Philadelphia Public League 2024 National Division Preview

Tagged under: Conference Previews, District 12, News, pfn

Anthony Franklin | August 22, 2024

PHILADELPHIA PUBLIC LEAGUE NATIONAL DIVISION

The 2024 season will feature 7 teams in the 3rd tier Public League Division commonly known as the National Division. George Washington won the division in 2023 and was promoted to the Liberty Division. The division is top heavy and it’s quite likely the division title winner won’t be known until the final week of the season.

Preseason Rankings:

1. South Philadelphia

2. Ben Franklin

3. HS of Future

4. Palumbo

5. Frankford

6. Roxborough

7. Kensington

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN ELECTRONS

Classification: 4A

Head Coach: Aleem Medley (Career Record: 7-5)

2023 Team Record: 7-5 (Upset Simon Gratz in the Pub 5A Quarterfinal playoff round)

2024 Team Outlook: The Electrons went from winless in 2022 without scoring a single point until the final game of the season to winning 7 games including a playoff game in 2023. Coach Aleem emphasized how he’s “Looking to build from last season. As a 2^nd year head coach, I’m still trying to learn to create a culture. Our goal is to be 1% better each day on and off the field. Hard work with preparation will determine our success.”

Top Teams in League:

1.Imhotep

2 Lincoln

3. Martin Luther King

4. Northeast

5. West Philadelphia

Key Players Lost:

1. QB Nazier Johnson

2. RB Vernon Johnson

3. DE Marigata Toure

4. WR Tysir Ganges

5. OT Alberto Nunez

Key Newcomers:

1. QB Samir Smith

2. WR Bakari Griffith

3. OL/DL Bruce Morris

Key Returnees:

1. Jr. RB Tyree Nichols 5-9 175

2. Jr. TE David Gray 5-10 180

3. Jr. LB/DE Rahmel Wilson 5-11 175

4. Sr. LB Adolpeus Jeh 6-0 185

5. Sr. WR/SS David Winchester 5-11 165

6. Sr. WR Ayers Robinson 6-4 175

ROXBOROUGH WOLVES

Head Coach: Marc Skinner (Career Record: 3-6)

Classification: 4A

2023 Team Record: 3-6

2024 Team Outlook: The Indians despite losing their top 2 offensive players & top 2 defensive players look to be competitive and a threat in the National Division. Coach Mark noted “We have a very positive outlook, a large group of returning players with some new faces. Coming off a season of needed improvement, we have made major strides towards being a better team. I have pure confidence in us having a better season completely, & making a playoff run.”

Key Lost Players:

1. QB Saahir Smith

2. CB Lovett Davenport

3. LB Quadir Wilkins

4. WR Tamaj Bowman

Key Returnees:

1. OT Joshua Rejious 6-3 275

2. FS Demarcus Carter 5-8 190

3. DE Shawnie Bennett 6-4 240

4. OLB Zahmaar Brown 6-2 220

5. SS Anthony Parker-Hicks 6-0 210

6. WR Glenn Jenkins Jr. 6-3 180

7. RB Darin Riley 5-7 200

SOUTH PHILADELPHIA RAMS

Classification 6A

Head Coach Dan Skalski: (Career Record 5-6)

2023 Team Record: 5-6

Top Teams:

1. Imhotep

2. Abraham Lincoln

3. Northeast

4. Martin Luther King

5. West Philadelphia

2024 Team Outlook: The Rams have a mixture of youth & returning starters to help them navigate a tough schedule. Coach Dan states “Our strength is in our experience. This group & I along with a couple other coaching staff members have an incredibly strong bond. The only thing that will hold us back from competing for our division title will be us. We fully expect to get challenged by each team each week. My expectations are to become more consistent & handle the inevitable setbacks much more confidently”.

Key Players Lost:

1Hamir Johnson

Christopher Jones

Alpha Bah

Mike Burrell

Key Newcomers:

OL/DL Sincere Mayhew

LB/RB Joaquin Mohammed

WR/DB Isaiah McKinley

DE Aaron Barbu

CB Andrew Mase

Key Returning Players:

Sr. QB Jaylen Johnson

Sr. G/DT Anthony Campbell

Sr. SB/RB/LB Josh Goodin

Sr. SB/RB/LB Ja’Quinn Morrison

Sr. RB/FB/LB Jeff Sposaro

Sr. WR/DE Rabiou Alidou

Sr. WR/CB Bashir Tate

OT/DT Jeremiah Magnum

Sr. OT Akeem Abdul-Alim

Sr. OG/DT Gabriel Melso

Jr. C/DT Joel Espinoza

ACADEMY AT PALUMBO GRIFFINS

Classification: 5A

Head Coach: Ray Reca (Career Record: 37-49)

2023 Team Record: 5-5

2024 Team Outlook: The Griffins return a veteran team in their quest for a division title. With continuity the coaching staff and the veteran players should finish near or at the top of the National Division.

Key Players Lost:

OL/DL Alan Cen

WR/ Samad Torrence

DL/WR Bilal Adivilia

LB/RB Ahmir Williams

LB/FB Bandon Wade

Key Newcomers: N/A

Key Returning Starters:

Sr. WR/DB Jayden O’Halloran

Sr. OL/DL Zayd Brown

Sr. DB/WR Tayvon Taylor

Jr. WR/QB/DB Allen Ross

Sr. RB/LB Amir Faubler

Sr. Ath Muhammad Al-Suliamani

FRANKFORD PIONEERS

Classification: 5A

Head Coach: Damian Brockington (Career Record: 16-21)

2023 Team Record: 3-9

2024 Team Outlook: The Pioneers despite last season’s struggles have put together a very difficult and challenging non-league schedule that includes District 1 Council Rock South, South Philadelphia & Boys Latin. Last season they struggled to put the ball in the endzone and it cost them a few victories. They’ll look to use that experience with a large senior class to get some of those close games to swing in their favor.

Key Players Lost: N/A

Key Newcomers: N/A

Key Returning Starters: N/A

KENSINGTON TIGERS

Classification: 6A

Head Coach: Sal Garcia (Career Record: 0-0)

2023 Team Record: 2-8

2024 Team Outlook: The Tigers will have a new Head Coach while navigating in what will be a difficult season within a highly competitive division.

Key Players Lost:

LB Shaahid Jones (Lackawanna College)

Key Newcomers: N/A

Key Returning Starters: N/A

HIGH SCHOOL OF FUTURE FIREBIRDS