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In recent history, Central Catholic and Cathedral Prep have found themselves playing for a state championship in Hershey more often then not. But never against each other due to Central Catholic competing in Class 6A and Cathedral Prep in Class 4A.

On Friday night, the perennial powerhouses opened the season against each other for the second year in a row, this time in the Western Pa. vs. Everyone Else Showcase held at The Wolverina at Woodland Hills.

Unlike the lopsided 40-7 loss in last year’s game, the Vikings were able to come out with a 24-21 victory, snapping the Ramblers’ 28-game win streak. Cathedral Prep Is the two-time defending state champion in their classification.

It was another slow start by Central Catholic, falling behind 10-0 before they started to orchestrate its comeback.

Junior quarterback Dom Pieto threw two touchdown passes, a 55-yard strike to senior Gavin Thomson and a 7-yard pass to senior A.J. Beatty. The two touchdowns gave the Vikings a 14-13 lead heading into the fourth quarter where they turned to the ground game to seal the game.

On two drives, Central Catholic ran the ball 16 straight times resulting in a 1-yard plunge from sophomore Visawn Pennix and a 25-yard field goal by junior John Opalko for a 24-13 lead.

It wasn’t all offense for the Vikings, as a big stop on fourth-and-one late in the game prevented a comeback by Cathedral Prep. The Ramblers found the end zone 34 seconds left to make it 24-21, but were unable to recover their onside kick attempt.

In his first start at quarterback for the Vikings, Pieto finished 6 of 12 for 122 yards with two touchdowns and an interception. Thomson was the leading receiver with three catches for 99 yards and a touchdown. He also recorded an interception.

Central Catholic (1-0) will dive into section play next week when they host Seneca Valley at 7:30 p.m.