ADAMS TWP — Now with a second consecutive undefeated regular season under its belt, North Catholic will take some deserved rest into a bye week to prepare for the 3A Allegheny Seven Conference playoffs.

“If the kids really want this, it's something they're going to have to deal with,” North Catholic coach Patrick O'Shea said. “There is a lot of things in life where you've got to show toughness.

“We got a bye, but we are still going to practice this week and the kids can make out of it whatever they want.”

The North Catholic Trojans (10-0,6-0) defeated the Trojans from Derry Area (0-9,0-5) 67-13 Friday night at the Mars Athletic Complex to help secure another conference championship.

Quarterback Joey Prentice had a day with 212 passing yards and five touchdowns through the air while adding another with his legs.

Prentice threw touchdowns to four different receivers, with two that went to Kyle Tipinski.

Tyler Maziarz racked up 70 receiving yards on three catches, while Prentice led the ground attack with 66 yards on four carries.

“All things considered I think they handled the situation well,” Derry Area coach Justin Hayes said. “Our guys battled. We're a young team coming in against the number three team in the state. They did well with what they had and I'm proud of them for that.”

North Catholic wasted no time getting things going.

After holding Derry to a three and out on its first possession, Liam Straub returned the following punt 65 yards for the game's first score.

North Catholic held Derry to another three and out on the next possession, and again had a long punt return all the way to the Derry 7-yard line, where Prentice punched it in on the following play.

“Each week we have two 40-minute sessions where it's nothing but special teams,” O'Shea said. “We've been successful with our kickoff and punt returns this year. I was proud of the kids, how they performed as well.”

Prentice had his hand on six of the eight touchdowns North Catholic put up in the first half, with Tipinski adding a 5-yard run early in the second quarter.

Facing a 54-point hole to enter the second half, Derry was able to ignite a spark just over a minute into the third when the Derry defense forced a fumble and returned it for a quick score.

The Derry Trojans would again score off an Ahmad Ward 82-yard kickoff return, but they couldn't undo the first half damage as North Catholic held on to a 54-point conference victory.

“The message at halftime was just keep battling and fighting,” Hayes said. “No matter what is put in front of you, you got to battle. Do your job and fight and I appreciate them for that.”

With North Catholic being on of the top four seeded teams, they received a bye for this coming week.

The Trojans will have a good chance to host a home playoff game the following week, depending on the outcomes of the games next week.

“We used the word sharpen a lot this week,” O'Shea said. “Sharpen a lot of our fundamental parts of our game.

“To have back-to-back undefeated seasons in any sport is an accomplishment, so those young men have done a fantastic job.”

Derry 0 0 13 0 — 13

North Catholic 33 21 7 6 — 67

First Quarter

NC — Liam Straub 65 punt return (Ethan Marsico kick), 10:10

NC — Joey Prentice 7 run (kick blocked), 8:02

NC — Mitch Lanthaler 24 pass from Prentice (Marsico kick), 5:48

NC — Tyler Maziarz 27 pass from Prentice (conversion failed), 2:57

NC — Straub 25 pass from Prentice (Marsico kick), :21

Second Quarter

NC — Kyle Tipinski 5 run (Marsico kick), 7:38

NC — Tipinski 13 pass from Prentice (Marsico kick), 4:17

NC — Tipinski 23 pass from Prentice (Marsico kick), :01

Third Quarter

D — Collin Barkley 25 fumble return (Chance White kick), 10:50

NC — Danny Franco 3 run (Marsico kick), 2:41

D — Ahmad Ward 82 kick return (conversion failed), :25

Fourth Quarter

NC — Jason Siket 1 run (kick blocked), 6:22

Individual Statistics

Rushing: Derry, Ahmad Ward 12-28, Chance White 4-5, Blake Revoir 3-(-2), Damauri Robinson 2-10. North Catholic, Joey Prentice 4-66, Jack Fennell 6-34, Kyle Tipinski 4-37, Liam Straub 2-29, Danny Franco 8-61, Jason Siket 5-48, McGinnis O'Shea 1-1, Austin Gaetano 1-6.

Passing: Derry, Blake Revoir 3-8-41-0. North Catholic, Joey Prentice 9-12-212-0.

Receiving: Derry, Damauri Robinson 2-26, Ahmad Ward 1-15. North Catholic, Tyler Maziarz 3-70, Mitch Lanthaler 1-24, Liam Straub 1-25, Jack Fennell 1-21, Kyle Tipinski 3-51.