STEELTON, Pa. — Editor's note: The above video is from Dec. 5.
For the third time in four years, Steelton-Highspire in back in the state championship game.
The Rollers' highly decorated senior class will try to capture its third state title Thursday afternoon when Steel-High faces WPIAL champion Fort Cherry in the PIAA Class 1A championship at Cumberland Valley High School.
The Rollers and the Rangers will kick it off at 1 p.m. The game will be televised on PCN.
Here's a preview of the matchup.
Fort Cherry (15-0) vs. Steel-High (15-0)
Thursday, 1 p.m. at Chapman Field, Mechanicsburg
ABOUT FORT CHERRY: Just weeks after capturing the first WPIAL title in program history, the Rangers will now try to win their first state championship when they take on Steel-High. Fort Cherry fought its way to the final with a 33-23 victory over Redbank Valley in last week's semifinals, led by a sensational effort from sophomore quarterback Matt Sieg.
The Rangers trailed 16-13 after three quarters, but Sieg scored three touchdowns in the last 12 minutes, all on the ground. Sieg was bottled up in the first half, but exploded for 258 total yards and four TDs in the second half as Fort Cherry rallied for the win.
It was the latest highlight in a season full of them for Sieg, who led the WPIAL in rushing in the regular season and continued his dominance in the playoffs. Sieg has 2,221 yards and 39 touchdowns on 224 carries and has completed 81 of 142 passes for 1,630 yards and 20 TDs with just three interceptions as a passer.
Sieg is Fort Cherry's primary weapon, but he's far from the Rangers' only threat. RB Ethan Falsetto is the team's second 1,000-yard rusher, with 1,106 yards and 17 touchdowns on 132 attempts. Shane Cornali (28-579, 8 TDs) is the Rangers' leading receiver, but Sieg tends to spread the ball around.
Fort Cherry averages 45.4 points per game. No one has held the Rangers to less than 33 points this season.
Meanwhile, the Ranger defense has allowed just 12.4 points per game, posting four shutouts and holding three other foes to a single score.
ABOUT STEEL-HIGH: The Rollers earned the right to defend the state crown they claimed last season by knocking off South Williamsport 48-21 in last week's semifinals. It's the third state final appearance in four years for Steel-High, which is chasing its fifth PIAA championship overall and its third since 2020.
Senior quarterback Alex Erby, who has been at the helm for the Rollers since his freshman year, continued his dominant season with another stellar outing against South Williamsport. Erby, who earlier this season became Pennsylvania's all-time career passing yardage and touchdown leader, completed 13 of 18 passes for 229 yards and three touchdowns against the Mounties. He also had a rushing touchdown.
Erby has the chance to set one last state record on Thursday. The U.S. Naval Academy recruit is two touchdown passes shy of setting the state's single-season record. His total for the season stands at 55. He has completed 215 of 279 passes for 4,168 yards in his final season with the Rollers.
Senior RB Ronald Burnette, who racked up 116 yards a two TDs on 12 carries against South Williamsport, has 1,261 yards and 14 scores to lead the Steel-High ground attack.
Durell Caesar Jr., the school's all-time career receiving leader, has 95 catches for 1,837 yards and 22 touchdowns for the Rollers. He caught six passes for 76 yards and a score last week. He is one of two 1,000-yard receivers manning the flanks for Steel-High. Jaieon Perry caught five passes for 121 yards and a touchdown and returned a fumble 70 yards for another TD against South Willamsport.