2022 Season Preview: Pittsburgh Central Catholic Vikings
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Andrew Fontana PA #138 OL #24 HEIGHT 6'5" WEIGHT 250 POS OL CLASS 2023 View Profile Andrew Fontana State: Pennsylvania School: Pitt Central Catholic Drew Fontana acts as the highest-ranking senior on a Central Catholic team that has its sights…
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Continue ReadingDrew Fontana acts as the highest-ranking senior on a Central Catholic team that has its sights set on a 6A title. All the makings of a top 20 linemen, Fontana boasts offers out of Notre Dame College, Wheeling University, Clarion, and Gannon University. One of the more lean cut linemen in our ranks, Fontana could suffice as an EDGE rusher or tight end for PCC if need be.
A running mate in the trenches with Fontana, Jackson Farrell Jackson Farrell 6’1″ | 260 lbs | OL Pittsburgh Central Catholic | 2023 State PA solidifies an offensive line that will have its hands full in the WPIAL this Fall. West Liberty and Gannon University are hot on this kid’s trail, I ranked Farrell inside the top 250, projecting an FCS ceiling for the senior. Whether or not he fulfills that grade should not be a priority. Working with Fontana to keep opponents out of the backfield should be priority number one.
Gabe Primrose
Gabe Primrose
Maceo Marshall
Maceo Marshall
Three seniors are listed who are not on our 2023 rankings. That will change quickly. Starting with interior linemen Gabe Primrose, Primrose is now the third straight offensive lineman mentioned thus far. The investment in developing trench players will pay off, especially when you can deploy a combination of Fontana, Farrell, and Primrose. Primrose is gaining traction amongst D3 schools in the area, which is warranted when you plug in the tape. The well-seasoned center could push for more opportunities this Fall.
Maceo Marshall is a new name to me entirely, not just new to the site. I scour PCC Twitter to get the latest on the talent out West and learn about this 6’3, 215 edge rusher who is exciting those who are already in the know. Marshall’s tape is raw and limited. What’s not raw or limited is his prowess on the track and in the classroom. Any college coaches interested in a project with huge potential pay-off, check in with Maceo Marshall. Expect him to get reps at edge rusher or even tight end.
Gento Greene Gento Greene 6’0″ | 170 lbs | DB Pittsburgh Central Catholic | 2023 PA caps off seniors to watch out of PCC. The team is admittedly loaded with potential at DB. I also can’t find junior tape out of Greene, yet from what I see on Twitter, the kid looks serviceable at the very least. I wouldn’t be surprised if this young man comes up big early this season.
Anthony Speca Anthony Speca 6’2″ | 215 lbs | LB Pittsburgh Central Catholic | 2024 State PA , the exemplary linebacking prospect that the entire State might have, suits up for his junior year at Central Catholic. Time flies. The top ten prospect is of course being courted by the likes of many across the country. With three excellent offensive linemen setting the tone for the Viking attack, Speca will set the tone for the Viking defense. The stalwart linebacker will more than likely be showered in accolades after the season, I am excited to see what hand he will play to help this program win a State Title. No player might be more essential to that cause than Anthony Speca Anthony Speca 6’2″ | 215 lbs | LB Pittsburgh Central Catholic | 2024 State PA .
Peter Gonzalez Peter Gonzalez 6’3″ | 200 lbs | WR Pittsburgh Central Catholic | 2024 State PA has all the potential in the world to be the best pass-catching target in the entire state. He has that in him. We want to see his absurd athleticism put on display, hopefully for an entire season. The 3rd-Team All-State selection should take that accolade as disrespect, I expect to look back at that and laugh. Gonzalez is the first offensive weapon on this list and is an awesome building block to work the passing game around.
Highlights
Vernon Settles Vernon Settles 6’0″ | 160 lbs | WR Pittsburgh Central Catholic | 2024 State PA ‘ sophomore campaign saw him succeed on both sides of the ball. Settles will more than likely be used on offense again, acting as the second top 50 junior target on this offense. Yet I can’t help but be enamored with Settles’ potential at defensive back. It’s more than likely the position he’ll be recruited at. Some think we have Settles too high, I could care less. The kid should be a potential breakout prospect across the state. Huge fan of Vernon Settles Vernon Settles 6’0″ | 160 lbs | WR Pittsburgh Central Catholic | 2024 State PA the DB, a bigger fan of Settles the football player.
Settles working in the secondary, star linebacker Speca working in the front seven, add another top 50 junior inside the growing defense. More linebackers are on the way don’t you worry, yet PCC could do significant damage to your run game with the tandem of Speca and Yuhas alone. Best part about Ty Yuhas Ty Yuhas 6’4″ | 250 lbs | DL Pittsburgh Central Catholic | 2024 State PA is the fact that he actually produces inside the defensive line. He projects and looks the part of a linebacker, yet has the strength and attitude to deal with interior lineman at either DE or DT spots. A mightily position versatile prospect.
Speaking of position versatility. Enter Cole Sullivan Cole Sullivan 6’3″ | 210 lbs | LB Pittsburgh Central Catholic | 2024 State PA , who I would trust to man pretty much every and any position on the football field. I’m 75% percent serious. Line this kid up at QB, where he got reps as a sophomore, and watch him run through kids like it’s a joke. Line him up anywhere in the secondary, safety, slot corner, watch him impact the game. Line him up at tight end or edge rusher, he’s twitchy at 6’3, 200 pounds. Put him at wideout, I would bet he has the hands to make an impact. I see a potential top 30 prospect in Sullivan, I’m ready to make that move.
The quarterback and leader of this loaded offense. You can make the case that PCC will only go as far as Wehner takes them. The kid is every bit talented enough to lead this program to the pinnacle, that isn’t up for debate. Wehner’s recruitment will be discussed another time. Now, all eyes are squarely focused on Wehner orchestrating this offense to the coaching staff’s liking. The ability to execute sets and limit mistakes are areas I’m more concerned with as opposed to when and why coaches at the next level will reach out. Patience will be crucial.
Yet another awesome talent that lands in the top 100 for this star-studded 2024 class at PCC. You win in the trenches, expect PCC to win a ton of football games if that holds true. The defensive line will station talents like Yuhas, Marshall, and Fontana. Add Turkowski to the list. Turkowski might serve equally as valuable at tight end for the Vikings. You can see a trend with the talent pool here, so many impressive prospects can produce on both sides of the football. Ty Turkowski Ty Turkowski 6’4″ | 210 lbs | DL Pittsburgh Central Catholic | 2024 State PA fits that mold. 6’4, 210 pounds coming off the edge, or coming off the LOS to be covered by much smaller linebackers. Pick your poison.
Tanner Fuchs
Tanner Fuchs
Two 2024 Watchlist players to keep an eye on are Carmen Petraglia Carmen Petraglia 6’1″ | 190 lbs | LB Pittsburgh Central Cathoilic | 2024 State PA and Tanner Fuchs. I would bet, with team success, both Petraglia and Fuchs will see debuts on our ranks come November. Fuchs’ tape shows he’s more than capable of moving kids well off the ball. The power is there at guard, as is the prototypical size. Strides in overall foot quickness/speed could do wonders for his stock as a pulling guard in this system.
Not enough sophomore tape could be dug up out of Petraglia, yet I wouldn’t be surprised if he received quality reps at one linebacker spot at some point this season.
Battling Speca and Gonzalez is yet another national recruit in elite defensive back Xxavier Thomas Xxavier Thomas 5’10” | 160 lbs | DB Pittsburgh Central Catholic | 2025 State PA . The three-sport star excels furthest on the football field, especially as a lockdown corner who is still mentally and physically growing into his own. I know for a fact we have yet to see the best version of Xxavier Thomas Xxavier Thomas 5’10” | 160 lbs | DB Pittsburgh Central Catholic | 2025 State PA . Which is saying something considering his stellar freshman campaign last Fall. The kid is just getting started. Expect opposing teams to control and limit the times they target this young man in the passing game. I don’t believe recruitment is hot enough for this kid. Time will tell. Excited to see what Thomas has in store for us PA football fans this Fall.
Stop me if you’ve heard this before. Speca, Yuhas, Turkowski, Marshall, Fontana. These names aren’t enough for the Central Catholic Vikings. Add sophomore Grady Papa Grady Papa 6’2″ | 225 lbs | DL Pittsburgh Central Catholic | 2025 State PA who could grade everyone out not named Speca. Whoever is developing these kids, or feeding them, deserves an award. 6’3, 215, throw in awesome instincts and pursuit to the ball. An effective and timely blitzer off the edge. The development of both Thomas and Papa heading into their sophomore years will act as the difference between contending and bottoming out. Excited to see Papa ball this Fall.
Highlights
Bradley Gompers
Bradley Gompers
Da’Ron Goodwine
Da’Ron Goodwine
The next four names are all vital to the success of the program, as I mentioned with Thomas and Papa. Brackney is ranked as a top-five offensive lineman in his class, we will see if that rank sticks, even if it doesn’t, the young man fills out what looks to be one of the more dominant offensive line units in Pennsylvania. Amari Shields Amari Shields ATH Pittsburgh Central Catholic | 2025 State PA could be a name that surprises some outside of Western PA. I’m unsure of the reps he will get toting the rock, maybe he can break out this Fall. His clips on Twitter are impressive, to say the least.
Bradley Gompers is another new name for me. Apparently this 6’4, giant ran a sub 4.6 40 at a Pitt Camp earlier this Summer. The young man boasts a whopping 5.1 GPA as well. Gompers should contribute at defensive back earlier than some may think. His size would also make him an obvious fit in red zone sets for PCC. Da’Ron Goodwine is another name to add to this long preview, a name and game I’m familiar with. We have seen firsthand how this program can develop talent, especially linemen. Goodwine might have to wait his turn to eat in this offense, yet I know he’ll be ready for his opportunity when ever it presents itself. I’ll be heavily invested to see how much early Goodwine gets on the field for the Vikings.