Philly Catholic League 2022 Season Preview
Tagged under: Conference Previews, District 12, News
Anthony Franklin | August 26, 2022
Philly Catholic League 2022 Season Preview
BLUE
Archbishop Carroll
Anything is up for a team that finished 0-10 last year. The Patriots return a whole host of players from last years team.
“We have to do a much better job taking care of the football on offense. Looking for significant improvement in our rushing production and performance of our offensive line. Defensively, we need to cut down on splash plays allowed and create more turnovers. Have a lot of guys returning who were first-time varsity starters last year. We are banking on their improvement, growth, and development inside our program.”
Returning:
Shane Bockrath, WR, 6-0, 175, Sr.
AJ Dilks, OT, 6-5, 280, Sr.
Andre Groce, QB, 6-2, 190, Sr.
Jack Fry, OL/DL, 6-4, 260, Sr.
Pat Liney, WR, 6-2, 170, Sr.
Kyle Rodia, LB/RB, 5-8, 180, Sr.
Tyler Schiele, OL, 5-11, 250, Sr.
Anthony Spurio, FB/LB, 6-1, 220, Sr.
Hassan Bailey, DB, 5-8, 170, Jr.
Myles Deshields, LB/DL, 6-0, 175, Jr.
Jesse Ventre, WR, 5-8, 170, Jr.
Cleveland Woodson, OL/DL, 5-9, 240, Jr.
James Wright, QB/DB, 5-10, 180, Jr.
Newcomers: Chase Gallagher, WR, 6-5, 205, Sr. Mason Waller, QB, 6-3, 190, Sr. Anthony Hopson, DB/WR, 5-8, 170, Jr. Too Jemahwuo, DB/WR, 5-10, 175, Jr. Anthony Coia, WR/DB, 6-0, 150, So. Parker Kudjoe, OL/DL, 6-1, 265, So. Adam Moffitt, RB/LB, 5-10, 180, So. Luke Watson, WR/DB, 6-2, 170, So.
Archbishop Ryan
Bill Murphy is hoping this year is a much better year for the Raiders. He looks to build on last years 6-5 record. Aidan Clancy returns at QB and they return 3 of 5 linemen to protect him. At the running back spot look for Kyle Schumann and Matt Malley to carry the load. McDermott Murphy is a nice target at TE. Defensively Murphy will give teams trouble. “We are looking to build off of what we did last season. We feel that we have a very good group of kids that can make a run this season if we stay healthy and play disciplined.”
Returning:
Rich Paczewski Wr/Fs 5’9 182 2023
Mcdermott Murphy De/Te 6’3 228 2023
Jack Ruskowski 6’5 257 2023,
Sean Roemhild Wr/Cb 6’0 184
Dave Obasi Dt/Ot 6’3 277 2023,
Aidan Clancy Qb 6’1 186,
Damien Morgan Wr/S 5’9 173 2025
Gavin Mcconnell Rb/Olb 6’0 185
Kyle Schumann Rb/Mlb 5’11 210 2023,
Kevin Roemhild Dt/Ot 6’4 272 2023
Okeem Stallings Fb/Dt 5’8 218 2023
Nick Rogers De/Qb 6’4 221 2024
Matt Malley Lb/Rb 5’10 182 2024
Brian Callahan Ls/De 5’11 208 2023
Vinnie Piermatteo Og/Dt 6’0 225 2023
Newcomers: Corey Demas Wr/Cb 5’9 153 2025
John Petitt Og/Dt 6’1 247 2024
Tom Gontz Wr/Db 5’10 163 2025
David Laws Rb/Fb 5’11 208 2024
Connor Horger Dt/Og 6’0 216 2026
Nasir Matthews Wr/Fs 6’2 184 2026
Ethan Large C/Og 5’11 263 2024
Joe Phillips K/P 6’0 170 2023
Makai Stallings Wr/Db 5’10 161 2026
Augusto Riega Og/Dt 5’11 235 2025
Dave Montgomery Wr/De 6’4 192 2024
Mike Stelmach Te/De 6’1 194 2025
Bonner & Prendie
Last years 10-3 record was no fluke. The Friars had one of the best teams in the southeast. Jack Muldoon has a task ahead if he wants to repeat last years success. It won’t be easy but they have the parts. Losing Shane Mullholland and All State running back Mason Peterson leaves two huge holes to fill on offense. Zach Coneys and Avery Hankey will fill those holes and they’ll have 3 of five linemen back to help. On defense when you lose a leader like Damir Williams-Bey you need to find a stud to step up. That’s a big hole to fill. Coach Muldoon says he’s just hoping to be competitive in the PCL.
Returning:
Dave Kpeglo Sr. 6’2 250 DE
Jawaad Hanton Sr. 5’10 245 OL/DL
Elijiah Beaty Sr. 5’11 175 DB/WR
Mekel Marshall Sr. 6’3 285 OT/DT
Jaelyn Allen Sr. 6’2 290 OL/DL
A.J .Saie Sr. 5’10 170 DB/WR
Chris Graziani Sr. 5’8 165 WR/DB
Isaiah Sessions Jr. 5’10 185 LB/RB
Austin Cannon Jr. 6’1 190 LB/TE
Mylachi Williams Jr. 6’3 190 TE/DE
Avery Hankey Jr. 5’8 165 RB/DB
Newcomers: Zach Coneys Sr. 6’4 180 Qb/Wr/Lb Bryan Henry Sr. 6’6 250 OL/DL Colin Finnegan Sr. 6’0 180 Qb Thaibri Rogers Sr. 6’5 290 OL Wykil Fowler Jr. 5’11 175 DB Joe Sarjoo Jr. 5’10 165 Qb Jaeden Foster Jr. 6’3 225 TE/DE Kieran Farren Jr. 5’9 200 Ol/DL Jalil Hall So. 6’5 185 WR/DE Jalyn Johnson So. 5’7 160 RB/DB Milan Jernigan So. 5’10 175 WR/DB
Cardinal O’Hara
Mike Ewing is hoping to improve on the 2-6 record from last year. “Very young, enthusiastic team will look to experienced senior leadership to get this team to compete every week.”
Returning:
Edmund Wisseh 6’2” 235 ‘23
John Shelton 6’1” 190 ‘23
Xavier Tran 5’9” 175 ‘23
Gavin LeSage 5’9” 170 ‘23
CJ Stolzer 5’8” 170 ‘23
Joe Alfonsi 5’10” 200 ‘23
Michael Kutufaris 5’11” 175 ‘24
Newcomers: Nate Kutufaris OL Kendan Temple-Hudson OL/DL Dillon DiBattista OL/DL Kobena Okyne RB/LB Khalil Epps WR/DB Logan Maloney WR/DB Thomas Dugan WR/DB Zion Knox WR/DB
Conwell-Egan 8-3
“Overall Team speed. Experience at the Running Back and Wide receiver positions. Overall Team speed
Defense: “Overall team speed. Returning Experience and leadership. CEC Defense returns.”
Key Starters Lost:
Dante Morris Quarterback
Debrick Johnson O line
Manny Nukah LB
Max Locke Center
AJ Snowden O Line
Offense: Stephen Tryon #9 6’ 175
Colin Majors #23 5’9 165
Craig Graves #3 5’11 240
Luke Trunell #46 6’2 220
Sam Cooper #5 5’11 170
Zamire Cottrell #50 6’3 240
Defensive Players:
Luke Trunell # 46 6’2 220
Zamire Cottrell #50 6’3 240
Gavin Pond #42 5”11 200
Mekhi Harper # 2 6”3 180
Colin Majors #23 5’9 165
Tim Gipli # 3 5’11 230
Returning Offensive Players:
QB Stephen Tryon
QB/WR Sincere Fairey
RB Colin Majors – Returning All-Catholic RB
RB Sam Cooper
RB Tayshaun Thenor
FB Luke Trunell
FB Craig Graves
FB Gavin Pond
OL Zamire Cottrell
OL Cooper Laurenson
WR Mekhi Harper
WR Tim Gipli
WR Milton Polyneice
Returning Defensive Players:
DT Zamire Cottrell
DE Craig Graves
DE Sincere Fairey
ILB Luke Trunell
OLB Gavin Pond
CB Mekhi Harper
SS Colin Majors
CB Tim Gipli
FS Sam Cooper
SS Tayshaun Thenor
Lansdale Catholic 1-9
Dom D’Addona is happy to see an increase in the number of players at Lansdale. Added depth should provide a little spark to improve on last years 1-9 record. Efrain Quiles will carry the load for LC on offense. This team has a lot of work to do to get back to their glory days but we should see improvement. Josh Brown was all conference last year and will lead LC on defense.
Starters returning: Offense 7 Defense 8
Key players: Matt Daly (Sr., WR/DB, 5-9, 170), Efrain Quiles (Sr., RB/LB, 6-3, 215), Josh Brown (Sr., DL, 5-9, 210), Cole Meehan (Jr., QB, 6-2, 170), Chris Ulmer (Soph., OL/LB, 6-2, 195).
Neumann-Goretti 13-2
The Saints are led by HC Albie Crosby and are fresh off a long PIAA playoff run that ended in defeat in the semi-finals. The stingy defense is pretty much in tact from a year ago however they lost 3 huge offensive weapons in QB Marqui Adams (Delaware State), RB Jayden Sumpter (Springside Chestnut Hill Academy) & WR Yazeed Haynes (North Penn/Georgia commit). Defensively they also lost LB Anthony Johnson (Rutgers) & Raleigh Collins (WVU). Returning is all state performer Athlete Shawn Battle (Final 5 Nebraska, BC, PSU, UVA, CIncy), Sr. LB Samuel Hobbs (Syracuse offer). The Saints won’t run through the division as they did last year as they’re in a rebuilding phase but should remain competitive and if they can find consistency and chemistry on offense could be formidable in the PIAA playoffs.
West Catholic
The Burrs stumbled to a 4-8 record last year losing in the playoffs to Northern Lehigh after stunning both Conwell Egan and York Catholic. This year coach Brian Wood has a nice nucleus returning and could be a player once again to beat some good teams. Keason Athill is looking like the QB to lead the Burrs.
This team has a lot of returning experience and could definitely be a team to watch.
Returning are OL Jeremiah Britford, WR Kahir Thompson, TE/DE/LB Jayzen Flint, RB K’Saan Green, LB/FB Keaon Athill, RB/LB Efrain Quiles, DB Owen Suah II, LB Paul Hassan, TE/LB Dujuan Saunders, WR Timbite Kassahun, TE/G/DE Wylique Byard-Moses,
RED
Archbishop Wood 5-5
After a disappointing 2021 season the Vikings have a new HC in Dave Armstrong while also losing quite a few key players such as LB Tyrese Whitaker (Northeast/Temple Commit), RB James Bermudez (Northeast), OL Kevin Towns (SJ Prep), Semaj Bridgeman (Imhotep/Michigan Commit), OL Mason Yacovelli (Cornell) & Andrew McHugh (Marist). They do return 2 all state players in TE Marcus Dixon (Clemson commit) & DE Eric Gardner (finalist include Temple, WVU, Syracuse, PSU). Despite the deflections Wood has a good amount of young talent in the program to keep them competitive. Steady QB play will determine how fast they can turn things around. One positive is that they are returning to 5A classification which means they’ll once again be matched up with Imhotep in the 5A district finals if both teams advance that far.
La Salle College 9-2
The Explorers are led by HC John Steinmetz. They won the PCL Red Division regular season title via their upset win over SJ Prep. However they’d fall in the PCL Finals to the Hawks 35-7 thus ending their season. They lost a few key pieces on offense to graduation with QB Alan Paturzo (Ursinus), RB Samuel Brown (Rutgers), WR Ryan Moore (Sacred Heart) and Amir Anderson (Kutztown). Defensively they have to replace All State and now PSU LB Abdul Carter. The 2022 season will be a rebuilding year for the Explorers where they’ll probably be below Prep & Roman.
Roman Catholic
Expectations are high at Roman this year. With 16 players holding D1 offers coach Rick Prete is hoping that this is the year they climb that mountain and take the trophy away from SJP. It all starts with Tyseer Denmark. The junior WR/DB holds nearly 30 offers and is every bit as advertised. Getting the ball to him on offense will be key. Jonathan Ingram holds a Kent St offer and the returning QB should have plenty of time behind a veteran line. “House” Ramsey, Lorenzo Dow and Kahlil Stewart should provide a nice wall of protection. They should also be able to clear space for running backs Brandon Mack and Mao Howell.
Defensively, that’s where all the offers hang out. Lyons, Montgomery, Denmark, Speights, Preston and company should, on paper at least, be a tough group to score on. Only time will tell if the Cahillites are able to gel. “We expect to improve upon last year’s record and have a great season. Our team has been young the last 2 years and are now starting to mature and hopefully as a program we can take the next step” said Prete.
Returning:
Brandon Mack LB/RB
Jamieal Lyons DE
Austin Ramsey OT
Jordan Montgomery LB
Mao Howell, ATH
Jamir Robertson ATH
Tyseer Denmark WR/DB
Mikey Preston DB
Trey Woodley WR
Julian Green DB
Will Felder DB
Samir Dean DT
Sameir Speights DT
Jon Ingram QB
Lorenzo Dow OL
Kahlil Stewart OL
Newcomers: Richard Mosley DB, Jahmir Diabara LB, Semaj Beals QB, Ashdan Roberts WR
St. Joseph’s Prep 11-3
The Hawks are led by HC Tim Roken and made a run to the PIAA 6A Finals before falling to Mt. Lebanon. They were upset in CL play by LaSalle in the regular season before turning the tables and handling the Explorers 35-7 in the PCL Finals. They did lose a few key pieces along the OL to graduation as well as all state K Antonio Chadha (Rutgers), Keenan Nelson (South Carolina) & Sr. DE James Heard (Camden High) but return Jr. QB Semaj Jones, Jr. RB Kahseim Phillips, LB Cole Niles (Air Force Commit), Sr. LB Josiah Trotter (West Virginia), Jr. WR David Washington Jr., 4 star recruit for the 2024 class CB Omillio Agard (Pitt, ND, PSU, Alabama, Georgia offers) & So. DB Anthony Sacca (Michigan, TAMU, Georgia PSU offers)
The Hawks once again play a strong out of league competition with all games being against out of state competition. They’ll open the season in FL taking on a ranked St. Thomas Aquinas program. They’ll follow that up with road trips to St. Peters Prep (NJ), Erasmus Hall (Brooklyn, NY) & Gonzaga (DC) before their 4 league games. With a strong nucleus returning the Hawks should be the favorite to win the PCL and District 12 6A title while making another run to the finals in Chambersburg.
Returning:
QB Semaj Jones
RB Kahseim Phillips
WR David Washington Jr
WR Elijah Jones
DB Anthony Sacca
LB Cole Nilles
LB Josiah Trotter
CB Omillio Agard
Father Judge 7-5
Eric Smith Rushing: 673 yards Denzel Dunbar Nymier Appling receiving
2022 Offensive Outlook: “We need to improve throwing the Football. We were very young at WR and need to make plays there. We will have a new QB but I think We have the right guys in that room. We have a very good O-line and RB Situation.”
2022 Defensive Outlook: “We need to be much more physical on Defense, We are looking for a major improvement on this side of the ball. We need to be better against the run and create more take-a-ways to have the type of Defense we expect to have around here.”
2022 Special Teams Outlook: “We should be very good in the kicking game. It is something we take very seriously. We return a number of guys who have experience on Special Teams and I expect us to be very good in this area.”
Returning:
JR Sean Broderick OT/DL
JR Chris Coulter OG/DL
JR Eric Smith RB/LB
SR Jake Marquis RB/SS
JR Denzel Dunbar TE
SR Steve Parkinson OL
JR Nymier Appling WR/FS
SR Justin Nikolopoulos DB
JR Eric Smith LB
Newcomers:
JR Tyler Yerkov QB
SR Tearan Peete LB/TE
SR Evan Secklecki OL
Sr Andrew Wennigher OL
SO Derrick Kennedy DB/WR
SO Tom Cunningham WR/DB/MP
Shane Kilbride OL
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