THERE'S NO such thing as a down season for St. Joseph's Prep football. Just different levels of up.

And, since 2005 is an odd year, chances are better than even that the Hawks will not only win the Catholic League's Red Division championship, but create long-term memories.

"I'd have to say our three best championship teams were '97, '01 and '03," said veteran coach Gil Brooks, who also claimed the crown in '02. "This team has a chance to be better than all of them."

Talent mixed with hunger is a dangerous mix. The Hawks in '04 rolled unbeaten through Red play for the fifth consecutive season, but were knocked off in the title game, as they'd been in 2000, by Cardinal O'Hara.

"I was really burned out after '03," Brooks said. "From the coaches on down, we slipped a little last year, especially in terms of paying attention to the little details. Plus, we were flat-out young."

Not now. Formula and high chairs are way in the past.

Rusher John Shaw is primed to be a factor for the third consecutive season, junior quarterback Chris Whitney is star quality, wideout Bill Edger already has a special performance on his resume (100-plus yards in a win last week over Neshaminy) and tackle Jim McKenzie is committed to Syracuse. Whitney, also a defensive back, tackle Charlie Noonan and end Matt Leddy are the top three defenders.

Said another Red coach: "It's pretty frustrating to know you have a pretty good team, but no true shot of winning it."

Said Brooks: "We have a deep senior class. Almost all of them have ability and there's not a bad student in the group. Even our so-called second-line recruits will be getting Ivy looks, I'm sure."

O'Hara has no plans to cower in fear. Quarterback-defensive back Anthony Walters and lineman Dan Gough are D-I recruits and the linebacking corps (Scott Taylor, Greg Smith, Todd Cannon) is top-notch.

The player with the highest profile on the division's other six teams (North Catholic has returned after 2 years in the Blue) is Virginia-bound quarterback Marc Verica, of Monsignor Bonner.

The Blue should offer a vintage scramble.

The defending champion and runner-up, Archbishop Wood (rusher Bryan McCartney) and West Catholic (prized recruit John Maddox, a wideout-defensive back), remain formidable. Also, Archbishop Carroll and Bishop McDevitt are improved and Conwell-Egan, despite the loss of all-time rusher Steve Slaton, has not exactly disbanded the program.

Already there has been a memory-making performance. Last Friday, Manny Harrison rushed for a school-record 287 yards as McDevitt, down 24-0 at halftime, stormed back to edge Wissahickon, 25-24.

Six teams in each division will make the playoffs and the finals will be played on the first weekend in December. There are no new coaches.

RED DIVISION
ARCHBISHOP RYAN
Coach: Glen Galeone, 16th year; Education: Wood, Drexel. Career:
110-68-3.
Last year: 2-4 division, tie 4th; 4-8 overall.
Great eight: Joe Zeglinski, RB-DB, 6-foot, 185; Joe DeCree, QB-DB, 5-9,
180; Mike Varanavage, Rec.-LB, 6-foot, 195; Kyle Connelly, T-DE, 6-2,
210; Matt Amato, L-DL, 5-10, 225; Ryan Sankus, G-DT, 5-10, 240; Ron
Sankus, C, 5-10, 180; Kevin Kelly, T, 5-11, 245.
Happy about: offense.
Concerned about: special teams, defense.
Galeone’s comment: “We’ll try to get better each week against a not-easy
schedule.”
CARDINAL O’HARA
Coach: Danny Algeo, 2nd year (also Roman, 1996-99; Phoenixville, 2000).
Education: Lansdale Catholic, Gwynedd-Mercy. Career: 41-28; 11-1 at
O’Hara.
Last year: 5-1, 2nd; 11-1.
Great eight: Anthony Walters, QB-DB, 6-1, 170; Dan Gough, T, 6-4, 275;
Scott Taylor, LB, 6-foot, 210; John Dempsey, RB, 6-1, 195; Greg Smith,
LB, 6-2, 215; Ed Callahan, NT, 5-10, 210; Harry Duke, Rec.-DB, 5-10,
165; Joe Juisti, RB, 5-5, 180.
Happy about: tough nonleague schedule, which will prepare squad for CL
play.
Concerned about: inexperienced offensive line.
Algeo’s comment: “We expect to contend for the championship.”
FATHER JUDGE
Coach: Tommy Coyle, 6th year; Education: Judge. Career: 20-38.
Last year: 1-5, tie 6th; 2-10.
Great eight: Justin DeCristofaro, QB, 6-3, 190; Mike McKnight, G-DT,
6-1, 240; Joe Thompson, RB-DB, 5-10, 180; Tom Hayes, Rec.-DB, 6-2, 165;
Chris Dowling, RB-LB, 6-2 180; Jude Cooke, T, 6-7, 285; Will Taggert,
Rec.-DB, 5-10, 160; Jeff McMahon, RB-LB, 5-11, 180.
Happy about: senior leadership, depth at skill positions.
Concerned about: kicking game.
Coyle’s comment: “Our guys understand we need to be fully prepared to
take on the challenge of a difficult schedule.”
LA SALLE
Coach: Joe Colistra, 21st year; Education: La Salle, Villanova. Career:
144-84-2.
Last year: 2-4, tie 4th; 4-8.
Great eight: Chris Ashley, RB, 5-9, 175; Mike Padgeon, RB, 5-9, 180; Jim
Gehringer, C, 5-11, 250; Rick Cosgrove, Rec., 6-3, 185; George Hudson,
LB, 6-1, 210; John McBurnie, NG, 5-10, 260; Jack Forster, DB, 6-foot,
175; Greg Frantz, DB, 6-1, 200.
Happy about: coaching staff, offense.
Concerned about: size on defensive line.
Colistra’s comment: “We started out wanting to win more often than lose.
Now our goals are bigger.”
MONSIGNOR BONNER
Coach: Jim Carrigan, 2nd year; Education: Bonner. Career: 4-9.
Last year: 1-5, tie 6th; 4-9.
Great eight: Marc Verica, QB, 6-3, 205; Pat Dix, T-DT, 6-3, 280; Mike
Tomasco, Rec., 6-2, 195; Matt Licci, DT-LB, 6-foot, 225; Matt Boland,
RB-LB, 6-1, 195; Steve Wheatley, Rec.-DE, 6-3, 215; John Hayes, Rec.-DE,
5-11, 190; Frank Bizzari, RB, 5-8, 185.
Happy about: good personnel.
Concerned about: slow progression.
Carrigan’s comment: “We’re not playing up to speed yet. We’ll get
there.”
NORTH CATHOLIC
Coach: Chalie<NO1> <NO> Szydlik, 2nd year; Education: Frankford. Career:
4-7.
Last year: 4-4, 5th in Blue; 4-7.
Great eight: Rich Cruz, RB-DB, 5-8, 145; Eric French, C-DT, 6-1, 240;
Tom Hannan, LB, 6-foot, 185; Charles Klink, DB, 6-foot, 195; Tom Murrin,
LB, 5-11, 215; Daryl Robinson, Rec.-DB, 5-10, 160; Pete Sellecchia,
Rec.-LB, 6-1, 185; Dan Shields, T-DT, 6-foot, 275.
Happy about: enthusiasm, speed.
Concerned about: youth.
Szydlik’s comment: “Being back in the Red with the big boys, our goal is
get competitive and make the playoffs.”
ROMAN CATHOLIC
Coach: Jim Murphy, 6th year; Education: North Catholic, Holy Family.
Career: 36-24.
Last year: 4-2, 3rd; 8-4.
Great eight: Aaron Pryer, Rec.-DB, 6-foot, 170; Cory Jackson,
QB-Rec.-DB, 5-11, 165; Dan Jordan, 6-1, 180, Rec.-DB; Sean Woods, RB-LB,
5-8, 180; Ryan McAdams, RB-LB, 5-10, 195; Jude Martin, L-DL, 5-10, 205;
Joe Mulhern, L-DL, 6-1, 250; Rich Brandt, L-DL, 6-foot, 210.
Happy about: offensive line.
Concerned about: consistency.
Murphy’s comment: “We just need to get better and jell<NO1> <NO>. That’s
the trick.”
ST. JOSEPH’S PREP
Coach: Gil Brooks, 14th year (also Paul VI, N.J., 1986-87); Education:
St. Joseph’s Prep, Swarthmore. Career: 119-55-3; 115-42-2 at SJ Prep.
Last year: 6-0, 1st; 10-3.
Great eight: John Shaw, RB, 5-8, 180; Chris Whitney, QB-DB, 6-3, 205;
Jim McKenzie, T, 6-4, 290; Charlie Noonan, RB-DT, 6-3, 250; Matt Leddy,
Rec.-DE, 6-3, 230; Bill Edger, Rec.-DB, 6-3, 180; Dave Clement, Rec.-DB,
5-11 185; Josh Howley, LB, 6-1, 220.
Happy about: dedication, experience.
Concerned about: backup offensive linemen.
Brooks’ comment: “We’ll give it time and see what happens.”
BLUE DIVISION
ARCHBISHOP CARROLL
Coach: Dan Bielli, 6th year (also Carroll, 1995; Kennedy-Kenrick,
1996-97); Education: West Catholic, West Chester. Career: 73-35; 65-20
at Carroll.
Last year: 5-3, 4th. 8-5.
Great eight: Jake Szulinski, RB-LB, 6-1, 225; Josh Halladay, RB, 6-foot,
180; Mark Smith, RB-DB, 5-9, 185; Ellis Rogers, Rec.-DB, 5-11, 165; John
Pettine, T-DE, 6-3, 240; Bill O’Brien, T-DE, 6-5, 215; Ryan Bergin,
Rec.-DT, 6-1, 220; Jordan Faust, DT, 6-3, 205.
Happy about: backfield depth, defensive newcomers.
Concerned about: maturing quickly enough.
Bielli’s comment: “We have a good team that’s being tested early by a
very tough schedule.”
ARCHBISHOP WOOD
Coach: Joe Powel<NO1> <NO>, 2nd year (also Kenrick, 1990-92; Harriton,
1993-94); Education: Kenrick, Widener. Career: 28-35-1; 8-4 at Wood.
Last year: 6-2, tie 2nd; 8-4.
Great eight: Joe Kosich, QB, 6-foot, 205; Bryan McCartney, RB-DB, 5-11,
190; Mike Gallagher, T-DT, 6-2, 215; Matt Knox, G, 5-11, 190; Ryan
Dolan, Rec.-LB, 6-1, 205; Pat McAfee, RB-LB, 6-foot, 190; Pat Devlin,
Rec.-DB, 6-foot, 165; Chris Lorditch, Rec.-DB, 6-3, 175.
Happy about: progress of skill positions.
Concerned about: speed at linebacker.
Powel’s comment: “Like last year, we have a lot of first-year starters.
We’ll again try to be peaking by the end.”
BISHOP McDEVITT
Coach: Pat Manzi, 24th year; Education: Judge, Temple. Career: 144-89-5.
Last year: 3-5, tie 6th; 3-8.
Great eight: Manny Harrison, RB-DB, 6-foot, 180; Barry Porter, RB-LB,
6-2, 240; Mike Wojcik, T-DT, 6-5, 280; Steve Gallagher, G-LB, 5-10, 190;
Brian Mitros, Rec.-DB, 5-7, 140; Jim Surdykowski, G-DE, 6-2 235; Tom
Maha, QB, 5-10, 175; Robert Marino, G-DE, 5-10, 185.
Happy about: speed, confidence level.
Concerned about: inexperience at key spots.
Manzi’s comment: “We can be good if we get all the kids on board.”
CARDINAL DOUGHERTY
Coach: Ernie Covington, 3rd year; Education: Dougherty. Career: 1-20.
Last year: 0-8, 9th; 0-11.
Great eight: Kellen Kemp, T-DT, 6-3, 290; Derrick Israel, RB-DB, 6-1,
195; Matt Boerner, T-DT, 6-3, 350; Brian Williams, RB-DB, 5-8, 155;
Matthew Bryant, LB, 5-10, 190; Steve Hart, L-DL, 6-foot, 280; Phil
Baxter, QB, 6-1, 155; Quinton White, Rec.-LB, 6-3, 180.
Happy about: increased numbers, commitment.
Concerned about: maturity level.
Covington’s comment: “We are looking forward to surprising some people.
We are not an 0-11 team.”
CONWELL-EGAN
Coach: Kevin Kelly, 4th year; Education: North Pocono, Bloomsburg.
Career: 23-13.
Last year: 6-2, tie 2nd; 10-3.
Great eight: Kevin Schafer, QB-DB, 6-1 205; Steve Herrmann, Rec.-DE,
5-10, 195; Rob Heller, G-DE, 5-10, 195; Ron Smith, C, 5-10, 245; Rasuel
Thomas, RB-LB, 6-1, 190; Dan Cicconi, Rec.-DB, 5-9, 170; Jim Domzalski,
RB-DB, 6-1, 190; Justin Bainbridge, G-DE, 6-foot, 200.
Happy about: offensive line.
Concerned about: linebacking corps.
Kelly’s comment: “We think we’ll be in the upper end of the playoff mix
and hopefully go forward from there.”
KENNEDY-KENRICK
Coach: Mike McTamney, 8th year (also Harriton, 1995-97); Education:
Kenrick, St. Mary’s (Canada). Career: 27-79; 20-56 at K-K.
Last year: 3-5, tie 6th; 4-6.
Great eight: Jermaine Pierce, Rec.-LB, 6-3, 235; Troy Taylor, RB-DB,
5-9, 180; Arlen Canard, Rec.-DE, 6-2, 240; Zach Molyneaux, Rec.-LB, 6-3,
215; Jeff Lanutti, T-DE, 6-1, 250; Jerry Dinolfi, QB-DB, 5-9, 155; Matt
Trabosh, Rec.-DB, 5-11, 170; Kevin Lawrence, K-P, 6-2, 205.
Happy about: speed on offense, linebackers.
Concerned about: inexperienced offensive line.
McTamney’s comment: “We might be able to move the ball better than stop
it.”
SS. NEUMANN-GORETTI
Coach: Steve Smith, 2nd year; Education: Neumann, Villanova. Career:
2-10.
Last year: 1-7, 8th; 2-10.
Great eight: Anthony Davis, RB-LB, 5-10, 170; Mark Hatty, QB, 6-4, 175;
Ryan Howlett, RB-DE, 6-foot, 190; Rich Allen, RB-LB, 6-3, 200; Hiram
Bowman, RB-DB, 5-7, 150; Ernie Cimadamore, C-DT, 5-9, 230; Dominic
Orlando, T-DT, 6-1, 250; John Gamble, DT, 6-7, 395.
Happy about: camaraderie, speed on defense.
Concerned about: learning how to win.
Smith’s comment: “We’re trying to find our way.”
WEST CATHOLIC
Coach: Brian Fluck, 7th year; Education: West Catholic, Temple. Career:
40-34.
Last year: 8-0, 1st; 11-2.
Great eight: John Maddox, Rec.-DB, 6-3, 175; Harold Davis, DB, 5-9, 160;
Erik Frazier, RB-Rec.-DB, 5-10, 195; Dennis Shaw, RB, 5-9, 180; Wayne
Donahue, RB-LB, 6-foot, 230; Daniel Chavis, RB-LB, 6-foot, 190; Anthony
Rhoades, Rec.-DE, 6-foot, 220; Isiah Edmond, G-DE, 6-foot, 250.
Happy about: speed, athleticism.
Concerned about: inexperienced lines.
Fluck’s comment: “We’re good enough to make it back to the championship
game. And come away with a better result.”
Note: Career records through 2004 season.