District XII Philly Catholic League Blue Division Preview
Tagged under: Conference Previews, District 12, News
Anthony Franklin | August 24, 2023
CL BLUE DIVISION PREVIEW
The 2022 season saw a 3-team battle for the top spot in the CL Blue. Neumann Goretti, Bonner-Prendie & Conwell Egan all battled for the division title with Bonner coming out undefeated in league play and the division title. NG would have the most overall team success going to the PIAA 3A Championship game before falling just short. This season there are 2 new head coaches within the division with former Ryan QB Mark Ostaszewski taking over for Bill Murphy who is now an assistant at local Widner University. At West Catholic Don Richardson takes the helm for the Burrs.
Archbishop Carroll: 2022 record 0-10: The Patriots went winless in 2022 with a very inexperienced and young team. They enter the 2023 season with HC Kyle Detweiler returning but an overhaul of the staff with a new offensive staff. Only 4 major contributors from the 2022 season were lost to graduation. Key starters returning are Sr RB/DB Hassan Poulson-Bailey, Sr QB James Wright, Sr. DL Cleveland Woodland & Sr. LB Tony Williams. With an offseason to gel and bond the Patriots look to build upon last season’s struggles and earn some victories on the field this season. They’ll be playing Springfield Montco to open the season followed by other non-league opponents School of the Future & Simon Gratz.
Archbishop Ryan: 2022 record 6-5: The Raiders finished the 2022 season 6-5 and enjoyed a 3-game division winning streak with wins over Lansdale, West Catholic & O’Hara before falling to NG and narrowly upsetting Bonner in the final regular season game. They’d rebound to secure a winning season with a 17-6 win over rival George Washington in their annual thanksgiving tilt. The 2023 season they’re once again led by HC Bill Murphy. Gone are LB Kyle Schumann (West Chester), WR Rich Paczewski (Kutztown) and OL Kevin Roemhild. Returning contributors are So. DB David Spinelli (4 interceptions), Sr. LB Matt Malley (7.5 sacks & 65 tackles). Non-league games include opening the season at Archbishop Wood, Pope John Paul II, Father Judge & their traditional turkey day game against George Washington.
Cardinal O’Hara: 2022 record 1-9: The Lions led by 2nd year HC Mike Ewing look to build upon last season’s lessons. The Lions would lose 2 games by 2 or less scores while also absorbing quite a few lopsided defeats with a very young inexperienced team. Returning for the Lions are So. QB John Welde (1370 yds 10 TDs), Jr. WR Khalil Epps (396 yards, 4 TDs), Jr TE/DE Ethan Schulcz (218 yards, 2 TDs), So OL Nate Kutufaris. Sr. OLB/RB Zion Knox (Captain), & Sr. DeShawn Foster (Captain). Coach Ewing stated that he is “Looking for our young team to get better and play for each other”. The Lions non-league schedule include local rival Springfield, at Waynes Hill (NJ) & Belmont Charter. They’ve also added Marple Newtown to the schedule to conclude the season on Thanksgiving eve.
Conwell Egan: 2022 record 6-5: The Eagles are led by HC Jack Techtmann who led them to a winning season in 2022 and saw the program grow week to week. The Eagles scored an upset win over Neumann Goretti in the regular season and fought hard before falling to NG in the CL 3A final 20-10. Returning key players for CE are Sr. LB/FB Gavin Pond, Jr. LB/RB Sincere Fairey, Sr. OL/DL Cooper Laurensen, Sr. QB Stephen Tryon, Sr. FS/RB Sam Cooper & Sr. S/WR Justin Layton. Coach Techtmann says “We should be very competitive in the extremely competitive blue division. We have some work to do at certain positions, but our depth & speed should put us in the mix. Staying healthy at certain positions will go a long way to contributing to our success”. The Eagles mixed their non-league schedule with out of state and local competition. They’ll open at Holy Spirit (NJ), host Kensington & travel to Moore Catholic (NY).
Lansdale Catholic: 2022 record: 7-3: The Crusaders had a fairly successful 2022 campaign finishing with their first winning season in CL play since 2015. Led by HC Dom D’Addona they look to continue that success. Coach Dom states “We hope to continue to develop as one of the top teams in the area. Key returning starters for Lansdale are QB Cole Meehan (1473 yards, 15 TDs), LB Bobby Lombardo, OL/DL Jason Kalkbrenner, LB/OL Chris Ulmer, DB/WR Jack Treziak & LB/TE Jachai Streeter. The Crusaders non-league schedule includes hosting High School of the Future, Springside Chestnut Hill Academy & Kensington.
Monsignor Bonner-Prendie: 2022 record 11-3: The Friars led by HC Jack Muldoon would run have their most successful season in school history since the CL joined the PIAA winning the CL 4A championship along with the CL Blue division title and won their first PIAA playoff game against non-city teams with a thrilling 33-21 win over fellow Delco program Interboro HS. They won a school record 11 games and are primed to repeat the success and advance further in the PIAA playoffs. They’ll return all state Edge Rusher Sr. Mylachi Williams (Penn State) along with Jr. WR Jalil Hall, Sr. RB Avery Hankey & Sr. All State Athlete Isaiah Session. Along with a daunted division schedule the Friars travel across the Atlantic Ocean to Dublin where they will battle the NFL UK Academy. Upon returning home and after a bye week they’ll host Salesianum (Delaware).
Neumann-Goretti: 2022 record 11-4: In 2022 the Saints led by HC Albie Crosby they grew throughout the season and despite a few regular season setbacks namely the Penn Charter 21-0 shutout and the midseason slide within the division in which they lost back to back to Bonner & Egan, the team bonded together and made a terrific run through the CL championship game and into the PIAA finals where they fell just 1 yard short of the first state title in the school’s history. Gone are athlete Shawn Battle, WR Denim Smith, OL Jose Rivera & LB Sam Hobbs. Returning are Sr. QB Mekhi Wharton, Sr. DL Deshon Dodson, So. Athlete Wydeek Collier, DL Koren Robinson & DL Daniel Adefolarin. Also joining the Saints is Wisconsin commit DB Kahmir Prescott who will finish his senior season out with the Saints after a great 3 year run at Public League member Northeast High. The Saints scheduled a daunting non-league trio of opponents beginning with Ohio powerhouse Elder, followed up with dates with Inter-Ac program William Penn Charter & at Canarsie (NY).
West Catholic: 2022 record 4-8: The Burrs will be under new leadership as Don Richardson is now running the program as Head Coach. 2022 saw them have growing pains before rebounding to make a PIAA playoff appearance after winning the D1/D12 qualifying game over Briston 57-7. Returning to the Burrs are Sr. TE/DE Jayzen Flint (Penn State), Jr. QB Kal-El Durham, Sr. WR/DB Owen Suah, Sr. LB/RB Jayvon Story & Jr. TE/DE Jaden Meekins. Coach Don states “We are a young team looking to grow & get some production from our junior & sophomore class. We must learn how to be efficient & effective within the system while maximizing our efforts to do our job, play fast, physically & playing with the proper mindset”. The Burrs will open the season in Delaware at the Tri State Area showcase against PL member Northeast High before finishing their non-league schedule against Steelton-Highspire.
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