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Southeastern Pa. football rankings: St. Joseph’s Prep is No. 1 in preseason picks

The reigning PIAA Class 6A state champ leads the way, with Coatesville and Imhotep Charter close behind.

Kolbe Burrell of St. Joe's Prep running against Harrisburg in last season's Class 6A state final. Burrell is a key returning veteran for the defending champions.
Kolbe Burrell of St. Joe's Prep running against Harrisburg in last season's Class 6A state final. Burrell is a key returning veteran for the defending champions.Read moreKalim A. Bhatti

Football is back. Here are our preseason rankings for Southeastern Pennsylvania:

1. St. Joseph Prep (13-0 last season): The reigning 6A state champions have won 40 of their last 41 games. This is a loaded squad with a seasoned, accomplished senior class led by linebacker Liam Johnson, offensive lineman Casey Stephenson and running back Kolbe Burrell. It also features a dynamic junior class led by quarterback Kyle McCord, an Ohio State recruit, as well as linebacker Jeremiah Trotter Jr. and wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr.

2. Coatesville (13-1): The Red Raiders are restocking their front lines a bit, but they have dynamic fourth-year starters in quarterback Ricky Ortega and wide receiver Dapree Bryant, a pair of Villanova recruits.

>>READ MORE: St. Joseph’s Prep quarterback Kyle McCord commits to Ohio State

3. Imhotep Charter (10-3): This squad is bursting with young talent led by junior defensive backs Saint McLeod, Javon McIntyre, Cameron Jackson and Shafeek Smith.

4. North Penn (13-1): The Knights reached the District 1 Class 6A finals last season and should be in the mix again with a versatile group of athletes led by veterans such as R.J. McNamara, Evan Spann and Nate Brown.

5. Downingtown West (11-2): The Whippets will be led by senior quarterback Will Howard, a Kansas State recruit. Other players to watch include senior defensive end Sean Pelkisson, a Georgia Southern recruit; senior wide receiver Jackson Lundberg; and senior running back Tyriq Lewis.

6. Archbishop Wood (10-4): The Vikings will miss backfield star Tommy Santiago, who transferred to William Tennent. But key returners include seniors such as two-way back Ryan DiVergilis and two-way lineman Charley Minger as well as junior wide receiver Cardel Pigford, among others.

7. Malvern Prep (11-0): Junior quarterback Lonnie White is a Clemson recruit for baseball but is a player to watch on the football field, too. Senior wide receiver Ryan Maguire and senior defensive lineman JT Roberts are key veterans as well.

8. West Catholic (12-3): The Burrs have a seasoned and skilled quarterback in Zaire Hart-Hawkins, a top lineman in Rickquan Rivera, and a heavy hitter in the secondary in Shakur Smalls.

>>READ MORE: Colleges are chasing Neumann-Goretti’s Tysheem Johnson, and he has two seasons left

9. Neumann-Goretti (2-5): The Saints are a football team with more quality than quantity. Leading the way are senior running back Malik Griffin and senior defensive back Ronald Holmes. The team’s most dynamic player is junior all-purpose star Tysheem Johnson, a big-time recruit.

10. Downingtown East (9-3): Senior wide receiver/linebacker Connor Noble leads the way for the Cougars.

Under consideration (listed alphabetically): Bishop McDevitt (8-4), Conwell-Egan (13-1), Garnet Valley (12-1), La Salle (5-6), Neshaminy (8-4), Penn Wood (10-2).