Inquirer Southeastern Pa. Preseason Football Top 25
The Inquirer's Preseason Top 25. Last season's record in parentheses: 1. St. Joseph's Prep (11-3). The Hawks' bid for a third straight Class AAAA state title is headed by tailback D'Andre Swift, two-way back Benny Walls, and offensive linemen Charlie Holsopple and Ed Mooney. Four-year starter Joe DuMond is a force at fullback and defensive tackle.
The Inquirer's Preseason Top 25. Last season's record in parentheses:
1. St. Joseph's Prep (11-3). The Hawks' bid for a third straight Class AAAA state title is headed by tailback D'Andre Swift, two-way back Benny Walls, and offensive linemen Charlie Holsopple and Ed Mooney. Four-year starter Joe DuMond is a force at fullback and defensive tackle.
2. Imhotep Charter (11-2). Albie Crosby's squad has ample speed and size. The Panthers are led by tight end Naseir Upshur, offensive linemen Johncarlo Valentin (6-5, 340) and Yasir Durant (6-7, 330), linebacker Shaka Toney, and running backs Tyliek Raynor and Mike Waters.
3. Archbishop Wood (14-1). The drive for repeat state glory in Class AAA is keyed by quarterback Anthony Russo, lineman Kurt Stengel, and receivers Mark Webb, James Gillespie, and Jordan Johnson. End Mack Schwartz and Linebacker Sebastian Silva are defensive leaders.
4. Downingtown East (9-4). Tight end Cary Angeline (USC) and offensive tackle Mike Clark (Maryland) are Division I recruits. The Cougars also bring back fleet cornerback James Jennings, center Jay Ingram, two-way lineman Chris Harootunian, and middle linebacker Brody Wilson.
5. La Salle (8-3). The Explorers, guided by first-year boss John Steinmetz, have playmakers in running back Nick Rinella, handyman Isaiah Jones, and receivers Winston Eubanks and Charles Headen. Matt McDermott and Jim Morrissey are stalwart linemen.
6. Upper Dublin (11-2). The Cardinals have eight starters back on offense and seven on defense. QB Ryan Stover, a Division I-AA prospect, spreads the ball among halfback Kaleif Lee, fullback Stacey Gardner, and receivers John Barrett, Gary Fields, and Mike Sowers.
7. Pennsbury (13-1). QB Mike Alley and running backs Daulton Hose, Luke Snyder, and Chris Rupprecht look to flourish behind a line anchored by center Jack Kenney, tackle Maurice Stukes, and end Vinnie Ratamess. Hose and Snyder double as rugged linebackers.
8. Coatesville (13-1). The Red Raiders' offense is ignited by dual-threat QB Jordan Young, handyman Jaden Hudson, and receiver Kevin Kirk. End Jelil Norman, tackles Isaiah Hall and Javon Sampson, and linebackers Chris Jordan and Ronnell Knight are mainstays on defense.
9. Neshaminy (4-6). QB Mason Jones, receiver and cornerback Denzel Hughes, two-way end Billy Ritchey, and two-way tackle Hunter Kelly are the catalysts for new coach Steve Wilmot. Daulton Fox, Jack Spingler, and Kyle Smith head a solid linebacking corp.
10. Haverford School (9-1). The defending Inter-Ac League champs return QB Kevin Carter, multi-purpose ace Dox Aitken, lineman Brian Denoncour (6-3, 270), and ball-hawking linebacker Mickey Kober. Aitken, Eli Godfrey, and Micah Sims anchor the defensive secondary.
11. Downingtown West (6-5). A formidable lineup includes dual-threat QB Tom Mattioni, running backs Jake Barr and Mike Riddick, and fullback and linebacker Braden Harper.
12. North Penn (7-4). Speedy running back Nyfease West, fullback Nick Isabella, QB Jake Bevan, receiver Ricky Johns, and tight end Keith Earle are the headliners on offense.
13. Malvern Prep (7-4). The Friars are banking on solid play from halfback Zac Fernandez, two-way end John Skrocki, handyman Rashon Lusane, and linebacker Riley Ammerman.
14. Quakertown (11-2). The Panthers offense features QB Tom Garlick, running backs Rob Burns and Nick Bonomo, receivers Kyle Baskin and Aaron Besch, and lineman Gavin Caroff.
15. Garnet Valley (9-3). Running back Derrick West, lineman Ted Field (6-7, 315), QB Matt Hamby, receiver Bobby Clayton, and defensive end Tim Bradley spark the Jaguars.
16. Council Rock North (6-5). A dangerous offense is propelled by QB Brandon McIlwain, receivers Devon Bibbens and Tyler Nowmos, and H-backs James Closser and Thomas Hewitt.
17. West Catholic (7-4). Big things are expected of two-way lineman Tymir Oliver (6-4, 265). Jameer Bryson and Craig Jones are factors at wide receiver and defensive back.
18. Simon Gratz (11-2). The Bulldogs' running game should flourish behind linemen Raquan Thomas (6-4, 350), Charly Timite (6-3, 260), and Cameron Brown (6-3, 285).
19. Archbishop Ryan (6-6). QB Matt Romano works behind a stout line featuring tackles Brendan Ruskowski and Drew Obuchowicz, center Sean Devine, and guard Ryan Kidwell.
20. Pennridge (7-5). A strong 3-5 defense includes ends Kurt Wiest and Mark Funk, linebackers Dan Hockman and Matt Kraynik, and backs Ryan Cuthbert and Mark Weichel.
21. Unionville (6-4). Cornerback Elan Nash, outside linebackers Dylan Rapucci and Laz Kirifides, and free safety Drew Stradling anchor an experienced 3-4 defense.
22. Perkiomen Valley (9-2). The defending Pioneer Athletic Conference champs bring back QB Stephen Sturm, running back David Williams, and receiver Justin Jaworski.
23. Council Rock South (6-4). A triple-option scheme is fueled by QB Shaun Stackhouse, halfback Brendan Patterson, and linemen John Anderson and Joe Carter.
24. Conestoga (7-4). QB Tim Miller, handyman Jon Locantore, tailback Corey Manning, and receiver and linebacker Pete Jean lead the drive for a Central League title.
25. Central Bucks East (5-5). Tailback Alex Gibson, lineman Lamine Nouck-A-Nwal, receiver and safety Tommy Strasburger, and QB and linebacker Jack Lamb are back in the fold.
Under consideration, listed alphabetically: Haverford High (8-4), Pottsgrove (8-4), Souderton (4-6), Spring-Ford (7-3), West Chester Rustin (10-2).
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