Mirror file photo Bishop Guilfoyle Academy’s Tyson Lestochi picks up yards against the Richland defense in a game from earlier this season.

Over the past decade plus, Bishop Guilfoyle Academy has developed into the state’s elite Class 1A high school football program.

The Marauders have made six appearances in the PIAA Class 1A state championship game since the 2014 season, and they’ve won five state titles – the most recent being last December.

Tonight, BG will be making its 11th appearance in a District 6 championship game since 2012, and the Marauders have won eight district titles – including seven on the Class 1A level and one in the 2022 season, when BG competed at the Class 2A level.

BG will attempt to extend its legacy of district supremacy when the Marauders meet Juniata Valley in the Class 1A championship game at Mansion Park. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m., with the winner advancing to state playoff competition next weekend against the winner of Friday’s inter-district playoff matchup between Meyersdale and Westinghouse.

Justin Wheeler is in his 15th season as BG’s head coach, and he still remembers the Marauders’ first appearance in the district championship game under his direction back in 2012 quite fondly. Thirteen seasons later, the Marauders are going stronger than ever, but Wheeler has never assumed that this type of success for any of his teams would be a foregone conclusion.

“I remember thinking during our first (district title game appearance) that it’s such an amazing feeling and I hope that we get back there,” Wheeler said. “We’ve been fortunate to consistently have had a great run over more than the past decade, but you never take anything for granted.

“It’s tough to do, but I’m excited for this year’s seniors to get a chance to leave their own mark on the area and on the school,” Wheeler said. “They’re playing well right now, and it’s been fun to watch.”

Both BG and Juniata Valley carry identical 10-2 records into Friday night’s championship game. Over the past decade, the two teams have been frequent opponents in the district title game, with BG carving out a 24-21 victory in the last meeting, back in 2021.

Valley coach Bill Musser knows that the road to a District 6 Class 1A championship runs through Bishop Guilfoyle almost annually, but at the same time, he and his players are relishing the challenge that awaits them on Friday night.

“In order to be the district champion, you have to beat Bishop Guilfoyle,” Musser said. “They’re a well-coached team, and they’re stocked full of talent across the board – whether it’s the quarterback, the running backs, the wide receivers, or the linemen. They can put 11 players on the field who are all above average in talent.

“But I feel that our kids are not intimidated,” Musser said. “We enjoy the fact that we’re going to play BG. We know who they are – we know that they’re very good – but we’re taking the approach of let’s see what happens. We can’t be the best without playing them and winning.”

BG has advanced to this point with two straight shutout victories in the quarterfinal and semifinal rounds of the playoffs. After blanking Purchase Line, 38-0 two weeks ago, the Marauders shut out Homer-Center, 42-0 last Saturday.

“Our defense has been good, and has played really, really well since the playoffs started,” Wheeler said. “This week will be a tough game for us, because of the balance that Juniata Valley has on their offense.”

The Hornets used a strong second half to defeat Claysburg-Kimmel, 38-25 in last Friday’s semifinal round, after trimming Northern Cambria, 26-23 in the quarterfinals.

Juniata Valley’s offense is spearheaded by senior quarterback Jett Rand and junior running back Andrew Clark. Rand has thrown for 1906 yards and 15 touchdowns this season on 122 completions in 238 attempts, while Clark has rushed for 1,703 yards and 28 touchdowns on 259 carries.

“I think the Clark kid is really impressive,” said Wheeler, who attended Valley’s game last Friday with his coaching staff and got a first-hand look at the Green Hornets. “He runs hard, and he’s tough for one (defender) to tackle. He’s got speed, vision, and he runs through things. He’s the whole package.

“The Rand kid is a good athlete who comes from a family of good athletes,” Wheeler added. “Juniata runs and throws the ball very well.”

So does Bishop Guilfoyle, which is led by senior Jake Kissell, who has rushed for 1,330 yards on 194 carries and 26 touchdowns. Kissell has been deployed at a variety of offensive positions this year by the Marauders, and has also completed 29 of 49 passes for 412 yards and five touchdowns this season, while catching 24 passes for 349 yards and a TD.

“He presents a big problem (for BG opponents),” Musser said. “But part of his success is (due to the fact) that they have the ability to spread (an opposing defense) out, throw the ball, run jet sweeps, and run well up the middle.”

BG is difficult to defend because the Marauders have several other fine options on offense along with Kissell. Wheeler’s son, sophomore quarterback Justin Wheeler, appears to have fully recovered from an arm injury that had limited him for several games earlier this season, and has completed 78 of 117 passes for 1,192 yards and seven touchdowns, while also rushing for 559 yards on 73 carries and two TDs.

Freshman back Keegan Hewitt and Kissell both scored three touchdowns in the Marauders’ win over Homer-Center. Hewitt rushed for 81 yards on nine carries and a touchdown in that, while catching two short passes on jet sweeps covering a total of 33 yards and scoring two more touchdowns.

Senior wideout Tyson Lestochi leads the Marauders in receptions with 34 for 563 yards and five TDs this season, and along with junior wideout Evan Schimminger (23 catches, 360 yards, two TDs), gives the Marauders deep threats through the air.

“Our offensive line has been very good, and we relied on Jake a ton earlier this season,” Coach Wheeler said. “Keegan Hewitt has really come on, and he was our leading rusher in last week’s game. Now we can run Keegan and Justin along with Jake, along with throwing the ball, so hopefully that puts a little bit more stress on (opposing) defenses.”