Pittsburgh Central Catholic Team Preview: Part 2
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Pittsburgh Central Catholic will look to improve on a 7-5 record from the 2022 season. The Vikings have one of the biggest winning traditions in western Pennsylvania. They are known to be a competitive team that’s capable of winning the…
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Continue ReadingPittsburgh Central Catholic will look to improve on a 7-5 record from the 2022 season. The Vikings have one of the biggest winning traditions in western Pennsylvania. They are known to be a competitive team that’s capable of winning the state championship every year. PCC returns a stable of weapons and seems to reload annually. Not only does Central Catholic bring back a plethora of veteran performers, but their underclassmen are also some of the best college prospects in the state of Pennsylvania. There are so many players worthy of being mentioned that I had to break this up into a two-part series. So, without further ado, here’s part two of Pittsburgh Central Catholic’s team preview.
Wehner received his first D1 FCS offer from the Saint Francis Red Flash this summer. Payton is primarily a pocket QB but is also dangerous enough to cause problems outside of the pocket. Wehner excels at RPOs due to his sharp technical execution of play action. He has arm strength and throws timing routes with good anticipation. The ’24 prospect performed well at the 2Tenths Top 150 Camp, completing multiple passes in small windows, displaying his accuracy. From the pocket, he’s capable of completing passes on all three levels consistently. He displayed proper placement on passes with adequate zip on his throws. Payton will look to lead PCC to a title run in 2023.
Colsen’s a high-priority recruit who has earned Power 5 offers from Penn State, Pitt, and Wisconsin. He looked above average while doing drills in person this summer at the 2Tenths Top 150 camp. He was mobile and looked competitive while competing during one-on-ones. Gatten executed efficient zone drops during 7 on 7s and displayed a swift break on the football. His measurables are legit at 6’1.5, 210 lbs, and he has the frame to add more bulk. Colsen also has the talent to stand out on various special teams. The amount of depth that Central Catholic possesses every season is scary.
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Blatt is one of PCC’s multiple underclassmen who look and perform like upperclassmen. Blatt is a prospect D1 programs should have on their radar. Blatt’s frame is made for FBS already at 6’4, 215 lbs. Ashton’s agility and athleticism for the position are substantial attributes. He flips his hips well and showcases next-level body control. Blatt is another prospect who will most likely be a standout special teamer collegiately.
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Maceo is a smooth athlete with the build you’d like to see in a college DB prospect. He showcases quickness and speed, along with crisp DB footwork. Watkins is naturally competitive with man coverage skills. His versatility doesn’t stop on defense; he also looked good running routes and catching the football at the Top 150 Camp in June. I’m intrigued to watch him play on offense, as a potential playmaker for Central Catholic.
Roman is another potential college prospect with good measurements, at 6’2 and 270 lbs. Kane is another player I’m glad I got to see up close at the Top 150 camp. He’s proportionally built with strength and agility. He plays with a nasty attitude and has pretty good technique in general. Roman’s athleticism is advantageous in pass protection; he has an active base with a strong punch. Kane is another experienced player who will look to keep progressing in 2023.
Anthony is another nasty and versatile OL who has mobility and toughness. He’s a good puller and has a knack for pancaking his blocking assignments. As an OG, Shovlin is an effective down blocker who also performs well as a center. He has a good frame at 6’4, 280 lbs, with the right amount of strength and physicality. I agree with my colleague Vic Castillo Vic Castillo RB PA on how it’s perplexing that Anthony is completely unoffered at the moment. Shovlin is without a doubt one of the top O-linemen on the Vikings.
Gavin Stanek
Gavin Stanek
Gavin got quality time last season playing H-Back, TE, OLB, and also safety. He’s tough and versatile on defense, fulfilling his assignments. He showcased the ability to tackle in space, blitz, and intercept passes from the safety position. His ball skills were also seen on a couple of receptions from last season, including a TD on a vertical up the seam. Stanek was a regular on special teams in ’22 and will continue to provide good effort into this season.
Larry is the #1 ranked player in Pennsylvania on Prep Redzone in the 2027 class. It definitely isn’t hard to see why Power 5 schools are already after Moon. He’s just as quick as he is fast and has upperclassmen DB footwork. His work ethic is probably what impresses me most about him as he logged several days honing his craft this past summer. Moon has P5 offers from Penn State, Pitt, and Maryland.
Thompson is another PCC underclassman that’s primed for varsity action. Thompson is one of, if not the most, physically developed players in the 2027 class. He’s 6’0, 200 lbs, and moves well overall. He displayed physicality at the 2Tenths Top 150 camp, consistently getting hands on the WRs to reroute them. I’m pumped to see if Thompson can be disruptive in his first year of high school. Roman is the #1 ranked athlete in the State of Pennsylvania in the ’27 class according to Prep Redzone.
Sa’Nar is another tough athlete from the class of 2027 at Central Catholic. Brooks exhibits fluid movements, mixed with speed and quickness. I watched him compete at the Top 150 camp this summer and was left impressed. His 5’10”, 185 lbs frame resembles that of an upperclassman. I’m intrigued to see where PCC plays him because he’s capable of playing multiple specialist positions. Brooks also displayed the ability to execute man coverage at the PSU prospect camp this past summer.
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Samir Grayson
Samir Grayson
The Vikings are one of the few WPIAL teams that have offerable kids in every class. Some other notable players to watch out for are seniors: TE Ryan Jameson Ryan Jameson 6'3" | 220 lbs | DL Pittsburgh Central Catholic | 2025 State PA , DE Ty Turkowski Ty Turkowski 6'4" | 210 lbs | DL Pittsburgh Central Catholic | 2024 State PA , D-linemen Da’Ron Goodwine Da’Ron Goodwine 6'3" | 280 lbs | DL Pittsburgh Central Catholic | 2025 State PA , Carmen Petraglia Carmen Petraglia 6'1" | 190 lbs | LB Pittsburgh Central Cathoilic | 2024 State PA , and Samir Grayson. Turkowski is another 6’4, 215-pound versatile body that stood out on special teams last season. Ty brings quality depth and experience to the defense. The senior DE will log a lot more reps this upcoming year. Jameson is a 6’3, 240-pound reliable run-blocking TE that will continue to help clear the way in the run game. Da’ron is also another interesting player for the Vikings’ squad. He got his action last year playing DT on varsity but performed well as an OL at the Prep Redzone prospect camp. Goodwine and Grayson are two big bodies opponents will have to account for on the interior. They both possess low centers of gravity and are active in run pursuit. Petraglia is another consistent run-stopping participant who will be relied on more in ‘23. He played on the DL last season and showcased a swift get-off, with an unrelenting motor. Carmen is another LB-built player at 6’1, 230 lbs, who also doubles as a DE/special teamer.
Raymir is another intriguing young player who plays on the O-line. Jones displayed a lot of potential on the camp circuit most notably at UCF. He has a relevant OL frame despite only being a sophomore, at 6’5 and 250 lbs. It will be a treat watching Jones develop into a legitimate college football prospect over the next three seasons.
Jimmy is another oversized pup who has a lot of college potential. Kalis is very mobile and has solid fundamentals for the position. He’s standing at 6’5, 250 pounds, and performed very well at the Top 150 camp during competition. Jimmy is definitely someone to put on your radar for the next couple of years.
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Jon Sassic Jon Sassic 6'6" | 285 lbs | OL Pittsburgh Central Catholic | 2027 State PA and Max Roman Max Roman 5'10" | 170 lbs | ATH Pittsburgh Central Catholic | 2027 State PA are two more above-average 2027 kids. Sassic is another gargantuan OL for PCC, standing at 6’5, 280 lbs. If Sassic’s play is as impressive as his size, the Vikings will dominate with him for years to come. Roman is another player who displays versatility as an athlete. He showcases speed, quickness, ball skills, and competitiveness. Again, try not to forget that these two are just incoming freshmen with a ton of time for improvement.