Two weeks ago, Central Catholic faced a stud running back in Gateway's Justin King. Last week, Central Catholic faced an Erie McDowell running attack that had accounted for more than 500 yards the previous game.

But tomorrow is the supreme test for the Vikings' defense -- and it comes from a "Shady" character.

Central Catholic (14-0) meets Bishop McDevitt (10-2) of Harrisburg in a PIAA Class AAAA semifinal at 1 p.m. at Altoona's Mansion Park Stadium. Bishop McDevitt features 6-foot, 208-pound halfback LeSean McCoy. He is known to everyone as "Shady," a name his mother gave to him years ago. But nowadays "Shaky" might be more appropriate because that's how teams look in trying to defend him.

McCoy is considered one of the top junior running backs in the country. What he has done in the past five games is unheard of in Pennsylvania high school football. Consider these five-game feats:

1,715 yards. That's a terrific season for every other running back.

23 touchdowns, including seven last week against Carlisle.

164 carries, including two games with 42 attempts.

A 10.5 yards-per-carry average.

"Things have just been rolling," McCoy said.

Rolling? It's been like Shaquille O'Neal in a kindergarten gym class. Is it any wonder McCoy already has close to 40 scholarship offers from Division I colleges, including Miami, Penn State, Michigan, Maryland and Virginia.

"I've known him since he was 9 years old," Bishop McDevitt coach Jeff Weachter said. "You could see then that he was going to be a man among boys."

For the season, McCoy has rushed for 2,788 yards on 320 carries and scored 31 touchdowns. He has 5,711 yards in his career. The state record is 8,432 and McCoy seemingly has a shot at it next season.

But what will he do against Central Catholic's defense?

"Their defense has some speed and they're tough kids," McCoy said. "But maybe my line might overpower them. Lately, our line has just been doing a great job."

So has Central Catholic's defense. The Vikings held King below 100 yards and held Erie McDowell to 121 yards rushing.

In five postseason games, Central Catholic has allowed only 22 points and 129 yards a game rushing.

"I think our defense has really come together at the right time for us," Central Catholic coach Art Walker Jr. said. "People give [quarterback] Shane Murray and [running back] Eugene Jarvis and our guys up front on the lines a lot of accolades. But for us to get where we are at this point, the defense has put us in a lot of good situations.

"But it's not like this defense has only one good kid and we built it around him. We have 11 kids who just love being a member of that defense. They don't care who gets the credit."

Walker said McCoy is somewhat comparable to King, but McCoy believes he has a little more to offer. A well-spoken youngster, McCoy knows all about King.

"Central's defense has been doing a great job lately, but I don't know if they've faced a running back that cuts like me," McCoy said. "Justin is very good, but he's more of just a speedy guy. I can cut and keep my speed going at the same time."

McCoy has an older brother, LeRon, who plays receiver for IUP. He signed with the University of Virginia out of high school, but eventually ended up at IUP. LeSean has always been a running back, at least since his midget-league days when coaches originally tried him at quarterback.

"I couldn't throw a ball, but I could always run," McCoy said.

McCoy also is strong, bench pressing 360 pounds. But it's his speed (low 4.4s in the 40-yard dash) and cutting ability that Central Catholic will have to worry about.

"He has everything you would want in a running back," Weachter said. "He has power and speed. Plus, he makes some cuts that would break ankles of normal people. The other thing he has is great vision."

Although McCoy will be in the spotlight tomorrow, Central Catholic's Jarvis can't be overlooked, even though he's only 5-7. He also seems to be peaking at the right time, rushing for more than 200 yards three games in a row. He will go against a Bishop McDevitt defense that has certainly not been spectacular this season, allowing 83 points the past three games.

"People are talking a lot about [McCoy]," Walker said. "But I think it's one of those situations where, in Eugene's mind, he'll do his talking, hopefully, between the white lines. The constant with Eugene is proving himself because of his size. He doesn't have to prove anything to me or the guys on this team. But I think he likes to rise up to big occasions and enjoys proving people wrong."