Area is rich in talented quarterbacks and receivers

Prolific passers were the norm last season in Southeastern Pennsylvania. This year, a number of dual-threat quarterbacks dot the football landscape.

That list includes St. Joseph's Prep's Marquez McCray, La Salle's Isaiah Jones, Bartram's Mahmud Dioubate, and Simon Gratz's Amir Gillis. Jones is primed for a breakthrough campaign after sitting out all of last season with a knee injury.

The top pass-first quarterback is Marple Newtown's Anthony Paoletti. The Delaware recruit completed 160 of 280 throws for 2,739 yards and 24 touchdowns last year.

A number of speedy and sure-handed receivers are set to compliment the area's best signal-callers.

Among the pass catchers to watch are Marple Newtown's Dash Dulgerian, La Salle's Troy Holland, Malvern Prep's Quincy Watson, Cardinal O'Hara's Justin Santilla, and Penn Wood's Rahiem Bowens.

In helping the Tigers to an 11-2 record and a three-way tie for the Central League crown last season, Dulgerian made 42 catches for 888 yards and 10 touchdowns.

St. Joe's Prep has a pair of Division I-bound wideouts in Darryle Simmons, who has committed to Virginia Tech, and Brandon Sanders (Bucknell). Unfortunately for the Hawks, Simmons is sidelined with a leg injury and his return this season is questionable.

Other dual-threat quarterbacks are Coatesville's Ricky Ortega, Bensalem's Drasaun Moore, and West Catholic's Da'Vion Kidd-Jackson.

As a freshman last season, Ortega connected on 155 of 229 throws for 2,238 yards and 25 touchdowns while directing the Red Raiders to an 11-2 mark and the PIAA District 1 Class 6A semifinals.

The Ches-Mont League also has feared passers in Downingtown East's Bryce Lauletta and Kennett's Jake Dilcher.

Archbishop Wood's Jack Colyar threw for 1,900 yards and 21 scores in steering the Vikings to an 11-2-1 record and the Class 5A state crown. A standout pitcher on the diamond, the junior has committed to play baseball at Duke.

Other quarterbacks to keep an eye on are Spring-Ford's T.J. Pergine, Malvern Prep's Drew Gunther, Haverford High's Jake Ruane, and Hatboro-Horsham's Chris Edwards.

For La Salle, which is primed to challenge St. Joe's Prep for the Catholic League 6A title, Jones has a trio of solid receivers at his disposal: Holland, Brett Mallee, and Octavious Carter.

The Suburban One League has dangerous wideouts in Neshaminy's Mike Garlick and Corey Joyce, North Penn's Justis Henley, Harry S Truman's Sayyid Saunders, and Council Rock South's Andrew Vera.

Wood's Kyle Pitts, who has committed to Florida, North Penn's Owen Thomas (Villanova), and Neshaminy's Oleh Manzyk are among the premier tight ends.

Players to Watch

Quarterbacks

Jack Colyar, Archbishop Wood, Jr. – He excels on the gridiron and diamond.

Jake Dilcher, Kennett, Sr. – He is a poised field general for the Blue Demons.

Mahmud Dioubate, Bartram, Sr. – The Braves' QB is a terrific playmaker.

Shane Dooley, Father Judge, Jr. – He's also a gritty player on the hardwood.

Chris Edwards, Hatboro-Horsham, Sr. – He also plays cornerback for the Hatters.

Nick Garritano, New Hope-Solebury, Sr. – He threw for 1,371 yards and 24 TDs.

Amir Gillis, Simon Gratz, Sr. – The Temple recruit is back for the Bulldogs.

Drew Gunther, Malvern Prep, Jr. – He has emerged as a Division I-A recruit.

Isaiah Jones, La Salle, Sr. – He is set to make a strong return from an injury.

Da'Vion Kidd-Jackson, West Catholic, Sr. – His athleticism keeps foes on guard.

Bryce Lauletta, Downingtown East, Sr. – He could wind up at an Ivy League school.

Marquez McCray, St. Joseph's Prep, Sr. – He led the Hawks to the 6A state title.

Drasaun Moore, Bensalem, Sr. – He shines while directing an option scheme.

Ricky Ortega, Coatesville, So. – He threw 25 touchdown passes as a rookie.

Anthony Paoletti, Marple Newtown, Sr. – He passed for 2,739 yards in 2016.

T.J. Pergine, Spring-Ford, Sr. – His experience is key for the young Rams.

Jake Ruane, Haverford High, Jr. – He impressed as Jack Donaghy's successor.

Receivers

Dapree Bryant, Coatesville, So. – He can also burn foes as a kick returner.

Tre'Sean Bouie, Neumann-Goretti, Jr. – He's been clocked at 4.4 in the 40.

Raheim Bowens, Penn Wood, Sr. – He is a deep-ball threat for the Patriots.

Deion Davis, Lower Merion, Sr. – He's a versatile performer for the Aces.

Dash Dulgerian, Marple Newtown, Sr. – He is Anthony Paoletti's No. 1 target.

Mike Garlick, Neshaminy, Sr. – He made 42 catches for the Redskins in 2016.

Troy Holland, La Salle, Sr. – He was a second-team all-Catholic pick last year.

Oleh Manzyk, Neshaminy, Jr. – He made 15 touchdown catches last season.

Kyle Pitts, Archbishop Wood, Sr. – The four-star tight end's next stop is Florida.

Mike Reilly, Germantown Academy, Sr. – He is clutch performer for the Patriots.

Brandon Sanders, St. Joseph's Prep, Sr. – He landed a scholarship to Bucknell.

Justin Santilla, Cardinal O'Hara, Sr. – He had 36 catches for 535 yards last season.

Sayyid Saunders, Truman, Sr. – His blazing speed causes fits for opponents.

Yusuf Terry, Imhotep Charter, Jr. – The Panthers' wideout is quick and explosive.

Owen Thomas, North Penn, Sr. – The hard-nosed tight end is bound for Villanova.

Quincy Watson, Malvern Prep, Jr. – He is a do-everything type for the Friars.

Justin White, Ben Franklin, Sr.  – He's a speedy receiver and cornerback.