With a balanced offense and a defense that stopped Carlisle's running game on Friday night, November 11, the Hempfield football team advanced to the District Three Class 6A semifinals. The Black Knights topped the Thundering Herd 30-14.

Jackson Landis accounted for nearly 200 yards of Hempfield's offense, throwing for 130 of those yards on 11 pass completions, including a touchdown. The Hempfield quarterback also gained 66 yards on the ground and scored a rushing TD.

"Offensively, we try to be as balanced as possible," said Hempfield head coach George Eager. "We feel confident in the guys that are out there, so we try to just take what the defense gives us."

Among the "guys out there," Micah Gates caught three passes for 56 yards while Grant Hoover led the rushing attack with 93 yards on 15 carries. Stephen Katch churned up 59 yards on 17 carries, scoring two touchdowns.

"We were very pleased with the performance of Grant Hoover and Stephen Katch running the football so overall it was a balanced effort," Eager said.

While the Knights ran for 264 yards, the defense held the Herd to only 38 yards of real estate.

"The game plan defensively was to play sound fundamental football," Eager said. "We prepared all week to follow the pulling guards to the play.

"We stressed not getting caught looking at the motion in the backfield, but to focus on the pulling guards," Eager added. "Our defense did a great job of that. Aidan Shorter, Jacob Karkosa, Deyvid Palepale, Sylas Cox and Connor Wildin were the driving force up front."

As for the 246 rushing yards, Eager noted, "Our offensive line, led by Quentin Snead, Deyvid Palepale, Mike Shaffer, Sean Tollett, and Peter Wenzel, did a fantastic job of controlling the line of scrimmage, which allowed us to pass and run. From there Jackson Landis was able to connect with his targets."

The offense put 17 points on the board before the Herd were able to respond. Andy Garcia grabbed an 11-yard touchdown toss from Landis, who later broke through an opening for a 41-yard dash to the endzone. Sandwiched in between was Cannon Biscoe's 38-yard field goal.

The Herd cut the deficit to 10 points on Louis Shank's 65-yard scoring pass to Carson Wentz.

Katch and the Knights wrapped up the third quarter on a two-yard touchdown. Katch also opened the scoring in the fourth quarter on a one-yard lunge, with Biscoe's PAT kick making it 30-7.

The Herd stopped another Hempfield scoring drive on Ezeekai Thomas's 85-yard interception return.

Hempfield had entered the districts as the top seed, facing eighth-ranked Carlisle. The victory put the Knights in the semis against Lancaster-Lebanon League archrival Manheim Township - a team the Knights edged 17-14 on the road back on September 23.

"We are a different team as I am sure they are as well," Eager said regarding the rematch. "We have a lot of respect for Manheim Township. They have a great coaching staff, stingy defense, and explosive offense."

GIRLS' VOLLEYBALL

The Black Knights traveled to Altoona to face the North Allegheny Tigers in a PIAA Class 4A state quarterfinals playoff match on Saturday, November 12. The Knights' long run straight into states hit a curve in Altoona as the Tigers topped Hempfield 3-1, advancing to the state semis. Hempfield's season ends with a record of 18-2

Following No. Allegheny's 25-12 opening set victory, Hempfield did pull even with the Tigers (20-1) with a 25-22 win in the second set behind Addison Leber and Reece Calabretta. The Tigers regained the advantage with a 25-14 victory and closed out the match 25-16.

Carissa Treser and Ella Deeter led North Allegheny with 12 and 11 kills, respectively. Mia Truman had nine kills and 40 assists.

The Knights were coming off an impressive opening-round victory in states. Back on November 8, the District Three Class 4A champion Black Knights charged back from a 2-0 deficit to top Downingtown West 25-12, 25-20 and 15-8.

In the Pennsylvania Volleyball Coaches' Association voting, three members of the Black Knights made the first team all-star squad for District Three

Addison Leber, senior Sarah Hess, and junior setter Melody Buter made the first team. Junior outside hitter Reece Calabretta was a third team selection.