Prep hopes to make Swift work of foes
St. Joe's Prep, led by D'Andre Swift, goes after its third straight championship.
THERE WAS a time, not too long ago, that St. Joseph's Prep, and everyone else in the Catholic League, looked up at La Salle in the standings.
In fact, from 2008 through 2012 the Explorers gorged themselves on five consecutive AAAA football championships.
That is until Prep head coach Gabe Infante and his kettle of Hawks unseated La Salle in 2013, capturing the last two CL and AAAA state titles in the process.
So, will we see more of the same from the Prep or a return to what used to be with La Salle this season?
The Hawks must again be favored thanks in large part to junior running back D'Andre Swift, a 5-9, 205-pound back of the utmost shiftiness.
Swift, who has offers from LSU, Penn State and Alabama among others, rushed for 220 yards and three scores in the state final last year as a sophomore. He also added 56 yards and another score in the air.
With the loss of Olamide Zaccheaus (graduation, Virginia), look for Swift and senior Benny Walls, a 6-0, 200-pounder to make the Hawks formidable again on the ground.
Hawks senior defensive end Joe DuMond returns to bolster what was a stingy group last season, but an as yet unanswered question at quarterback remains with the loss of Jack Clements to graduation and Rutgers.
Attrition also struck La Salle, which must fill its own void at quarterback with Kyle Shurmur now at Vanderbilt. And first-year head coach John Steinmetz isn't the only new face for the Explorers.
Syaire Madden and Isaiah Jones transferred in and figure to make La Salle's offense dynamic even after losing skill guys Jimmy Herron (graduation, Duke) and Jordan Meachum (graduation, Sacred Heart).
Madden rushed for more than 1,200 yards as a sophomore last year at Springside Chestnut Hill, while Jones rushed for more than 1,000 as a freshman last season at Germantown Academy.
James Murphy is the new skipper at Roman Catholic, which must replace production from several graduated seniors. And senior running back/defensive back Yeedee Thaenrat looks to carry Father Judge on both sides of the ball this season.
Archbishop Wood won its third AAA state title in four years last season with help from fleet-footed running back Jarrett McClenton, who now totes for Villanova.
In McClenton's absence, Anthony Russo, a 6-4, 225-pound strong-armed quarterback, might be passing more often this season.
Russo will also have more help on the outside from transfers Jordan Johnson (Springside Chestnut Hill) and Raheem "Speedy" Blackshear (Father Judge). Mark Webb, a 6-3, big-bodied wideout could also be a major contributor.
B.J. "Butch" Hogan is the new leader of the Lions of Cardinal O'Hara. Hogan returns to his alma mater to help rebound from last season's 1-9 finish. However, Bonner-Prendergast along with Archbishops Ryan and Carroll will stand in their way.
In AA play, last year's improbable champ, Neumann-Goretti, is now led by a new Saint.
Dan Concannon will coach his alma mater and try to help N-G prove last season's upset of West Catholic wasn't a fluke. Khalil Roane, now a senior running back, was key to ending the Burrs' 52-game CL winning streak last season.
West Catholic is back, however, and led by 6-4, 265-pound two-way lineman Tymir Oliver, a Rutgers commit.
Pat Manzi is the only other "new" head coach in the Catholic League this season.
Manzi returns to Bishop McDevitt, where he coached from 1982-2013, after taking the year off last season. Former La Salle coach Drew Gordon is now the offensive coordinator for the Lancers (also his alma mater).