District 12 Preview
Tagged under: Conference Previews, District 12, News, pfn
Anthony Franklin | August 27, 2026
District 12 in 2025 saw 2 programs win state titles with Roman Catholic capturing the 5A title and La Salle capturing the 6A title. This season Roman has been elevated to 6A which means they’ll battle LaSalle and St. Joes Prep for the CL 6A title and a berth in the D12 6A city title game. Father Judge has also been bumped up to 6A which means the CL will not be represented at the 5A level this season. The two other CL ref programs Bonner-Prendie and Cardinal O’Hara compete in 4A.
In the Public League Imhotep has been moved from 6A down to 5A which means if they win the Public League title, they’ll be crowned 5A champions and will advance to the PIAA playoffs. Simon Gratz will be playing up as they will move from 3A to 4A this season joining Audenried (2A to 3A).
Also to note in the Public League changes are coming to the league playoffs. At the conclusion of the regular season the top two teams in the Independence Division will play in the “Pub Title Game”. The top team in each class will earn the league’s berth in the D12 title game.
6A Contenders
1. La Salle:
The Explorers are the defending PIAA 6A champions. While they graduated some superstars in WR/DB Joey O’Brien (Notre Dame), OT Grayson McGough (Notre Dame), QB Gavin Sidwar (Missouri), TE/DE John Patrick Oates (Virginia Tech) and RB Desmond Ortiz (Brown). They do return P4 recruit Jr. WR Owen Johnson, Sr. WR/DB Trey Hopkins (UCLA), Sr. RB Joshua Simmons, Jr. QB Luke Gordon, Sr. OL Andrew Sorge (Lafayette) and Sr. LB Zykee Scott (University of North Carolina). Defending champs get the slight nod in the rankings to open the season by default.
2. St. Joes Prep:
The Hawks finished last season a disappointing 5-5 including being swept by La Salle in both meetings. While they return a solid nucleus they will have to replace 2 year starting QB Charlie Foulke (transferred), RB Khyan Billups (Monmouth), OL Jake Namnun (Dartmouth) & DL Alex Haskell (Syracuse). Stud Jr. WR Jett Harrison (Ohio State) returns as well as Sr. LB Brandon Lockley (Oregon), Sr. DB Masiia Acrey (Syracuse), Sr. WR Alston Frisbey (Sacred Heart), Jr. CB Simaj Hill, Jr. OL David Contreras, Jr. RB Ameen Williams & Jr. RB Logan Dairsow. Stepping in under center will be Jr. QB Maxwell Rogers.
3. Roman Catholic:
The Cahillites are the defending 5A state champions who will be playing at the 6A level for the next two seasons. Gone are school all time leading passer QB Semaj Beals (Akron), WR Ashdan Roberts (Temple), WR/DB Eyan Stead (Temple), DB Justis Gaskin (Stony Brook), DE Julian Enoch (West Chester), DL Antwan Smith-Ray (Merrimack) and OL Khalif McNear (Temple). Returning are Sr. DB Haamir Lowry, Sr. LB Walter Hudson (Pittsburgh), So. LB Coron Russell Jr., Jr. DB Sabir Dawson, Jr. RB Trey Montgomery, Sr. OL Sebastian Waddell, Sr. WR Jayden Alford, Sr. DE AJ Wright (Eastern Michigan) and Sr. WR/DB Eisa Nealy. Also looking to make an impact is transfer Sr. WR Kareem Haqq (Imhotep).
4. Abraham Lincoln:
The Railsplitters finished the 2025 season with a 7-5 record after having to forfeit wins against Northeast and West Philadelphia. Gone are QB Kareem Moore, DB Jamir Duncan (East Stroudsburg), RB Koi Muse, WR Nymir Marble (Shippensburg), DB Shafeeq Williams, DL Kwentyn Simmons-Greene & DL Alvin Yates (Chicago State). Returning are Sr. WR/DB Nazir Holley, Jr. LB Terrance Page, Jr. OL Donte Hall & Sr. DT Taion Williams.
Other Teams:
Northeast
Father Judge
Central
George Washington
5A Contenders
1. Imhotep:
The Panthers played the 24 and 25 seasons in 6A but will be back at 5A for the next two seasons. Despite graduating stud LT Jesse Moody (Maryland), RB Syeer Coleman (Albany), LB Charles Belser, WR Zah Pollard (Kutztown), DB Willie Norris (Shippensburg), DL Joseph Sondah (New Haven), DL Ameer Blackshear, OL Brian Moore (Kutztown) and OL Brian Graves Jr (Delaware State).
Returning are veteran Sr. QB Joe McLeish (Morgan State), Jr. RB Yazid Mcorkle, Jr RB Kassan Chappelle, Sr Lineman Nyeem Powell (Morgan State), Jr WR Brian Culmer, Jr WR By’ire Murphy, Jr CB Kaleb Woseley and Jr. OL Nabree Brown-Lyles. Because the CL doesn’t have a 5A participant the next two seasons the PL 5A champion will also be crowned district champions and move onto the PIAA playoffs. With a strong returning team led by HC Devon Johnson the Panthers are the runaway favorite to win the Public League title as well as the 5A district title.
Others:
West Philadelphia
Frankford
Martin Luther King
Academy at Palumbo
4A Contenders
1. Bonner-Prendie:
The Friars are one of only 3 PCL teams returning their starting QB. Sr. QB Noel Campbell is a 4-year starter who won the state title as a sophomore. Despite losing to graduation DB/WR Dylan Abram (Temple), DE CJ Amobi (UMass) and RB Saalem Frink (Stonehill) Bonner is stocked, loaded and looks to regain their PCL 4A title. Noel will lead the offense along with Sr. OL Terrance Jones (Howard), Jr. LT Tyree Davis-Winn, Sr. DB Jameer Frink, Sr. WR Ty Morris, Sr. LB Mekhi Martin, Jr. OL Kevin Hunter and Sr. RB Omarie Demercado.
2. Cardinal O’Hara
The Lions are the defending District 12 and PCL 4A champions. Gone are 4 year starting QB John Welde (Villanova), RB Amahj Gowans (West Chester), LB Sidique Kamara (Kutztown), WR Jalen Patterson (Lock Haven), K Gavin McLain (Navy for soccer), DL Tristian Laing (California PA), WR Fode Wilks (West Liberty) & Lineman Hakim Allah. O’Hara returns a wealth of talent led by Sr. LB Sammy Dantonka (Wake Forrest), Sr QB/WR Braylon Harris, Sr RB/DB Aaron Madeh, Sr. RB/LB Isaac Day and Sr OL Jayden King-Gant. The Lions will be the biggest threat to Bonner in 4A.
3. Conwell Egan
The Eagles are being moved up to 4A for the 2026 season and will look to dethrone the last two 4A champions. Coming off a 3-7 season they look to bounce back led by Sr. QB Aubrey Kimbrough who missed half of the 2025 campaign with injury, Sr. RB Sakai Hall, Jr. WR/DB Jaeden Thenor and Sr. RB/DB Dane Austerberry.
Others:
Boys Latin
HS of Future
Olney
3A
1. Archbishop Ryan
The Raiders finished 2025 as the CL Blue Division champions and had a great season with a 9-3 record. They fell short in the CL semi-finals and look to repeat as Blue champions and advance to the PIAA playoffs. Gone are all-star RB/DB Dave Spinelli (Kutztown), RB Jordan Cotton, TE Danny Celins (West Chester), WR/LB Austin Lyons (Misercordia) and DB Mekhi Stallings (Lincoln Pa). The leader of the 2026 team will be Sr. DL Stanley Montgomery (Syracuse) with the help of Sr. QB/DB BJ Scott, Jr. LB Frank Lorenti, and Jr. LB JP Plaza.
2. Archbishop Wood
The Vikings finished 2025 with a 4-7 record. They will be one of 3 teams returning their QB. Jr. QB Jack Drakeley returns after throwing for 1831 yards & 22 touchdowns. Gone is stud WR Trey Smith (Duquesne) however Sr. RB D’Andre Webb returns after rushing for over 800 yards in only 7 games in 2025. Also returning are Sr lineman Ben Sakyiama (Syracuse), Sr WR David Melcher and Sr TE/DE David Robbins.
3. Audenried
In their inaugural varsity season all the Rockets did was win 6 games and advance to the District 12 title game where they fell. Sr. RB Sadeer Thornton returns after rushing for over 600 yards last season. Also returning is Sr. QB Marcus Velez who threw for 727 yards.
4. Simon Gratz
Albie Crosby is the new HC for the Bulldogs and brought some players with him namely starting QB Jr. Shane Salley who will command and run the offense. The Bulldogs also receive a boost with Sr. RB A’mar Woodson also joining the team this season.
Others
Lansdale
Bartram
2A
1. West Catholic
The Burrs with many key pieces returning are the favorite in this classification. Led by Sr. QB Josiah Evertte who threw for over 2200 yards and 23 touchdowns last season. Also returning are Sr. WR Sya’mir Jackson who recorded 944 receiving yards last season.
Others
Neumann Goretti
1A
1. Belmont Charter
The Tigers are coming off a historical season in which they broke the school record for most wins in a season while also advancing deep into the PIAA playoffs. Stud LT Mason Billingsley-Walker (Illinois State) is the leader with So. QB Nafis Watkins returning to lead the offense. Sr. Athlete Kabir Knight, Sr. Ath Tahir Tucker, Sr DE Moise Fluerival, Sr. WR/Ath Elias Colon, Jr Ath Shyneem Newsuanand Sr. OL Tymir Seamon.
