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(Statistical Information Courtesy of Professor Briggs' archives, The Herald and Erie Times-News. Coaches' quotes from Bob Greenburg interviews or Professor Briggs interviews)

WEEK FIFTEEN FOOTBALL PREVIEWS

The Farrell Steelers continue their postseason journey Friday night as the Steelers face District 7 champion Serra in the PIAA Class 2A semifinals. Farrell seeks its third trip to the state championship game in the last four years. Serra, meanwhile, returns to the state tournament after a 14-year hiatus.

FRIDAY NIGHT
PIAA CLASS 2A SEMIFINAL

Farrell (11-0) vs. Serra (13-1), 7:00 p.m., Mihalik-Thompson Stadium, Slippery Rock University

Series History: First Meeting
All-Time PIAA Playoff Record: Farrell 23-7, Serra 2-1

Undefeated Farrell makes its 12th all-time appearance in the state semifinals after opening the state tournament with consecutive road victories in interdistrict play. The Steelers outlasted host Karns City, 30-12, at snow-covered Diehl Stadium last Friday night. Meanwhile, Serra won its third all-time District 7 crown by downing Beaver Falls, 35-12, at Heinz Field last Friday evening. Serra forced nine turnovers in earning the victory.

Defense has carried Serra on its playoff run. Serra, the No. 6 seed in the District 7 playoffs, blanked Laurel in the quarterfinals, 6-0. In the semifinals, Serra forced five turnovers in upsetting second-seeded Sto-Rox, 13-12.

Overall, Serra has forced 48 turnovers in its 14 games. The Eagles own a plus-30 turnover margin. Junior Elijah Ward has a team-leading four interceptions while teammates Terrell Booth, Jayvon Campbell-Holt, Daiquan Chatfield and Pharoh Fisher all have three picks. Ward and Booth both returned interceptions for touchdowns in the title game win over Beaver Falls.

Serra also has 41 quarterback sacks, led by 13 sacks from senior Ryan Brooks.

"They really thrive off turning the ball over," Farrell head coach Amp Pegues said of the Serra defense. "Their defense is really good. They're flying to the ball and they play with a lot of energy. They're a well-coached team. We have our hands full."

The Serra defense will try to slow down a Farrell attack that averages 51.3 points and 422.3 yards per game. Led by standout running back Anthony Stallworth, Farrell's rushing attack averages 304 yards per game.

However, Farrell's passing game moved to the forefront in the snowy quarterfinal victory at Karns City. Quarterback Kabron Smith threw for 112 yards on 2-of-3 passing while Trian Holden went 7 of 11 for 92 yards. Both men completed touchdown passes to Omar Stewart, Jr., who had five catches for 171 yards.

Holden has thrown for 622 yards and 14 touchdowns this season. He has completed 70 percent (35 of 50) of his passes. Meanwhile, Smith has 617 passing yards and nine touchdowns. Smith is 36 of 59 (61.0 percent) passing. Stewart averages a team-leading 21.5 yards per catch. He has 21 catches for 451 yards and nine scores.

"A lot of teams are going to stack the box on us and force us to throw the ball, which we're very capable of doing," Pegues said. "We know, moving on, that we're going to have to throw the ball to win some of these games and we're very capable of that."

Junior Kylon Wilson leads Farrell with 36 catches for 658 yards and 13 touchdowns. He has added 245 rushing yards. Wilson ranks second on the team with 23 total touchdowns. He played sparingly at Karns City due to a groin injury and is "day to day," according to Pegues.

Stallworth ran for 138 yards on 20 carries despite the snowy field conditions. He now has 2,156 rushing yards and 29 touchdowns this year while averaging 13.0 yards per carry. Stallworth has 5,207 career yards and 65 career rushing touchdowns.

"As the game goes on, he gets stronger," Pegues said. "The more carries he gets, the more physical he gets. He's a very special and talented kid."

Defensively, Farrell allows only 2.6 yards per play. Senior middle linebacker Taidon Strickland has recorded 104 tackles while also forcing 10 fumbles. Fellow linebackers Zaire Thomas and Anthony "Duke" Jackson have 74 and 72 stops, respectively. Junior defensive end Malachi Owens has 6.5 of Farrell's 25 sacks while junior end Kien Wade has six sacks.

The Steelers have allowed only 11 touchdowns this year while Farrell's defense and special teams have accounted for 10 touchdowns. That 10th touchdown came last week when cornerback Dwight Allen sealed the win with a 15-yard interception return to the end zone in the fourth quarter. Allen filled in at cornerback for the injured Wilson. Allen and Wilson share the team lead with three interceptions.

"We have a lot of guys who can step in and play right away," Pegues said. "We have a lot of depth that lets us move guys around."

Senior quarterback Max Rocco leads Serra's balanced offense. He has thrown for 1,839 yards and 24 touchdowns this season. "He can sling it around," Pegues said.

Senior Machai Brooks-Dutrieuille has rushed for a team-leading 957 yards and eight touchdowns. Fisher has added seven touchdowns, along with 136 yards. Booth leads Serra with 43 catches for 860 yards and 14 touchdowns. Campbell-Holt has added 35 receptions for 600 yards and seven scores.

Serra finished 4-1 in the Class 2A Allegheny Conference. The Eagles fell to Steel Valley in the regular season finale, 28-7. "They've played some good competition this year," Pegues said. "They're not going to be afraid of us. They'll be coming in expecting to win, just like we are."

Farrell is 6-5 all-time in the state semifinals. Serra is 1-0. In 2007, the Eagles defeated District 9 power Kane, 48-21, to earn a trip to the state championship game. Serra fell in the 2007 Class A state title game to Steelton-Highspire, 34-15. Serra has never faced a Mercer County program.

The winner will face either District 11 champion Northern Lehigh or District 4 titlist Southern Columbia in the state title game next Friday afternoon. Those teams will play at 7 p.m. Friday at Lehighton High School.

The game will be broadcast on Sports Radio 96.7. 

Live Stats available here.