The lights were shining bright for the first-ever home night game in girls flag football history at Pope John Paul II, and the Golden Panthers made sure it was a night to remember. On senior night, Pope John Paul II delivered an impressive win over Perkiomen Valley by a score of 37-13.

PJP came out fast, taking a 12-0 lead after the first quarter before both teams traded scores in the second and third quarter.. The Golden Panthers closed the game strong with another 12-point fourth quarter to seal the convincing win.

Leading the offensive attack was quarterback Julia Colasanti, who put together a tremendous performance through the air. Colasanti completed 20 of 29 passes for 332 yards and five touchdown passes while also contributing two tackles defensively.

Her favorite target on the night was Lourdes Armstrong, who exploded for 112 receiving yards and three touchdowns while also recording seven tackles on defense.

Delainey Cathers added another big-play performance with 89 receiving yards and a touchdown, while Casey Schuler chipped in 57 receiving yards and seven tackles.

Brinley Steele showcased her versatility all over the field, finishing with 50 receiving yards, 30 rushing yards, and completing both of her pass attempts for 24 yards. Defensively, Steele was a game changer with five tackles and two interceptions.

Additional contributions came from Miriana Michinok, who totaled 27 receiving yards, 10 rushing yards, and a touchdown while adding three tackles and two pressures on defense.

Kailey Hudy hauled in a touchdown reception and added three tackles with a pass breakup, while Abby Hamilton anchored the defense with eight pressures and a pass block.

Defensively, Pope John Paul II consistently pressured the quarterback and created turnovers, helping control the momentum throughout the night. Lindey Quintero also contributed defensively with a tackle.

The historic evening combined celebration, energy, and strong execution as Pope John Paul II capped off senior night with a memorable victory in front of the home crowd.

FAIRLESS HILLS, PA — It was a few years ago, yet they can remember almost every detail, from their go-ahead touchdown, to the devastating feeling of being sprawled on the ground left crying on a last-play touchdown.

Conwell-Egan juniors Sarah Beck and Brianna Jackson were freshmen on that team, which lost on the final play of the 2024 Catholic League game against Archbishop Wood.

So, on Wednesday, in front of a good crowd on an overcast day, Beck and Jackson got their revenge, combining to score all three Eagles’ touchdowns in a thrilling 20-14 overtime victory over a very good Wood team in the Philadelphia Catholic League semifinals.

Conwell-Egan, the No. 1 seed in the Philadelphia Catholic League (PCL), will now play Archbishop Ryan for the PCL 2026 flag football championship on Monday, May 11, at 6 p.m. at Cardinal O’Hara High School. Ryan, 13-7 winners in the other semifinal game over defending PCL champ Lansdale Catholic, will be playing in the finals for the first time.

This will be the second trip for Conwell-Egan in three years to the PCL championship, with the first coming in 2024, when Wood beat Conwell-Egan, 20-19, on the final play of the game.

“Oh, I remember it, they had the ball on the 15, and they won it on the last play of the game,” said Beck, who scored the Eagles’ two touchdowns against Wood in regulation. “I scored (the go-head) touchdown with 40 seconds left (in the 2024 PCL finals), and Wood came right up the field. There was 7 seconds left when they beat us on the last play of the game. We were all in tears. We were that close. We were determined to come into this game ready.”

It was a back-and-forth game, with Conwell-Egan striking first, when Olivia DellaVecchio flung a pass down the middle of the field that was snatched up by Beck for a 35-yard touchdown.

Wood came right back, when the Vikings tied it on a 38-yard TD pass from Angella Kiss to Paige Savage with 1:17 left in the first half. It looked like Conwell-Egan would break the game open after a Dora Reddington interception at the outset of the third quarter, but the Vikings’ defense held at the Wood five.

Taking advantage of good field position, the Eagles went ahead on Beck’s second touchdown, a 5-yard pass from Fran Simeone, which put Conwell-Egan ahead, 14-7, with 8:15 left in the third quarter.

Again, Wood responded.

After being inside its five, Kiss found Brigid Johnston for a 38-yard reception, setting up Savage’s second score, an 18-yard pass from Kiss in the corner of the end zone for a 14-14 tie with 2:09 left in the third.

That set the stage for Jackson, a standout guard and two-year starter for Conwell-Egan’s basketball team.

The Eagles had been winning this season on their ground attack. Conwell-Egan coach Dan Friscia mixed his plan up on Wednesday.

“We all got together after we lost to Ryan (during the regular season) and we have come together so much more,” Jackson said. “We trust each. We didn’t have as much confidence earlier this season as we do now.”

Conwell-Egan managed to cause the Wood defense to drift right, while Jackson snuck below and came out on the left side of the end zone wide open. Simeone dropped it in and the celebration was on.

“I was the intended receiver on that play,” Jackson said. “We tried the same play before and I was open then, too. We just couldn’t complete the pass, because the wind blew the ball. We did well my freshmen and sophomore years, and I definitely remember losing to Wood with 7 seconds left. This win was a lot more than just a win. There was a little revenge involved, and it felt very nice.”

Beck, a soccer player, was introduced to flag football out of curiosity her freshman year. She has taken to flag very well. She’s been the Eagles’ go-to receiver this season.

“I was crying after that loss to Wood (in the PCL finals), because we were that close,” Beck said. “We thought we had the game won. There were zero seconds left on the clock and I remember (Wood) scoring in the right corner of the end zone.”

The semifinal loss ended a highly successful season for Wood, which received very strong performances from Savage and Johnston.

Wood won the PCL in 2024, and lost to Lansdale Catholic in the PCL championship last year. It’s the first year the Vikings will not be in the PCL finals.

“It’s always a street fight with Conwell-Egan, and Dan has done a really nice job in his first year,” Wood coach Jim Savage said. “All the girls play hard, and it’s impressive to see. It was a great battle, but we were on the wrong end of it this year. Sometimes, that’s what happens.”

What happens next for Friscia and his team is a date in the PCL championship next Monday.

“The strength of our game has been running the ball, and throwing over the top, and we really don’t change anything regardless of opponent,” Friscia said. “We stick to what we do, and make other teams adjust to us. That was a designed play with Brianna in the corner. We had to wait for it to develop, and Fran made the throw.

“Ryan is a top team. The difference in this game was Nana (Anna Zoryea, who had six sacks). She’s the MVP of our defense, and she was out the first time we played Ryan. She makes a difference in every game we play, and she’s the reason why we are able to float around on defense.

“Our main concern was watching Johnston and Savage. Those girls are great players, and they made great plays. We just had to limit the great plays they made. I was fortunate to come into a program with established stars and the goal has been since Day One to win a Catholic League championship.”

The Eagles are in a position to do just that next Monday night.

Scoring Summary

Archbishop Wood  0 7 7 0 0-14

Conwell-Egan 0 7 7 0 6-20

2nd Quarter

CE – Sarah Beck 35 pass from Olivia DellaVecchio (Beck pass from Fran Simeone), 6:00

AW – Paige Savage 38 pass from Angella Kiss (Brigid Johnston pass from Kiss), 1:17

3rd Quarter

CE – Beck 5 pass from Simeone (Beck pass from DellaVecchio), 8:15

AW – Savage 18 pass from Kiss (Savage pass from Kiss), 2:09

OT

CE – Brianna Jackson 18 pass from Simeone

Joseph Santoliquito is a hall of fame, award-winning sportswriter who has been covering high school football since 1992 and is the president of the Boxing Writers Association of America. Follow EasternPAFootball.com on Twitter @EPAFootball [twitter.com].

Spring-Ford (Offensive and Defensive stats)

Pope John Paul II  (Offensive and Defensive stats)
05/07/26
Miriana Michinok
27 yds rec., 10 yds rush, 1 TD
3 tackles and 2 pressures

Brinley Steele
50 yds rec, 30 yds rush, 2 for 2 passing for 24 yards
5 tackles and 2 INTs

Kailey Hudy
6 yds rec, 1 TD
3 tackles, 1 pass break up

Delainey Cathers
89 yds rec, 1 TD
3 tackles

Casey Schuler
57 yds rec
7 tackles

Lourdes Armstrong
112 yds rec, 3 TD’s
7 tackles

Julia Colasanti
20 for 29 passing, 332 yards, 5 TD’s passing
2 tackles

Abby Hamilton
1 tackle, 8 pressures, 1 pass block

Lindey Quintero
1 tackle

The Lehigh Valley Chapter of the National Football Foundation held its annual spring dinner on Friday May 1 to induct eight new members to its Football Hall of Fame.

New inductees include from left to right, Jim Pokrivsak Jr. (Long time board member and former athletic director at Easton High School), Mark Farnan (Long time board member, former football coach and athletic director at Bangor High School), Robert “Doc” Dougherty (Long time board member and former President of Northampton Athletic Association), Gerry Nicholas (Long time Board member and former PIAA football official), Jean Hoffman ( mother of deceased PIAA football official Kevin Hoffman), Terry Stoudt( former PIAA football and basketball official, former football and baseball coach for North Parkland Athletic association), Doug Leonzi,( football player for Parkland High School and East Stroudsburg University), and Doug Steckel (football player at Whitehall High School, college football coach, currently on the football coaching staff at Purdue University.

Each recipient will receive a $1,000 scholarship to support their post-secondary educations. The program reflects the organizations’ shared commitment to recognizing well-rounded student-athletes and supporting their academic futures.

A full list of award winners is available below. Photos of the All-Academic teams can be found here.

Boys:
District 1 – Thomas Ginnetti, Pennridge
District 2 – Nicholas Burak, Valley View
District 3 – Colton Rutt, Cocalico
District 4 – Tyler Ulrich, Warrior Run
District 5 – Brennan Lohr, Conemaugh Township
District 6 – Cooper Lovrich, Bellwood-Antis
District 7 – Ryan Spitznagel, South Park
District 8 – Jaden Colbert, Obama Academy
District 9 – Dalton Wenner, Cranberry
District 10 – Blake Glass, Fort LeBoeuf
District 11 – Sean Steckert, Southern Lehigh
District 12 – Ryan Connor, Cardinal O’Hara

Girls:
District 1 – Avery Lustgarten, Garnet Valley
District 2 – Amanda Dempsey, Dunmore
District 3 – Kaydon Brandt, Susquenita
District 4 – Haley Litzelman, North Penn-Liberty
District 5 – Alyssa Yeatts, Northern Bedford
District 6 – Zaelinh Nguyen-Moore, Altoona
District 7 – Anabella Aquino, Penn Trafford
District 8 – Mia Quarles, Obama Academy
District 9 – Harley Thompson, Northern-Potter
District 10 – Miah Skelly, North East
District 11 – Leah Black, Tamaqua Area
District 12 – Dailyanis Nunez Guzman, Thomas A. Edison

Scholarship recipients will be recognized at the upcoming PIAA Board of Directors meeting on Wednesday, May 13th as well as during the PIAA Baseball Championships on Friday, June 12th prior to the 1:30 p.m. Class 3A game. Award winners are invited, but attendance at either is not required as they will be honored at each of their schools’ senior ceremonies.

Full release: Media Release

– A experienced offensive assistant with the opportunity to become an offensive coordinator.
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— An experienced Defensive Coordinator
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If interested contact coach Dj at djs13.dj@gmail.com

From the opening drive, Palisades established control behind a high-powered offense led by quarterback Izzy Carson. Carson put together an outstanding performance, completing 17 of 23 passes for 286 yards and four touchdowns while adding a rushing score. Her ability to stretch the field and make quick decisions kept the Lancaster County Christian defense on its heels all game long.

Felicity Houghton complemented the attack with an efficient outing of her own, completing 11 of 15 passes for 87 yards and a touchdown, while also finding the end zone on the ground. The dual-quarterback approach gave Palisades versatility and kept the offensive tempo high.

The receiving corps was equally impressive, highlighted by a breakout performance from Ani Brewer, who hauled in three catches for 123 yards and two touchdowns, showcasing big-play ability. Jane Salva added two touchdown receptions, while Gabby Brader and Sadie Chilton each contributed receiving scores. Luca Wilson and Houghton also chipped in with key catches to keep drives alive.

On the defensive side, Palisades continued to dominate. Sadie Chilton led the way with four flag pulls, two pass breakups, and a momentum-shifting pick-six that further widened the gap. The defense consistently applied pressure and forced mistakes, never allowing Lancaster County Christian to gain any rhythm offensively.

With strong performances across all phases of the game—offense, defense, and execution—Palisades showcased why they are a force to be reckoned with in girls flag football.

The final score was 67–7.

Palisades Stats
Passing Attempts Completions Yards TD Int
Izzy Carson 23 17 286 4 0
1 rushing TD
Felicity Houghton 15 11 87 1 0
1 rushing Td

Receiving. Catches yards. TDs
Jane Salva 3 28 2
Gabby Brader 2 14 1
Sadie Chilton 2 30 1
Luca Wilson 2 21
Felicity Houghton 1 5
Ani Brewer 3 123 2

Defense:
Sadie Chilton 4 flag pulls,    2 pass breakups, 1 Pick 6

“It’s a blessing” to play Power 4 football. “Crazy how fast things can happen,” he said. With the Gophers being in the Big Ten, that strongly influenced his commitment decision, along with being offered a full scholarship. “I loved the coaches, it’s really a family here,” Castillo added.

Schuylkill County is known for supporting local athletes when they accomplish big things, and “they have been with me through it all, great to have support throughout the recruiting process,” Castillo also said. This is the community he is happy to contribute back to as he is always happy to make the future Hurricanes better either at camps or one-on-one sessions.

During his senior year, he had 865 yards on 73 carries with 13 rushing scores. In terms of receiving, he caught the ball 17 times for 423 yards and 9 touchdowns. The Hurricanes had an undefeated 10-0 record in the regular season and were widely considered the top AA team in the state. After easily handling Catasauqua and Northern Lehigh in the first two rounds of district playoffs, they lost 31-28 against Williams Valley in the district title game.

From a coaching perspective, he’s a competitor according to Schuylkill Haven’s former Cornerback and Wide Receiver coach, Joey Cannavacciuolo. Minnesota is getting a player that is “hungry for success.” Being overlooked by a lot of major programs will make him ready to compete and give it his all, Cannavacciuolo added.

Castillo is not the first Schuylkill County senior to announce a commitment to a Power 4 school. He joins Dante Carr of Minersville, who committed to UCF in early June to be a quarterback. “This recruiting cycle from Carr and Castillo will move mountains for our players because it shows even though we aren’t powerhouses, or play them, it doesn’t mean we don’t have players that can produce at that level,” Cannavacciuolo also said. Between Carr, Castillo, and juniors Chase Guers of Blue Mountain with two Power 4 offers and Colton Reber of Schuylkill Haven who finished ninth in the nation in rushing yards, the Division One talent is there.

Castillo was the 29th player in the class of 2026 to become a Gopher. In this senior class, the head coach of Minnesota, PJ Fleck, held the 28th best recruiting class in the nation at the time of Castillo’s commitment.

ORIGINALLY WRITTEN ON NOVEMBER 28th

A major shift in Pennsylvania high school athletics could soon become reality as lawmakers take a significant step toward separating public and private school competition.

A bill in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives has passed its second consideration, bringing it one step closer to a full vote. If approved, the legislation would allow the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) to create separate playoffs and state championships for boundary schools (public) and non-boundary schools, which include private, Catholic, and charter institutions.

The passage of House Bill 41 allows the PIAA, to separate boundary and non-boundary schools for postseason games. The vote was 178-23 in favor.

The proposal has been gaining traction for years. Supporters of the bill argue that private and charter schools often have advantages in enrollment flexibility, allowing them to draw talent from wider geographic areas compared to public schools that are restricted by district boundaries. They believe separating championships would create a more level playing field and restore competitive fairness.

Critics argue that not all private schools have a competitive advantage and that success often comes down to coaching, development, and community support rather than school classification.

If the bill passes a full House vote, the decision would ultimately give the PIAA the authority, but not the requirement, to implement separate championships. That means further discussion and planning would still be needed before any structural changes take effect.

The issue has been especially prominent in sports like Football and Basketball, where private and Catholic schools have had consistent success at the state level in recent years. This has fueled calls from public school advocates for reform, while others continue to defend the current unified system.

Stay tuned as this story grows.