2022 Season Preview: Steelton Highspire Steamrollers
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Many may look back at the Steelton-Highspire 2021 season and consider it a disappointment, considering their 2020 State Championship run and the talent they brought back. I, however, don’t think the 2021 season should be looked at through a negative…
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Continue ReadingMany may look back at the Steelton-Highspire 2021 season and consider it a disappointment, considering their 2020 State Championship run and the talent they brought back. I, however, don’t think the 2021 season should be looked at through a negative lens just because the Rollers fell short of their ultimate goal. Let’s not forget just how potent that 2020 team was on both sides of the ball. Let’s not forget how the Erby twins were still underclassmen during the 2020 championship run, as well as the 2021 run that was stopped short by Canton. There’s no doubt in my mind we have yet to see the best versions of the Erby twins. The same sentiment can be said for many in the program, like wideout Durrell Ceasar Durrell Ceasar 6'1" | 180 lbs | WR Steelton-Highspire | 2024 State PA and DL/OL Sean Bennett Jr. Sean Bennett Jr. 6'0" | 215 lbs | DL Steelton-Highspire | 2024 State PA The Steamrollers program is still rigorously coached and chock full of young talent that is ready to mature. This is no supporting cast to laugh at, as five prospects not surnamed Erby received D1 ceiling grades out of me. I’m excited to finally see these kids in action, live against Bishop Canevin on August 26th.
Key Losses: Tyrone Moore, Daivin Pryor
Here’s a prospect that I point out to every D2 program I speak to. Holland-Alli’s rank projects a possible D1 ceiling, yet the senior defensive lineman has yet to have that notion reciprocated. No rush, a great senior campaign showcasing his skills around the edge or at OLB will help his cause. Even with an average senior year, I think Holland-Alli poses as a desirable front-seven prospect based on his current build and skillset alone.
Here’s a name that came out of nowhere, at least for a guy like me who isn’t in the know of every prospect at the program. I first saw DaQuan McCraw DaQuan McCraw 6’2″ | 190 lbs | WR Steelton Highspire | 2023 State PA at our first prospect showcase at Spooky Nook late this past January. The young man separated at will and pulled in tough catches that were either away from his body or through physical defense. I, including multiple coaches in attendance, came away impressed with this kid’s performance. Now he’s squarely on my radar. With Erby leading the offense, expect this kid to shock some people. Could stretch the field or be a red zone threat. Stride and size are plusses.
Something is telling me that this kid is too low on our rankings. The rank illustrates his D2 potential, yet the projection comes with Noss as the lead back at SH. This looks to be the case this Fall, with Daivin Pryor graduating. If I had to pick a preseason stock-riser, I’d go with Noss. The young man’s stature makes the bet an east one. 6’1, a good 205 pounds. Expect the production made by Pryor to be replaced two-fold. Excited to see him prove this rank too low.
Every championship program needs its role players, players who are constantly ready to jump in and execute. I could see running back Tylishaun Parker Tylishaun Parker 5’6″ | 150 lbs | RB Steelton-Highspire | 2023 PA providing that role and some. If Steelton Highspire wants to get back to the pinnacle of PA football, they will need to maximize the efforts of every player getting reps. A further developed Parker could be a piece to the puzzle, providing quality reps on both sides of the ball.
The top-rated Steamroller. Alex Erby Alex Erby 6’4″ | 210 lbs | QB Steelton-Highspire | 2024 State PA , whose name will perennially be mentioned in best-quarterback talks, will carry the pressure of leading this program back to where they want to be and that’s at the top of 1A football. The pressure, although it being heavy, is hardly anything this kid can’t handle. In the introduction, I spoke about how we have yet to see the best version of Alex Erby Alex Erby 6’4″ | 210 lbs | QB Steelton-Highspire | 2024 State PA the quarterback, a statement that might be a little startling considering how incredible the junior has been throughout his first two seasons under center. The prolific and cerebral passer still hasn’t reached his ceiling both mentally and physically. When he does, I don’t know if there’s a quarterback with a better overall package when translating to the next level. Alex Erby Alex Erby 6’4″ | 210 lbs | QB Steelton-Highspire | 2024 State PA has had an incredible offseason, securing offers from the likes of Louisville, UConn, Maryland, Temple, and Nebraska to name a few. As far as wins go, the Steamrollers will inevitably go as far as Alex takes them.
Highlights
The second-highest rated Steamrollers. One of the best two-way linemen Pennsylvania can offer and I stand by that. It’s legitimately hard to figure out which Erby Jr. is best, the defensive linemen or offensive linemen. It’s an awesome problem to have, one that any coach in the country wouldn’t mind answering. Andrew has also been blessed with an incredible offseason, securing offers from Maryland, Duke, Nebraska, and West Virginia to name only a few. Yes, the quarterback position will always bring the hype, yet championship titles are often made in the trenches. If you can deploy the likes of Andrew Erby Jr Andrew Erby Jr 6’3″ | 285 lbs | DL Steelton Highspire | 2024 PA . inside either line, you are off to a good start.
Highlights
Anari Williams finds himself in the same situation as Tyshaun Holland-Alli Tyshaun Holland-Alli 6’2″ | 225 lbs | DL Steelton-Highspire | 2023 State PA . The young man looks the part physically, yet is still working towards his first opportunity. With Williams just entering his junior year, his recruitment isn’t something I’d necessarily be worried about at this time. What I want to see most is how he can contribute to the title run the Rollers want to make. Amari Williams Amari Williams 6’2″ | 200 lbs | LB Steelton Highspire | 2024 State PA ‘ alignment versatility is already a huge plus. Williams can be stationed at pretty much any linebacker spot, while also showing pass rush/blitzing capabilities if called upon. I could see him climb back into the top 100 before the season’s end.
This is my pick for the breakout candidate of the year, at least in his district. I have had the pleasure of seeing Ceasar go to work on numerous occasions this year. Each time he does something to make my jaw drop. Ceasar should be the main recipient of Erby throws this Fall, expect his numbers to double at the very least. There might not be a junior I’m more excited to see this Fall than Ceasar. Bishop Canevin will have their hands full, as the young man provides a wide spectrum of traits including high-pointing, straight line speed, and ball-tracking ability. Excited to see him Week One.
Highlights
Here’s one of the more intriguing prospects on the Roller defense. If it isn’t Durrell Ceasar Durrell Ceasar 6’1″ | 180 lbs | WR Steelton-Highspire | 2024 State PA breaking out, it will damn well be this kid. Let’s put the size aside for a minute, Bennett Jr. would go on my list as one of the hardest working young men I have seen this offseason. Labeled a defensive linemen, Bennett will see a broader role that should have him providing quality reps on offense this Fall. If Bennett can translate some of these offseason clips to the field this Fall, expect coaches to begin to reach out. His size won’t deter coaches from expressing interest.
Jaeion Perry
Jaeion Perry
A glaring miss on our rankings. These things happen. This Roller front-seven will trot out Holland-Alli, Erby Jr., Williams, and FBS-talent Jaeion Perry, who I completely whiffed on this latest update. His rank will come. Ranking aside, this kid might be one of the least-talked-about prospects outside of Central Pennsylvania. The Perry tape shows off fabulous play recognition ability from his linebacker spot. It also shows this kid can run with back hash to hash. It all makes sense when you see how fluid his abilities are as a route-runner and pass-catcher. I still like the kid at LB when projecting to the next level, but Erby now has three wideouts worthy of the rock. Should be fun.
Here’s another prospect I’d like another shot at ranking again, 6’3, 200 pounds, add this monster to the defensive front seven. With those six names, you could win ball games by themselves. The best part about Eugene Green Eugene Green 6’3″ | 200 lbs | DL Steelton-Highspire | 2024 State PA is just how raw he looks from a pass-rushing perspective. The kid still has so much to learn yet looks like he could be a pivotal piece as a junior. Like many on this list, I doubt we have seen the best of Eugene Green Eugene Green 6’3″ | 200 lbs | DL Steelton-Highspire | 2024 State PA yet.
The term “role players” gives off a bad connotation at times. It shouldn’t. At times, games are decided by role players and if they decide to step up or not. Consider both Legrande and Burnette Jr. two crucial role players who will have a say in whether or not the Rollers will get back to a state title. Both prospects provide similar roles, producing at both linebackers and running back spots. It should be a pleasure to the coaching staff knowing they have prospects like these waiting to make a play at all times.
The only 2025 prospect on our early sophomore rankings. Representing SH is Javius Dent Javius Dent 6’1″ | 190 lbs | ATH Steelton-Highspire | 2025 State PA . A 6’1 defensive back who is apparently a name I should be keeping my eyes out for. Dent is currently on our watchlist, yet a DB with measurables like this, it’s only a matter of time before he lands his spot with us, and most importantly, lands his spot with coaches at the next level. The upperclassmen at the program are seasoned and focused. Add a young talent that wants to prove himself, now you have the makings of something special. Excited to provide Dent with exposure for years to come.