WHERE: 7 p.m. Friday, Manson Park, Altoona
RECORDS: PIAA Class A Quarterfinal: District 3 champion Delone Catholic 9-3; District 6 champion Bellwood-Antis 12-1.
» See full PIAA football brackets
THE SQUIRES: Claimed their first District 3 title since winning the Class AA crown in 2007 by knocking off Steel-High. It was Delone’s second Class A title in school history. A solid first half built a 21-0 lead the Squires needed and it will need to get a running game that averages 251.4 yards per game going right away against a Bellwood-Antis defense that is running hot. QB Brett Smith pulls all the triggers and is one of four guys who carries the load offensively. Matt Guiffreda is the leading rusher with 832 yards and 7.1 per carry.
THE BLUE DEVILS: Their only loss is to Class AA state ranked Richland — who is still playing by the way. And Bellwood-Antis’ defense has surrendered only one touchdown over the last two playoff games. The Blue Devils are also fans of the running game and average a solid 263.7 yards per game on the ground. And they surrender fewer than 125 yards a game on the ground. Junior running back Casey Gray is the horse in a full stable of backs with 1,623 yards and 24 touchdowns.
SHAY SAYS: Running the ball will be priority No. 1 for both clubs. The road Bellwood-Antis (-12) has navigated to get here featured more quality opponents and that one loss was to another hammer.