The Parkland High School football team made a strong run to the District 11 6A championship, one that featured a couple of upset victories along the way. The reward was seeing a familiar foe in the state quarterfinal round in two-time defending state champion St. Joe’s Prep.

The Trojans held their own for the first quarter-and-a-half, but the Hawks scored 34 points in the second and third quarters to take the game 46-7 last Friday night at Pennridge High School.

Parkland kept SJP at bay through the first 12 minutes and caused a turnover on their opponents’ first possession as they were inside the red zone.

TJ Lawrence sacked Charlie Foulke to force a fumble, which Matthew Dorsey recovered at the Parkland 12-yard line. The Trojan defense also stalled the Hawks offense on their next possession as well, forcing a punt.

“We came after them,” said Parkland head coach Tim Moncman. “Our kids played hard like they always do. Unfortunately, in a situation like this, eventually, they’re going to wear you down. They’ve got a lot of good skill position players with speed and athleticism. We’ve got a lot of guys playing both ways. They do not. I’m proud of the effort of our kids.”

Foulke caught fire in the second quarter as he connected with Rahmeir Hardy for two touchdowns and Jett Harrison on another as St. Joe’s took a 20-0 lead into halftime. Khyan Billups then ran for two different touchdowns of four yards and 33 yards, respectively in the third quarter as the game got out of reach at 34-0 after three.

After another passing TD by the Hawks to open the fourth quarter, Lawrence got Parkland on the scoreboard with a one-yard rushing touchdown in the middle of the fourth.

“I told the guys after the game to be proud of the gold medal,” Moncman said. “What you did in the three-week stretch of districts was amazing. That’s what I want them to take with them, a District 11 championship. We have a lot kids coming back. I told them to learn from it, learn from the seniors.”

Parkland’s season ends at 11-3 overall and another District 11 6A title. The Hawks (9-2) advanced to meet District 1 champion Downingtown West in this weekend’s semifinals.