Last year around this time, the Parkland football team headed off the field at Northeast High School in Philadelphia on the losing end of a 28-7 game against LaSalle College High School.

The Trojans find themselves in a similar position, this time staying in the Lehigh Valley with a PIAA quarterfinal matchup against Saint Joseph's Prep Saturday afternoon at Bethlehem Area School District Stadium.

Parkland (12-1 overall) heads into the game off a dominating performance last Friday night, shutting out Easton 42-0 in a rematch of the only team to beat the Trojans this year. Kareem Williams rushed for 309 yards and four touchdowns, and fellow senior Eli Redmond caught a touchdown pass and returned a punt for another score.

Parkland has a revamped offensive line paving the way for an explosive attack, and a strong defense that has only allowed an average of nine points per game.

But head coach Jim Morgans is aware of the talent of his opponent. The Hawks come out of the same District 12 that the Explorers do, and Saint Joseph's was a 35-28 victor in an October clash between the two schools this season.

"We have a pretty good handle on them with seeing a lot of their games on film," Morgans said. "They have a really good running back and good size on both sides of the ball. They give you multiple formations on defense. They're just a solid football team."

The Hawks have two juniors that are being recruited by Division I powerhouses. Offensive tackle Jon Runyan Jr. is currently committed to the University of Michigan, and cornerback/wide receiver John Reid has offers from schools such as Arizona, Maryland, Michigan, Michigan State, and Penn State.

Saint Joseph's (9-3 overall) three losses came to some football heavyweights in Don Bosco Prep (New Jersey), Archbishop Ryan, and Malvern Prep. The Hawks defeated LaSalle College High School a second time, for the Philadelphia City League championship on November 8.

"We watched the LaSalle tape," noted Morgans. "They run a similar offense to what we run. We will watch some of their film and try and work out tactics, but we have to go out and play."

Parkland will hope to put up points on the scoreboard in states, the same way they did in the District 11 tournament. The Trojans tallied 35 points against Stroudsburg, 27 a week later against Whitehall and 42 last weekend against an Easton team that shut them out in week two.

"The kids are getting into a good groove right now," added Morgans. "Our offensive line is coming together and the offense is doing a good job. And our backs and skill guys are coming into their own."

It is a different year and a different team, and Parkland looks to advance a step further in 2013.