Pennsbury-Prep an offensive showdown

St. Joseph's Prep, in trying to move closer to its second straight PIAA Class AAAA championship, is focused on keeping Pennsbury's Charles Snorweah from running wild.

"He's a great football player, a very talented back," Prep coach Gabe Infante said of the 5-foot-9, 170-pounder and Rutgers recruit.

The Falcons are concerned with a hurry-up, spread scheme that features a number of quick skill-position players.

"They have several guys that can hurt you," Pennsbury coach Galen Snyder said. "And they have good, mobile offensive linemen."

The Falcons, 13-1 and ranked No. 3 in Southeastern Pennsylvania by The Inquirer, and the top-ranked Hawks (9-3) will square off in a state semifinal at 1 p.m. Saturday at Northeast.

Here is a closer look at the matchup.

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Coaches. Snyder, who coached at Harry S Truman from 1996 to 2001, is 124-71 overall (.636 winning percentage). Infante is 42-18 (.700) in five years at 17th and Girard.

Spark plug. Snorweah has rushed 294 times for 2,608 yards and 37 touchdowns. In four playoff games, he has netted 1,121 yards and 14 scores.

Dangerous. The Hawks have breakaway running threats in Olamide Zaccheaus and D'Andre Swift. James Bell is another solid rusher.

Up front. Leading the way for Snorweah are center Mason Houriet, guards Austin O'Neill and Chris Rupprecht, tackles Maurice Stukes and Sam Raywood, and end Vinnie Ratamess.

Quotable. Infante on the 5-11, 260-pound O'Neill: "He's probably one of the best offensive linemen we've seen all year."

Switching it up. On offense, the Falcons operate out of the wing-T and I formations - and sometimes a hybrid of the two sets.

Double duty. For the Prep, Swift, used in the secondary, and lineman Jon Runyan (6-5, 280] are two-way fixtures.

Anchors. Pennsbury's defense is headed by end Jeremiah Wells, tackle Nick Paragano, and linebackers Luke Snyder and Jordan O'Neill.

Unknown. Infante declined comment on the availability of Hawks all-purpose senior John Reid. The Penn State recruit sat out against Parkland because of an injury.

Pick. Holding Snorweah to 125 yards or so, the Prep triumphs, 28-13, in the rain.