March Thoughts & Observations – District I

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Welcome to my first March thoughts and observations notebook for District I this month. Below, I give some quick notes and observations for seven different District I programs heading into mid-March. Two District I programs added big-time prospects to their rosters over the last several weeks, and I also discuss several prospects deserving of more attention this spring.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":359302,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/06/193-Cole-Euker.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-359302" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Pope John Paul II - </strong>I recently learned that one of our top offensive linemen in the state, [player_tooltip player_id='377030' first='Kevin' last='Heywood'] transferred to Pope John Paul II, which I think is a fantastic addition to that program. They were fantastic last season with a 10-2 record and have the talent to follow that up with another strong showing this upcoming fall. Heywood will help solidify their offensive line, no doubt in my mind.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Coatesville </strong>- I really love the potential of Coatesville heading into next season after watching more tape this off-season. They'll have to replace some key players who have graduated, like quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='91727' first='Harrison' last='Susi'] but return a ton of talent, especially on defense with the likes of defensive backs [player_tooltip player_id='219619' first='Armon' last='Richardson'] (2024), [player_tooltip player_id='377352' first='Amir' last='Haskett'] (2024), and linebackers [player_tooltip player_id='377457' first='Connor' last='Rickabaugh'] (2024), and [player_tooltip player_id='127301' first='Marquise' last='Washington'] (2025). They only allowed a little over 11 points per game this past season and should be fantastic defensively again in 2024. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Downingtown East - </strong>We probably don't talk enough about offensive tackle [player_tooltip player_id='377053' first='Adham' last='Abouraya']. Yes, we have him highly ranked, but he still probably deserves more love going forward. Most don't need me to tell you this, but Abouraya is a legitimate Power Five offensive tackle prospect with tremendous measurables at 6-foot-5 and 280 pounds. He moves really well for size, the athleticism checks out, and he is a bulldozer, consistently opening up holes for his running backs. In an option-based offense as well, he is constantly taking hits from multiple defenders sometimes and shows no sign of those affecting him; from the time the clock begins in the first quarter till it hits zero in the fourth quarter, he is just consistently great at moving would-be defenders. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Central Bucks West High School - </strong>Another player that we need to start talking more about, as well as quarterback Granz Cooper. The three-year starter stands at 6-foot-1 and 190-pound and has additional reportable measurable of a 4.58 40-yard dash, a 35-inch vertical, a deadlift of 455 pounds, a bench press of 270, and a squat of 405 pounds. If all those measurables are accurate, we're talking about a unique and gifted athlete in Cooper. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Perkiomen Valley</strong> - Moving on to the Vikings - I want to highlight [player_tooltip player_id='255087' first='Cole' last='Euker'], a prospect that is certainly gaining more and more attention as of late. The 2025 prospect has good size at 6-foot-3 and 250-pounds - has all the makings of being a legitimate FBS prospect with Power Five upside. We have him as the 18th-best prospect in the state, and I think that he can rise even higher - He has a trip scheduled to Penn State later this month - it won't be the last Power Five trip he goes on; the offers should come rolling in for him sooner than later. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Downingtown West</strong> - West recently added 2024 ATH Ayden Harris to their roster as he moves to Pennsylvania from Missouri- this will be a big-time player to keep an eye on as he certainly has FBS upside. He is not the biggest player at 5-foot-9 and 198-pounds, but he was a standout and an all-state selection in Missouri and has a chance to be a big-time playmaker for West this upcoming season. Power Five potential here.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>North Penn</strong> - The Knights lost a lot of talent this past season, but I'm going to be watching running back [player_tooltip player_id='558536' first='Amir' last='Major'] and WR Rashad McNeill as two players on the offensive side of the ball to take over as leaders on the Knights' offense. Both players have a chance to have major breakout seasons this upcoming fall. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->