Obviously, this year is going to be a mess. However, Pennlive (formerly the Harrisburg Patriot-News) released their preseason poll last week. Since taking over for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette as the AP distributed state poll in 1987, the Pennlive rankings have been the most consistent week-to-week rankings in PA during the state playoff era (starting in 1988). From my state series, I have a bunch of those preseason polls on file, so I found the rest to do a little preseason history lesson to distract everybody from the mess of school board meetings, conference announcements, etc. I think it’s also good for posterity and history to have a record of “this is what was expected would have happened in a normal year.”
#1 St. Joseph’s Prep Hawks
Last Season: 12-2; PCL Champs, D12 Champs, State Champs
The Hawks are the preseason #1 for the fourth year in a row, and fifth time since 2014. They have been ranked in the top two in the state to start the year every year since 2013. No doubt as to why, they’re going for their sixth state championship in the last eight years. In a normal season, we’d be looking at potentially one of the greatest big school teams of all time, with four of the best individual players in the country in Kyle McCord, Marvin Harrison Jr., and Jeremiah Trotter Jr., and Keenan Nelson, who are all in the 247 Top 100 players in their class. Their entire receiving corps is going to FBS programs in Harrison (Ohio State), Samir Hagans (Duke) and Malik Cooper (Temple) with a five star quarterback throwing them the ball. But the PCL cancelling their fall season and rumors of McCord and Harrison opting out no matter what add more uncertainty to the most uncertain season of our lifetimes.
#2 Pittsburgh Central Catholic Vikings
Last Season: 13-2; WPIAL 6A Co-Champs, District 7 Champs, Western Finalists
The Vikings come in ranked #2 behind St. Joseph’s Prep for the second straight year in the preseason poll. The Vikings have started the season in the top ten 17 of the last 20 seasons, with twelve of rankings in the top three, including preseason #1 slot sin 2004, 2006, 2009, 2011, 2015, and 2016 – winning wire-to-wire titles in 2004 and 2015. They were ranked preseason #2 during their 2007 title run, and were unranked for the entire year in 1988 before winning the inaugural title. This iteration of the Vikings has the leading returning rusher in the state in Eddy Tillman as well as four star defensive lineman Elliott Donald from a squad that pushed SJP to overtime in the state semifinals. Bralen Henderson and Donovan Hinisch give the Vikings yet another pair of Division I prospects on the defensive line to team with Donald. With the bracket flipping them back to the “west”, they would be the favorite to meet SJP in the finals.
#3 Central Dauphin Rams
Last Season: 12-3; District 3 Champs, State Finalists
The Rams are slotted at #3 after advancing to the state finals in 2019. This is the fifth time Central Dauphin has been ranked in the preseason top 10, including the fourth time since 2012, and their highest ranking since being the preseason #1 in 2012 coming off of their 2011 state championship. They were also the preseason #1 back in 2002, which was also their first state playoff appearance. The Rams bring back all state linebacker/running back Tim Smith to run behind FBS recruit Blake Heshler, plus returning 2,000 yard passer Max Mosey will keep defenses honest with the passing game, and are a solid favorite to repeat in District 3.
#4 Archbishop Wood Vikings
Last Season: 11-3; District 12 5A Champs, State 5A Champs
This is Wood’s first year in the largest classification after winning six of the last nine championships in either 3A or 5A. Wood brings back all state all purpose back Cardel Pigford, who had over 1,000 yards from scrimmage last year and caught the game winner in the 5A state finals, and all state linebacker Shane Collier, who finished with 17 TFLs and seven sacks. They also bring back defensive end prospect Robert Jackson, a three star recruit with over 20 FBS offers, and budding star wide receiver Andrew McHugh, who caught 22 passes for 305 yards and picked off three passes as a sophomore. They will not play this season with the Archdiocese of Philadelphia opting out of fall sports.
#5 North Penn Knights
Last Season: 8-4; D1 Quarterfinals
North Penn has been ranked in the preseason top ten for 19 of the last 22 years, only missing in 2000, 2002, and 2015. This is the Knight’s 11th time in the top five, and they were the preseason #1 in 2001 and 2010. They won their title from a preseason #4 ranking in 2003. Despite not being ranked until 1998, they have the most preseason top 10 appearances of any school in the biggest classification since the start of state playoffs. The Knights advanced to the District 1 quarterfinals last season, and return junior running back Khalani Eaton, who ran for over 1,600 yards as a sophomore last season and will be one of the biggest offensive threats in the state in 2020. The Knights are looking to win the first out of district playoff game for District 1 since 2012.
#6 Delaware Valley Warriors
Last Season: 11-2; District 2 Champs
This is Delaware Valley’s first time in the preseason top 10 in the state playoff era and they are the first District 2 team in the top 10 in the largest classification since Wyoming Valley West in 1997 and only the third in the state playoff era (Wilkes-Barre Coughlin in 1990 is the other). The Warriors bring back all state linebacker/fullback Jason Henderson, who recently committed to play football at Old Dominion after leading the state with 162 tackles last season. Del Val made their first state playoff appearance last year after winning a District 2/4 subregional title, then lost to State College in the first round of states.
#7 State College Little Lions
Last Season: 11-2; District 6/8/10 Subregional Champs
State College is making their fifth straight preseason appearance in the top 10 and seventh overall (also were ranked in 2009 and 1999). The Little Lions have dominated the central part of the state recently, winning five out of the last six subregional titles, but have not advanced past the state quarterfinals since going to the state final in 2009. The Little Lions return all state running back Dresyn Green, who has put up back-to-back 1,000 yard seasons and made five interceptions last year at cornerback. They also return all state safety Sammy Knipe, a recent Navy commit and three star recruit, who will be a four year starter on defense.
#8 Northeast Vikings
Last SEason: 11-2; Philly Public League Champs
Northeast is the first Philadelphia Public School ever ranked in the preseason top 10 in the state’s largest classification. Northeast has a pair of four star defensive ends in senior and Georgia commit Elijah Jeudy and junior Ken Talley, who would wreak havoc against any offensive line in the state. They also return 1,000 yard running back and Old Dominion recruit Juke Peaker and Texas A&M commit Tyreek Chappell at cornerback/wide receiver. This is almost assuredly the best PPL team in the biggest classification since they joined the PIAA in 2004.
#9 Easton Red Rovers
Last Season: 8-5; D11 Semifinals
Easton now been ranked in preseason polls the 1980s, 1990s, 2000s, 2010s, and 2020s, making them one of the first two programs to make preseason top 10s in five different decades of the state playoff era. This is the fourteenth time in the preseason top 10 for the Red Rovers since 1988, but first since 2013, which ended a stretch of eight preseason top tens in 11 years from 2003-2013. They also started the year in the top ten from 1989 through 1994. Easton returns the bulk of their impact skill players, led by all state running back and recent Louisiana-Monroe commit Nahjee Adams and all state linebacker Tamir Jackson. Quarterback Cole Transue is a US Army All American Bowl underclassman invite and is one to watch after throwing for 1,800 yards as a sophomore.
#10 North Allegheny Tigers
Last Season: 10-2; WPIAL 6A Co-Champs; D7 semifinals
The other school to pull the “five decades” trick is the North Allegheny, who are making their seventeenth preseason top 10 – tied with PCC for the second most appearances in the preseason poll. The Tigers won their three state titles after starting the year #10 (1990), #7 (2010), and #4 (2012) and have now started ranked in four out of the last five years. The Tigers have one of the best linebacking corps in the state, with three star recruits Khalil Dinkins and Nathan Hoke (a BYU commit) returning. Dinkins also will be one of the best tight ends in the state, though the Tigers need to replace the rest of their skill players on offense after a trip to the WPIAL semifinals last season.
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This is the most diverse preseason poll ever, with seven different districts represented. It is only the second time District 12 has the most teams represented in the preseason poll (3), the last being in 2008, the Philly Catholic League's first season in the PIAA when #3 St. Joseph's Prep, #7 Archbishop Ryan, and #9 Cardinal O'Hara all started the season in the top ten - coincidentally, the only season that the PCL did not have a team in the state playoffs. Most historical stuff to follow.
#1 St. Joseph’s Prep Hawks
Last Season: 12-2; PCL Champs, D12 Champs, State Champs
The Hawks are the preseason #1 for the fourth year in a row, and fifth time since 2014. They have been ranked in the top two in the state to start the year every year since 2013. No doubt as to why, they’re going for their sixth state championship in the last eight years. In a normal season, we’d be looking at potentially one of the greatest big school teams of all time, with four of the best individual players in the country in Kyle McCord, Marvin Harrison Jr., and Jeremiah Trotter Jr., and Keenan Nelson, who are all in the 247 Top 100 players in their class. Their entire receiving corps is going to FBS programs in Harrison (Ohio State), Samir Hagans (Duke) and Malik Cooper (Temple) with a five star quarterback throwing them the ball. But the PCL cancelling their fall season and rumors of McCord and Harrison opting out no matter what add more uncertainty to the most uncertain season of our lifetimes.
#2 Pittsburgh Central Catholic Vikings
Last Season: 13-2; WPIAL 6A Co-Champs, District 7 Champs, Western Finalists
The Vikings come in ranked #2 behind St. Joseph’s Prep for the second straight year in the preseason poll. The Vikings have started the season in the top ten 17 of the last 20 seasons, with twelve of rankings in the top three, including preseason #1 slot sin 2004, 2006, 2009, 2011, 2015, and 2016 – winning wire-to-wire titles in 2004 and 2015. They were ranked preseason #2 during their 2007 title run, and were unranked for the entire year in 1988 before winning the inaugural title. This iteration of the Vikings has the leading returning rusher in the state in Eddy Tillman as well as four star defensive lineman Elliott Donald from a squad that pushed SJP to overtime in the state semifinals. Bralen Henderson and Donovan Hinisch give the Vikings yet another pair of Division I prospects on the defensive line to team with Donald. With the bracket flipping them back to the “west”, they would be the favorite to meet SJP in the finals.
#3 Central Dauphin Rams
Last Season: 12-3; District 3 Champs, State Finalists
The Rams are slotted at #3 after advancing to the state finals in 2019. This is the fifth time Central Dauphin has been ranked in the preseason top 10, including the fourth time since 2012, and their highest ranking since being the preseason #1 in 2012 coming off of their 2011 state championship. They were also the preseason #1 back in 2002, which was also their first state playoff appearance. The Rams bring back all state linebacker/running back Tim Smith to run behind FBS recruit Blake Heshler, plus returning 2,000 yard passer Max Mosey will keep defenses honest with the passing game, and are a solid favorite to repeat in District 3.
#4 Archbishop Wood Vikings
Last Season: 11-3; District 12 5A Champs, State 5A Champs
This is Wood’s first year in the largest classification after winning six of the last nine championships in either 3A or 5A. Wood brings back all state all purpose back Cardel Pigford, who had over 1,000 yards from scrimmage last year and caught the game winner in the 5A state finals, and all state linebacker Shane Collier, who finished with 17 TFLs and seven sacks. They also bring back defensive end prospect Robert Jackson, a three star recruit with over 20 FBS offers, and budding star wide receiver Andrew McHugh, who caught 22 passes for 305 yards and picked off three passes as a sophomore. They will not play this season with the Archdiocese of Philadelphia opting out of fall sports.
#5 North Penn Knights
Last Season: 8-4; D1 Quarterfinals
North Penn has been ranked in the preseason top ten for 19 of the last 22 years, only missing in 2000, 2002, and 2015. This is the Knight’s 11th time in the top five, and they were the preseason #1 in 2001 and 2010. They won their title from a preseason #4 ranking in 2003. Despite not being ranked until 1998, they have the most preseason top 10 appearances of any school in the biggest classification since the start of state playoffs. The Knights advanced to the District 1 quarterfinals last season, and return junior running back Khalani Eaton, who ran for over 1,600 yards as a sophomore last season and will be one of the biggest offensive threats in the state in 2020. The Knights are looking to win the first out of district playoff game for District 1 since 2012.
#6 Delaware Valley Warriors
Last Season: 11-2; District 2 Champs
This is Delaware Valley’s first time in the preseason top 10 in the state playoff era and they are the first District 2 team in the top 10 in the largest classification since Wyoming Valley West in 1997 and only the third in the state playoff era (Wilkes-Barre Coughlin in 1990 is the other). The Warriors bring back all state linebacker/fullback Jason Henderson, who recently committed to play football at Old Dominion after leading the state with 162 tackles last season. Del Val made their first state playoff appearance last year after winning a District 2/4 subregional title, then lost to State College in the first round of states.
#7 State College Little Lions
Last Season: 11-2; District 6/8/10 Subregional Champs
State College is making their fifth straight preseason appearance in the top 10 and seventh overall (also were ranked in 2009 and 1999). The Little Lions have dominated the central part of the state recently, winning five out of the last six subregional titles, but have not advanced past the state quarterfinals since going to the state final in 2009. The Little Lions return all state running back Dresyn Green, who has put up back-to-back 1,000 yard seasons and made five interceptions last year at cornerback. They also return all state safety Sammy Knipe, a recent Navy commit and three star recruit, who will be a four year starter on defense.
#8 Northeast Vikings
Last SEason: 11-2; Philly Public League Champs
Northeast is the first Philadelphia Public School ever ranked in the preseason top 10 in the state’s largest classification. Northeast has a pair of four star defensive ends in senior and Georgia commit Elijah Jeudy and junior Ken Talley, who would wreak havoc against any offensive line in the state. They also return 1,000 yard running back and Old Dominion recruit Juke Peaker and Texas A&M commit Tyreek Chappell at cornerback/wide receiver. This is almost assuredly the best PPL team in the biggest classification since they joined the PIAA in 2004.
#9 Easton Red Rovers
Last Season: 8-5; D11 Semifinals
Easton now been ranked in preseason polls the 1980s, 1990s, 2000s, 2010s, and 2020s, making them one of the first two programs to make preseason top 10s in five different decades of the state playoff era. This is the fourteenth time in the preseason top 10 for the Red Rovers since 1988, but first since 2013, which ended a stretch of eight preseason top tens in 11 years from 2003-2013. They also started the year in the top ten from 1989 through 1994. Easton returns the bulk of their impact skill players, led by all state running back and recent Louisiana-Monroe commit Nahjee Adams and all state linebacker Tamir Jackson. Quarterback Cole Transue is a US Army All American Bowl underclassman invite and is one to watch after throwing for 1,800 yards as a sophomore.
#10 North Allegheny Tigers
Last Season: 10-2; WPIAL 6A Co-Champs; D7 semifinals
The other school to pull the “five decades” trick is the North Allegheny, who are making their seventeenth preseason top 10 – tied with PCC for the second most appearances in the preseason poll. The Tigers won their three state titles after starting the year #10 (1990), #7 (2010), and #4 (2012) and have now started ranked in four out of the last five years. The Tigers have one of the best linebacking corps in the state, with three star recruits Khalil Dinkins and Nathan Hoke (a BYU commit) returning. Dinkins also will be one of the best tight ends in the state, though the Tigers need to replace the rest of their skill players on offense after a trip to the WPIAL semifinals last season.
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This is the most diverse preseason poll ever, with seven different districts represented. It is only the second time District 12 has the most teams represented in the preseason poll (3), the last being in 2008, the Philly Catholic League's first season in the PIAA when #3 St. Joseph's Prep, #7 Archbishop Ryan, and #9 Cardinal O'Hara all started the season in the top ten - coincidentally, the only season that the PCL did not have a team in the state playoffs. Most historical stuff to follow.
