Wait, didn't that bunch lose its first three games? How good could it have been? Very good, actually. The Hawks then ran the table and captured the Catholic Red title.
This decade has yet to feature a Red championship game not involving the Prep (4-3 record therein; owner of a 48-game regular-season division winning streak), and that string could very well continue despite the loss of several franchise players.
Is Brooks' crew the absolute favorite? Not sure there is one.
"From top to bottom, this is the strongest the Red has been," said Cardinal O'Hara coach Danny Algeo, who steered Roman Catholic to the division's first crown in 1999 and is not alone in holding that opinion.
Prep's headliners are scatback Jamir Livingston (1,502 yards last season; Army in strong pursuit) and wideout/defensive back Greg Castillo, son of Eagles offensive-line coach Juan Castillo and recipient so far of five scholarship offers.
"We still need to find the right combos," Brooks said. "Once we do, we should be OK."
Elsewhere in Red, six teams (Monsignor Bonner will likely need a let's-regroup year) are expected to push Prep and each other, and all return starting quarterbacks. John Harrison (4,000-plus passing yards), of defending champ La Salle, is by far the most celebrated, but Roman's Chris Johnson, Father Judge's Paul Volpe, Archbishop Ryan's Rus Slawter, North Catholic's Dennis Logue and O'Hara's Tom Savage also boast quality.
The league's hottest prospect is O'Hara's Mark Wedderburn, a 6-7, 240-pound, two-way end.
Algeo said Wedderburn will visit Penn State this weekend and has scheduled other journeys to Rutgers, Michigan and Louisville. He also has plans for an unofficial to Temple.
In the Blue, after finally breaking through last season, West Catholic has designs on a repeat. Junior quarterback Curtis Drake, an impressive mix of skill and savvy, is a great place to start.
Archbishop Wood also returns enough talent to maintain its perch near (or at) the top and, though hit hard by graduation, Archbishop Carroll is showing a certain swagger in the early going.
This is the league's first year as a member (paper only) of the PIAA. Catholic League squads will be eligible to compete for state titles next fall. This year's championships will be decided during the weekend overlapping November and December; six teams in each division will make the playoffs.
There are three new coaches: Bonner's Tom Oropeza, Wood's Steve Devlin and Ss. Neumann-Goretti's Bill Sytsma.
RETURNING ALL-CATHOLIC PLAYERS
(Selected by Daily News)
First Team Offense
Quarterback: John Harrison, La Salle.
Running back: Jamir Livingston, SJ Prep.
Punter: Tim Edger, SJ Prep.
First Team Defense
Lineman: Jewhan Edwards, Roman.
Second Team Offense
Lineman: Joe Makoid, Wood.
Receivers: Nick Ferdinand, Ryan; Joe Migliarese, La
Salle.
Running backs: Balial Lewis Sloan-El, Roman.
Kicker: Chris Fioravanti, Roman.
Second Team Defense
Lineman: Stephen Yuan, McDevitt.
Linebacker: Chris Wilk, Ryan.
Back: Ellis Rogers, Carroll.
Honorable Mention
Offense: Kadeem Custis, N-G, L; Mark Wedderburn, O'Hara,
Rec.; Rodney Blango, West, Rec.; Pre'Andre Watson, N-G
(now at West), Rec.; Tom Savage, O'Hara, QB; Curtis
Drake, West, QB; Chris Dowling, Judge, RB.
Defense: Pete Sellecchia, North, LB; Greg Santangelo,
K-K.
THUMBNAILS
RED DIVISION
ARCHBISHOP RYAN
Coach: Glen Galeone, 18th year; Education: Wood, Drexel. Career: 119-82-3.
Last Year: 2-5, tie 6th league; 4-7 overall.
Great eight: Chris Wilk, RB-LB, 6-2, 225; Nick Ferdinand, Rec.-DB, 6-1, 170; Bob Kelly, 5-11, 230; Anthony Corso, G-DT, 5-11, 240; Jim Weitzel, RB-DE, 6-1, 195; Rus Slawter, QB, 6-foot, 180; Bill Keebler, Rec., 5-8, 150; Brandon Green, DB, 5-11, 185.
Happy about: skill positions.
Concerned about: special teams.
Galeone's comment: "If we stay healthy, we have a shot at being competitive."
CARDINAL O'HARA
Coach: Danny Algeo, 4th year (also Roman, 1996-99; Phoenixville, 2000); Education: Lansdale Catholic, Gwynedd-Mercy. Career: 53-39; 23-12 at O'Hara.
Last Year: 2-5, tie 6th; 3-8.
Great eight: Tom Savage, QB, 6-5, 200; Mike Grunde, LB, 6-3, 200; Pat Daly, DB, 5-11, 195; Mark Wedderburn, Rec.-DE, 6-7, 240; Bill McMonigle, DE, 6-2, 225; Steve Werner, Rec.-DB, 6-foot, 170; Kevin Ward, DB, 5-9, 175; Anthony McCloskey, LB, 5-11, 220.
Happy about: young players.
Concerned about: line play.
Algeo's comment: "We'll go as far as our line play takes us."
FATHER JUDGE
Coach: Tommy Coyle, 8th year; Education: Judge. Career: 32-51.
Last Year: 4-3, triple tie 3rd; 7-5.
Great eight: Paul Volpe, QB, 5-11, 200; Andrew McHale, RB-Rec.-DB, 5-10, 190; Chris Dowling, RB-LB, 6-3, 195; Tom Ryan, Rec.-DB, 6-3, 190; Anthony Marascio, C-LB, 6-2, 220; Adam Nowak, RB-DB, 6-3, 220; Dan Keenan, Rec.-DT, 6-3, 225; Jim DiLisio, LB, 6-2, 195.
Happy about: skill positions.
Concerned about: team speed, special teams.
Coyle's comment: "By late in the season, we'll be looking to take a good run at this thing."
LA SALLE
Coach: Drew Gordon, 2nd year; Education: McDevitt, Villanova. Career: 10-3.
Last Year: 4-3, triple tie 3rd; 10-3.
Great eight: John Harrison, QB, 5-11, 180; Joe Migliarese, Rec., 6-5, 220; Matt Day, DB, 6-foot, 165; Andrew Wood, LB, 6-1, 215; Sam Feleccia, RB, 6-2, 195; Tyler Houchins, RB, 5-10, 170; Matt Lees, G, 6-3, 280; Matt Alba, LB, 6-1, 210.
Happy about: special teams, younger players.
Concerned about: overall consistency, inexperienced lines.
Gordon's comment: "If we continue to improve, we'll be right in there."
MONSIGNOR BONNER
Coach: Tom Oropeza, 1st year; Education: Bonner, Lehigh. Career: 0-0.
Last Year: 0-7, 8th; 0-11.
Great eight: Iggy Schmitt, QB, 6-5, 200; Kristian Johnson, Rec.-DE, 6-2, 245; Matt McGillian, RB, 5-11, 185; Brendan Gutierrez, Rec.-DB, 5-11, 175; Mike O'Rourke, DT, 6-3, 245; Chris Hooper, Rec.-DB, 5-9, 160; Mike McCreight, LB, 6-foot, 225; Marty Spellman, Rec., 6-5, 210.
Happy about: attitude, skill positions.
Concerned about: developing fundamentals.
Oropeza's comment: "We need our impact seniors to show the way for our younger kids."
NORTH CATHOLIC
Coach: Chalie Szydlik, 4th year; Education: Frankford. Career: 13-23.
Last Year: 4-3, triple tie 3rd; 8-5.
Great eight: Mike Scott, RB-DB, 5-11, 170; Ricky Williams, RB, 5-10, 200; Terrell "The Nice T.O." Oglesby, RB-DB, 5-10, 165; Bob Mullen, C, 6-1, 285; Chris James, LB, 6-1, 205; Eric French, T, 6-1, 240; Shahid Paulhill, DT, 6-4, 275; Pete Sellecchia, Rec.-DB, 6-2, 195.
Happy about: experienced lines.
Concerned about: underclass skill players.
Szydlik's comment: "We're looking to make some noise."
ROMAN CATHOLIC
Coach: Jim Murphy, 8th year; Education: North Catholic, Holy Family; Career: 52-32.
Last Year: 5-2, 2nd; 9-3.
Great eight: Chris Johnson, QB-DB, 6-1, 200; Nick Moody, Rec.-DB, 6-2, 220; Balial Lewis Sloan-El, 5-8, 180; Sean Clift, Rec.-LB, 6-foot, 215; Andrew Regan, LB, 6-foot, 190; Ed Krimmel, G-DT, 5-11, 225; John Mazzola, T-DT, 6-3, 265; Jewhan Edwards, DT, 6-2, 330.
Happy about: athleticism.
Concerned about: consistency.
Murphy's comment: "We have to approach every day as if it's important, because it is."
ST. JOSEPH'S PREP
Coach: Gil Brooks, 16th year (also Paul VI, N.J., 1986-87); Education: St. Joseph's Prep, Swarthmore; Career: 139-60-3; 135-47-2 at SJ Prep.
Last Year: 7-0, 1st; 9-3.
Great eight: Jamir Livingston, RB, 5-7, 165; Greg Castillo, Rec.-DB, 5-11, 170; Brett Tiagwad, Rec.-DB, 6-foot, 170; Tim Edger, Rec.-DB-K-P, 6-2, 175; Ryan McGinn, DE, 6-3, 235; Gary Williams, DE, 6-1, 235; Mike Pereira, LB, 6-foot, 235; Mike McCarthy, RB, 5-11, 195.
Happy about: enthusiasm.
Concerned about: inexperienced offensive line.
Brooks' comment: "This is a young team that still has to adapt and adjust."
BLUE DIVISION
ARCHBISHOP CARROLL
Coach: Dan Bielli, 8th year (also Carroll, 1995; Kennedy-Kenrick, 1996-97); Education: West Catholic, West Chester. Career: 85-47; 77-32 at Carroll.
Last Year: 3-4, tie 5th; 4-7.
Great eight: Ellis Rogers, Rec.-DB, 5-11, 180; Jack Lowney, T-DE, 6-4, 260; Luke Wischnowski, QB, 6-2, 185; Geoffrey Prather, LB, 6-3, 210; Chris Kennedy, Rec.-DE, 6-4, 285; Dillon McClernon, LB, 6-1, 195; Kevin Eckel, RB-DB, 6-2, 210; Jon Haefner, 5-11, 165, Rec.-DB.
Happy about: quickness, offensive line.
Concerned about: having 16 new starters.
Bielli's comment: "This is a hard-working, unselfish group that plays well together."
ARCHBISHOP WOOD
Coach: Steve Devlin, 1st year; Education: Ryan, Lycoming. Career: 0-0.
Last Year: 6-1, tie 1st; 9-3.
Great eight: Bob DeLucas, RB-LB, 6-foot, 220; Joe Makoid, T-DT, 5-11, 225; Sean Cunningham, RB-LB, 6-foot, 190; Adam Citko, T-DT, 6-5, 300; Mike Maxwell, Rec.-LB, 6-2, 170; Sean McCartney, 5-11, 160; QB-DB, Mike Cattolico, QB, 6-2, 205; Greg Colbridge, Rec.-LB, 6-foot, 155.
Happy about: senior leadership.
Concerned about: young players' adjustment to varsity.
Devlin's comment: "Just trying to get better every day."
BISHOP McDEVITT
Coach: Pat Manzi, 26th year; Education: Judge, Temple; Career: 153-102-5.
Last Year: 3-4, tie 5th; 3-8.
Great eight: Jason Golderer, RB-DB, 5-9, 165; Stephen Yuan, T-DT, 6-3, 305; Joe Smart, Rec.-LB, 6-2, 230; Pat Doyle, Rec.-DB-K-P, 5-9, 165; Ryan Johnston, T-DT, 6-2, 275; Justin Schley, RB-DB, 5-10, 180; Luke Sawick, QB, 5-10, 170; Robert Summerville, G-DE, 6-foot, 230.
Happy about: speed/athleticism.
Concerned about: inexperienced lines.
Manzi's comment: "With some maturity, we could be in the picture."
CARDINAL DOUGHERTY
Coach: Chris Riley, 2nd year; Education: Northeast, Delaware Valley; Career: 3-7.
Last Year: 1-6, 7th; 3-7.
Great eight: Keith Dockery, RB-Rec.-DE, 6-2, 200; Phil Baxter, QB-DB, 6-1, 160; Sean Kidd, Rec.-LB, 6-foot, 200; Braheem Carroll, RB-LB, 6-foot, 205; Quinten White, RB-LB, 6-2, 195; Michael Sutton, RB-DB, 5-9, 160; Jesus Godoy, G- DT, 5-10, 190; Wrenton Wright, T-NG, 6-3, 255.
Happy about: veteran skills players, coaching staff.
Concerned about: offensive line.
Riley's comment: "We hope to build on last year's foundation and get a playoff spot."
CONWELL-EGAN
Coach: Kevin Kelly, 6th year; Education: North Pocono, Bloomsburg. Career: 36-26.
Last Year: 4-3, 4th; 6-7.
Great eight: Rick Horn, C, 6-2, 210; Kevin South, G-DE, 6-foot, 220; Ryan Golin, Rec.-DB, 6-1, 180; Rob Henry, Rec.-DB, 6-foot, 175; Anthony McCormack, LB, 5-10, 210; Matt Della-Croce, QB-DB, 5-9, 170; Joe Tretter, RB-DE, 6-foot, 180; Jeff Favoroso, Rec.-DB, 5-9, 160.
Happy about: work ethic, secondary.
Concerned about: line play.
Kelly's comment: "We're going to get better every week and be OK, I think."
KENNEDY-KENRICK
Coach: Mike Santillo, 2nd year; Education: Kenrick, Delaware Valley. Career: 0-10.
Last Year: 0-7, 8th; 0-10.
Great eight: Greg Santangelo, RB-DB, 5-10, 175; Matt Ganley, RB-LB, 5-11, 210; Chris Santoro, C-DT, 6-1, 285; Shane Giongo, T, 5-11, 290; Ronell Fairel, Rec.-DB, 6-1, 195; Ryan Sejda, QB, 5-10, 185; Nick Tinneny, Rec.-DB, 5-10, 165; Drew Gulotta, Rec.-DB, 5-10, 175.
Happy about: atmosphere, returnees.
Concerned about: developing a winning attitude.
Santillo's comment: "The possibilities are there."
Ss. NEUMANN-GORETTI
Coach: Bill Sytsma, 1st year; Education: Frankford. Career: 0-0.
Last Year: 5-2, 3rd; 8-5.
Great eight: Kadeem Custis, T-DT, 6-5, 285; Darell Dulany, DB, 6-1, 160; Hakeem Johnson, RB-DB, 6-foot, 180; Adam Malatino, RB-LB, 5-8, 145; Tommy McGarrigle, QB, 6-foot, 140; Chris Palmer, G-DT, 6-3, 285; Ira Sample, Rec.-LB, 6-1, 180; Kadeem Singleton, Rec.-DE, 6-1, 210.
Happy about: offensive line, speed.
Concerned about: nurturing new QB.
Sytsma's comment: "Even if you're on the right track, you can get hit by the train if you just stand there."
WEST CATHOLIC
Coach: Brian Fluck, 9th year; Education: West Catholic, Temple. Career: 59-41.
Last Year: 6-1, tie 1st; 9-4.
Great eight: Curtis Drake, QB, 6-foot, 165; Raymond Maples, RB-DB, 5-11, 195; Pre'Andre Watson, Rec.-LB, 6-4, 250; Herman Hinton, DB, 6-3, 200; Rodney Blango, Rec.-DB, 5-10, 160; Marquese Sanders, RB-LB, 6-2, 220; Rob Holloman, RB-DB, 5-8, 155; Aaron Maggio, C-LB, 6-foot, 225.
Happy about: speed, offensive line.
Concerned about: focus.
Fluck's comment: "With the right focus, we have the talent to win it again."