District 10 Region 6 2022 Season Preview

Tagged under: Conference Previews, District 10, News

TC Jones | August 18, 2022

Region 6 Overview

Once again, it looks like McDowell and Cathedral Prep will be battling it out for Region 6 dominance. Both teams return a ton of talent, so mark September 30 on your calendar for what should be an excellent game between these two long-standing city rivals. Neither Butler nor Erie High will be pushovers, but they don’t have the talent to truly compete with McDowell or Cathedral Prep.

Preseason Region Rankings

McDowell
Cathedral Prep
Butler
Erie High

Team Previews

McDowell

2021 Record: 10-3

Team Preview:

Coming off an impressive 10-3 season in 2021, McDowell returns a core group of experienced seniors. On paper, this could be one of the best Trojan teams in decades. “This is the strongest team I’ve coached in 24 years,” head coach Bo Orlando said. “We return a large group of starters and players with quality time.”

And this year, they have a challenging schedule to prepare the team for what it hopes to be a deep playoff run in Class 6A. McDowell’s season opens against Ohio power Walsh Jesuit, New York State Champion Bennet High School, and North Allegheny. Later in the season, the Trojans will match up with Meadville and rival Erie Cathedral Prep. The challenging schedule should have the team ready come playoff time.

Returning Starters:

Cooper Cousins: OL/DL 6’6 315 Junior (pre-season all-american) Christian Santiago: QB/DE 6’2 245 Senior Ben Moore QB 6’2 220 QB Senior Trey Goodwine 5’11 180 WR/DB Senior Ray Jackson 6’0 200 WR/DB Senior Avery Brine 6’4 325 OL/DL Senior Niko Grack 5’11 230 OL/DL Senior Troy Peterson 6’0 220 LB Senior Artis Simmons 5’9 175 RB Senior Nick Vogan 6’1 240 DE Senior Joey Orlando 6’5 245 OL/DE Senior Alex Sontheimer 5’8 145 K/P

Erie High

2021 Record: 3-7

Team Preview:

Though Erie High’s 2021 record wasn’t great, the Royals aren’t devoid of talent. And the team returns a lot of players in 2022. But it will be a matter of getting that talent to play together on all sides of the ball. If Erie can limit turnovers and decrease pre-snap penalties, they have the pieces needed to contend. But it won’t be an easy task against the talent in Region 6. Coach Andre Henderson says “compared to last year, this year is more laid back and we aren’t in a hurry to get everything installed.”

Erie Cathedral Prep

Wakeem Page

2021 Record: 11-2

Team Preview:

With the retirement of head coach Mike Mischler in the offseason, many people are wondering if Cathedral Prep will continue its dominant ways. Mischler leaves the Ramblers with 214 career wins and 5 state titles. Although Prep lost a legendary coach, they are in good hands with first-year head coach Mike Krahe. Before taking over the reins, Krahe was a former assistant coach at Prep, so he understands the system and what it takes to create a championship-caliber program.

The Ramblers return plenty of stars, including future Division I quarterback Carter Barnes and athlete Wakeem Page. The talent is there, and Prep will surely compete for the Region, District, and State titles in 2022.

Butler

2021 Record: 5-5

Team Preview:

In 2021, Butler made the playoffs for the first time in 10 years. And with offensive line starters Brock Popovich, Ethan Babay, and Markeis Frazier returning, along with quarterback Mac Schnur, the Golden Tornado look to build on that experience. Unfortunately, Butler’s links to the WPIAL are now in the court system. Hopefully, the situation is soon resolved because Butler brings back enough talent that they could reach the playoffs again. Though Butler is improving, the Golden Tornado is still a significant step behind McDowell and Erie Cathedral Prep in Region 6.

Returning Starters:

Lance Slater, WR/DB, 5’10, 155, Senior Mac Schnur, QB/DB, 6’1, 170, Senior Brock Popovich, OL/DL, 6’2, 260, Senior Ethan Babay, OL/DL, 6’1, 270, Senior Markeis Frazier, OL/DL, 6’1, 245, Senior Landon Lacey, RB/DB, 5’11, 160, Junior JunJun Andrada, LB, 6’0, 180, Junior Dashawn Cox, RB/DB, 5’9, 165, Senior Max Gianneski, K, 6′, 170, Senior Braylon Littlejohn, WR/DB, 6′, 165, Junior