Elizabeth Forward coach John DeMarco is hoping Friday’s rain-filled forecast subsides.

He’s confident the team’s running game can assume control if the conditions deem necessary, but given the two quarterbacks taking the field when the No. 4-seeded Warriors (9-1) host No. 5 North Catholic (8-3) at 7 p.m. in the WPIAL Class 3A quarterfinals, there’s reason to hope the weather cooperates.

In one corner is Elizabeth Forward’s Ryan Messina, who’s thrown for 1,951 yards and 23 touchdowns this season. The 6-foot-4 signal caller is also the team’s leading rusher with 682 yards and 10 scores on the ground.

“If you would go into a lab and try to make the perfect quarterback, he has it,” DeMarco said. “He has the size. He has the mentality. He has the leadership. He’ll run people over on purpose

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