Mathis could be top WPIAL QB NA’s Hoke
Phil Jurkovec is no longer chucking the ball around and outrunning defenses on Friday nights. Brady Walker and Drew Saxton graduated this spring,too.
But there still are some talented quarterbacks playing high school football in Western Pennsylvania.
The best among them might be Penn Hills senior Hollis Mathis, whose coach said is easily at the very top of thelist.
“No doubt about it,” Jon LeDonne said. “It’s just what he’s able to do. He’s a pro-style dropback passer, but he’s also able to pull the ball down and run. He has a real nice frame, a strong arm and overall is justa really good player.”
Of all the quarterbacks on WPIAL teams this season, only one (Our Lady of the Sacred Heart’s Tyler Bradley) threw for more yards last season. Mathis, who is 6 feet 1, 180 pounds, completed 149 of 255 passes for 2,435 yards and 27for touchdowns. Pine-Richland’s Jurkovec was the only Class 6Aquarterback who threw for more yards and touchdowns than Mathis did a season ago. Mathis also rushed for 328 yardsand three touchdowns. Penn Hills is now in Class 5A,and the return of Mathis is a big reason why the Indians are one of the favorites to win a WPIAL title. LeDonne said Mathis has gotten better in several areas since last season, such as improving his footwork and throwing motion, and his understanding of defensive coverages. LeDonne said Mathis’ best attributeis his leadership.
Mathis is surrounded by a bevy of playmakers. Daequan Hardy, Dante Cephas and Corey Thomas are wide receivers all have FBS offers.
skill awhile,” “Probably guys said I’ve some LeDonne, been of around the a best former in “It’s very assistant comparable at Gateway. to what we had at Gateway with Montae Nicholson, Delvon Randall, Anthony Davis and Ricky Rogers. They’re not just quick,but Terry weapon Another “Tank” rangy.” is running Smith. important back Mathis and Smith will continue to be teammates beyond this season. Both have committed to Howard.
LeDonne, for one, said FBS schools missed the boat on Mathis.
“I thought for sure he’d be a MAC-type player, lower Division I player,” LeDonne said. “To be going to Howard, I’m really excited for Hollis. It means a lot to him to be going to an HBCU (historically black colleges and universities).”
Penn Hills scrimmaged North Allegheny Saturday, andof all the players on the opposing team, LeDonne said he came away most impressed with senior fullback-linebackerCade Hoke.
Hoke, the son of former Steeler Chris Hoke, missed his junior season with a knee injury. “He was really good. I think he’s coming back from an injury. I was happy to see himout there,” said LeDonne.
LeDonne said another North Allegheny player who stood out was senior wide receiver-cornerback Joey Porter Jr. According to LeDonne, the matchups between Porter and the Penn Hillsreceivers were hotly contested. “He made his presence felt,”LeDonne said.
Woody High QBs
While named most a schools starting have quarterback already for their opening
games, Woodland Hills, at
least as of Sunday, had yet to
name a winner of its competition the starting job.
Senior Gavin Gurreri-Judson and junior Rodney Stubbs
have run neck and neck during camp, coach Tim Bostard
said. Both players are transfers. Gurreri-Judson, who attended Central Catholic his
freshman year, played at Waverly High School in New
York the last two years. He
was the starting quarterback
last season. Stubbs played at
PennHills last season.
“It’s going to be a late decision on who starts. Probably a
game-time decision. We
might end up playing both of
them,”Bostard said.
Pine’s line
but includes Andrew Offensive don’t Pine-Richland’s Kristofic, get three-year a linemen lot of Mike attention, line starterswho generally Katic that and to draw Mike comes rave Dorundo reviews. from continues Bostard, The latest whose Pine-Richland-Saturday. team scrimmaged “They’re really good,” he said. “Up front they have the Kristofic kid, the Katic kid and the center. They’re all Division I guys. You can definitely tell that’s the strength of theirteam.” Bostard said he was also impressed with Pine-Richland’s new starting quarterback, sophomore Cole Spencer. “He fits into the system,” said Bostard. “He made quick screen throws and every once in a while threw a deep ball. He just overthrew a couple of deepposts. I think by mid-year he’s going to be a really good player.”