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Now comes what has been the District 2 Class 4A football champion’s Kryptonite — the Imhotep Charter Panthers.

Three D2-4A champs have tried to defeat the D12 champion. All three have failed, crumbling under the force of the perennial state power.

D2-4A champion Dallas (13-0) gets its crack at ending the losing as the Mountaineers play Imhotep (8-4) at 7 p.m. today at Lehighton High School in the PIAA Class 4A state quarterfinals.

Valley View couldn’t solve Imhotep the past two seasons, falling 41-0 in 2017 and 37-9 in 2018 with both games played in the state quarterfinals. North Pocono had the first shot at the Panthers, but that ended in a 38-7 loss in the 2016 quarterfinals.

All three years Imhotep played for the state championship and lost all three times to D10 champion Erie Catherdral Prep, which is playing D7 champion Thomas Jefferson in another quarterfinal game tonight.

Imhotep, like Dallas, does have a state championship, winning the Class 3A title in 2015. They lost in the Class 2A state championship game in 2013. Dallas won the Class 2A state championship back in 1993, but things were simpler. The bracket consisted of just four teams.

Imhotep graduated plenty of talent from last year’s 11-3 squad. While the experience wasn’t there entering the season, one element remained — speed.

The fastest player Dallas has faced this year is arguably Wilkes-Barre Area’s Rafael McCoy, the D2-3A champion in the 1oo-meter and 200-meter dashes. Imhotep has more than one guy who can run like him.

“Part of it is the same as it is every week,” Dallas coach Rich Mannello said. “Getting aligned on defense to play fast like we always do. You have to be gap sound and be able to set the edge. You’re going to have to tackle in the open field. There’s obviously a lot of speed there.”

Imhotep, like many Philadelphia Public League programs, doesn’t have individual statistics readily available. However, there is enough information and video floating around to cobble together an understanding of what Dallas is facing.

The Panthers’ offense revolves around two-year starting quarterback Jalen Sutton-Christian, who can pass and run. He’s protected by a massive line which includes a pair of 320-pounders. However, the linemen don’t appear overly nimble and have been beaten by quicker defensive linemen on occasion.

Dallas has a quick, all-senior defensive line of Josh Balera, Taylor Bolesta, Jack Farrell and Xander Shaner who have combined for 18 of the team’s 29 sacks. If they get to Sutton-Christian, a secondary issue arises. Sutton-Christian is very elusive and just when he looks like he’s going to take off he’ll throw down field. His favorite target is D’Shaun Seals.

Seals is 5-foot-7 and 155 pounds and very slippery in the open field. Kristen McAdams is a big target at 6-3. The running game is in the hands of junior Saint McLeod, who Mannello said will be the best back Dallas has faced this season.

The best way to stop Imhotep’s playmakers is probably to keep them off the field. Dallas will likely rely heavily on 2,000-yard rusher Lenny Kelley to eat up clock and keep the chains moving.

“Offensively, we have to stay on the field,” Mannello said. “We got to sustain drives and do what we do. Special teams-wise, that’s something we put a lot of emphasis on. There’s going to be more plays in space that we’re going to have to be very good in.”

Kelley broke off runs of 58 and 25 yards in Dallas’ first two scoring drives in its 29-7 victory over Valley View in the D2-4A championship game. Long runs might not be in the offing because Imhotep’s secondary is loaded with talent.

McLeod and fellow junior Shafeek Smith each have about a dozen Division I offers. McLeod is ranked the 15th best junior recruit in the state by 247sports.com. Smith is ranked 11th.

Junior Javon McIntyre is ranked ninth by 247sports.com and has his share of Division I offers, including one from Penn State. Junior Cameron Jackson recently picked up his first from UMass.

A tough Dallas Mountaineers defense will face a significant challenge tonight against Imhotep Charter in the PIAA Class 4A state quarterfinals.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/web1_Dallas-Valley-View-ftbl-1.jpg.optimal.jpgA tough Dallas Mountaineers defense will face a significant challenge tonight against Imhotep Charter in the PIAA Class 4A state quarterfinals. Tony Callaio file photo | For Times Leader
CLASS 4ADallas facing toughest test of the season

By John Erzar

[email protected]

PIAA CLASS 4A QUARTERFINALS

Dallas (13-0) vs. Imhotep Charter (8-4)

7 p.m. today, Lehighton H.S.

Admission: $8 adults; $4 students in advance; All tickets $8 at the gate

TV: WQMY

Internet: none

Up Next: The winner plays in the state semifinals against either District 4 champion Jersey Shore (10-3) or District 11 champion Pottsville (11-2).

Last Meeting: never played

Quick Fact: Imhotep has eliminated the past three D2-4A champions from the state playoffs.