Class AA power. With the arrival of former North Catholic quarterback Anthony Reid and a solid one-two rushing punch in Brandon Hollomon and Joshua Mathis, West Catholic is primed for a run at the PIAA Class AA state championship.
Reid threw for 1,100 yards last season while guiding the Falcons to a 6-5 record. Hollomon totaled more than 1,400 rushing yards, with Mathis chipping in 900.
Reid's receiving targets are Quran Kent, Jaelen Strong-Rankin and David Sherman, another North transfer.
"It's probably the best group of receivers I've ever had," Burrs coach Brian Fluck said.
Welcome aboard. Roman Catholic's depth significantly improved with the addition of transfers from North and Cardinal Dougherty.
Former North players expected to contribute right away are receiver/cornerback Taishan Tucker, two-way end Jack Schanz (6-foot-1, 200 pounds), and two-way linemen Kerry Shields (6-3, 260) and Tyrone Brown (6-1, 225).
The top Dougherty imports are two-way linemen Khalif Jackson (6-1, 250), Kyle McDowell (6-1, 250), and Jolan Hardy (6-1, 230).
New home. Lansdale Catholic has moved from Class AAA to AA, where it will compete with West, Bishop McDevitt, Conwell-Egan, and Neumann-Goretti for top honors. Jim Algeo enters his 43d season at the helm.
The Crusaders' catalyst is Devon Barrett, a 6-2, 230-pound senior fullback and middle linebacker. He was a first-team all-Catholic pick on offense last year.
Battering ram. Cardinal O'Hara's already loaded backfield got even better when Brendan McLaughlin, a 6-foot, 205-pound senior fullback, transferred from Avon Grove over the summer.
Last season, McLaughlin, who doubles as a linebacker, rushed for 1,440 yards and 13 TDs. The Lions' wing-T offense is also sparked by 6-2, 200-pound QB Ryan Loughlin, halfback/receiver Adam Dempsey, and 6-1, 205-pound tight end Drew Formica.
Marked improvement. Second-year coach Frank McArdle is confident that Archbishop Ryan, with a crop of promising transfers and underclassmen, will bounce back from a 1-10 campaign. "We're better, and we're deeper," he said.
Dillon Cave returns at QB. Marcus Allen, a 5-7, 155-pound tailback and transfer from Dougherty, takes over as the rushing spark plug. Blocking support comes from fullbacks Anthony Victor and Connor Reilly, formerly of Father Judge.
Three North imports are expected to be regulars: defensive ends Mike Puchalski and Brian Sweeney, and receiver/outside linebacker Pat Boylan.
