PIAA Class 5A semifinals primer: Gateway vs. Manheim Central

By: HSSN Staff
Thursday, November 30, 2017 | 4:48 PM

Class 5A

Gateway (13-1) vs. Manheim Central (13-0)

7 p.m. Friday, Mansion Park, Altoona

On the air: Tribhssn.triblive.com

Coaches: Gateway, Don Holl; Manheim Central: Dave Hahn

How they got here: WPIAL champion Gateway defeated District 6 champion Hollidaysburg, 30-27, in the quarterfinals. District 3 champion Manheim Central topped Governor Mifflin, 30-29, in the quarterfinals.

Winner plays: The winner of Archbishop Wood (10-2) and Unionville (13-1) in the PIAA Class 5A championship game at 7 p.m. Dec. 8 at Hersheypark Stadium.

Players to watch

•Brady Walker, Gateway: Walker moved into third on the WPIAL’s career passing list (8,050 yards) after throwing for 303 yards and two scores last week. He has completed 251 of 390 passes for 3,912 yards and 40 touchdowns this season.

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•Courtney Jackson, Gateway: Jackson is Walker’s top target with 80 receptions for 1,640 yards and 21 touchdowns. He also is a threat in the backfield and in the return game.

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•Tyler Simon, Manheim Central: Simon, a senior linebacker/safety, leads the Barons with 101 tackles and will play a key role in defending the Gateway passing attack.

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•Evan Simon, Manheim Central: The sophomore quarterback has thrown for 2,061 yards and 22 touchdowns with nine interceptions.

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Did you know?

•Gateway freshman Derrick Davis has been a key contributor late in the season, tallying 393 rushing yards, 450 receiving yards and 257 kick return yards. He also has 43 tackles.

•Gateway is in the PIAA playoffs for the first time, while Manheim Central has played in the tournament 15 times.

•Manheim Central, which plays in District 3’s Lancaster-Lebanon League, defeated Pine-Richland in double overtime to win the 2003 PIAA title.

Prediction

Manheim Central, 35-28

Tags: Gateway