2. Catholic Central: There are lots of elements that make an instant contender in the Vikings: size, speed, experience and talent in general. They have an interesting group of young people in the corridor Damion Jones-Moore, Anthony Nixon receiver, and quarterback Perry Hills, among a handful of talented men in the offensive line. We must also keep an eye out for the runner Arnell Farmer, who could unite with Jones-Moore of a dynamic one-two on backfield.
3. Bethel Park: The Black Hawks bring only a handful of veterans of last season, but their elders are so talented and experienced as they come. The broker pair of Nick Kwiatkoski and Bre Ford is as good as any in the WPIAL, and Max Bair is the anchor on the offensive line. Kwiatkoski will also be a key member of defense in security, the position he will play at West Virginia next fall. Head coach Jeff Metheny has built a solid foundation of success for the program with a 25-3 record and a WPIAL championship in the last two seasons.
4. Gateway: I'll admit, losing blue-chipper Dondi Kirby for the season with an injured anterior cruciate ligament called the Gators down a point or two, but have much talent on the reservation not to be excluded. Senior Armstead Williams is a solid receiver, and also lead a linebacking corps that should turn some heads this season. Sascha Craig is one of the best search engines return the pass in the area (11 sacks last season), and the second quarterback Tom Woodson, should get plenty of chance to shine under the tutelage of head coach and former champion Gators WPIAL quarterback Terry Smith.
5. North Allegheny: We are the favorites to win the North Seven Conference, and received a huge boost off-season with the arrival of transfers Rob Kugler (TE / DE) and Sean Kugler (OL / DL) of Buffalo. Offensive lineman Justin haser tight fit in a group that should properly handle paving the way for the back-to-back 1,000-yard running back Alex Papson. Quarterback play can be the difference for the Tigers, and that will be in the hands of first-year starter Mike Buchert.
Watch out for: McDowell Erie, McKeesport, Mt. Lebanon, North Hills, St. Clair higher
WPIAL CLASS AAA
1. Allegheny West: Indians of Imperial Bob Palko are back on top of the mountain, and have one of the best players in the area to head in the top running back / defensive back Mike Caputo. One of the seekers of the top WPIAL team and leading tackler last season on defense, look to make another run before packing the Heinz Field in Wisconsin next year. But first we have to maintain a strong few rivals in the rear view throughout the season.
2. New Castle: In what could be a four-horse race for second place, Hurricane Red may be the most experienced of the lot. Its high-powered offense is back with quarterback John Matarazzo to the head after throwing for nearly 2,000 yards with a completion percentage of 65-percent in its second year. Yes, it's pretty good, and with a good number of starters returning from a team that reached the quarter-finals last year behind him, there is no reason to think he can not do one more race in 2010.
3. Hopewell: They have one of the best players in the nation in Rushel Shell, and has rushed for 4.200 yards, as well as in his first two seasons, but is that the Vikings only returning starter on both sides of the ball. Can the running last year's champion to lead his team all the way back to Heinz Field to end the mission that fell short of last year? His final regular-season and the championship game rematch against West Allegheny 28 October, probably will determine the top seed going into the WPIAL playoffs.
4. Chartiers Valley: Quarterback Wayne Capers Jr. is back healthy and all-around ability to Colts makes a dangerous force in the Big Eight Conference. Look for possibly stealing the title of Thomas Jefferson's conference this season, although that is a much more difficult than it seems. But with one of the best players in the WPIAL in the center back and a number of seasoned veterans returning, it is not impossible.
5. Thomas Jefferson: This is probably one of the few times in this decade will Bill Cherpak Jaguars placed so low, but what used to be a perennial power is experiencing a youth movement of sorts. Cherpak has said in the past this group of incoming freshmen could be the best class you've had for the time they are seniors, but junior running back Ryan Ruffing has to bear the burden on the offensive at the moment.
Watch out for: Franklin Regional, Greensburg Salem, Hampton, Mars, Montour
WPIAL CLASS AA
1. Greensburgh Central Catholic: The Centurions established its position as the team to beat in championship game last year when power is throttled Aliquippa, 33-7. Of course you do not have the back of Trent Hurley David Miller or more, but still have a big line, ruling that paved the way for them. Quarterback Terrance Stepoli come over as a transfer of Monessen, and he should have a big immediate impact. Sophomore defensive back Zach Guise will be on the lookout to prove his seventh season, the interception of the first year was no fluke.
2. South Fayette: If Greensburg Central N ยบ 1, then the Lions are more like 1-A. An undefeated regular season was marred by a quarter-final loss to Aliquippa last year, but have most of the firepower they have to get back to a championship race. Quarterback Christian Brumbaugh was the best passer in the WPIAL regular season as a junior in 2009 (2,184 yards, 32 touchdowns) and running back Jeff Davis (1,209 yards, 21 touchdowns) South Fayette gives possibly the best of all attacks in offensive around the area.
3. Keystone Oaks: Oh yeah Nick Golden Eagles Kamberis wants another shot at the defending champions after losing 24-19 in the semifinals last year. The tag team of former Clearview Student-Athlete of the Week Matt McCann (1,751 yards, 22 touchdowns) and Jordan Maddox (1,441 yards, 24 touchdowns) was the WPIAL only pair of 1,000 yards last season, and did so with Maddox missing some time due to injury. Imagine what could be achieved with both healthy.
4. Aliquippa: After falling in the short game last year, the WPIAL title, the occurrences are bigger, stronger, and (dare I say) better. Quarterback Mikal Hall threw for 1045 yards and eight touchdowns in his second year, and the running game should get serious momentum over the tandem of seniors Darius Walker (649 yards, seven touchdowns) and the transfer center Ben Cobb. Head coach Mike Zmijanac is one of the best planners around game, and his teams always seem to be ready to play. Do not count out. Ever.
5. Freeport: Defense is the name of the game for the Yellowjackets, who left a seven-game winning streak to end the 2009 regular season 8-1, allowing a touchdown or less over the past five years. Most of those returning the unit, led by senior linebacker Jake Campbell. They challenge the dark side of the Academy by the Allegheny Conference title that the Indians beat them last season.
Watch out for: Beaver Falls, City Ford, Jeannette, Academy of the shadow side, Steel Valley
WPIAL CLASS A
1. Clairton: Is there anything I can do? They had the largest margin of victory in 2009 to 35.8 points per game, largely because they scored almost 40 points per game and his defense had eight shutouts on their way to both the WPIAL and state crowns. Gone Deontae Howard and Kevin Weatherspoon, but DeSimone Green has returned to lead the offensive quarterback (2435 yards, 26 touchdowns in total) and cause disturbances at defensive end, where they will play next fall in Pitt. Having a group of boys all-conference back with him in the defense does not hurt.
2. Rochester: Clairton was all that stood between the Rams and their fifth WPIAL title in the last decade, this and a single point, the difference in the title game last year. It will be back for sure to finish the job this time, led by quarterback Jason Adamson (1,449 yards). They also had one of the best defenses in the area last year, allow no more than two touchdowns in a game. Another undefeated regular season is not out of reach, but not enough for the Rams if they can not win the last game of the season at Heinz Field.
3. Sto-Rox: For the first time since 2003, the Vikings are back in Class A. They go first class marshal Paul Jones (Penn State) and Drew Carswell (Pitt), but a quartet of talented young people saw a lot of playing time as sophomores are ready to assume the mantle. Deaysean Rippey (WR / LB) is already a Division I prospect. Quarterback Jordan Latimer did an admirable job, while Jones was out with an ankle injury. Joshuae Beverly was the team's leading rusher last season, and Dontez Ford is a stud in the making as a wide receiver / defensive.
4. North Catholic: Men of Troy in the Eastern Conference with an iron fist ruled last season with an unbeaten record, and reached the semifinals before falling to Rochester in only one touchdown last season. Quarterback Martin Long threw for 1249 yards and 12 touchdowns as a junior, and rushed for another 400 yards. You will need help in the field from the game's leading rusher last year, Julian Durden, transferred to Montour.
5. Beth-Center: There is plenty of room for a black horse in the Class A, why did not Beth-Center? The Bulldogs dropped only one game of winning the Tri-County Conference championship of the South, and their best offensive weapons - Deshan Brown (RB), Sal Faieta (QB), Jeremy Price (WR) and Jake Sofres (RB) - all played significant time as sophomores. They should help the progress of an offense that tied for fourth in the league in scoring with 300 points over last year.
Watch out for Bishop Canevin:, Morgan Jefferson, Monessen, Beaver Serra Catholic, South Side, Springdale
LEAGUE CITY
1. Perry: Perry has the talent to regain the place above the city is the place for so long, led by quarterback Greg McGhee, the consensus best player in the league. You will need lots of help around with the likes of Gerald Sherrell Ghafor receivers and Devin.
2. Schenley: Defending champions return to multi-threat quarterback / defensive back De'Andre Black to return to lead the charge. Head coach Jason Black said after the championship game his team won last year by "incredible heart", but it will take more than the Spartans to defend their place in the throne of League City.
3. Brashear: It's hard to believe that the Bulls could replace top-level talent as Manasseh Garner, Henri Chapman, Bruce and Patterson, but let's give it a try with a veteran offensive line and skill players Manny Reed, Don Patterson and Joe Nesbit to cover holes in the lineup.
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