Go for the kill.   That was the only thought on Old Forge coach Mike Schuback’s mind when he faced a fourth down late in the game leading by 5 points.

Not only did the play call result in a first down, but a score that would book the Blue Devils’ ticket to Hershey.

Jake Manetti connected with Joey Gutowski in the end zone and Old Forge defeated Steelton-Highspire 26-7 to advance to the PIAA Class A championship game for the first time in school history.

They will play Pittsburgh North Catholic (15-0) who defeated Clarion on Saturday to win the western side of the bracket.  The game will be at 1 p.m. on Friday at Hersheypark Stadium.

“We went hard play-action to the left and had two verticals with Shane (Schuback) and Joey (Gutowski).  Our line gave a good push, the d-back bit and Jake (Manetti) made the throw.”

“Joey told me before the play to look backside if I felt Shane wasn’t open,” said Manetti.  “He felt his coverage was cheating up on the run.”

After Gutowski secured the catch, the Old Forge sidelines felt things falling from the sky and it wasn’t snow or ice.  It was Hershey kisses being hurled on the field by the raucous Old Forge crowd, signifying the road to Hershey was now complete.

“Our community has been amazing,” said running back Brandon Yescavage, who ran for 150 yards on 40 carries. “To see the crowd that came up here tonight to support us is awesome”.

The Gutowski touchdown was much needed as penalties and turnovers by the Blue Devils allowed the Rollers to stay in the game.  It was reminiscent of the only loss of the season (Dunmore) in which Old Forge moved the ball and limited the opponent, but the mistakes cost the Devils.

Not this time.

Old Forge’s defense kept the Rollers in check all night with versatile quarterback James Warren only breaking for one long run, a 55-yard touchdown which was Steel-High’s only score of the game.  The Rollers had been averaging 253 rushing yards per game, but were held to 105 yards by the Blue Devils.

Old Forge got on the board first in the second quarter with Yescavage 2-yard touchdown run.  But it was the defense that would make a play before half to secure a 12-0 halftime lead.

Brandon Vahey intercepted a Warren pass and returned it 40 yards for his second return for a score in as many weeks.  He returned a punt for touchdown against Schuylkill Haven in the quarterfinals.

The second half saw the Old Forge defense come up big on numerous occasions on fourth down situations and after the Blue Devils had turned the ball over.  They never let the mistakes hurt them.

Corey Souryavong would intercept Warren and return it 18 yards for the final score of the game.  That elicited another round of kisses being thrown by the Blue Devils crowd and cheerleaders.

It also led to hugs and pats on the back for the first time on the sidelines as Old Forge players and coaches realized what they had accomplished.

“Our kids played a great team effort,” said Schuback who now has 103 career win as the Blue Devils head coach.  “We understood what we needed to do coming in.  I was really impressed with our effort, tonight.”

That effort has Old Forge playing for a football state championship for the first time in school history.