a 19-3 win in 2015 quarterfinals — the last time the Vikings won a state crown.
In the Class 6A PIAA quarterfinals matchup, Central Catholic pounced on the Little Lions from the jump and never looked back with a 41-19 victory at Mansion Park Stadium in Altoona, Pa.
Senior running back Elijah Faulkner bullied his way to four rushing touchdowns, including a tough 33-yard touchdown run in the third quarter. He totaled 38 touches for 235 yards on the ground.
The Vikings (11-2) opened the game by establishing their presence on the ground with Faulkner ripping off runs of nine, eight and 13 yards to cross midfield.
On the first pass play through the air, senior signal caller Jy’Aire Walls took a deep shot and connected with his trustee wide receiver and Duke commit Bradley Gompers for a 40-yard touchdown play. The Central Catholic opening drive went 65 yards on five plays in just 1:45.
After demolishing Williamsport in a PIAA first-round matchup, 75-14, State College (11-2) was hoping to match its 42-point first-quarter output from a week prior. However, the Little Lions went three-and-out on its first drive and it was met with a blocked punt by Max Roman to set up the Vikings at the State College 25.
Central Catholic made light work of the prime field positioning as Faulkner punched in a 1-yard touchdown run, the first of several on the night.
With the Vikings ahead 14-0 in a hurry, State College started to get its offense in rhythm. On a third-and-11 just shy of midfield, Eddie Corkery hit Daimaer Coad with a simple pass, but it was the junior receiver who turned, bulldozed two Viking defenders to pick up a 38-yard gain. In the end, the big play meant very little, as State College failed to convert on a lengthy fourth-down attempt in the end zone.
Starting at its own 24, Central Catholic moved methodically down the field, including a 26-yard catch and run by Penn State commit Xxavier Thomas. The long drive would be capped off by Faulkner’s second 1-yard plunge to put the Vikings ahead 21-0. Faulkner would add another touchdown run from one yard out right before the halftime break.
Down by three scores, State College relied on two big strikes in order to pull to game within reach. First it was wide receiver Cooper Brushwood that beat Zachary Gleason on a go-route as he would then haul in the 45-yard touchdown reception. Four minutes later and the Little Lions were back in the end zone as Corkery hit junior Henry Lustig for 28 yards and a touchdown to bring the game within eight points. Central Catholic led 28-13 at half.
Faulkner — who holds Division I offers from Eastern Michigan, Central Michigan, Howard, Fordham, Cornell, Navy and others — showcased his speed and balance as he broke off a 33-yard touchdown early in the third quarter, breaking two tackles on his way to the end zone.
As Central Catholic’s defense was tough to beat, even coming up with an interception from Thomas, State College found the end zone for a much-needed score late in the third quarter. Corkery extended the play with his legs, set and fired for a 7-yard touchdown to Ty Salazer bringing the score to 35-19 heading into the fourth quarter.
On the ensuing drive, State College gambled with the onside kick and recovered, giving the Little Lions the ball with excellent field position. Knocking on the doorstep, but facing a third down from the 6-yard line, Corkery dropped back to pass, but would be picked off by three-star 2026 linebacker Colsen Gatten to end any sort of offensive threat the rest of the way from State College.
Central Catholic advances to the PIAA Class 6A semifinals to face the winner of the District 3 championship game Saturday between Harrisburg and West Lawn Wilson.
Central Catholic played State College 1973, and lost I believe. So the overall record was actually 3-1, prior to tonight’s game.