3 Things to Watch in Week 7
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We got some really good things to watch this week, top defensive lines face-off, a top 2023 tight end get his first 100-yard receiving game, and a huge WPIAL 6A matchup. Northeast Defensive Line Vs. Imhotep Defensive Line The…
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Continue ReadingWe got some really good things to watch this week, top defensive lines face-off, a top 2023 tight end get his first 100-yard receiving game, and a huge WPIAL 6A matchup.
Northeast Defensive Line Vs. Imhotep Defensive Line
The defensive line on both these teams is the strongest of any position group, and it’ll be interesting to see which d-line group comes out on top. Imhotep does have the number one ranked player in the state with senior d-end Enai White Enai White 6'6" | 230 lbs | DL Imhotep Charter | 2022 State PA . They also have senior d-end Keon Wylie Keon Wylie 6'3" | 220 lbs | DL Imhotep Charter | 2022 State PA . Wylie is our 14th overall ranked player and 4th ranked d-lineman. Imhotep also has sophomore d-tackle Jah’sear Whittington Jah’sear Whittington 6'1" | 240 lbs | LB Imhotep charter | 2024 PA . Whittington has been getting quite a bit of attention these last few months. Imhotep also has a freak freshman in Zahir Mathis Zahir Mathis 6'6" | 230 lbs | DL Imhotep Charter | 2025 State PA . Mathis received some big offers in late spring. I’m not sure if he has played this season though.
Northeast has our 6th overall ranked player in the 2022 class with Ken Talley Ken Talley 6'2" | 220 lbs | DL Northeast | 2022 State PA . Talley is also a d-end. They also have a couple of other d-ends in the 2023 class, Ronel Nukah Ronel Nukah 6'3" | 235 lbs | DL Northeast | 2023 State PA , who is ranked 10th overall, and Kion Wright Kion Wright 6'3" | 235 lbs | DL Cheltenham | 2023 State PA , who is ranked 22nd overall. Northeast’s Talley and Imhotep’s Wylie are both committed to Penn State. A lot of talent here, and I am really excited to see which defensive line comes with the most pressure and forces mistakes.
Tight End Joey Schlaffer Joey Schlaffer 6'5" | 215 lbs | TE Exeter Township | 2023 State PA Vs. Governor Mifflin Defense
Schlaffer is our 21st overall ranked player in the 2023 class and our 1st ranked tight end. He’s played in Exeter Township’s five of six games. In those games, he’s recorded 20 receptions for 361 yards (averaging 18.1 yards per catch). He’s also gotten 3 touchdowns this season. Last year against Governor Mifflin he was held to 2 catches for 61 yards and no touchdowns. Schlaffer hasn’t recorded a 100-yard game since last season (he recorded 2). I’m interested to see if he can get his first 100-yard game against the Mustangs.
Mt. Lebanon (6-0) vs. Pittsburgh Central Catholic (5-1)
This is a huge WPIAL 6A conference matchup. What we are looking for in this game are both quarterbacks and running backs. Mt. Lebanon senior QB Joey Daniels Joey Daniels 5'11" | 185 lbs | QB Mt. Lebanon | 2022 State PA has had a pretty good season so far. He’s completed 57% of his passes a minimum of 70 attempts. He’s also thrown for 914 yards with 14 touchdowns and 3 interceptions. Central Catholic’s sophomore QB Payton Wehner Payton Wehner 6'0" | 175 lbs | QB Pittsburgh Central Catholic | 2024 State PA has completed 65% of his passes a minimum of 100 attempts. He’s thrown for 734 yards with 7 touchdowns and 1 interception. While Wehner shows to be on the rise in the 2024 class, Daniels is an FCS to low-level FBS QB.
Central Catholic running back Gannon Carothers Gannon Carothers 5'11" | 200 lbs | ATH Pittsburgh Central Catholic | 2022 State PA has been a workhorse carrying the ball 120 times for 673 yards and 9 touchdowns. He’s had 2 100-yard games this season with one of them well over 200 yards. His performance this season has led to a PWO at Pitt. Mt. Lebanon running Alex Tecza Alex Tecza 6'1" | 190 lbs | DB Mt. Lebanon | 2022 State PA has carried the ball 81 times for 746 yards and 9 touchdowns. I don’t believe Tecza or Carothers will be a running back at the next level though, but they have been getting it done for their teams.