2014 Catholic League Football Preview

A preview of the upcoming Catholic League football season:

CLASS AAAA

Father Judge

Coach: Mike McKay, 2nd year; Education: Father Judge, Lock Haven. Career: 7-4.

Last year: 2-2 league, 7-4 overall

Great Eight: Yeedee Thaenrat, RB, 5-10, 188; Prince Smith, DB, 5-11, 171; Zack Carroll, QB, 6-2, 202; Raheem Blackshear, WR, 5-9, 151; Tim Breslin, OL, 6-4, 267; Jowell Agyedu, DE, 6-1, 204; Matt Hartigan, DB, 6-1, 192; Dan Sipps, OL, 6-0, 261.

Happy About: Progress of the younger/underclassmen

Concerned About: Both offensive and defensive lines

McKay's Comment: "If we can stay healthy, and the two front lines progress, we could be pretty good."

La Salle

Coach: Drew Gordon, 9th year; Education: McDevitt, Villanova. Career: 83-23.

Last year: 3-1 league, 8-3 overall

Great Eight: Kyle Shurmur, QB, 6-4, 220; Jordan Meachum, RB/DB, 5-9, 190, Jimmy Herron, WR/DB, 6-1, 185; Aidan Kerrigan, LB, 5-11, 220; Nick Rinella, RB/DB, 5-9, 175; Ryan Schutta, OL/DL, 6-2, 235; Matt McDermott, OL/DL, 6-2, 260; Connor Wagner, OL/DL, 6-2, 235.

Happy About: Leadership from experienced guys

Concerned About: Experience on both lines

Gordon's Comment: "We have a very difficult schedule and our front lines are inexperienced."

Roman Catholic

Coach: Joe McCourt, 7th year; Education: Roman, Lafayette. Career: 37-31.

Last year: 1-3 league, 4-7 overall

Great Eight: Dimetri Kelly, RB/DB, 6-0, 190; Gavin Wiggins, OL/DL, 6-4, 275; John Chaney, RB/DB, 5-10, 180; A.J. Frazier, WR/DB, 5-11, 175; Sam Payne, LB/TE, 5-11, 190; Marquis Wright, LB/RB, 5-11, 190; Kenny Avalon, WR/DB, 5-10, 180; Manny Taylor, OL/DL, 6-5, 280.

Happy About: Great offseason commitment and senior leadership

Concerned About: Replacing five key starters in the defensive front-7.

McCourt's Comment: "This is one of the best groups I've been around. We will find out early what this team is made of."

St. Joseph's Prep

Coach: Gabe Infante, 5th year (also Paramus Catholic, N.J., 2008-09); Education: Memorial (West New York, N.J.), Holy Cross. Career (at Prep): 33-15.

Last year: 3-1 league, 12-3 overall (AAAA State Champ)

Great Eight: John Reid, WR/DB, 5-10, 190; Olamide Zaccheaus, RB/DB, 5-8, 192; Jon Daniel Runyan, OL/DL, 6-5, 285; Jake Strain, OL/DL, 6-3, 235; Thomas Johnson, RB/DB, 6-0, 200; D'Andre Swift, RB/DB, 5-9, 200; Dillon DeIuliis, RB/DB, 5-10, 195; Justin Montague, WR, 5-10, 175.

Happy About: Happy we have a lot of players back that know what it takes to be successful

Concerned About: Everything: Run game, run defense, special teams, kicking game, depth, injuries, consistency.

Infante's Comment: "Same as every year: Try to get better every day, try to survive through this very difficult out-of-league schedule, and stay healthy. Cautiously optimistic."

CLASS AAA

Bonner-Prendergast

Coach: Greg "Bubba" Bernhardt, 3rd year; Education: Bonner, St. Francis (Pa.). Career: 7-15.

Last year: 1-3 league, 3-8 overall

Great Eight: Colin DiGalbo, QB, 6-3, 200; Christian DiGalbo, C/DL, 6-3, 260; Tyler Higgins, TE/DE, 6-5, 235; Joseph Oquendo, WR/S, 6-3, 185; Lou Lombardo, OL/DL, 6-3, 270; Aaron McCastle, TB/WR/C, 5-10, 170; Tom Becker, FB/LB, 5-11, 210; T.J. Sydnor, TB/LB, 5-11, 205.

Happy About: team chemistry and overall togetherness of this group

Concerned About: Youth at certain positions

Bernhardt's Comment: "I really like this team. If we continue to get better and stay humble, we can have a great year."

Archbishop Carroll

Coach: Joe Powel, 4th year (also Kenrick, 1990-92; Harriton, 1993-94; Wood, 2004-06; Upper Merion, 2007-10); Education: Kenrick, Widener. Career: 8-21.

Last year: 0-3 league, 6-4 overall

Great Eight: Sean McMorran, QB/DB, 6-0, 185; Harry Rohlfing, WR/LB, 6-0, 160; Joey Rodden, WR/DB, 5-6, 140; Jack Daywalt, WR/DB, 5-10, 155; Rich Melito, Brandon Pearson, RB/LB, 5-9, 185; Matt Della Donna, OL/DL, 5-10, 180; Christian Ritter, WR/DB, 6-0, 165.

Happy About: Quarterback, secondary, receivers and running backs.

Concerned About: Offensive and defensive lines.

Powel's Comment: "Starting a lot of sophomores and juniors with no seniors on offensive or defensive lines…so for us it's about getting these guys to play at the speed of the Catholic League."

Cardinal O'Hara

Coach: Paul Strus, 1st year, (also 11th as an assistant at O'Hara) Education: Archibishop Ryan. Career: 0-0.

Last year: 2-1 league, 4-6 overall

Great Eight: Darell Jackson, WR/S, 6-0, 175; Brandon Laughlin, QB/DB, 6-1, 205; Nick Mariotti, LB/FB, 6-0, 190; Nick Fallows, OL/LB, 5-10, 220; Andrew Gallagher, OL/DL, 6-2, 255; Jack Horan, OL/DL/K, 6-0, 260; Max Ferguson, RB/DB, 5-8, 165; John D'Amico, OL/DL, 5-10, 220.

Happy About: Team concept, spirit and heart

Concerned About: Team speed

Strus' Comment: "Looking to have this team playing with plenty of heart and playing as a team, and we'll measure success in many different ways."

Archbishop Ryan

Coach: Frank McArdle Jr., 6th year; Education: Ryan, James Madison. Career: 22-33.

Last year: 1-3 league, 8-3 overall (Class AAAA)

Great Eight: Samir Bullock, RB/DB, 5-8, 175; Rob McDevitt, FB/LB, 5'11, 210; Burkey Peterman, FB/LB, 5-10, 190; Jason Wagher, FS/LB, 6-0, 190; Sean O'Donnell, WR/DB, 6-0, 175; Jon Liguori, TE/DE, 5-11, 200; Seneca Williams, WR/DB, 5-11, 170; Colin Regan, OL/DL, 5-11, 190.

Happy About: Athleticism at skill positions

Concerned About: Inexperienced offensive line

McArdle Jr.'s Comment: "I think we have a fun group. We'll see how it all shakes out. We have a tough schedule waiting."

Archbishop Wood

Coach: Steve Devlin, 8th year; Education: Ryan, Lycoming. Career: 84-16.

Last year: 3-0 league, 13-2 overall (State AAA Champs)

Great Eight: Jake Cooper, TE/LB, 6-3, 235; Ryan Bates, OL/DL, 6-5, 285; Jarrett McClenton, RB/DB, 5-8, 165; Ryan Neher, OL/DL, 6-3, 255; Justin Rubin, WR/LB, 6-1, 210; Devon Cobb, FB/DL, 5-10, 230; Christian Lohin, TE/DE, 6-4, 240; Gianni Cruel, WR/DB, 5-11, 165.

Happy About: Experience returning

Concerned About: Making sure young guys are ready to step up and take over important roles

Devlin's Comment: "Last year is over. We need to get better every practice, week and game so we are playing our best football at the end of the year."

CLASS AA

Conwell-Egan

Coach: Jack Techtmann, 4th year (also Egan/Conwell-Egan, 1991-93); Education: Egan, Delaware Valley. Career: 15-48.

Last year: 2-2 league, 3-6 overall

Great Eight: Joe Ruggiero, RB/LB, 6-0, 185; Jordan Burney, WR/DE, 6-3, 185; Wyett Mcleod, TE, 6-1, 225; Andrew Linder, FB/SS, 5-11, 195; Sam Cooper, OL/DL, 6-3, 265; Keenan Baines, OL/DL, 6-3, 285; Blake Morgan, OL/DL, 6-5, 255; Jarrett Pattman, QB, 5-10, 170.

Happy About: Seniors have taken ownership of the team.

Concerned About: Taking the next step

Techtmann's Comment: "We have size and depth on our offensive and defensive lines that I feel will help us be successful this season."

Lansdale Catholic

Coach: Tom Kirk, 3rd year; Education: Wood, Delaware Valley. Career: 11-9.

Last year: 0-4 league, 6-4 Overall

Great Eight players: Joe Pinzka, QB/DB, 6-2, 195; Andrew McClintock, OL/DL, 5-10, 210; Eddie McKee, TE/LB, 6-5, 205; Chris Sniscak, OL/DL, 6-1, 230; Ryan Quigley, RB/DB, 5-11, 185; Marlen Fenstermacher, RB/DB, 5-11, 170; Vince Picozzi, OL/DL, 6-4, 245; Ifeanyi Okorji, OL/DL, 6-4, 235.

Happy About: Early season effort

Concerned About: Youth and lack of game experience

Kirk's Comment: "We have a lot of players in new positions so it may take us a little bit to get going, but I like our effort early on and I think we will be ready once our league schedule rolls around."

Bishop McDevitt

Coach: Karl Stout, 1st year; Education: Wood, Penn State. Career: 0-0.

Last year: 1-3 league, 2-7 overall

Great Eight: Stephen Leach, WR/DB, 5-10, 165; Vincent Dileo, RB/DE, 6-0, 195; Max Bryson, QB/DB, 6-0, 180; Robbie Brett, OL/DL, 6-2, 240; Jalen Reynolds, WR/DB, 5-8, 165; Brendan Hanagan, K, 6-1, 215; Billy Gillete, RB/LB, 5-10, 175; Nasir Pettus, OL/DL, 6-3, 225.

Happy About: Young talent.

Concerned About: Young offensive line.

Stout's Comment: "Every game we take, we're getting ready for the state playoffs."

Ss. Neumann-Goretti

Coach: Chalie Szydlik, 7th year (also 2004-09); Education: Frankford. Career: 31-39

Last year: 3-1 league, 6-5 overall

Great Eight: Michael DiFrancesco, TE/LB, 6-1, 220; Ray Lenhart, QB/DB, 6-0, 160; Kahlil Roane, RB/DB, 5-8, 185; Emil Moody, WR/DL, 6-5, 200; Joe D'Emilio, OL/DL, 6-5, 300; Joe Richardson, QB/DB, 5-11, 175; Pat Banning, OL/DL, 6-1, 257; Aamir Brown, RB/DB, 5-8, 160.

Happy About: Overall team speed

Concerned About: Overall Experience

Szydlik's Comment: "We have a very promising season, if we develop throughout the year we have a chance to make something happen."

West Catholic

Coach: Brian Fluck, 16th year; Education: West Catholic, Temple. Career: 135-60.

Last year: 4-0 league, 9-3 overall

Great Eight: Ahkil Crumpton, WR/DB, 5-8, 160; Antwain McCollum, QB/DB, 6-0, 170; Tymir Olver, OL/DL, 6-4, 270; David Swen RB/DB, 6-0, 175; Neil Satterwhite TE/LB, 6-0, 190; Kharee Ruley, RB/DB, 5-8, 160; Calil Wortham, RB/DB, 5-8, 180; Jameer Bryson, WR/DB, 6-1,180.

Happy About: Speed at skill positions

Concerned About: Inexperience at certain offensive/defensive line spots that replace veterans from last season

Fluck's comment: "I believe if we stay healthy and get better each week, we have a shot to have a great season in the league and compete for a state championship."

RETURNING ALL-LEAGUE

Selected by the Daily News

FIRST TEAM OFFENSE

Linemen:

Ryan Bates, Archbishop Wood

Jon Daniel Runyan, St. Joseph's Prep

Receiver:

Jimmy Herron, La Salle

Running Backs:

Jarrett McClenton, Archbishop Wood

Samir Bullock, Archbishop Ryan

Dimetri Kelly, Roman Catholic

Olamide Zaccheaus, St. Joseph's Prep (multipurpose)

FIRST TEAM DEFENSE

Linemen:

Jake Strain, St. Joseph's Prep

Devon Cobb, Archbishop Wood

Linebacker:

Jake Cooper, Archbishop Wood

Defensive Back:

John Reid, St. Joseph's Prep

SECOND TEAM OFFENSE

Ryan Neher, Archbishop Wood

Quarterbacks:

Kyle Shurmur, La Salle

Collin DiGalbo, Bonner-Prendergast

Running Back:

D'Andre Swift, St. Joseph's Prep

Jordan Meachum, La Salle (Multipurpose)

Kicker:

Dan McDonald, Archbishop Wood

SECOND TEAM DEFENSE

Joe DuMond, St. Joseph's Prep

Running Back:

Yeedee Thaenrat Father Judge