It's 47 and counting for the Thomas Jefferson High School football team.

The Jaguars have won 47 consecutive games against WPIAL opponents, a streak that dates back to the 2005 season.

"I'm realistic," Thomas Jefferson coach Bill Cherpak said. "I know the streak will come to an end at some point. We're going to eventually lose. It's just a question of when. We're doing everything we can to make sure it doesn't happen this year."

Thomas Jefferson takes its impressive streak into tomorrow's WPIAL Class AAA quarterfinal playoff game against Franklin Regional.

"It's hard to stay on top," Cherpak said. "That's for sure. We just have to keep working hard and make sure we're prepared for each game."

Thomas Jefferson has won three consecutive WPIAL titles and four of the past five. The Jaguars have made six consecutive appearances in the title game. With that in mind, it was no surprise that Thomas Jefferson was seeded No. 1 in the 16-team Class AAA bracket.

"It's a big challenge to face a great program such as Thomas Jefferson," Franklin Regional coach Greg Botta said. "Coach Cherpak has done a great job building the program."

Thomas Jefferson has been ranked No. 1 in the WPIAL and PIAA all season. The Jaguars, who won the Big Seven Conference title, opened the playoffs with a dominating 51-7 win against Laurel Highlands.

"It's a great feeling to be playing the No. 1 team in the state," Botta said. "Beating a team of their caliber would be even sweeter. You have to beat the best to be the best."

Franklin Regional earned its sixth consecutive playoff berth by tying Mars Area for the Greater Allegheny Conference title. The eighth-seeded Panthers faced a much stiffer opponent in its playoff opener. They defeated Montour, 35-20.

"Beating a quality program such as Montour gives us a big boost of confidence," Botta said. "We're glad to be one of the eight remaining teams in the Class AAA bracket. We're going to do everything we can to go as far as we can in the playoffs."

Coincidentally, Franklin Regional is the last WPIAL team to defeat Thomas Jefferson. The two schools faced off in the WPIAL title game in 2005 and the Panthers posted a 31-14 win.

"We also played Thomas Jefferson in the 2006 playoffs," Botta said. "They beat us in the semifinals."

Thomas Jefferson is the only team from the Big Seven Conference to post a victory in the first round. Franklin Regional was one of three teams from the Greater Allegheny Conference to advance to the quarterfinals.

"I don't want to question the WPIAL and its seeding process, but it's obvious that our conference didn't get much respect. Our teams were seeded No. 7, 8, 13 and 14. It was great to see three teams from our conference win and move on to the quarterfinals."

Thomas Jefferson (10-0) is averaging 39.0 points per game and allowing only 6.0 per game. The Jaguars have recorded five shutouts.

"Our offense has been able to score points and our defense has been solid," Cherpak said. "We're pretty confident we can shut down teams when we really have to."

A pair of seniors, quarterback Sam Johnston and wide receiver Jim Giansante, have been Thomas Jefferson's biggest weapons on offense. Johnston has completed 75 of 131 passes for 1,766 yards and 21 touchdowns, while throwing only five interceptions. Giansante has 45 catches for 1,094 yards and 13 touchdowns. Giansante, who also has three rushing touchdowns, is the only receiver in the WPIAL to reach the 1,000-yard mark this year.

"Sam has been doing a great job running the offense," Cherpak said. "He's doing the things he's capable of doing and has managed the game well for us. Jim has to be considered one of the best receivers in the WPIAL."

Johnston and Giansante connected on a school-record 99-yard touchdown reception on Thomas Jefferson's first possession against Laurel Highlands.

Franklin Regional is averaging 28.9 points per game and allowing 16.9 per game.

The Panthers biggest weapons on offense are: quarterback Stephen Liberatore, running back Chad Bowman and wide receiver Josh Staniscia.

Liberatore has completed 83 of 142 passes for 1,465 yards and 15 touchdowns. Bowman has rushed for 1,355 yards on 195 carries. Staniscia has 31 catches for 795 yards.

n Who: Franklin Regional vs. Thomas Jefferson.

n When: 7:30 p.m. tomorrow.

n Where: Warriors Stadium, Elizabeth Forward High School.

n The skinny: Franklin Regional defeated Thomas Jefferson in the WPIAL Class AAA fina in 2005. Since then Thomas Jefferson has won three consecutive WPIAL titles.

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