Taking a short break of looking back to look forward. With school out and summer workouts, 7-on-7s, and camp season underway, here’s what we have going in the Lehigh Valley for the upcoming 2019 football season. Here are guys to watch on each roster.
Bethlehem Catholic
The most loaded roster in the EPC also has the best skill player in senior running back/cornerback Tavion Banks (Sr. 5’10 190). Banks rushed for 1,602 yards and 30 touchdowns last season on his way to being named All State in 4A. Banks is a slasher, who may project as a slot receiver at the next level. Banks is poised for a huge senior year, particularly with one of the best offensive lines in D11 blocking for him (guard Jerry Lyons and tackles George French and Jacob Kanyuk are all Division I prospects). If they new quarterback, whomever wins the job, can pose a threat throwing the football, Banks is the early favorite for EPC Player of the Year and Becahi is poised for another deep run in the 4A state playoffs.
Parkland
The biggest recruit in the Valley is senior offensive tackle Nicholas Dawkins (Sr. 6’4 305). Dawkins committed to Penn State in May, where he will move inside to offensive guard. The son of Darryl “Chocolate Thunder” Dawkins is explosive and athletic like his dad. He’s the best offensive line prospect in the EPC in years. Parkland had a down year last season offensively, and needs to find skill guys, but Dawkins will be a road grader in the run game and is the best tackle in pass protection in the conference.
Freedom
Quarterback Jared Jenkins (Sr. 6’1 195) is entering his third year as a starter for the Patriots. He led Freedom to its first ever D11 football title last season, and the Patriots are the favorites again in 6A. Jenkins, who holders offers from the Patriot and Ivy Leagues, has thrown for 4,941 yards and 45 touchdowns and just 14 interceptions in his career. The Patriots have to replace their entire receiving corps, but return tailback Jalen Stewart and four offensive linemen, so Jenkins will be lined up for an All State year.
Emmaus
The Green Hornets may have missed their window. Emmaus went 12-2 last season, but dropped both match ups with Freedom, including a 49-14 shellacking in the D11 finals. With 1,000 yard rushers Lubens Myers, Sone Ntoh, and Ethan Parvel all graduated, junior Brandon Camire (Jr. 5’9 165) will shoulder the load. As a sophomore, he filled in during Ntoh’s injury and averaged over 9 yards per carry. He’s a speedster, and will try to build on a 640 yard sophomore season.
Easton
The Red Rovers have had three straight up and down seasons and are looking to get back to their consistent winning ways. A big part of that will be the development of junior do-everything back Nahjee Adams (Jr. 5’11 195). As a sophomore, Adams picked off four passes (returning two for touchdowns), forced four fumbles, caught 26 passes for 330 yards, rushed for 300 yards, and scored eight touchdowns. Against Phillipsburg, Adams turned a screen pass into a 68 yard touchdown, reversing field and flashing big time speed. He got a taste returning kicks as a freshman, then became the offense’s big play threat as a sophomore. He’s the biggest breakout candidate in the conference on offense, and he’s already one of the best defensive backs in the league. With returning 330 pound left tackle Patrick Shupp and a talented junior class of linemen, there is a lot expected out of Adams this year.
Nazareth
The Tom Falzone era has been marked by high scoring spread offenses. This year should be no different, with senior quarterback Anthony Harris (Sr. 6’4 185) back for his third year as a starter. Harris threw for 2,693 yards and 28 touchdowns in 2018, and has over 5,300 passing yards in his career. He can be turnover prone (30 career interceptions) he’s also a big play waiting to happen. Wideout Nathan Stefanik returns after a productive junior year, and they should be the best pitch and catch combo in the Lehigh Valley.
Northampton
A move to the EPC North got Northampton football on track last year, as they beat up on the Pocono schools and had their first winning season since 2008. A big part of that was tailback/cornerback Tyrese Brandon (Sr. 6’0 170). Brandon rushed for 1,064 yards and scored 22 total touchdowns during the KKids 8-4 season and was a first team all EPC North pick at cornerback. He projects as a defensive back at the next level.
Whitehall
The last name may ring a bell on senior linebacker/running back Ali Barkley (Sr. 6’0 215). Barkley is a big time athlete, drawing interest from low level FBS programs. He’s more polished as a defender than a running back at this point, but will likely be the Zephyrs feature back this year after splitting the load the last two seasons.
Liberty
The Hurricanes have battled inconsistency this decade, but have consistently produced excellent linebackers. Kendrick Wesley (Sr. 6’1 225) is a big time hitter in the middle who will anchor the Liberty defense. He’s being recruited by a host of Ivy League schools. He also plays tight end for Liberty and should factor into the passing game even more in 2019.
Allentown Central Catholic
The Vikings have struggled since the end of the Harold Fairclough era, but are looking to wake the echoes with the hiring of Tim McGorry. McGorry, who quarterbacked ACC to a state title in 1998, was the offensive coordinator on the 2010 Vikings team that won a state title. Most recently, he was the wide receivers coach at Lehigh. He’ll have a major building block on the offensive and defensive lines with senior Nick Reimer (Sr. 6’7 275). Reimer is a prototypical left tackle who has as much potential as any linemen in the league, Dawkins included.
Bethlehem Catholic
The most loaded roster in the EPC also has the best skill player in senior running back/cornerback Tavion Banks (Sr. 5’10 190). Banks rushed for 1,602 yards and 30 touchdowns last season on his way to being named All State in 4A. Banks is a slasher, who may project as a slot receiver at the next level. Banks is poised for a huge senior year, particularly with one of the best offensive lines in D11 blocking for him (guard Jerry Lyons and tackles George French and Jacob Kanyuk are all Division I prospects). If they new quarterback, whomever wins the job, can pose a threat throwing the football, Banks is the early favorite for EPC Player of the Year and Becahi is poised for another deep run in the 4A state playoffs.
Parkland
The biggest recruit in the Valley is senior offensive tackle Nicholas Dawkins (Sr. 6’4 305). Dawkins committed to Penn State in May, where he will move inside to offensive guard. The son of Darryl “Chocolate Thunder” Dawkins is explosive and athletic like his dad. He’s the best offensive line prospect in the EPC in years. Parkland had a down year last season offensively, and needs to find skill guys, but Dawkins will be a road grader in the run game and is the best tackle in pass protection in the conference.
Freedom
Quarterback Jared Jenkins (Sr. 6’1 195) is entering his third year as a starter for the Patriots. He led Freedom to its first ever D11 football title last season, and the Patriots are the favorites again in 6A. Jenkins, who holders offers from the Patriot and Ivy Leagues, has thrown for 4,941 yards and 45 touchdowns and just 14 interceptions in his career. The Patriots have to replace their entire receiving corps, but return tailback Jalen Stewart and four offensive linemen, so Jenkins will be lined up for an All State year.
Emmaus
The Green Hornets may have missed their window. Emmaus went 12-2 last season, but dropped both match ups with Freedom, including a 49-14 shellacking in the D11 finals. With 1,000 yard rushers Lubens Myers, Sone Ntoh, and Ethan Parvel all graduated, junior Brandon Camire (Jr. 5’9 165) will shoulder the load. As a sophomore, he filled in during Ntoh’s injury and averaged over 9 yards per carry. He’s a speedster, and will try to build on a 640 yard sophomore season.
Easton
The Red Rovers have had three straight up and down seasons and are looking to get back to their consistent winning ways. A big part of that will be the development of junior do-everything back Nahjee Adams (Jr. 5’11 195). As a sophomore, Adams picked off four passes (returning two for touchdowns), forced four fumbles, caught 26 passes for 330 yards, rushed for 300 yards, and scored eight touchdowns. Against Phillipsburg, Adams turned a screen pass into a 68 yard touchdown, reversing field and flashing big time speed. He got a taste returning kicks as a freshman, then became the offense’s big play threat as a sophomore. He’s the biggest breakout candidate in the conference on offense, and he’s already one of the best defensive backs in the league. With returning 330 pound left tackle Patrick Shupp and a talented junior class of linemen, there is a lot expected out of Adams this year.
Nazareth
The Tom Falzone era has been marked by high scoring spread offenses. This year should be no different, with senior quarterback Anthony Harris (Sr. 6’4 185) back for his third year as a starter. Harris threw for 2,693 yards and 28 touchdowns in 2018, and has over 5,300 passing yards in his career. He can be turnover prone (30 career interceptions) he’s also a big play waiting to happen. Wideout Nathan Stefanik returns after a productive junior year, and they should be the best pitch and catch combo in the Lehigh Valley.
Northampton
A move to the EPC North got Northampton football on track last year, as they beat up on the Pocono schools and had their first winning season since 2008. A big part of that was tailback/cornerback Tyrese Brandon (Sr. 6’0 170). Brandon rushed for 1,064 yards and scored 22 total touchdowns during the KKids 8-4 season and was a first team all EPC North pick at cornerback. He projects as a defensive back at the next level.
Whitehall
The last name may ring a bell on senior linebacker/running back Ali Barkley (Sr. 6’0 215). Barkley is a big time athlete, drawing interest from low level FBS programs. He’s more polished as a defender than a running back at this point, but will likely be the Zephyrs feature back this year after splitting the load the last two seasons.
Liberty
The Hurricanes have battled inconsistency this decade, but have consistently produced excellent linebackers. Kendrick Wesley (Sr. 6’1 225) is a big time hitter in the middle who will anchor the Liberty defense. He’s being recruited by a host of Ivy League schools. He also plays tight end for Liberty and should factor into the passing game even more in 2019.
Allentown Central Catholic
The Vikings have struggled since the end of the Harold Fairclough era, but are looking to wake the echoes with the hiring of Tim McGorry. McGorry, who quarterbacked ACC to a state title in 1998, was the offensive coordinator on the 2010 Vikings team that won a state title. Most recently, he was the wide receivers coach at Lehigh. He’ll have a major building block on the offensive and defensive lines with senior Nick Reimer (Sr. 6’7 275). Reimer is a prototypical left tackle who has as much potential as any linemen in the league, Dawkins included.
