2022 Season Preview: Central Catholic H.S. “Raiders”
In this article:
Our next Preview is the 2022 Massachusetts Central Catholic “Raiders” on their quest for another MIAA State post-season run. Central head coach Chuck Adamopoulos guided the “Raiders” back to the 2021 Massachusetts MIAA Super Bowl last season. The last time…
Access all of Prep Redzone
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingOur next Preview is the 2022 Massachusetts Central Catholic “Raiders” on their quest for another MIAA State post-season run. Central head coach Chuck Adamopoulos guided the “Raiders” back to the 2021 Massachusetts MIAA Super Bowl last season. The last time Central Catholic was there was back in 2015.
Team Overview: The Raiders lose star quarterback “Ayden Pereira”, but there were plenty of junior contributors elsewhere. This program will continue to excel by having a quarterback ready for action which they usually do better than many other programs.
2021 Season Results: This team played a very tough schedule in 2021. The Raiders lost two games in 2021. One in the regular season to St. John’s Prep and the other was at 2021 Div 1 MIAA Superbowl to Springfield Central. With that being said, they also beat another top-tier program “St. John’s Prep” in the playoffs and the Springfield Central Golden Eagles in the 2021 season opener. So this program is solid and has an interesting competitive resume year in and year out.
Toughest Losses to Graduation: Ayden Pereira (QB) = Univ of Maine, Justice McGrail (WR) = Williams College, Kolton Williams (S) = Mass Maritime, Nathel Achuo (RB) = Springfield College, Michael Brown (NG) = Hobart College, Evan LeBlanc (LB) = Mass Maritime, Markys Bridgewater (RB) = Reclassified at Choate Rosemary Hall
PLAYERS TO WATCH:
Cannistraro is seen as an athlete playing both corner and wide receiver really well for the “Raiders” He has decent speed and superb hands. His route running is crisp to help get open on the offensive side of the ball. On defense he stands out with good instincts for run support and reactionary skills to identify pass when needed. Projected as a D2/D3 player he holds offers from Endicott and Univ of Rochester.
Rivera can cover well from the OLB position. On film he shows hustle and the ability to cover well. He takes on blocks and being an un-blockable defender is the stuff that legends are made of. Has good tackling abilities. We will be looking for him to be holding the edge again for the Raiders this coming season. Projected to get D2/D1 FCS looks after a solid senior season.
Jaden Wiggins
Jaden Wiggins
Comes off the ball very quick on film. In addition to that, he can be seen as strong at the point of attack, who uses his hands well, and plays hard to the whistle. Currently holds offer from Marshall and should increase his recruitment after senior season.
Matthias Latham
Matthias Latham
Has good vision to find the lanes while running inside. Finishes runs with a nice force while always falling forward. Shows the speed to break away in open field. Very physical runner not afraid to put his his pads low and run over anything in the way. Projected as a D1 FCS recruit. Picked up a D1 offer from Stonehill during camp season.
Mercuri is great on identifying pass/run situations from the LB position quickly and react as needed. He is a physical inside backer who can blitz well and chase down his target. Shows toughness and the ability to shed blocks to make tackles. Merrimack College has shown interest with more schools likely coming on board after his senior 2022 fall season.
More Names to Know: 2023 Markys Bridgewater RB/CB), 2025 Blake Herbert (QB)
2022 Schedule/Games to see:
Fri, 9/9 7:00 pm Springfield Central Home (MUST SEE)
Fri, 9/16 7:00 pm St. John’s Prep Danvers Home (MUST SEE)
Sat, 9/24 12:00pm St. John’s Shrewsbury Away (MUST SEE)
Fri, 9/30 7:00pm Andover Away
Fri, 10/7 7:00 pm Lowell Away
Fri, 10/14 7:00 pm Methuen Home
Fri, 10/21 7:00 pm Haverhill Neutral
Fri, 10/28 7:00pm BarnstableHyannis Home (MUST SEE)
Thu, 11/24 10:00am Lawrence Away
NOTABLE: Central Catholic High School is a college preparatory school with an academic campus in Lawrence, Massachusetts and an athletic campus in Lawrence, Massachusetts associated with the Marist Brothers of the Schools and the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston and founded in 1935 by Brother Florentius.
Championship History:
MIAA Super Bowl State Champions
1997, 1998, 2013
MIAA Super Bowl State Runner-up
2015
MVC Champions
1989, 1993, 1997, 1998, 2001, 2006, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020