The WPIAL Class AAA semifinal at 7:30 p.m. tomorrow between No. 14 seed Hampton (7-4) and No. 2 seed Hopewell (11-0) features a team led by the hottest running back in the league ... and Hopewell.

Everybody knows Hopewell sophomore Rushel Shell is a prolific running back with 2,308 yards rushing. But nobody has run for more yards the past four weeks than Hampton's Andrew Bly.

A 6-foot, 205-pound senior, Bly has 857 yards in four games. Shell ran for 816 yards in three games, then missed the Vikings' first-round game because of a school suspension.

But that shouldn't take away from what Bly has done. In the first seven games, Bly had just 493 yards. He is averaging 214.3 yards a game since.

Hampton coach Jacque DeMatteo said Bly started to come on after the fourth week of the season. The Talbots beat Class AAAA opponent Pine-Richland, 27-21, and DeMatteo knew he could get more from his ground game. He gave a letter grade to each back and asked each to grade their teammates.

"It just struck a chord with Bly," DeMatteo said, who added that no one is more deserving of success than Bly, who spent time in New Orleans this past summer, donating his time to the continued hurricane relief efforts. DeMatteo said the running back plays without an ego and is never disrespectful to his coaches.

"It goes to show you that good things happen to good people like that," he said. "I'm just happy to be a part of it."

Hopewell coach Dave Vestal said Bly is a big back who will challenge the Vikings. In studying film, Vestal said the Talbots rarely try to confuse a defense. It is usually clear where Hampton is going to run the ball.

"But it's kind of a 'try-and-stop-me' mentality," Vestal said.

Problem is, few teams have been able to do that against the Talbots.

Bob Palko is not too sure what it would take to break through Thomas Jefferson's defensive line.

The West Allegheny coach's only hunch is illegal in 50 states.

"Maybe some dynamite," he joked. "I don't know. No one else has figured it out."

The No. 4-seeded Indians (9-2) will try to dethrone No. 1 seed and three-time defending champion Thomas Jefferson (11-0) in a semifinal at Chartiers Valley High School's stadium.

Thomas Jefferson coach Bill Cherpak and Palko agree the key to reaching the title game will be the line play.

"I think the biggest thing once you get to the playoffs is controlling the line of scrimmage," Cherpak said. "You want to be able to run the ball. We're going to throw and do some other things, but you have to be able to run the ball."

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