Catholic League Football Preview/Thumbnails, 2010

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Once again, Catholic League ready to state its case
By TED SILARY
silaryt@phillynews.com

Where state playoffs are concerned, could the third time be the full-blown charm for Catholic League football?

We say full-blown because Years 1 and 2 of PIAA membership were not exactly unproductive.

In 2008, as you'll remember, Archbishop Wood (Class AAA) and West Catholic (AA) each advanced to state championship games in Hershey. Neither succeeded, but the overall statement was rather loud.

Then, last year, La Salle not only made a state-final visit in AAAA, it "snowstormed" to a 24-7 triumph over State College.

Can 2010 produce a three-headed monster? That's the talk behind the CL scenes.

With the see-ya-laters of North Catholic, Cardinal Dougherty and Kennedy-Kenrick (RIP), the league is down from 17 to 14 schools and the divisional breakdown now features five apiece in AAAA and AA with four in between in AAA.

No fewer than eight are maintaining ascend-to-the-top aspirations. Realistically, even.

La Salle last Friday came within a point of doubling the score (27-14) on a traditional power, North Penn, while Roman, thanks in part to NC-CD refugees, and St. Joseph's Prep, under the league's only new coach, Gabe Infante, also are showing stuff-strutting possibilities.

The headliners are scatback Jamal Abdur-Rahman (Villanova) for La Salle, two-way handyman back Dennis Regan for Roman and quarterback-safety Skyler Mornhinweg (Stanford; still just a junior) for Prep; all he did was account for five touchdowns in a 36-25 win over Public League power George Washington.

Class AAA should be wildly competitive, with three of the four teams in the hunt.

By transfer from Prep, Wood has added star rusher Desmon Peoples to dart/dash behind impressive grunts. Cardinal O'Hara, which would have been productive anyway thanks to passer Ryan Laughlin and rusher Adam Dempsey, boasts a gobble-real-estate import of its own in Brendan McLaughlin (Avon Grove). Monsignor Bonner, which like O'Hara has dropped down from AAAA, looks largely to quarterback Sean Quarterman and receivers Jamie Juisti and John McGilligan.

Class AA will feature a two-horse race between West and Bishop McDevitt.

West's QB, Anthony Reid, arrived from North and has multiple quality playmates. So many, in fact, that the Burrs' Great Eight features no linemen. McDevitt's leader is do-it-all Matt Conroy, who by mid-October will probably be driving the team bus.

This season could have produced a father-son showdown between O'Hara coach Danny Algeo and his dad, Jim. Alas, while O'Hara dropped from AAAA to AAA, Lansdale Catholic fell from AAA to AA and the schools are not slated to meet in the mandatory divisional crossovers meant to flesh out the schedule.

Ten years ago this week, when Danny was the head coach at Phoenixville, their teams did meet. LC won, 29-26, on a last-minute TD.

"We were both a little concerned that we'd have to play again," Danny said. "I know I can speak for my father. He's as happy as I am that it won't be happening." *

RETURNING ALL-CATHOLIC PLAYERS (Selected by Daily News)

FIRST TEAM OFFENSE

Running back: Jamal Abdur-Rahman, La Salle.

FIRST TEAM DEFENSE

Linemen: Jim Lynch, West.

SECOND TEAM OFFENSE

Linemen: Chris Knott, Wood; Ryan Geiger, La Salle.

Receiver: Quran Kent, West.

Quarterback: Skyler Mornhinweg, SJ Prep.

Running backs: Brandon Hollomon, West.

Multipurpose: Dennis Regan, Roman.

SECOND TEAM DEFENSE

Lineman: Brian Butler, Wood.

Linebacker: Devon Barrett, Lansdale.

Backs: Kevin Forster, La Salle; Matt Conroy, McDevitt.

HONORABLE MENTION

Offense: Sam McCain, Wood, Rec.; Ryan Laughlin, O'Hara, QB; Sean Quarterman, Bonner, QB; Gary Postell, McDevitt, RB.

Defense: Andrew Hackett, Bonner, LB; John Clark, C-E, B; Connor Thompson, Judge, B.

CATHOLIC LEAGUE THUMBNAILS

AAAA DIVISION

ARCHBISHOP RYAN

Coach: Frank McArdle Jr., 2nd year; Education: Ryan, James Madison. Career: 1-10.

Last year: 0-6, 7th; 1-10.

Great eight: Marcus Allen, RB-DB, 5-7, 180; Tim Kane, WR, 5-9, 175; Chris McMonagle, L-DL, 6-2, 225; Brian Sweeney, DE, 5-8, 175; Mike Puchalski, L-DE, 6-foot, 205; Anthony Victor, LB, 5-10, 190; Connor Reilly, FB-LB, 5-9, 200; Kurt Payne, LB, 5-10, 175.

Happy about: defensive front, playmaking tailback (Allen).

Concerned about: offensive line, effect of early injuries.

McArdle's comment: "Our biggest problem is going to be our division, but we will be much improved."

FATHER JUDGE

Coach: Tommy Coyle, 11th year; Education: Judge. Career: 55-64.

Last year: 1-5, 6th; 5-6.

Great eight: Brian Hennessey, QB, 6-3, 170; Nick Myers, RB-DB, 5-10, 170; Eric Condron, C-DT, 6-1, 220; Steve Owens, RB-LB, 6-1, 180; Raul Quinones, RB-LB, 5-11, 175; Idris Harmon, T-DT, 6-1, 255; Connor Thompson, Rec.-DB, 5-11, 190; John Donohoe, WR-DB, 6-1, 190.

Happy about: depth, leadership.

Concerned about: injuries on DL, kicking game.

Coyle's comment: "We're looking for weekly improvement, and to be playing our best ball by late October/early November."

LA SALLE

Coach: Drew Gordon, 5th year; Education: McDevitt, Villanova. Career: 38-14.

Last year: 5-1, 2nd; 14-1.

Great eight: Jamal Abdur-Rahman, RB-DB, 5-10, 175; Kevin Forster, WR-DB, 6-1, 180; Tim Wade, RB-LB, 5-8, 185; Ryan Geiger, C-DT, 6-foot, 265; Cameron Cappo, L-DE, 6-1, 220; Joe Naji, L-DE, 6-1, 235; Connor Daly, LB, 6-foot, 205; Sean Coleman, WR-CB, 5-8, 165.

Happy about: camp work ethic, improved speed.

Concerned about: relative inexperience.

Gordon's comment: "It all depends on 'emotional maturity' and how fast it occurs this year."

ROMAN CATHOLIC

Coach: Joe McCourt, 3rd year; Education: Roman, Lafayette. Career: 10-12.

Last year: 3-3, 4th; 5-7.

Great eight: Dennis Regan, RB-DB, 5-10, 180; Christian Seagrave, FB-DL, 5-10, 215; Abdul Basil, TE-LB, 5-11, 190; Corey Bronson, FB-DL, 5-10, 225; Jack Gallagher, DL, 6-3, 230; Kerry Shields L-DL, 6-2, 250; Dan Pellicciotti, TE-DE, 6-foot, 215; Jack Foley, FB-LB, 5-10, 190.

Happy about: defensive intensity, character/attitude.

Concerned about: young skill group, O-line chemistry.

McCourt's comment: "When these guys figure out how good they are, big things are in store for us."

ST. JOSEPH'S PREP

Coach: Gabe Infante, 1st year (also Paramus Catholic, N.J., 2008-09; Education: Memorial (West New York, N.J.), Holy Cross. Career: 10-10.

Last year: 6-0, 1st; 9-3.

Great eight: Skyler Mornhinweg, QB-DB, 6-3, 205; Guy Cook, G-DE, 6-1, 200; Patrick Kueny, C-LB, 5-11, 205; Michael DeFeo, RB-CB, 5-10, 175; Paul McGann, WR-CB, 6-1, 180; Mark Casale, RB-DB, 5-9, 170; Luke Hutkin, G-DL, 6-2, 200; Eric Medes, TE-LB, 6-3, 215.

Happy about: work ethic, QB play.

Concerned about: youth at certain positions.

Infante's comment: "I feel we have a great team. Now we have to prove it."

AAA DIVISION

ARCHBISHOP CARROLL

Coach: Dan Bielli, 11th year (also Carroll, 1995; Kennedy-Kenrick, 1996-97); Education: West Catholic, West Chester. Career: 102-64; 94-49 at Carroll.

Last year: 2-2, 3rd in AA; 3-6.

Great eight: Matt Donaldson, T-DE, 6-4, 235; Teron Dobbs, WR-KR, 5-8, 160; Ryan Shea, RB-DB, 5-10, 170; Greg DiSanto, WR-DB, 5-9, 160; Tim Dugan, C-LB-P, 6-1, 220; Jalal Timmons, QB, 6-foot, 180; Bill Ghaul, G-DT, 5-11, 210; Julian Franklin, RB-LB, 5-10, 180.

Happy about: improved practices, increased speed/athleticism.

Concerned about: inexperience, tough schedule.

Bielli's comment: "Our goal is to win a playoff game."

ARCHBISHOP WOOD

Coach: Steve Devlin, 4th year; Education: Ryan, Lycoming. Career: 32-9.

Last year: 4-0, 1st; 11-3.

Great eight: Sam McCain, WR-LB, 6-1, 180;

Desmon Peoples, RB-DB, 5-8, 170; Joey Monaghan, QB-DB, 6-1, 185; Kyle Adkins, WR-DB, 6-foot, 175; Colin Thompson, TE-DE, 6-5, 245; Frank Taylor, L-DL, 6-4, 285; Brian Butler, FB-LB, 6-3, 225; Chris Knott, L-DL, 6-3, 275.

Happy about: relative experience despite youth, team speed.

Concerned about: replacing important grads.

Devlin's comment: "We want to be better today than we were yesterday. If that happens we will be able to compete in a very tough division."

CARDINAL O'HARA

Coach: Danny Algeo, 7th year (also Roman, 1996-99; Phoenixville, 2000); Education: Lansdale Catholic, Gwynedd-Mercy. Career: 74-52; 44-25 at O'Hara.

Last year: 4-2; 3rd; 8-3.

Great eight: Ryan Laughlin, QB-DB, 6-2, 200; Adam Dempsey, RB-DB, 5-10, 185; Drew Formica, TE-LB, 6-1, 210; Sean McFadden, C-DE, 6-2, 220; Tyler Gallen, WR-DB, 6-1, 170; Kyle Hilsey, G-DE, 5-10, 195; Casey Strus, T-DT, 5-11, 245; Brendan McLaughlin, FB-LB, 6-foot, 205.

Happy about: team chemistry.

Concerned about: injuries.

Algeo's comment: "Looks like another great year of PCL football. We have plenty of quality teams in all three classifications."

MONSIGNOR BONNER

Coach: Tom Oropeza, 4th year; Education: Bonner, Lehigh. Career: 10-25.

Last year: 2-4 in AAAA, 5th; 6-6.

Great eight: Sean Quarterman, QB, 6-2, 210; Jamie Juisti, WR-DB, 6-2, 205; Marcus Collins, LB, 6-1, 215; Andrew Hackett, FB-DE, 6-2, 235; Derrick Ferguson, T-DE, 6-3, 275; Brendon Garrison, T-DE, 6-foot, 210; John McGilligan, WR-FS, 6-1, 195; Tyler Ramirez, G-NG, 6-1, 285.

Happy about: overall athleticism, seniors' leadership/experience.

Concerned about: dealing with adversity.

Oropeza's comment: "How will our team players handle the bigger expectations they've placed on themselves?"

AA DIVISION

BISHOP McDEVITT

Coach: Pat Manzi, 29th year; Education: Judge, Temple. Career: 169-119-5.

Last year: 3-1, 2nd; 7-4.

Great eight: Matt Conroy, RB-DB-P, 6-1, 195; Gary Postell, RB-DB, 5-9, 165; Colin Leach, C-DL, 6-foot, 240; Joe Polansky, G-LB, 6-2, 225; Kevin Polansky, T-DT, 6-2, 270; Martin "Nico" Henry, QB-DB, 6-foot, 185; Darren Wright, TE-LB, 6-2, 230; Nick Newman, WR-DB, 5-9, 155.

Happy about: overall speed/quickness.

Concerned about: getting lines to jell.

Manzi's comment: "The blending of the North/Dougherty kids with ours is going well. If the pieces continue to fit, we'll be in the race."

CONWELL-EGAN

Coach: Kevin Kelly, 9th year; Education: North Pocono, Bloomsburg. Career: 51-46.

Last year: 2-2 in AAA; 6-5.

Great eight: Austin Oscovitch, G-LB, 5-11, 240; John Clark, QB-DB, 5-10, 170; Vinny Benedetti, RB-DE, 6-2, 185; Steve Humma, T-DT, 6-1, 270; Jack McGurrin, TE-DE, 6-2, 220; Rich Brown, RB-DB, 5-11, 200; Kyle Bonner, WR-DB, 5-11, 160; Matt O'Hara, WR-DB, 5-10, 170.

Happy about: defensive line, sustaining numbers.

Concerned about: lack of speed, inexperienced secondary.

Kelly's comment: "We need to get better quickly if we are going to compete in our division."

LANSDALE CATHOLIC

Coach: Jim Algeo, 43rd year; Education: Holy Cross Seminary (Ind.; on campus of Notre Dame), Pennsylvania Military College (now Widener). Career: 288-169-15; 6-14 as part of CL.

Last year: 1-3, 4th in AAA; 2-8.

Great eight: Devon Barrett, FB-LB, 6-1, 230; Matt Pinzka, WR-DB-K, 6-foot, 195; Alex Hetzel, RB-DB, 6-foot, 190; Andrew Mandato, QB-DB, 6-foot, 180; Nick Seaton, DE, 5-10, 185; Mike Bradley, RB-DB, 5-6, 170; Tyler Smith, FB-DE, 5-11, 220; Dennis Hoyer, T-DE, 6-1, 210.

Happy about: offseason preparation.

Concerned about: playing four AAAA schools and one AAA school.

Algeo's comment: "If we make the big plays at the right time, we can be very competitive."

Ss. NEUMANN-GORETTI

Coach: Rich "Moose" Carfagno, 2nd year; Education: Malvern, Temple. Career: 4-7.

Last year: 0-4, 5th in AAA; 4-7.

Great eight: Mark Stinsman, QB, 5-11, 160; Sal DiFrancesco, T-DT, 6-foot, 275; Aaron Davis, T, 6-foot, 200; John Snyder, DB, 6-foot, 170; Justin Rey, RB, 5-7, 160; Sinclair Whiteman, RB-DB, 5-11, 175; Antwoine Powers, RB, 5-10, 170; Benny Coppola, LB, 5-8, 205.

Happy about: increased experience.

Concerned about: physical demands of very tough schedule.

Carfagno's comment: "After I saw we were playing O'Hara and La Salle, I said, 'At least we missed the Atlanta Falcons.' "

WEST CATHOLIC

Coach: Brian Fluck, 12th year; Education: West Catholic, Temple. Career: 96-47.

Last year: 4-0, 1st; 12-3.

Great eight: Jim Lynch, TE-DE, 6-4, 220; Quran Kent, WR, 5-8, 155; Brandon Hollomon, RB-DB, 5-11, 165; Anthony McDonnaugh, RB-LB, 6-2, 220; Anthony Reid, QB, 6-1, 185; Jaelen Strong-Rankin, WR, 6-4, 190; Dave Sherman, WR-DB, 6-foot, 180; Joshua Mathis, RB, 5-5, 150.

Happy about: speed/depth at skill positions, chemistry/togetherness.

Concerned about: inexperienced lines, team health through tough preseason.

Fluck's comment: "As long as we stay healthy and play together, there is no reason we can't be back in Hershey."