2017 PIAA Class 4A Title Game Preview: Imhotep Charter (12) 12-1

Written by: David Mika on Wednesday, December 6th, 2017. Follow David Mika on Twitter.

Class 4A State Championship: Thursday, Dec 7, 7 pm

at Hershey Park Stadium

Head Coach: Nick Lincoln

How they got here:

2017 Schedule

Cathedral Prep Preview

PIAA Football: Imhotep Charter preview

At Stake: PIAA Class 4A state title

Last weekend Imhotep defeated Bethlehem Catholic 34-14 to earn a spot in Thursday’s PIAA 4A final against Cathedral Prep out of District 10. This will be the third straight meeting between these two programs. Last year Cathedral Prep won 27-20. In 2015, Imhotep won in 40-3.

Offense:

Imhotep is seeking their second state title in three years. If the Panthers are going to be successful, they need to run the ball behind a offensive line averaging over 285 pounds.

My Take: Run the ball and be physical. Try and wear down Cathedral Prep’s defense.

Last weekend Imhotep had to play without star running back Isheem Young. The question going into the game was who would step up?

Tykee Smith did that and then some. He rushed for 237 yards and five touchdowns.

My Take: So look for the combination of Carl Jones and Smith to lead the running attack.

Another player to watch is Quarterback Jalen Sutton-Christian. He passed for over 1600 yards, 21 touchdowns and only five interceptions.

My Take: He needs to make throws down the field and stretch out the defense.

Who is Jalen’s favorite target? That would be Yusuf Terry. In 13 games he caught 39 passes for 796 yards and seven touchdowns.

My Take: Jalen needs to have a big night catching the ball and YAC. (Yards after Catch).

Keys on offense: Imhotep needs to try and neutralize Notre Dame commit Matt Bauer. The 6-foot-3, 222 pound linebacker is a force on defense. He is a guy that flies around the field and makes big plays. Imhotep needs to control the clock, balance offense and finish drives.

Projected Offensive Starters

QB Jalen Sutton-Christian

RB Carl Jones

RB/WR Tykee Smith

WR Yusuf Terrry

WR Anthony Gordon

TE Marquise Greenwood

LT Michael Statham

LG Arick Lochetto

C Marlon Westcott

RG Darrien Hilliard

RT John Whitehead

Defense:

Imhotep needs to find a way to slow down Cathedral Prep’s high flying offense. They are led by quarterback Joe Mischler. Mischler is big, athletic and likes to scramble. Also keep a eye on their talented running backs, Billy Lucas and Matt Lupo.

My take: If Imhotep is going to be successful on defense, they need the line to get pressure on Mischler all night and force him to make mistakes. Keep a eye on Omar Speights Thursday night.

It is going to be a tough matchup in the secondary for the Panthers. They need to try and slow down a pair of 1,000 yard receivers. Ramiek Pepples needs to step up at free safety. Corner backs Myles Nicholson and Shafeek Smith need to find a way to get that job done.

Projected Defensive Starters

DE Omar Speights

DE Kamal Harrison

NG Zymir Cobb

DT O’Shea Jackson

LB Saint McLoud

LB Sy’mear Williams

LB Nate Bagby

FS Ramiek Pepples

SS Tykee Smith

CB Myles Nicholson

CB Shafeek Smith