1A STATE Preseason Top 10 (June 2023)
Steel High once again looks like the best team in the state with division-1 talent from last year’s State Champion returning, and many other teams across the state having severe graduations. As always, who knows what’s lurking in the underclassmen ranks at Canton (12-2), Muncy (10-1), Northern Lehigh (11-2) and other eastern challengers who had tremendous losses. Out West, while some are dealing with key graduation losses, teams like Laurel (9-2), OLSH (8-3), Mapletown (11-1), Windber (11-2) and Reynolds (10-2), District-7 in particular looks loaded. Here are some notes on what looks like 12 of the top teams in the classification for 2023.
1 Steelton Highspire D3 14-1
The Rollers return a boatload of talent from the team that defeated Union (12-4) for the Single-A title last year 22-8. They got there after winning their last 12 games following a 39-18 thumping by the 2A runner up Westinghouse (14-1). Along the way, they beat solid comp from Bishop Canevin (12-2) 21-14, Trinity (10-5) 35-28ot, West Perry (11-2) 53-34, Windber (11-2) 37-7, Northern Lehigh (12-2) 42-35 and Canton (12-2) 28-21. Good luck finding a tougher slate playing eight teams with a combined record of 94-18. About those returns for ’23. Check out quarterback Alex Erby (2098-66%), Ronald Burnette with 1012 rush yards and 19 Tds starting in Game #7, plus receivers Jaeion Perry (44/661) and Durrell Ceasar (45/687) to a group that averaged 46ppg. The lines are anchored by returning seniors Andrew Erby (6-3, 240) and Eugene Green (6-2, 220). Other starters will be Devon Reid (5-11, 205, jr), Marcos Perez (6-2, 230, jr), Anthony Crankfield (6-1, 270, sr) and Isaiah Garfield (5-11, 280, jr). The line-backing corps is headed by Amari Williams (6-2, 215, sr, 60 tackles, 20 tfl, 9 saks), complimented by a veteran secondary. The schedule is interesting with Imani Christian (4-6) and West Catholic (4-8) sandwiching Eastern (2-8) from Washington, D.C.
2 Union D7 12-4
The Scotties were all over the board last year, opening with a 31-18 loss to powerful Canton (12-2), who went on to lose to Steelton Highspire in the Semi Final 28-21. Thereon they went 12-2, losing to Laurel (9-2, 1A) 28-22 and South Side (11-2, 1A) 35-8 before losing to Steelton in the Final 22-8. Not bad for a 10 seed and first year coach in Kim Niedbala. And, it was the most wins in program history. For this season, Union returns almost all their offensive firepower in quarterback Braylon Thomas (51%, 1195py, 12/13/ratio, 1480ry-21 Tds), running back Mike Green (588ry), receivers Dayne Johnke and Maddox Thompson and three linemen. The D returns two to the line, a linebacker and three in the secondary. Although there looks to be a lot of competition in the district, their numbers have them well positioned for another WPIAL title, having won their first in 1959. The schedule opens at Ellwood City then consecutive home games against Cornell and Shenango.
3 Bishop Canevin D7 12-2
Bishop Canevin is another team like Steel High and Union that look absolutely loaded with BIG numbers back from last year’s successful campaign. All three played each other last year with Canevin opening the season with a 21-14 loss at Steel High, then ending with a 26-0 loss to Union in the ‘Wpial’ final. Canevin lost at Steel High by spiking the ball inside the Rollers 5-yard line at the end of the game on 4th down, thinking it was 3rd down. Against Union, they gave up two cheap scores. One, a 28-yard scoop and score, the other a 59-yard pick six, both in the 3rd quarter. Otherwise they rolled against strong teams at Greensburg Central Catholic (8-3) 30-14, Keystone Oaks (9-3) 20-7, Fort Cherry (8-4) 60-7, OLSH (8-3) 40-0, Clairton (6-6) 29-6 and South Side (11-2) 49-21. Impressive group with maybe underrated team speed. For 2023 they return both quarterbacks in Kole Olszewski (6-0, 165, jr, 66%-1373, 16/4) and Jason Cross (6-2, 175, sr, 59%-1277, 18/2). Each played in all games. Three linemen return averaging 252 pounds with running back Marquis Carter (182-1545) and three receivers with 50 receptions for 798 yards. Defensively they started the kiddie corps on the D-line with four sophs and a frosh. A linebacker returns with three from the secondary. Bottom line they return seven to the offense and eight to the defense that averaged 39ppg on offense and 10 on D. They’ll need to have it together opening with road games at Greensburg CC and Keystone Oaks before a home game with Burgettstown.
4 Rochester D7 7-5
The Rams are one of the state’s top programs with a 152-60 record since 2004, winning gold in 1998, 2000 and 2001 with silver medals in 1991, 2002 and 2004. Some of the luster has faded but they’re still a force with a 67-42 log the last 10. Last year’s team is a good example, defeating Fort Cherry (8-4) 30-14, Greensburg CC (8-3) 36-15 and Clairton (6-6) 36-26 while losing nail-biters to South Side (11-2) 10-8, OLSH (8-3) 16-8, Laurel (9-2) 30-21 and twice to the 1A silver medalist Union 6-0 and 18-16 to show they were right there! This year’s team brings back keys to the offense in senior quarterback Jayden Norman who didn’t start until mid-season when Parker Lyons went down for the year. But he gained valuable experience with two playoff wins before the loss to Union. Another big return is standout junior running back Antonio Laure who rushed for 1305 yards and senior Dan Guido (45-298). TE/DE Amaree Curry (6-1, 210) is back with linemen Nehemiah Haskins (5-10, 235, sr) and underclassman who will have to step up in Clayton Potts (6-0, 240, jr), Lennon Miller (5-11, 240, so), Lucas Pierce (5-10, 255, jr) and others. The Rams like to pound it and if the line comes through, they’ll again be a factor. They open at Riverside, then home to OLSH before a road trip to New Brighton.
5 Greensburg Central Catholic D7 8-3
The Centurions had a season of mixed reviews with a young group that saw many sophomores getting significant time, especially on defense. They had sizeable losses to Bishop Canevin (12-2) 30-14, Washington (7-5) 55-25 and Rochester 36-15, with wins against Clairton (6-6) 34-18 and Leechburg (7-4) 48-21. What stands out was their offense that averaged 42ppg! Most of it returns in quarterback Tyree Turner (76/119/1478-63%, 20/3) and Dasjon Craggette who rushed for 1033 yards. Multi-threat Samir Crosby is also back, rushing for 296 yards on 28 carries while leading the team in receptions with 27 for 464 yards. It appears the D lost six with another six starters/co-starters returning plus another five underclassmen with 14 or more tackles. They open with home games against Mount Pleasant then a game of REAL impact against Bishop Canevin before their first road game at West Green.
6 South Side D7 11-2
Coach Luke Travelpiece seems to have everyone on the same page now following last year’s 11-2 season that followed the 8-4 campaign of 2021. Since coming aboard in 2016, the Rams went 29-33, making the last two seasons something of a turnaround with one of their best seasons ever last year. We’re talking about a team that pounded 1A runner-up Union (12-4) 35-8, nipped Rochester (7-5) 10-8 and whaled on Maplewood (11-1) 47-6. Then came Bishop Canevin’s speedy group who routed them 49-21. This year’s team returns many including quarterback Brody Almashy (864py-49%, 91/463ry), and running back Ryan Navarra (123/789) who is also one of the top DB’s in the Big 7. Other standout players are linemen Chase Know (5-11. 190) and JD Roy (6-2, 230). They also have a fine kicker/LB in Mateja Pavlovich (6-2, 220). Last year’s team was close barring losses to Laurel (9-2) 33-16 and Canevin. They open on the road vs Hopewell then Riverview before the home opener against Burgettstown.
T I E
Northern Bedford County D5 11-1
The Black Panthers had a heck of a run last year winning their first 11 games in overwhelming style, averaging 40ppg before getting dead stopped by Windber (11-2) in the district title game 14-0. Windber (11-2) won the title with a regular season loss to 2A champ Berlin Brothersvalley (11-1), also 14-0, and Steel High 37-7 in the PIAA’s first round. NBC returns the same cast of characters that rolled most of their opponents last year in quarterback Eion Snider (1834-59%, 18/7, 58-262ry), running back Adam Johnson (1563, 8.4ypc, 28 Tds) and all their receivers. They ended the season averaging 36ppg with the Windber loss. Defensively, they return all but two starters that held opponents to a 12ppg average! They open on the road at Southern Huntingdon, followed by home games against Claysburg-Kimmel and Dubois. This is a sneaky good program with a 78-38 record the last ten years.
7 Redbank Valley D9 9-2
Redbank Valley had a strong follow-up season last year on the heels of their title run falling a game short against Bishop Guilfoyle 21-14 in Hershey. That group went 13-2 and lost 9 seniors coming into 2022. But when Coach Blane Gold sought out a historic power like 2A Karns City (87-34 last 10), then beat them 25-15, you knew he had a good group. Having a senior quarterback in Cam Wagner throwing for 1724 yards with a 28/5 ratio for 71% helps! He’s gone. But younger brother Braylon got a lot of throws last year (58/99-59%-804, 8/5) as a freshman. And at 6-0, 155, he may grow into his brother’s frame of 6-2, 190. Lead back Drew Byers (163/754ry, 38/97py) is a key returnee as are three receivers with 55 receptions for 981 yards. The D returns at least seven starters from a unit that allowed 16ppg. Any maturation from the quarterback and skill mates will see them likely exceed last year’s 34ppg average. They were real close last year losing to Port Allegany (12-2) 8-7, the 1A state semifinalist, and Brockway (8-5) 7-3. They open at Smethport then Karns City who will be in a mood before the home opener against Punzsutawney (6-5, 3A). They can’t take Punzsutawney light with a veteran defense that showed some stuff last year hanging with 2A Karns City (6-5) 15-13 and 3A Saint Marys (7-4) 12-7.
T I E
Lackawanna Trail D2 8-5
With almost everyone back from last year, the Lions look like they’re ready for a run after going 8-4 and 8-5 the previous two seasons. Lackawanna Trail is one of the district’s historic powers alongside other small school powers like Dunmore, Old Forge and Lakeland. Bear in mid they only play one Single-A in the regular season along with five Double-A schools, two Triple-A teams and two Quads. They’ve gone 79-38 the last ten years, losing to Farrell (16-0) 55-20 in the 2018 final and Bishop Guilfoyle (12-2) 11-7 in the 2019 semifinal. LT’s ‘program’ is the real deal. Whether the ‘team’ is the real deal this year will be determined if they reverse bad losses from last season to Dunmore (8-4) 24-7, Old Forge (7-4) 33-20 and Riverside (6-5) 41-13 who they play consecutively this year. For 2023, they return all their offense and most of the defense with only six seniors on the team. If they don’t come out hot in their first three games against Mid Valley (1-8), Lake Lehman (3-8) and Nanticoke (5-6), it’s probably not going to happen.
8 Clairton D7 6-6
How likely is a team that has four state titles and four runner-up trophies in the last 17 years with a won-loss of 203-28….28!....likely to have another off season like last year’s 6-6 campaign, their first non-winning season since 2005? In truth, there’s little positive to say about it as few of the losses were of the competitive variety, losing by an average of 19 points. But it was a brutal schedule facing Westinghouse (14-1), Bishop Canevin (12-2), OLSH (8-3) x 2, Greensburg Central Catholic (8-3) Rochester (7-5) and Leechburg (7-4), a combined 63-19.
This year’s team returns the #2 quarterback in Michael Wright (10/24/177/40%), their two leading backs in Donte Wright (78/460) and Donte Jones (61/478) and lead receiver Michael Ruffin (33/450). Quarterback Capone Jones graduated with 1100 pass yards at 62% and 748 rush yards on 117 carries. The D lost five starters. Once again, the Bears get tested right out the gate against Westinghouse, then a tough Washington team on the road followed by a homer verses OLSH.
9 Ft. Cherry D7 8-4
Maybe a small reach here but what these guys did with a young team last year was pretty special starting a freshman quarterback who garnered 3203 total yards of offense fueling a 37ppg offense. Right, Fort Cherry! The thing is, he also had a starting sophomore with him in the backfield and two split out. Quarterback Matt Sieg (6-1, 170) threw for 1221 yards at 57% with a 11/4 ratio. He also rushed for 1982 yards on 183 carries, getting 33 more touchdowns, putting him a few yards behind Tiqwai Hayes of Aliquippa. So for those unfamiliar, it might be a good time to check in on the Black Hills this coming season, teams other than just Bishop Canevin and Our Lady of the Sacred Heart! The defense that lost two to graduation for 2023 started two freshmen and four sophs! And it showed, allowing 27ppg. But they have a player worth knowing in MLB Louis Ryan (6-0, 230, sr) who is a brute with 128 tackles last year. Three of their first four games are on the road at Northgate with Carmichaels home then two more road games at Bethlehem-Center and Chartiers-Houston. They routed Northgate, Char-Hou and Beth Ctr by an average score o 50-23, but lost to the Mighty Mikes (7-4, 57-41 last 10) 29-26 after beating them the year before 27-20 making this one tight series to date and a good measuring stick for both.
10 Brockway D9 8-5
Brockway ascended as the season went on last year with a sophomore quarterback throwing for 2611 yards and 33 touchdowns. Jendy Cuello (252-1410ry) also had a strong year with Andrew Brubaker (31-289) and Mattie Brubaker (19-256) contributing. The D returns six and needs to fill a line backing corps that lost three starters with 210 tackles. What impresses is the reversal or near reversal of losses to top teams as the season progressed. After losing to Redbank Valley 34-28 in the regular season, they edged them 7-3 in the postseason. The regular season loss to powerful Port Alleghany 40-7 was almost reversed in a 21-14 loss in the playoffs. For this season, they open at Kane who hasn’t been the same since Todd Silfies retired in 2017 following a super run from 2012 to 2017 at 64-12. 16-30 since then. Then they’re home for two against Dubois and Coudersport.
OTHERS
West Greene D7 2-8
Coach Brian Hanson had explosive offenses but took it to South Allegheny after the 2022 season and four years at Waynesburg where he went 24-16. O/C Beau Jackson takes his place. They return almost everyone for 2023 playing many underclassmen last year. As always, they have great backs in Colin Brady (158/1897, 25Tds) and Johnny Lampe (5-10, 190, 113/508). Lampe leads the team with 123 tackles at MLB. They don’t have usual inordinately large bodies upfront but good stuff at NG/OT Nathan Black (6-2, 230), Colin Negley (6-1, 255) and Brian Jackson (5-10, 265) to work with. Life should get easier this year swapping Cameron-WV (61-13 last 5) for Hundred (7-41 last 5).
Jeannette D7 3-8
Jeannette is trying to survive the retirement of legendary coach Roy Hall (2009-2021, 117-38) and the transfers of key talent that gutted them. Under Coach Hall, they won Gold in 2017 at 16-1 beating Homer Center 42-12, then returned to the State Final three years later losing to Steelton-Highspire 32-20. The new coach is Thomas Paulone. They return everyone except the versatile Noah Sanders (595ry, 717py) and 3 from the defense that includes Sanders with 35 stops.
Eisenhower D10 11-1Eisenhower won their first 11 games by an average score of 39-13 before getting beat by Reynolds (10-2) 28-14 in the playoffs. They return quarterback Shawn Pascuzzi (1014-52%, 8/3, 59/414ry) and Tucker Lindell with 598 rush years. The D was tagged hard by graduation losing seven starters.
Cambridge Springs D10 8-4
Should be a fun team with almost all the offense back from a young group that had multiple sophomores and freshmen spread throughout the team. D-10 rarely has a competing team in this classification, having to play whoever wins from the higher regarded District-7 in the postseason.
Reynolds D10 10-2
Have to give them a mention after winning their 3rd straight district title defeating previously undefeated Eisenhower 28-14. They were led by record setting running back Jalen Wagner (2821ry) and quarterback in Brayden McCloskey (1465-53%, 14/10 ratio, 63/338ry). Port Allegheny brought it all down with a 42-8 thumping in States. D10 teams need to get out more, playing teams (some egs) in D5 (Berlin-Brothersvalley, Windber), D6 (Bishop Guilfoyle, Central-Martinsburg), D7 (Clairton, Rochester, Canevin) and D9 (Redbank Valley, Karns City).
Port Allegheny D9 12-2
Port had a historic run before losing to Union in the PIAA Semifinal 46-36. Like Reynolds above, graduation hit them hard, losing Qb Drew Evens (1589-61%, 12/6, 124/545ry), bruising back Blaine Moses (1185) and multi-talented Noah Archer (979 ry, 885py). They’re not going to replace those guys but do return eight starters and co-starters to the defense.
Windber D5 11-2
Windber has always played good football especially the last 12 years under Coach Matt Grohal’s guidance going 83-50. Last year’s team was one of their best with a D allowing 7ppg and a offense at 43. Graduation wiped out both.
Old Forge D2 7-4
You can’t ignore a program like Old Forge regardless of graduations with their 169-55 record over the last 19 seasons. One of the best ‘near misses’ was 2021’s 11-1 team that lost to Canton 20-14, who lost to Bishop Guilfoyle 20-7 who won States. They’re not just a ‘historic’ D2 power with visits to the State Semifinal at 14-2 in 2015 losing to Bishop Guilfoyle, and in 2013 at 14-2 losing in the Final to North Catholic 15-14 in ot. Lost a good one in Qb James Sobol (1385, 55%, 18/3, 76/326ry) to graduation.
Canton D4 12-2
Hard ignoring Canton from upstate where they’ve been on fire the last five years at 48-9 under Andy Lafata who retired at the end of last season. Casey Bess is the new coach from Battle Creek Central (O/C-Spread) coming into an environment where they’ve played two tight ends and a full-house T forever! They’ve epitomized smash-mouth football enabling them to hang with the likes of Steel High, losing 28-21 last year and Bishop Guilfoyle, losing 20-7 the year before with far less athletes. They face a major rebuild this year with all their offense graduated.
Muncy D4 102
Muncy is another one of those tough ‘river-town teams’ we see throughout the Commonwealth with a 51-19 record the last six years. Small ball is a lot of fun with players going both ways and where you very often see large numbers of freshmen playing. Like Canton, they face a major rebuild.
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