Catholic League FB Preview/ Thumbnails, 2008

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Catholic League, meet PIAA

By TED SILARY
Philadelphia Daily News

  THAT LINGERING question - I wonder how the Catholic League would fare in PIAA football? - will now get an answer.

  After one paper-only year, the CL is now a full-fledged member of the state association and, provided CL teams are able to conquer Public League foes in resumptions by classification of the ol' City Title series, Catholic League champions will now get a chance on the statewide stage.

  You know how folks refer to playoffs as the second season? In the PIAA, they ain't kidding. In fact, in Class AA, a CL team that advances to the state final will play as many playoff games as regular-season games - eight.

  Talk is talk, but the early walk-the-walk candidate is West Catholic.

  The Burrs already have bested AAAA toughies St. Joseph's Prep (scrimmage) and Roman Catholic (game) and boast one of the best backfields possible in quarterback Curtis Drake and rushers Rob Hollomon and Raymond Maples.

  Drake has committed to Penn State, where he will try wideout first with the hope of getting an eventual shot at quarterback. Hollomon (speed) and Maples (grit) each topped 1,000 yards last season.

  The Prep has reached the point where it's everybody's AAAA (formerly Red) favorite almost no matter what. All skill-position starters have moved on. Doesn't matter. The newcomers are solid, if not more, and quarterback Mark Giubilato received a Temple offer (he took it) though he had thrown only two varsity passes.

  The one problem: Though the Hawks have won 55 consecutive CL regular-season games, they've suffered jaw-jolting upsets in three of the last four title games.

  Cardinal O'Hara, led by Rutgers-bound quarterback Tom Savage and junior do-it-all back Corey Brown, should push. Ditto for strong and ornery Father Judge and even defending Red kingpin Roman Catholic, despite heavy losses to graduation.

  AAA should feature a three-way skirmish between Archbishop Wood (tackle Adam Citko is Temple-bound), North Catholic and new CL member Lansdale Catholic (2,000-yard rusher John Howell has moved to quarterback).

  LC's coach, Jim Algeo, is in his 41st season. His son, Danny, is O'Hara's boss.

  Four teams in each division will make the playoffs and the regular season will consist of only six games for AAAA squads and four apiece for AAA and AA. The state finals won't be played until Dec. 13. Brrrrrrrr.

  There are two new coaches aside from Jim Algeo: Roman's Joe McCourt, an all-timer there and at Lafayette; and Cardinal Dougherty's Jim Grugan.

RETURNING ALL-CATHOLIC PLAYERS

(Selected by Daily News)

FIRST TEAM OFFENSE

Linemen: Kadeem Custis, N-G; Jack Lowney, Carroll.

Multipurpose: Rob Hollomon, West.

SECOND TEAM DEFENSE

Linemen: Andrew Glace, O'Hara; Mike Pinciotti, SJ Prep; Adam Citko, Wood.

Receiver: Tom Ryan, Judge.

Quarterback: Curtis Drake, West.

Running backs Raymond Maples, West; Corey Brown, O'Hara.

Punter: Sean McCartney, Wood.

SECOND TEAM DEFENSE

Linemen: Chris Kennedy, Carroll; Ryan Eidenshink, La Salle.

Linebackers: Mike Pereira, SJ Prep; Sean Cunningham, Wood.

HONORABLE MENTION

Offense: Blake Graham, North, L; Connor Hoffman, La Salle, Rec.; Luke Wischnowski, Carroll, QB; Rus Slawter, Ryan, QB; Tom Savage, O'Hara, QB; Matt Della-Croce, C-E; QB.

Defense: Joe Swallow, Judge, LB; Adam Nowak, Judge, B.

Catholic Thumbnail Sketches

AAAA DIVISION

ARCHBISHOP RYAN

Coach: Glen Galeone, 19th year; Education: Wood, Drexel. Career: 123-89-3.

Last year: 1-6 in Red, seventh; 4-7.

Great eight: Rus Slawter, QB-DB, 5-11, 175; Matt Vizza, Rec.-DB, 5-11, 180; Ryan Rubeo, RB-LB, 5-11, 180; Rick Verrall, Rec.-LB, 6-3, 220; Mark Golic, RB-DB, 5-7, 160; Dan Oliveri, L-DL, 6-foot, 215; Tim Ott, L-DL, 5-11, 190; Steve Verrall, L-DL, 6-3, 200.

Happy about: solid core, chemistry.

Concerned about: special teams, finding backups.

Galeone's comment: "I like this team. We're undersized, but scrappy."

CARDINAL O'HARA

Coach: Danny Algeo, fifth year (also Roman, 1996-99; Phoenixville, 2000); Education: Lansdale Catholic, Gwynedd-Mercy. Career: 59-45; 29-18 at O'Hara.

Last year: 4-3, fourth in Red; 6-6.

Great eight: Tom Savage, QB-P, 6-5, 220; Corey Brown, RB-DB, 6-1, 190; Andrew Glace, G, 6-foot, 225; Anthony McCloskey, LB, 6-foot, 220; Billy Morgan, Rec.-DB, 5-9, 165; Evan Higgins, RB-DB, 5-10, 190; Matt Williams, C-DT, 6-4, 255; Dennis Mushrush, T-DT, 6-1, 270.

Happy about: skill positions, camaraderie.

Concerned about: consistency.

Algeo's comment: "It'll be another great year in the CL. Hope we're part of it."

FATHER JUDGE

Coach: Tommy Coyle, ninth year; Education: Judge. Career: 41-54.

Last year: 5-2, tie second in Red; 9-3.

Great eight: Tom Ryan, Rec.-DB, 6-3, 190; Adam Nowak, Rec.-LB-DB, 6-2, 200; Ryan Langdon, Rec.-DE, 6-4, 235; Joe Swallow, RB-LB, 5-10, 215; Tim McCaffrey, RB-LB-K, 5-11, 200; Matt Schule, C, 6-1, 220; Jeff Brewer, T-DT, 6-3, 230; John Lavelle, G-DT, 6-foot, 225.

Happy about: senior class.

Concerned about: inexperienced QB, special teams.

Coyle's comment: "We can be very competitive, provided we get better each week at quarterback."

LA SALLE

Coach: Drew Gordon, third year; Education: McDevitt, Villanova. Career: 15-10.

Last year: 3-4, tie fifth in Red; 5-7.

Great eight: Drew Loughery, QB, 6-1, 195; Connor Hoffman, Rec., 6-2, 185; Sam Feleccia, Rec.-LB-DB, 6-3, 210; Mike Donohoe, RB, 6-foot, 195; Sean Abbott, C, 5-11, 220; Bob Seiss, T-DT, 6-4, 220; Kevin Farrington, DB, 5-11, 175; Ryan Eidenshink, DE, 6-1, 210.

Happy about: offensive size/experience.

Concerned about: inexperienced defense, tough overall schedule.

Gordon's comment: "We want to get back to being a top team."

MONSIGNOR BONNER

Coach: Tom Oropeza, second year; Education: Bonner, Lehigh. Career: 0-11.

Last year: 0-7, eighth in Red; 0-11.

Great eight: Dave Smith, Rec.-DB, 6-foot, 180; Brendan Gutierrez, QB-DB, 6-foot, 190; Larry DelViscio, RB-LB, 6-foot, 210; Tom Pierce, Rec.-DE, 6-3, 230; James Wilent, LB, 6-2, 215; Matt Spellman, G-DE, 6-3, 240; Tom Fitzgerald, LB, 5-10, 190; Eric Petransky, RB, 5-10, 180.

Happy about: coaching staff's cohesion, camp competition.

Concerned about: emotional maturity, ability to seize opportunities.

Oropeza's comment: "My only concern is with how we handle each day."

ROMAN CATHOLIC

Coach: Joe McCourt, first year; Education: Roman, Lafayette. Career: 0-0.

Last year: 5-2, tie second in Red; 12-2.

Great eight: Kasseim Everett, RB-DB, 5-10, 180; Tahir Basil, T-DE, 6-4, 250; Marty Bernard, Rec.-LB, 5-11, 200; Amir Little, RB-DT, 5-10, 240; Bob Kalinoski, T-DE, 6-4, 250; Kevin Regan, QB-DB, 6-4, 180; John Matthews, C-DE, 6-foot, 220; John Marcinek, DT, 6-3, 320.

Happy about: line play, rushers.

Concerned about: inexperience at skill positions, kicking game.

McCourt's comment: "Tough preseason will help. If we stay healthy, we have every bit of chance to be back playing for the title."

ST. JOSEPH'S PREP

Coach: Gil Brooks, 17th year (also Paul VI, 1986-87); Education: St. Joseph's Prep, Swarthmore. Career: 149-63-3; 145-50-2 at SJ Prep.

Last year: 7-0, first in Red; 10-3.

Great eight: Mark Arcidiacono, T, 6-5, 285; Mark Giubilato, QB-DB, 6-3, 215; Mike Pereira, RB-LB, 6-1, 235; Mike Yeager, RB-DB, 5-9, 175; Mike Pinciotti, G, 6-3, 285; Andy Marshalick, DT, 6-foot, 260; Dan McGeever, Rec., 6-2, 225; Garrett Compton, RB-LB, 5-9, 190.

Happy about: character.

Concerned about: early injuries, finding right combos.

Brooks' comment: "We have a chance to be a good football team. We'll see what transpires in terms of progress."

AAA DIVISION

ARCHBISHOP WOOD

Coach: Steve Devlin, second year; Education: Ryan, Lycoming. Career: 9-3.

Last year: 6-1, second in Blue; 9-3.

Great eight: Sean McCartney, QB-DB, 6-3, 175; Mike Maxwell, Rec.-LB, 6-4, 215; Sean Cunningham, RB-LB, 6-1, 210; Adam Citko, T-DT, 6-5, 315; Nick Devine, RB-LB, 6-1, 200; Shane Miller, Rec.-DB, 6-1, 185; Matt O'Connell, L-DE, 6-1, 230; Anthony Narisi, Rec.-DE, 6-3, 210.

Happy about: work ethic, skill positions.

Concerned about: replacing 2007's seniors.

Devlin's comment: "We need to improve each day we step on the field."

CONWELL-EGAN

Coach: Kevin Kelly, seventh year; Education: North Pocono, Bloomsburg. Career: 37-37.

Last year: 1-6, seventh in Blue; 1-11.

Great eight: Ryan Golin, Rec.-DB, 6-1, 185; Matt Della-Croce, QB-DB, 5-10, 180; Keith Socoloski, L-DL, 6-2, 300; Ben Allen, L-DL, 6-2, 260; Joe Tretter, RB-LB, 5-11, 180; Joe Benedetti, RB-LB, 6-foot, 205; Ryan Bond, Rec.-DB, 5-8, 170; Brian Palmer, Rec.-LB, 6-1, 170.

Happy about: work ethic, offensive skill positions.

Concerned about: run defense, offensive line.

Kelly's comment: "We will go as far as our O-line takes us."

LANSDALE CATHOLIC

Coach: Jim Algeo, 41st year; Education: Holy Cross Seminary (Ind.; on campus of Notre Dame), Pennsylvania Military College (now Widener). Career: 282-155-15.

Last year: not in league.

Great eight: John Howell, QB-DB, 5-8, 175; Ethan Barrett, RB-LB, 6-foot, 235; Sean Kelly, Rec.-LB, 6-3, 210; Nick Manai, RB-DB, 5-10, 190; Bob Fisher, T-DT, 6-2, 240; Alec Bonacci, LB, 5-10, 185; Ryan Tiedeman, RB-DB, 5-10, 185; Devon Barrett, RB-DE, 6-foot, 220.

Happy about: focus, defensive progress.

Concerned about: offensive execution.

Algeo's comment: "If we get better each and every week, everything should work out."

NORTH CATHOLIC

Coach: Chalie Szydlik, fifth year; Education: Frankford. Career: 19-29.

Last year: 3-4, tie fifth in Red; 6-6.

Great eight: Blake Graham, T, 6-5, 275; Dennis Logue, QB, 6-2, 210; Mike Scott, Rec., 6-foot, 185; Yusuf Lingham, Rec., 5-6, 160; Eric Moore, LB, 6-foot, 190; Pete Puchalski, DT, 6-3, 345; Joe Mascino, LB, 5-10, 195; David Williams, LB, 5-11, 185.

Happy about: leadership, skill positions.

Concerned about: inexperienced lines, overall youth.

Szydlik's comment: "If our up-front guys progress, we should compete for the AAA title."

Ss. NEUMANN-GORETTI

Coach: Bill Sytsma, second year; Education: Frankford. Career: 2-9.

Last year: 2-5, sixth in Blue; 2-9.

Great eight: Kadeem Custis, T-DE, 6-4, 285; Anthony Mastrando, QB, 5-8, 165; Frank Coleman, Rec.-DB, 6-2, 200; Jesse Kinsey, LB, 5-11, 220; Anthony Janelli, RB-LB, 5-10, 210; Louis Coles, RB, 5-10, 195; Stanley Visack, LB, 6-foot, 225; Thomas McGarrigle, Rec., 6-1, 185.

Happy about: focus, work ethic.

Concerned about: youth in certain positions.

Sytsma's comment: "Many have picked us dead-last. I haven't seen any of those people at our practices."

AA DIVISION

ARCHBISHOP CARROLL

Coach: Dan Bielli, ninth year (also Carroll, 1995; Kennedy-Kenrick, 1996-97); Education: West Catholic, West Chester. Career: 95-50; 87-35.

Last year: 5-2, third in Blue; 10-3.

Great eight: Luke Wischnowski, QB, 6-2, 195; Jack Lowney, T-DL, 6-3, 255; Chris Kennedy, Rec.-DE-P, 6-3, 285; Dillon McClernon, RB-LB, 6-foot, 195; Bryant Moritz, RB-LB, 6-foot, 195; Michael Gramlich, Rec.-DE, 6-1, 185; Sean Crossan, Rec.-LB, 6-foot, 170; Chris King, RB-Rec.-DL.

Happy about: QB, leadership.

Concerned about: O-line, secondary.

Bielli's comment: "We have a really nice team with no depth."

BISHOP McDEVITT

Coach: Pat Manzi, 27th year; Education: Judge, Temple. Career: 158-110-5.

Last year: 4-3, fourth in Blue; 5-8.

Great eight: Luke Sawick, QB, 5-10, 180; John McCormick, C-DE, 5-11, 215; Ed McGowan, G-LB, 5-11, 200; Drew Siegfried, RB-Rec.-DB-P, 6-foot, 180; Justin Schley, RB-DB, 5-9, 180; Steve Harris, Rec.-DB, 6-2, 185; Todd Mienke, L-DL, 5-11, 210; Matt Conroy, RB-DB, 5-11, 180.

Happy about: inexperienced lines.

Concerned about: skill positions.

Manzi's comment: "We have enough skill kids that we should be right in the mix."

CARDINAL DOUGHERTY

Coach: Jim Grugan, first year; Education: Dr. Phillips (Orlando, Fla.), Marshall. Career: 0-0.

Last year: 0-7, eighth in Blue; 2-7.

Great eight: Deuce Colbert, L-LB, 5-10, 215; Tarik Morris, Rec.-DB, 5-10, 185; Terence Johns, RB-Rec.-DB, 5-9, 175; Jesse Rosinski, Rec.-DE, 6-2, 205; Fidel Rapozo, Rec.-LB, 6-foot, 205; Trevor Pendleton, QB, 5-9, 165; Hovard Harrison, RB-DE, 5-11, 205; Anthony Purnell, T-DT, 5-11, 245.

Happy about: attitude.

Concerned about: vast inexperience.

Grugan's comment: "With no starters returning, we'll try to get through the early season and then make a push for the playoffs."

KENNEDY-KENRICK

Coach: Mike Santillo, third year; Education: Kenrick, Delaware. Career: 6-15.

Last year: 3-4, fifth in Blue; 6-5.

Great eight: Mike Mastrocola, L-DE, 6-1, 255; Ronell Fairel, Rec.-LB-DB, 6-1, 200; Ryan Sejda, QB, 5-10, 200; Jerry Ploskon, RB-LB, 5-10, 230; Lou Zbyszinski, T-DE, 6-foor, 220; AJ Coccia, C-DT, 5-10, 265; Cullen Rota, Rec.-DB, 6-foot, 185; Tim Young, LB, 5-10, 180.

Happy about: chemistry, leadership.

Concerned about: team speed, avoiding injuries.

Santillo's comment: "We need to continue moving forward this year."

WEST CATHOLIC

Coach: Brian Fluck, 10th year; Education: West Catholic, Temple. Career: 70-42.

Last year: 7-0, first in Blue; 11-1.

Great eight: Curtis Drake, QB, 6-foot, 170; Rob Hollomon, RB-DB, 5-8, 150; Raymond Maples, RB-DB, 6-1, 195; Jordan Culbreath, LB, 6-2, 230; Juan Rozier, RB, 6-foot, 205; Victor McNair, T, 6-foot, 280; Haleem "P-Nut" Hayward, Rec.-DB, 6-foot, 180; Artis Carroll, LB, 6-foot, 220.

Happy about: team speed, experience.

Concerned about: staying healthy, defensive line.

Fluck's comment: "We will go only as far as this team wants to go."