Catholic League: Usual suspects look tough
After being an assistant at La Salle for 30-plus years, mostly as defensive coordinator, John Steinmetz is now head coach at his alma mater.
After being an assistant at La Salle for 30-plus years, mostly as defensive coordinator, John Steinmetz is now head coach at his alma mater.
Steinmetz (Class of 1977) took over for Drew Gordon, who went 91-26 (.778 winning percentage) and won six Catholic League titles.
"We had a great run under Drew, and I'd like to sustain that level of success," Steinmetz said.
With seven starters back on offense and five on defense, the Explorers should challenge for the league crown. They also have a pair of top-notch transfers: running back Syaire Madden, formerly of Springside Chestnut Hill, and multipurpose threat Isaiah Jones (Germantown Academy). Madden rushed for 1,200 yards and nine scores last season; and Jones is a fleet quarterback, free safety, and kick returner.
La Salle's nucleus also features speedy two-way back Nick Rinella, quarterback Chris Ferguson, receivers Winston Eubanks and Charles Headen, and two-way linemen Matt McDermott, Jim Morrissey, and Ryan Schutta.
St. Joseph's Prep, which is bidding for its third straight Class AAAA state title, has one of the nation's top running backs in D'Andre Swift. The 5-foot-9, 205-pound junior has scholarship offers from Alabama, Florida State, LSU, and Penn State, among others.
The Hawks also return two-way back Benny Walls, offensive linemen Charlie Holsopple and Ed Mooney, fullback/middle guard Joe DuMond, and linebackers Shaun Harris and Nick Vandevere.
"We've got to put all the pieces together," Prep coach Gabe Infante said. "We want to be playing our best football when the games matter the most."
Jim Murphy, who guided Roman Catholic from 2000 to 2007, is back in charge of the Cahillites. An inexperienced group is led by quarterback Phil DiWilliams, running back Humza Basil, tight end/linebacker Matt Galasso, and fullback/linebacker J.P. Schmidt.
Father Judge relies heavily on Yeedee Thaenrat, a fleet two-way back and Division I-A prospect. Support comes from quarterback Rob King and receivers Justin Gies and Tom Penko.
Class AAA. Archbishop Wood is trying for its eighth straight Class AAA league crown.
The Vikings return quarterback Anthony Russo, receivers Mark Webb and James Gillespie, offensive tackle Kurt Stengel, and two-way end Mack Schwartz. Key additions via transfer are lineman Omar Peterkin (Abington) and receivers Jordan Johnson (Springside Chestnut Hill) and Raheem Blackshear (Judge).
With 2,000-yard rusher Samir Bullock now at Delaware, Archbishop Ryan is counting on quarterback Matt Romano and receivers Jeremy Smith, Mike Minniti, and Charles Gary to move the chains.
Bonner-Prendergast is spurred by two-way backs Joe Hartley-Vittoria and Kerrin Jackson, two-way lineman Joe Lombardo, and receiver/linebacker Jordan Mosley.
B.J. Hogan takes over as coach at Cardinal O'Hara. The main targets for quarterback Tommy O'Hara are Justin Santilla, Jack Gibson, and Jamir Redd.
Archbishop Carroll returns tight end/linebacker Harry Rohlfing, two-way lineman Ethan Ritchie, and receiver Jay Smiley.
Class AA. West Catholic is aiming to reclaim the crown after losing it to Neumann-Goretti last year. Two-way lineman and Rutgers recruit Tymir Oliver (6-4, 265) leads the way for the Burrs.
N-G features halfback Khalil Roane, who rushed for 1,500 yards and 15 TDs last season; two-way end Emil Moody; and two-way linemen Pat Banning and Rashid Saunders.
The headliners for Conwell-Egan are running back Kyree Bronson and two-way linemen Keanan Baines (6-2, 290) and Eric Musser.
Ryan Quigley was first-team all-league as a two-way back for Lansdale Catholic last season. Pat Manzi returns as Bishop McDevitt's coach after missing last year for health reasons.
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