2023 Season Preview William Penn High School (York)

York High went 6-4 last year, but their season could be explained as a series of close games that could have greatly improved their record. York High lost to Woodland Hills 28-24 in a dramatic defeat where York High had the ball inside the ball 5 and couldn't score to end the game in week one. The next week they lost to Hempfield 35-32 in a game where they lost the lead late. They then went on a 6 game-winning streak where they mostly took care of business but had a close call to Carlisle (54-47 win) and Spring Grove (40-37 win). Finally, they lost to Central York 41-36 to close out the regular season and then the following week to Central York again 51-44 in the 1st round of the District 3 Playoffs. So York High lost 4 games by a total of 17 points. Finishing 6-4 is not a bad record, but if York High even wins 2 of those close games they go 8-2 on the year.   Top returning players:    [player_tooltip player_id='256144' first='Michael' last='McMonigle']. McMonigle is one of the best offensive lineman prospects in the State. He has had a nice career already and still has a Senior year left to play. He recently committed to play football at Maryland, which is a great fit for him. This is what I wrote about him earlier this year:   What stands out in McMonigle's film is he is athletic and can go out and pull from his tackle positions. That ability to get to the next level enables him to excel. McMonigle also has great size for the position and does a nice job using his body to finish blocks. He also has a good pad level and can get under smaller defenders and drive them.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/MichaelMcMonig2/status/1670524320592928771?s=20 </div></figure>    [player_tooltip player_id='258550' first='Amari' last='Davis']. Davis is a talented player that has his last season cut short because of an injury. He played at West York last year and recently transferred over to William Penn. He has been going to different College Football camps, and with a solid Senior year, he should be able to get some offers to play football. Below is what I wrote about Davis earlier this year:   He also has limited film since he was hurt last year and he played limited games. Even though the film is limited it is still very good. At safety, he has good range and constantly plays the deep ball well. He has good ball skills and when the ball is in the air he makes good plays on the ball. Another strong area for Davis is his ability to come up and tackle. He is very good at coming up and making a tackle from his safety position. He uses angles well and is a sure tackler.    Precious Jinyemiema. Jinyemiema played outside linebacker for York High last year. He played as an edge defender and also worked as an off-the-ball linebacker. He showed good skills by reading and reacting and making plays all over the field. He showed he could drop in coverage and cover players man-to-man or in zone defense. He also showed an ability to blitz off the edge. Jinyemiema with a strong Senior year should have a chance to get some College Football looks.    [player_tooltip player_id='386132' first='Wanieq' last='Scott']. Scott is a transfer from Bishop McDevitt. He did not play last year, but there has been a lot of buzz about him being a good player for the Bearcats this year. Below is what [player_tooltip player_id='1156407' first='Vic' last='Castillo'] my Colleague wrote about him a few weeks ago:   That might actually surprise some, including Scott himself, considering the young man doesn't have tape from last Fall. Obviously, he still doesn't have tape to his name outside of his freshman year. Still, I've heard rumors and rumbles of this young man's potential, as well as how far he's come this offseason. Dylan Callaghan Croley said good things about him recently, after seeing him at the York Mega Practice. The young man has an ideal frame, carrying a 6'2, 165-pound frame as just a sophomore. Scott also boasts a self-listed 4.5 40 under his belt. At this point, since he's becoming an upperclassman, we will more than likely begin to reflect his potential via ranking.    [player_tooltip player_id='386322' first='David' last='Warde']. Warde is one of the best wide receivers in the state. His film is legit. He catches the ball and runs routes at a very high level. He currently has an offer from Charlotte University with more to come. Below is what I wrote about Warde earlier this year:   He has great body control at catching the ball in traffic. Several times in between defenders Warde made great catches. He is very good on contested catches when he goes up and makes difficult catches. Warde runs very good routes and shows the ability to manipulate the defenders with his body movement. For someone with only one year of Varsity starting experience, Warde routes are. excellent. Another thing Warde shows on film is his ability to catch the ball and then make people miss in the open field.    Jalen Walker. Walker played center and guard for York High last year. He showed good strength at the position by driving defensive lineman off the ball. He does a nice job snapping the ball and then has the ability to block blitzers or defensive linemen. When he was at guard he does a nice job pulling and kicking out. He shows he is a good athlete who can move at guard. He also shows position versatility with the ability to play both positions. Walker is a good prospect but should get some College Football looks with a strong Senior year.    [player_tooltip player_id='646686' first='Carmelo' last='McKenzie']. McKenzie is one of the best prospects in the State of Pennsylvania for the 2026 class. He is a dominant defensive lineman. He currently has offers from the University of Charlotte, Syracuse, and Akron. He also has recently visited Notre Dame and The Ohio State University. Below is what I wrote about McKenzie earlier this year:   At defensive line he is explosive off the ball and uses his hands well to engage defenders and penetrate into the backfield. For a younger player, he shows good strength and can bully offensive linemen. He also showed a good get-off, when the ball is snapped. McKenzie's athleticism is really impressive and William Penn even put him at Fullback, where he showed his athletic ability by going and blocking linebackers. McKenzie even ran down on kickoffs.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/CarmeloMcKenzi4/status/1671227968922714129?s=20 </div></figure>    [player_tooltip player_id='402432' first='Amani' last='Bones']. Bones is someone who has not gotten on the field much yet, but I have heard is projected to get a lot of carriers at running back this year. He does have 2 offers already. One from the University of Charlotte and the other University of Las Vegas. I expect him to have a strong Sophomore year and more offers should come in. Below is what I wrote about Bones earlier this year:   He played outside linebacker and safety last year. When he was on the field he was explosive to make plays all over the field. He is a good tackler and does a nice job tackling players in the open field. He does a nice job in coverage and then coming up and making a play on the ball. Bones should get plenty of chances to play running back this year as well.    [player_tooltip player_id='606431' first='Mier' last='Green']. Green played linebacker and defensive end for York High last year. He flashed some good skills last year and should have a bigger year this year for York High. Going into his Senior year I bet Green's will production with increase this year and he have a major role. I expect him to be a difference-maker for York High on defense.    Nasir Chatman. Chatman played defensive back for York High last year. He has great size for the position standing 6'2" inches tall. Like Green, he should have a big year for York High this year playing defensive back. I expect him to have a big year for York High.    [player_tooltip player_id='855334' first='James' last='Abney']. Abney played at West York last year and has since transferred to York High. Abney was an impressive player for West York last year. West York struggled, but Abney stood out with his play at defensive end. He has great size standing 6'4" inches tall. He is a good athlete that uses that athleticism to play at a high level at defensive end. He has good natural instincts and is able to get his hands on offensive tackles and keep his shoulder free to keep contain and make plays. Abney also showed good pass-rush skills. Finally, Abney has a motor that never stops as he is constantly chasing plays from behind and all over the field. Abney should have a chance to make his mark this year on York High's team.   Final Thoughts: York High should have a good team again this year, but they sttill lost a lot with star running back Jahiem White off to West Virginia and other Senior players from last year's team. York High is having a competition at quarterback, but whoever wins the battle will throw to a bunch of talented wide receivers in [player_tooltip player_id='386322' first='David' last='Warde'] and [player_tooltip player_id='386132' first='Wanieq' last='Scott']. Plus they have a potential dominant player in [player_tooltip player_id='646686' first='Carmelo' last='McKenzie'] at defensive tackle. The 1st two weeks of their schedule are tough though when they play Harrisburg and Hempfield. There is a chance they could start 0-2, but when they get into league play they should have an upper hand in most of those games. I expect York High to get better as the season progresses.

York High went 6-4 last year, but their season could be explained as a series of close games that could have greatly improved their record. York High lost to Woodland Hills 28-24 in a dramatic defeat where York High had the ball inside the ball 5 and couldn't score to end the game in week one. The next week they lost to Hempfield 35-32 in a game where they lost the lead late. They then went on a 6 game-winning streak where they mostly took care of business but had a close call to Carlisle (54-47 win) and Spring Grove (40-37 win). Finally, they lost to Central York 41-36 to close out the regular season and then the following week to Central York again 51-44 in the 1st round of the District 3 Playoffs. So York High lost 4 games by a total of 17 points. Finishing 6-4 is not a bad record, but if York High even wins 2 of those close games they go 8-2 on the year.