2023 Season Preview Sto-Rox
In this article:
Sto-Rox went 10-3 last year including 6-0 in the WPIAL AA Century Conference. The most impressive part is they started 0-2 then went on to win 10 straight until they eventually lost to Beaver Falls in the playoffs. Last year…
Access all of Prep Redzone
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingSto-Rox went 10-3 last year including 6-0 in the WPIAL AA Century Conference. The most impressive part is they started 0-2 then went on to win 10 straight until they eventually lost to Beaver Falls in the playoffs. Last year was Head Coach Marvin Mills 1st year as Head Coach, after coming over from an assistant coaching position at Aliquippa. Mills did an impressive job starting 0-2 and then regrouping to win 10 straight games. Sto-Rox brings a lot of talent back and should be equally as good this year.
Top returning players:
Amare Harper Amare Harper 6'1" | 265 lbs | DL Sto-Rox | 2024 State PA . Harper is an impressive player. At defensive line he is so quick off the ball I swear he knows the offense snap count. He also shows good athleticism and strength at the point of attack. Harper has a strong case to play College Football in the future. Below is what my colleague Avery Hawkins had to say about him earlier this year:
Amare consistently disrupts opposing offensive lines with his aggressive behavior. He has lined up at various DL positions for Sto Rox, but his designated position in college will be on the interior. He demonstrates flexibility in his stance and maintains a low pad level, allowing him to effectively engage and disengage with blockers. His strength and quickness off the snap enable him to frequently penetrate the backfield. He excels at utilizing his hands to defeat blocks and possesses a nose for the ball. Additionally, his agility and quickness enable him to redirect well when in pursuit, and he brings physicality and punishment when chasing down opponents. Given his explosiveness, he will undoubtedly demand double teams this year in 2A ball. Amare consistently applies pressure as an interior pass rusher. Harper most definitely has D1 potential, which is why the camp circuit will be important for him this summer. While he currently holds an offer from Clarion, it is anticipated that more PSAC schools such as Cal (PA), Slippery Rock, IUP, and Lock Haven will soon show interest in recruiting him. In addition to the PSAC, the Pittsburgh FCS institutions like Duquense, Saint Francis and Robert Morris should keep him on the Radar too.
Shaiky Yates Shaiky Yates 5'11" | 165 lbs | ATH Sto-Rox | 2025 State PA . Yates played inside linebacker last year. He is a dynamic playmaker in the position. His 1st two clips show how much of a playmaker he is. In the 1st play, another player creates a strip sack, and Yates races to the end zone for a touchdown. In his 2nd clip, he drops into his zone and makes this unbelievable interception where he goes up with a one-handed interception. Yates also does the little thing well at linebacker. He does a nice job reading and reacting and then coming upfield to make the tackle. He is a good tackler that tackles in the open field well. He is also a good blitzer who can blitz and create chaos for the offense. Yates is an impressive player who should only get better going into his Junior Year.
Robert Sykes
Robert Sykes
Robert Sykes. Sykes played as a strong safety/outside linebacker and running back last year. On defense he is a good defensive player you can move around all over the field. He is good at playing the edge as a defender. He is good at attacking the backfield and also keeping contain. When it is a pass he can just fly upfield and make a play in the backfield. He is also good at dropping in the zone. Either by dropping in a deep zone or dropping into the flat. He is equally as good at both. He is also a good tackler in the open field. At running back he is a physical runner who has a nasty stiff arm. Sykes is an impressive athlete who plays well all over the field.
Eric McGuire
Eric McGuire
Eric McGuire. McGuire played cornerback and wide receiver last year. At cornerback, he is good in coverage. He is a good athlete that shows athletic ability in man-to-man coverage. He is good at covering wide receivers and then does an excellent job breaking on the ball to create an interception or for a pass breakup. McGuire also is good at coming upfield and making a tackle. The other big part of his game is he plays with a chip on his shoulder. At wide receiver, McGuire played slot wide receiver and made a ton of plays from that position. He can be used on bubble screens, short passes, jet sweeps, and any other type of different passing plays. McGuire is a good prospect that should have a chance to play College Football in the future.
Dalvonte Woodson
Dalvonte Woodson
Dalvonte Woodson. Woodson played defensive end last year. He is a good athlete that does a nice job of using his athleticism to make plays all over the field. He is quick off the ball and makes a ton of plays in the backfield with his athletic ability. He also does a nice job of keeping contain and either making the play or forcing the play inside. Woodson also does a excellent job of attacking quarterbacks and creating chaos in the backfield. Woodson is a dynamic athlete who should have an even stronger Senior season.
Final Thoughts: Sto-Rox lost a ton of talented players off last year’s team, but still has a bunch of players ready to step up and play. I expect Sto-Rox to be in the mix again for a league title and also have a chance to make a run in the playoffs. I like the talent they have coming back and more guys will be stepping up as well. I would not count them out of having a successful season.