Please support our Reporters

Cathedral Prep Claims Third Straight State Championship And Fifth Overall

Written by: David Mika on Friday, December 7th, 2018. Follow David Mika on Twitter.

HERSHEY – Running back Billy Lucas had a record night at Hersheypark Stadium Thursday night in a Class 4A state championship game. Lucas rushed for a record 287 yards and 40 carries to lead Cathedral Prep to their fifth state championship.

This is the third straight year the Ramblers defeated Imhotep Charter in the state finals. The District 10 champions won 38-7.

The Ramblers offensive line set the tone right out of the gates. They went 78 yards on five plays that were all runs by Lucas including a 56-yard touchdown run to take a 7-0 lead over the Panthers.

Cathedral Prep was on the move again and faced a fourth and goal. But the Imhotep defense stopped Lucas at the goal line. They took over at the one-yard line with 5:40 left in the first quarter. The Panthers tied the game up at 7. Dshaun Seals’ 19-yard touchdown run capped off a 16-play, 99-yard drive.

The Ramblers scored the next ten points before halftime. Regan Schleicher’s score on a 15-yard run. Colin Kelly kicked a 30-yard field goal to put Prep up 17-7 at halftime.

Imhotep was moving the ball on the opening drive of the second half. Jalen Sutton-Christian had a big run on fourth and 10 for a first down on Prep’s 22. Another fourth down try by Sutton-Christian almost connected in the end zone to Yusef Terry, but it was broken up by Colin Kelly. Prep took over on downs.

No surprise here. There was a heavy dose of running by Billy Lucas in the second half started wearing down the Panthers’ defense. Schleicher had a great fake to Lucas and went in from two yards out. The Ramblers led 24-7 in the third quarter with 2:47 remaining.

Imhotep fumbled on their next possession. Cathedral Prep’s Ian Sitzler recovered the ball on Imhotep’s 22. A few runs later and Lucas went in from one yard out.

Lucas added one more score in the fourth quarter. He went in from nine yards out and with 7:23 left in the game Prep led 38-7 on their way to another state title.