2022 Fall Season Preview: Mt. Lebanon Blue Devils

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We begin our 2022 Fall Season previews with the six defending champions out of each class in Pennsylvania. This piece will kickoff with the Class AAAAAA champions, Mt. Lebanon. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Mt. Lebanon Blue Devils act as the second Championship program to run the table last year, joining Central Valley as the only team to go 15-0. Let's get the glaringly obvious out of the way early. There will be no replacing the class of 2022. Alex Tecza, Eli Heindenreich, Joey Daniels, and the rest of the cast will go down as absolute legends amongst the Mt. Lebanon community and will be forever remembered when discussing Pennsylvania high school football. That's how dominant the 2022 class was. The 2021 Blue Devils' offense scored less than 35 points just twice last Fall, scoring no less than 28 points per game in all 15 wins. The class still leaves a lasting effect on those who attempted to stop them last Fall. The production and leadership will admittedly be irreplaceable. With that being said, there's enough talent on this team to reach the same peak. The 6A competition won't back down, the teams Mt. Lebanon pummeled last year will be bringing everything they have with the target squarely on the backs of the Blue Devils. I know the coaching staff at ML will have these young men prepared. If you're ready to count this Blue Devil team out, just take a quick look at some of the returning talent down below. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_62df624205d44","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["249031"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='249031' first='Kade' last='Capristo'], the highest-ranking and highly sought-after senior linemen will serve as the program's rock, solidifying both trenches. Congratulations are in order as Capristo recently ended his recruitment by committing to the University of Richmond just two weeks ago. Landing Capristo is a steal for the program, we hope each side benefits from this new pairing. As for this Fall, Mt. Lebanon will have to lean on Capristo's experience and leadership. Money on the line, I'd bet Capristo will provide Mt. Lebanon with the same All-State linemen level of play this Fall. This is a position the coaches need not worry about.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_62df627305d45","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["357960"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Happy to see our latest ranking of [player_tooltip player_id='357960' first='Grayson' last='Dee'] be reflected in recruiting circles. Dee ranks as a top 150 prospect in his class, earning him a Group of Five grade that has yet to be met. Still, Dee has seen his stock rise this offseason, earning two FCS offers out of Davidson and St. Francis University. We ranked Dee as a defensive lineman, a spot where he is certainly capable of producing, yet his value at tight end will serve this team well this Fall. Dee's tape as an in-line blocker shows just how crucial his impact was to get this running game going. Dee is well-seasoned in the trenches. I have no doubt in my mind that Dee will provide quality reps that will inevitably lead to helping this team move the ball forward, regardless of who is carrying the rock. These are the type of pieces every championship-aspiring program needs to have in place.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_62df629e05d46","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["358062"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"After Dee and Capristo, you could argue there's a drop-off in talent strictly based on recruitment of the rest of the senior class. That being said, [player_tooltip player_id='358062' first='Will' last='Hartung'] is your quintessential come-out-of-no-where prospect who could jump into the hands of D2 schools next year. The size at linebacker is ideal, 6'2, just under 200 pounds, moving in space, laterally, is a strong suit of Hartung. Whether or not Mt. Lebanon is successful this Fall, I could see Hartung take home all-conference honors. I hope to see that growth in his game, the potential is there.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_62df62af05d47","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["358114"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Strictly from a personal and scouting perspective, with the elite weapons moving on from the program, you can envision a future where Beiersdorf could become the offense's focal point. There's untapped potential that could be unlocked in Beiersdorf. We cannot pretend like we didn't see Beiersdorf come up big against some of the best defensive backs in the state when up against PCC and SJP. Not only did he come up big, but he also separated and produced. Beiersdorf is my sleeper pick to produce big time this Fall, so long as the quarterback position is stable.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_62e4c1eb17206","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Anthony Pietragallo","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2023","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'10u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2411","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Mt. Lebanon","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_62df62b905d48","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["248352"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Here's a versatile prospect whose role is going to expand this Fall. McGhee's junior season might seem lackluster from a statistical viewpoint. One must understand how limited reps were when discussing McGhee's value to the team. McGhee will have his time to shine. McGhee should serve as the change of pace weapon on the offense, capable of running routes from the slot, eating in the short to intermediate areas of the field, while also providing aggressive DB reps. McGhee should be the glue to this new look offense. Expecting stock and production to rise.rnrnPietragallo will more than likely follow suit with McGhee, as both prospects carry similar builds, similar play-style, and roles. Pietragallo might be more crucial to the defensive side of the football.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/johnnymcghee15/status/1471629967867981824?s=20u0026t=3iAhHGtfdstMrJnTfRyvTg","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/johnnymcghee15/status/1471629967867981824?s=20&amp;t=3iAhHGtfdstMrJnTfRyvTg </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_62df62eb05d49","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["358339"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Interesting to see how [player_tooltip player_id='358339' first='Nathan' last='Sala'] will contribute to the team this Fall. His junior year was cut short due to injury, yet we saw an inkling of what he could provide. If Sala keeps the same role dating back to last Fall, expect Sala to provide downhill, aggressive run-stopping reps from his box safety position. The young man has a solid understanding of running lanes and gap integrity, which could lead to a role at running back.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_62df62fd05d4a","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["320931"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"This is the prospect that I am most excited to see out of Mt. Lebanon this Fall. Funny, Mt. Lebanon pummelled many teams into the fourth quarter, that Gevaudon actually has some tape to show from last Fall. The young man has seemingly waited his turn behind one of the better quarterbacks the WPIAL had to offer. I am not aware of Gevaudon's potential or full skillset, his prowess at the position will be new to me. Gevaudon has been given the keys to the Porsche. I'm excited to see how far he can lead this team, replicating 2021's title run will be a tough feat.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/AlexGevaudan/status/1521310207942475779?s=20u0026t=3iAhHGtfdstMrJnTfRyvTg","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/AlexGevaudan/status/1521310207942475779?s=20&amp;t=3iAhHGtfdstMrJnTfRyvTg </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:separator {"className":"is-style-wide"} --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide"/> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_62df634e05d4d","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["259541"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_62df634305d4c","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["255734"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Mt. Lebanon won't have to rely solely on the talents of its senior class. Capristo and [player_tooltip player_id='357960' first='Grayson' last='Dee'] will hold down the defense and leadership roles. [player_tooltip player_id='255734' first='Connor' last='Young'], Mt. Lebanon's top-ranked prospect, will reap the rewards. Young, who might be the best 2024 prospect without an offer, is expected to explode onto the scene this Fall. [player_tooltip player_id='259541' first='Beckham' last='Dee'] is also ready for an expanded role. Hard to expand further for Beckham, who put together real production at linebacker last Fall. Beckham's stats read as follows, 77 total tackles, 2 sacks, 1 INT. Not bad for a 2024 kid. Mt. Lebanon will only go as far as the supporting cast will take them. Young and Dee's development into upperclassmen will more than likely tell the tale for the Blue Devils this Fall.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /-->