The 2025 high school football action continued this past weekend with some great games across Pennsylvania! Here is Mr. PA Football’s recap of some of the top games.
Harrisburg takes down rival Bishop McDevitt 29-21
The “Battle of the Burg” lived up to the hype again this year. The Crusaders fought valiantly, but just came up a little short against the ultra-talented Cougars.
Harrisburg engineered a seven-play scoring drive late in the fourth quarter that ended in a P.J. Dent touchdown run. Dent’s touchdown run preserved a 29-21 conquest over Bishop McDevitt.
Dent had to step up and received the lion share of carries after Harrisburg RB and Penn State recruit Messiah Mickens suffered a lower leg injury late in the first quarter. Mickens impacted the game before his injury and had 64 yards on seven carries and ended the Cougar’s opening drive with a 7-yard touchdown run. Dent, a physical and powerful runner, carried 14 times for 90 yards and two touchdowns.
The Crusaders lost top senior RB Nazir Jones-Davis to an ankle injury. Jones-Davis had 14 carries for 68 yards against the Cougars. Senior RB/LB Maurice Barnes scored on two short touchdown runs.
Junior QB Mikal Shank Jr. completed 13 of 19 passes for 167 yards. Shank completed a 12-yard TD pass to Jaiyon Lewis in the final seconds before halftime, giving Harrisburg a 22-14 lead.
Harrisburg never trailed, although the Crusaders battled back to cut the Cougars lead to 22-21 at the 5:02 mark of the third quarter when QB Sebastian Williams scored from the 1-yard line.
Bishop McDevitt got two more opportunities while trailing by 8 points in the final 4:11, but failed to convert. One possession culminated with a fumble recovery by Ja’auan Johnson. Junior LB Rick Brown stripped the ball from Crusader senior WR Gage Ruth. Bishop McDevitt ran out of time on their final possession of the game.
Standouts of the Game
Harrisburg:
- Junior QB Mikal Shank, 13-19, 167 passing yards and 1 TD,
- Senior WR Elias Coke, 4 receptions 65 yards,
- Senior ATH/CB Jaiyon Lewis, 3 receptions 37 yards and 1 TD,
- Junior RB P.J. Dent, 14 rushes for 90 yards, 2 TD’s,
Bishop McDevitt:
- Junior QB Sebastian Williams, 11-14, 125 passing yards, 1 rushing TD,
- Senior RB Nazir Jones-Davis, 14 rushes for 68 yards,
- Senior RB/LB Maurice Barnes, 7 rushes for 26 yards, 2 TD’s,
- Senior WR Gage Ruth, 4 receptions 56 yards.
Next Week: Harrisburg @ State College and Bishop McDevitt vs. Chambersburg
Quick Hitters Rundown
Big School Games:
#1 ranked La Salle College holds on 42-35 against Malvern Prep
La Salle College scores a late touchdown run by Junior RB Ahzir Nelson to top the Friars at the Battle at the Beach in New Jersey. The Explorers were led by Joey O’Brien’s three touchdowns which played a big part in their victory Friday night.
#8 ranked Central York rallies to defeat Manheim Township 36-28
The Panthers come back and grind out a huge victory over the Blue Streaks. Central York avenges last year’s 18-point loss to Manheim Township behind Coach Gerry Yonchiuk.
#3 ranked Peters Township scores a 35-0 shutout against #3 ranked McKeesport
McKeesport’s 5-star junior phenom RB Kemon Spell was ruled out on Friday due to an ankle injury in a battle between two of the state’s top teams on Friday. The Indians defense dominated shorthanded McKeesport sparked by Peter Township’s senior LB Reston Lehman. Lehman returned an interception for a touchdown to jump start the Indians Friday night.
#5 ranked Pittsburgh Central Catholic defeated #1 ranked Pine-Richland 34-20
The Vikings defeated Pine-Richland in a top-ranked showdown led by Roman Thompson on Friday night. Thompson, a junior RB/LB, scored three touchdowns in a massive victory against the Rams.
Woodland Hills smacks Penn Hills 41-7
The Wolverines pile up points against Penn Hills Friday night. The game was pretty much decided by the half, Woodland Hills was winning 34-0. The Wolverines pushed their record up to 1-1 with the win behind Head Coach Brian Tarrant.
Nazareth runs away from Whitehall 62-33
The Blue Eagles blitzed visiting Whitehall behind superstar senior QB Peyton Falzone. Falzone is a 4-Star Auburn recruit and a dynamic playmaker.
#9 ranked Aliquippa starts season with a 42-7 win against Belle Vernon
Aliquippa had to kick off their season on the road on Friday, but they showed no ill effects. The Quips cruised past the Belle Vernon behind senior QB Marques Council. Council threw for 285 yards and three touchdowns.
Big School/Small School Crossover Games:
#6 ranked Thomas Jefferson cruises to a 37-14 win over Central Valley
Thomas Jefferson has a strong second half behind a powerful rushing attack led by Junior RB Tyler Eber. The Jaguars defense slowed down Central Valley and moved to 2-0 this season.
#9 ranked Steelton-Highspire wins 18-14 thriller against Juniata
Steel-High edged Juniata 18-14 on the last play of the game. Sophomore WR Silas Hernandez caught a 39-yard game-winning touchdown as time expired on Thursday night.
Small School Games:
Dunmore smashes Old Forge 45-7
Dunmore rolls past Old Forge with a dominating running game that racked up nearly 400 yards.
#3 ranked Troy Area loses at Waverly (NY) 14-13
Waverly secured the victory against the PIAA Class 2A defending state champions with a defensive stop on a 2-point conversion attempt by Troy.
#7 Bishop McCort notches 21-6 victory over Bellwood-Antis
Junior QB Bentley Bainey has an impressive game for the Crushers and the defense rules to take down Bellwood-Antis in a spirited victory Friday night.
