2021 CTA WPIAL Football 5A Championship Player of the Game: Cade Yacamelli (Penn-Trafford)
This past Saturday night, after Penn-Trafford defeated Moon 24-21 in the WPIAL 5A Championship Game at Heinz Field, Warriors football player Cade Yacamelli celebrated with the WPIAL 5A Football trophy in his hands.
STUD ALERT: This past Saturday, Penn-Trafford won their first WPIAL Football Title in school history when they defeated Moon 24-21 at Heinz Field. Wisconsin Badger Football Commit Cade Yacamelli rushed for 136 yards and scored two touchdowns, one on a 92-yard reception, in the game.
Questions & Answers
How does it feel to finally be a WPIAL champion? And, what did your team do well to beat Moon in a meaningful game?
Cade Yacamelli: It feels like a dream come true. It's unbelievable to be a senior and experience this moment for the first time in school history. Involving beating Moon, I just feel like we played with more heart and more desire.
It seems that you have a lot of support from not only the Penn-Trafford and Wisconsin Badger community, but from other people around Western Pennsylvania as a lot of other WPIAL athletes praised you after your recent performance. What does all that love mean to you?
CY: Luckily, I have been able to make a name for myself, not only at Penn Trafford, but also around the city of Pittsburgh. I have made a lot of friends through football, 7 on 7 and recruiting. It just shows how great of people they are and for them to support me almost as if I was their teammate was unbelievable.
How did you celebrate after the win?
CY: A lot of dancing, screaming, hugging, and a whole lot of praying.
Your team faces Exter on Friday in the Semifinals of the PIAA 5A Football Playoffs. What do you think our team has to do to win that game?
CY: To not be complacent. Right now, I am sure everyone, including myself, feels like we are on Cloud 9, but we have to come back down to Earth. This is a very good fundamentally sound football team, arguably the best football team we faced so far. So, we just have to do what we do.
So, with your team's state championship run continuing, what do you think a state title would mean to you, your team, and your school?
CY: Our goal at the beginning of the season was to win a WPIAL Championship. Now that the goal has been achieved, our new goal is to win the whole thing. Once you have a lead, you take an even bigger lead. It would mean just as much, if not more, as the WPIAL title.
Since you committed to Wisconsin in the Summer, I have to ask you, who is your favorite Badger of all-time?
CY: Melvin Gordon
Alright, let me ask you some fun questions. Where is your favorite go-to place to eat?
CY: Black Sheep
Favorite ice cream flavor?
CY: Mint Chocolate Chip
Which player on your team do you think would make a good U.S. president?
CY: Jack Jollie
What is something that people would be surprised to know about you?
CY: I hate scary movies.
Brentaro Yamane: bkyamane@gmail.com and Twitter/Instagram @BYHilton13