2A STATE Preseason Top 10….6/8/23.
Here are teams to keep an eye on in the 2A Classification. There are a number of good deuces out there but not as many as last year with the classification’s power hitters graduating an inordinate amount of talented skill players. Here are a few examples. Historic powers or quality programs like Lakeland out of D2, Bedford from D5, Sto-Rox, Ligonier Valley, Beaver Falls, Neshannock and Keystone Oaks from D7 have all lost productive quarterbacks, and in most cases the entire backfield. Some of these more established programs are more likely to replace those losses. Teams like Bishop Guilfoyle and Steel Valley. But who knows as this is a write up meant more for disseminating information than ranking teams although I gave it a shot. Back in a few weeks with the 1A report.
1 Southern Columbia D4 13-3
Last year may have been coach Jim Roth’s best coaching job ever, lifting the Trojans from the depths of an unprecedented 3-2 start, to their 6th consecutive 2A state title! Along the way, they suffered blowout losses to Loyalsock Township (11-2) 27-10, Danville (12-1, 3A, D4) 49-14 and Mount Carmel (12-1) 35-21 before winning out to bring home the gold. Coach opted for some changes, tweaking the lineup and off they went with what was ironically their worst defense at 18ppg since 2010, and their lowest scoring offense at 40ppg, also since 2010. That team finished 10-3 scoring 37ppg, allowing 21, losing to Riverside’s best ever (14-2 D2) who lost to Clairton 36-30 in Hershey. For the coming season with their two top running backs accounting for 3373 rush years (Wes Barnes-1409, Braeden Wisloski 1964r-265p) graduating, Coach played a lot of people, three having at least 60 carries. Four experienced receivers return for quarterback Blake Wise (6-2, 170, sr, 48%-784, 7/8 ratio). Last year’s defense had numerous underclassmen as well. A sophomore, Dom Fetterolf, led the unit with 158 tackles. Three freshmen and five sophomores saw time on defense prepping for the graduation of five starters. The schedule is manageable opening with Berwick (5-7, 13-17 last 3) and Shamokin (one +500 yr since 2004) before an emotion charged game at Loyalsock (11-2). The Lancers are loaded this year in 3A and beat them last year in Catawissa 27-10.
2 Farrell D10 10-2
The big news out west in this classification is last year’s ‘outlier’ Westinghouse (14-1, Pitt City), who could have competed a few classes higher was wiped out with graduations. Combining that with Farrell returning big numbers should get them deep into the playoffs this year. The return many from the team that beat local powers Grove City (9-4) 46-15 and Sharpsville (9-3) 48-7 and 26-0 in the playoffs, while beating troublesome teams like Sharon and Slippery Rock, both 6-5. And they almost beat Ursuline (10-3, Youngstown) losing 40-38. For 2023 they return quarterback Kabron Smith (66%-1919, 22/6) and their running backs, Brandon Chambers (156-1026, sr) and Juelz Johnson (23-210, so). Three experienced receivers return although they graduated their leading receivers who accounted for 75 receptions for 1432 yards. The defense that is always a team strength (13ppg last year) needs rebuilt but returns their top tackler Marion Norris (5-11, 205, sr) with 113 and six other co-starters with lineman Malachi Green (5-11, 320, sr), Harry Parker (5-11, 255, jr), Marcel Cheeks (6-2, 285, sr) and others. They open the season at North East (Erie) and Harding High in Ohio, then home to Grove City.
3 Mount Carmel D4 12-2
Unlike Southern Columbia, Mount Carmel got off to a fast start with wins against perennial powers North Schuylkill 25-17, Dunmore 42-14 and Southern Columbia 35-21 before running into the Tigers again in the postseason for another rematch-revenge-rival game where they were pummeled 48-14. Were it not for Southern Columbia, it’d likely be about MCA with their 42-10 record since 2018 (10-3, 10-3, 10-3, 12-1) excluding covid’s 2-4 season. They may have been eclipsed by Southern but remain one of the great Pennsylvania stories with state titles in 1994, 96, 98, 2000 and 2002, and a runner-up silver medal in 1999. For this season, they return senior quarterback Cole Spears (70%-1218, 14/6) and two experienced back-ups in junior Matt Balichik (22/36-61%-538 6/0, 17/101ry) and Gavin Marshalek (6-0, 170, soph, 21/38-55%-429 5/1) making them set there. Lead back Xavier Diaz (92/999ry, 17/230py) and Luke Blessing (92/654, 7/109py) return with lead receiver Jacob Schultz (23/539). This group averaged 43ppg! If they can replace losses on the DL in Co-Captain DTs Nick Nestico (6-2, 285) and Matt Sccicchitano (6-4, 275), and NG Kelin Geary (6-0, 250), they’ll be fine. Last year’s sophomore Noah Shimko (6-5, 300, 29 tackles) and freshman Logan Herb (6-3, 265, 16 tackles) will step into greater roles while a veteran line-backing corps returning their first and second units could dominate, led by Drew Yagodzinskie (6-0, 185, jr, 85 tackles), Jacob Schultz (6-2, 190, sr, 64 tackles), Al Bailey (5-11, 205, jr, 59 tackles) and speedy Ben Miller (5-8, 160, jr, 48 tackles). The schedule starts with a bang against two of the area’s power teams in North Schuylkill (10-3, 3A, D11) at home then a trip to Dunmore (8-4, 2A, D2) giving a glimpse at the power structure in three districts and two classifications.
4 Trinity D3 10-5
Trinity is one tough Double-A, now moving into the ranks of teams that need to be noticed. No one is confusing them with West Catholic’s great teams just over a decade ago that went 105-31 from 2002 through 2011. But they’re getting there. The Shamrocks matured before your eyes last year after nine years of losing football at 22-64, going 5-0 against other AA teams while outscoring them 234 to 68. This excludes the State Semifinal loss to Southern Columbia 42-7. They also got pounded by Roman Catholic (9-3), Wyomissing (13-1) and West Perry (11-2) by a combined score of 115-42. Point being, they played them. Steel High (13-1) who won the Single-A title last year had to go overtime to beat them 35-28. And they won ‘Districts’ with a crush job of Annville Cleona (8-4) 58-27. Many from that team return (all skill) including last year’s freshman Messiah Mickens (5-11, 195, 961ry, 17/200py) who already has offers from Michigan, Alabama, Ohio St and others. Quarterback Caleb Wray (6-3, 180, sr, 56%-1057 13/7) is back. Additionally, Christian Joy (59-667) and Cole Cappawana (22-241ry,17/333py) join Mickens in the backfield with Tanie Young (6-0. 170, jr, 16/239py) on the flank. The D returns nine starters who were painfully young last year starting or co-starting two freshmen and four sophomores. This year’s schedule is again challenging opening with Delone Catholic (7-4), then Moore Catholic (9-3, Staten Island) who beat Conwell Egan last year 20-7, followed by Wyomissing and West Perry. All four are home.
5 Steel Valley 12-1
The guys from Munhall know how to play football with a ten-year record of 85-26 and a State Title in 2016 where they demolished Southern Columbia 49-7. Two years later they advanced to the state semifinal losing to Wilmington. And they’ve been close the last two years with a 11-1 mark in 2021. This year’s team was again loaded, but not as loaded as Westinghouse who beat them in the State Semifinal 27-6. Quarterback Cruce Brookins was a talent, rushing for 1716 yards with 34 touchdowns and passing for 785 yards at 50% with a 7/1 ratio. He graduates. But last year’s freshman Da’ron Barksdale (5-9, 170, 4/5/80py, 12 games) and sophomore Antonio Brey (5-10, 160, 13/20/258py, 7 games) got time. They also return running backs Donald Barksdale (5-8, 160, jr, 86-927ry, 7/162py) and Quaron Pierce (5-9, 185, sr, 61/614ry) and experienced receivers. The line will rebuild around starter Michael Crist (6-3, 285, sr) and others including Joe Ketterman (6-3, 310, sr) and Rasaun Hough (6-2, 235, sr). The defense graduated some key parts in run stuffer Greg Smith (6-5, 315, 65 tackles), four linebackers totaling 282 tackles and two from the secondary. But, they worked in a lot of underclassmen, playing two freshmen, four sophomores and seven juniors who accounted for 391 tackles. So they’re experienced. Whether they can play at last year’s level allowing 9ppg is another matter. They open the season at Charleroi, home to Sto Rox then Seton LaSalle on the road.
6 Berlin Brothersvalley D5 11-1
Berlin has one of the top programs in the state led by Coach Doug Paul since 2002 going 122-30 the last 13 years. Last year’s team was young, going undefeated in the regular season with eight shutouts before getting crushed by Westinghouse 59-7, the 2A runner-up. Most of that team returns including dual threat quarterback Pace Prosser (6-1, 180, 59%-1789, 24/5, 81-532ry), four running backs and half the defense. They could be very special this year scoring 40ppg last year (best ever) with a D that allowed 8. At 8ppg, the D was special and will be again if they replace DE Holby McClucas (6-2, 210, 80 tackles), OLB Grant Mathias (6-0, 200, 50 tackles) and DT Cory Jose (5-11, 240, 45 stops. Some of the returning linemen are 6-0 240, 5-11 280, 6-2 330, 6-0 250, 6-0, 275 and 6-3 290. They should open at 3-0 playing Claysburg-Kimmel, Mount Union and Everett before getting into it at Laurel (9-2, Wpial) and one of the better Single-A teams in south central Pa in Northern Bedford County (11-1, D5).
7 Richland Township D6 11-1
Richland is on a roll with some great talent coming through the school winning 56 games out of their last 63! Last year’s team reeled off their first 11 games, getting through a number of close call wins against HIGH quality comp including Martinsburg Central (12-3) 35-28, Bedford (7-4), 25-23 and Penn Cambria (9-2) 49-42 before running into Bishop Guilfoyle (10-4) in the playoffs, losing 32-22. For 2023, they have to replace their talented quarterback Sam Penns (68%-2113, 24/4, 97-506ry), a HUGE hole. But they return Rb Evan McCracken (1422ry, 28-438py), wide out Austin Yarnick (42-879) and seven to the defense. The D includes DT Declan Piscatello (6-3, 270, jr, 75 tackles), Brodie Hollis (6-0, 225, soph, 46 tackles) and 349 more tackles from 7 other starters and co-starters. They open at home against Penn Cambria (9-2) then away at Huntingdon (2-8) then Johnstown rival Westmont Hilltop (4-6) who always battles, losing last year 21-14.
8 Bishop Guilfoyle D6 10-4
Using the full resume to rank the Marauders this high after severe grads. Here goes. They’ve been on a run with 11 straight winning seasons that includes three consecutive 1A state titles (2014-15-16) and two runner-up trophies (2019-21) totaling 126 wins against 21 losses! The run started in 2012 when Bishop McCort’s Crimson Crushers (Johnstown) got out of the way after their hot run from 2004 through 2012, going 91-31 with a Silver Medal in 2009. For the coming season, BG has to replace one of their ‘best ever’ at quarterback in Karson Kiesewetter. He had a heck of a year passing for 2018 yards at 66% with a 18/7 ratio AND rushing for 1560-yards on 224 carries for another 31 touchdowns. That’s 3678 yards and 39 touchdowns that need replaced. Add to that running back Cooper Rother’s 903 rush years and 48 receptions for 670 yards for another 1570 yards lost to graduation. They broke in some young ones with a good looking sophomore quarterback in Chase Kissell (6-1, 180, jr, 20/33/61%-198py, 23/215ry). But that’s a big hole along with three other receivers with 67 receptions for 998 yards. They also lost some major players from the D but saw six sophomores and one freshman getting serious time. DL Joe Eckenrode (6-1, 250) now a junior had 100 tackles. Qb Chase Kessell had 58 with DBs Trent Adams and Hamilton Gates getting 27 and 25 respectively. Other big returns are seniors LB Kaden Wyandt (5-10, 190, sr), their top stopper at 149 tackles and DL’s Tyson Bridenbaugh (5-11, 225) and Joey Hostler (5-10, 235) with 86 and 53 tackles. They opening schedule is Bald Eagle Area (6-4), Bishop McCort (2-8) and Bellefonte (1-9) where the D should give the offense time to develop unless BEA’s Qb Chase Nagle (6-1, 190, jr) is ‘on’ in the opener after winging it for 2810 yards last year at 65% and 29/12 ratio as a sophomore.
9 Troy D4 9-3
Troy was a load last year as evidenced by a competitive loss to 1A power Canton (12-2), 28-14, who lost to 1A champ Steelton Highspire 28-21. They also had a 36-35 loss to 3A Loyalsock (11-2), who beat Berks Catholic, Southern Columbia and had a 3-point loss to Danville (12-1, 3A) who lost to Wyomissing in the postseason on a missed field goal. That’s impressive, with a super young team starting or co-starting a freshman and four sophomores on offense and six sophomores and two frosh on defense. 2023 sees almost all of that team returning including junior quarterbacks Evan Woodward (26/50/442py/52%, 5/5, 80/588ry) and Joe Frye (11/26/198py/69%,1/0). Clayton Smith leads a large contingent of returning backs with 1410 yards. The receiver corps graduated one with the defense returning all by two starters. The lines are good with Jed Feldmeier (6-1, 245), James Dyke (5-9, 275, so), Zeppelin Tharp (6-4, 280, sr) and Eason Teriburg (6-3, 200, jr) and Evan Osgood (5-8, 200, sr). They open at home in a test against 4A Juniata (8-4), then away at Montoursville and home to North Penn.
10 Central Clarion D9 10-2
Central Clarion is the result of a football co-op/merger of Clarion, Clarion-Limestone and North Clarion in 2020. They call themselves the Wildcats in honor of a company of infantry so named and formed during the Civil War who fought in the major Eastern Theater’s battles in the Army of the Potomac including Gettysburg in the 105th PA Regt of the 3rd Corps. Back to the team; they played like Wildcats last year, winning their first nine games before losing to Redbank Valley (1A, 9-2) 47-38. But they won the district title the following week beating Brookville (6-6) 35-0 before losing to Westinghouse 44-8 in States. Sophomore Jase Ferguson emerged at quarterback (56%-2727, 33/15, 122-521ry). He loses his top receiver Ashton Rex (63-1556) but return two of their top three rushers and most of the defense that started eight sophomore starters/co-starters and two freshmen. They open at Brookville (6-6) then home to Port Allegany (12-2) before a road trip at Union/AC Valley (5-6).
TIE
10 Washington D7 7-5
Washington is one of those strong programs you hear very little about. It’s been awhile but they won a AA State Title in 2001 at 15-0 defeating Pen Argyl (14-1, D11) 19-12, then a runner up trophy in 1993 losing to Dallas 31-7. The 2017 team at 13-2 lost in the semifinal to Wilmington 49-42. But they’re still piling up the wins at 128-32 since the last loser in 2008. This year’s team has good returns with Qb Logan Carlisle (57%-865, 9/0, jr), sophomore lineman Joe Wilson (6-3, 235), Rb Zach Welsh (506ry, sr), DBs Zxavian Willis and Reuben Gordon. Everyone plays both ways. Young as they were, they had their moments, rocking Greensburg CC (8-3) 55-27, Clairton (6-6, down year) 48-20, splitting with Serra Catholic (7-4) then getting edged in the playoffs 30-27 by Neshannock (11-2), showing good progress keeping that one close. Only Sto Rox (10-3) shut them down last year winning 36-0, although they still averaged 41ppg. Some of their offensive point totals were 48, 49, 54, 55, 59, 61 and 62 points. The losses came against quality teams including Serra 7-4, Sto 10-3, Keystone Oaks 8-3, McGuffey 8-3 and Neshannock 11-2. This year’s schedule will test them early, opening at Monessen (6-5) then homers against Clairton (6-6) and Serra (7-4) before going back on the road at Greensburg CC (8-3).
OTHERS
West Catholic D12 4-8
Beaver Falls D7 11-2
Serra Catholic D7 7-4
McGuffey D7 8-4
Penns Valley D6 10-3
Sharpsville D10 9-3
Wilmington D10 3-7
Riverside D2 6-5
Chestnut Ridge D5 6-5
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