Friday in VarsityXtra
Outlooks for the three largest classifications in WPIAL football this season, including preseason rankings.
Central Catholic has claimed a pair of WPIAL titles since the PIAA expanded to six classifications in 2016, but the Vikings have ended each season with a loss.
Their story could very well have a different ending this fall.
For the second year in a row, Central Catholic opens the season as the No. 1 team in WPIAL Class 6A. The Vikings backed up the hype last season by capturing the WPIAL championship with a 10- 7 win against PineRichland. However, a bid for a fifth PIAA title came crashing down in the semifinals after a 3124 overtime loss to eventual champion St. Joseph’s Prep.
CLASS 6A RANKINGS
With records from last season
1. Central Catholic 12- 2
2. North Allegheny 10- 2
3. Mt. Lebanon 7- 5
4. Seneca Valley 4- 7
5. Canon- McMillan 3- 8
Will Central Catholic have a sweet finish in Hershey? For several reasons, you’ve got to like its chances.
• Another nasty defense. Even with star Elliot Donald opting not to play, defensive coordinator Dave Fleming has what should be an excellent group. Five starters return from a crew that didn’t give up more than 14 points in any of its 11 games against WPIAL foes. Senior Liam O’Connor and junior Devin Barren are back at linebacker, and senior Chase Horne and juniors Gannon Carothers and J. D. Younger return in the secondary.
• Eddy Money. Give the ball to Eddy Tillman. Watch him break a long run. Repeat. Coach Terry Totten has the luxury of having one of the area’s best running backs. In fact, Tillman, a senior, is the top returning rusher in the WPIAL. As a junior, he rushed for 2,160 yards — averaging 7.9 yards a carry — and scored 27 touchdowns. He will again be the focal point of this offense.
• No St. Joe’s. The Philadelphia Catholic League called off fall sports, meaning a loaded Hawks team ranked No. 4 in the country by MaxPreps won’t have a chance to build on its five PIAA titles in seven years. They could play as an independent, but won’t be eligible for the state playoffs. Pine- Richland won’t stand in Central Catholic’s way, either. The Rams are now in Class 5A.
That said, a PIAA title is far from a given. A big reason for that is the possibility there won’t be state playoffs due to COVID19, either by the PIAA electing not to have them or the season not being completed. The PIAA has not yet released postseason brackets, but has said that all fall sports will be concluded by Thanksgiving weekend.
Oh, and then there’s the other
seven Class 6A teams in the WPIAL, all of whom will have their say in what happens on the field, too.
No. 2 North Allegheny was the only WPIAL team to hand Central Catholic a loss a season ago. There might not be an area team with a better tandem of linebackers. The Tigers feature seniors Khalil Dinkins and Nathan Hoke. Dinkins has offers from Pitt, Penn State and Michigan, among others. Hoke has committed to BYU.
The Tigers did lose their leading passer, rusher and receiver, so they will need increased production across the board. Dinkins is the top returning receiver. His brother, junior Kolin Dinkins, could make a splash at running back.
Junior Joey Daniels is back at quarterback for No. 3 Mt. Lebanon, which went 7- 5 and reached the WPIAL semifinals in coach Bob Palko’s first season. Daniels was solid as a sophomore, passing for 1,307 yards and 16 touchdowns. He will share the backfield with senior running back Visawn Pennix, who will likely see his carries increase after rushing for 493 yards in a backup role last season.
Another Mt. Lebanon junior to keep an eye on is William Harvey, a 6- foot- 3, 275- pound lineman. He will try to help the Blue Devils make a big improvement defensively after surrendering 26 points a game in 2019.
If No. 4 Seneca Valley is to go north in the rankings, it will need big production from Ethan West, a senior running back- linebacker. West led the Raiders in rushing a season ago with 516 yards and was also an all- conference linebacker. West has offers from Army and several FCS schools.
The Raiders should be strong on the lines with seniors Don Kreisberg and Jim Royal leading the way, but they will need to find a replacement at quarterback due to the graduation of three- year starter Gabe Lawson.
No. 5 Canon- McMillan will try to put together a winning season for the first time since 2008. Senior Connor McMahon is a senior offensive tackle- defensive end who has committed to the Naval Academy. Don’t be surprised if coach Mike Evans tries to get the ball in McMahon’s hands every now and then. He’s a converted tight end who had 12 catches last season.
Junior running back Ryan Angott will probably get the most touches after leading the Big Macs in rushing with 896 yards. He also had 15 receptions and scored eight touchdowns.
Baldwin, led by senior lineman Dorien Ford, faces an uphill battle after moving up from Class 5A. Its first two games are at Mt. Lebanon and North Allegheny.
Hempfield has a couple key playmakers returning in senior wide receiver Roman Pellis and senior running back Mario Perkins. Pellis was second on the team in catches and touchdowns.
Norwin senior Anthony Giansante is a 6- foot- 4, 290pound lineman and threeyear starter who has committed to Western Kentucky, while Tanner Krevokuch is a standout tight end with an FBS offer from Central Michigan.