Woodland Hills vs Pittsburgh Central Catholic Week 0 Preview
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Another preview I’m really excited to see is Woody High versus Pittsburgh Central Catholic. I recently previewed the Vikings’ squad for ’23 for this week. We all know that PCC is stacked with D1 talent and depth in quality. Now,…
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Continue ReadingAnother preview I’m really excited to see is Woody High versus Pittsburgh Central Catholic. I recently previewed the Vikings’ squad for ’23 for this week. We all know that PCC is stacked with D1 talent and depth in quality. Now, what about Woodland Hills? Very similar to the Vikings, the Wolverines boast D1 players along with depth and quality as well. First-year head coach Brian Tarrant will look to utilize all of his weapons that are at his disposal. Since I just got finished highlighting the Vikings, I’m gonna highlight the players from Woodland Hills that you need to look for.
Scoop Smith Scoop Smith 5’5″ | ATH Woodland Hills | 2026 State PA will create all kinds of problems for the Vikings. This greased lightning slot is dangerous whenever he touches the ball. I’m very intrigued to see how Pittsburgh Central Catholic plans on stopping his production. Scoop is a dynamo slot that possesses explosion, elite quickness, and excellent body control. The matchups on the outside on both offense and defense in this game are going to be top billing. Scoop will have to contend with FBS talent such as Xxavier Thomas Xxavier Thomas 5’10” | 160 lbs | DB Pittsburgh Central Catholic | 2025 State PA , Vernon Settles Vernon Settles 6’0″ | 160 lbs | WR Pittsburgh Central Catholic | 2024 State PA , Ashton Blatt Ashton Blatt 6’4″ | 215 lbs | LB Pittsburgh Central Catholic | 2026 State PA , and Maceo Watkins in week 0.
Rose is an XL 6’6″, 290-pound OL/DL for Woody High. Mejaun has two D1 scholarship offers, from Kent State and Akron. I’m very amped to watch Rose versus Pittsburgh Central Catholic’s stout, technical offensive line in the Week 0 matchup. Even though Rose is a good-sized lineman, I’m very excited to see what he looks like on the offensive side of the ball, blocking pass rushers like Pitt Commit Ty Yuhas Ty Yuhas 6’4″ | 250 lbs | DL Pittsburgh Central Catholic | 2024 State PA and blitzing LBs such as PSU commit Anthony Speca Anthony Speca 6’2″ | 215 lbs | LB Pittsburgh Central Catholic | 2024 State PA , Colsen Gatten Colsen Gatten 6’1″ | 210 lbs | ATH Pittsburgh Central Catholic | 2026 State PA , and Ashton Blatt Ashton Blatt 6’4″ | 215 lbs | LB Pittsburgh Central Catholic | 2026 State PA .
The 6’6″, 340 lbs FBS prospect has good flexibility in his stance. Canon has offers to Syracuse, Akron, and Kent State. The senior offensive lineman has long arms with a strong punch and displays physicality. It will be very fun to watch Pierce and Woody High’s other mammoth O-linemen, Antonio Nash Antonio Nash 6’5″ | 290 lbs | OL Woodland Hills | 2024 State PA and Mejaun Rose Mejaun Rose 6’5″ | 290 lbs | DL Woodland Hills | 2024 State PA , matched up against Pitt commit Ty Yuhas Ty Yuhas 6’4″ | 250 lbs | DL Pittsburgh Central Catholic | 2024 State PA .
Nash has an FBS frame and put in a strong offseason in preparation for 2023. Nash is another big offensive tackle/defensive tackle who plays for Coach Tarrant and the Wolverines. Antonio looked good in person this summer and competed well at the 2Tenths top 150 camp. He performed well in one-on-ones, and he will need to put the same performance together versus the Vikings’ numerous DE-built athletes.
Moore put together a 2nd-team all-conference freshman season in 2022, and I, for one, am very intrigued to see what he can do in ’23. I actually saw him catching passes at the 2Tenths top 150 camp, and he looked good. He had soft hands, decent speed, and he made plays consistently. Zykir is another effective pass rusher who will have to figure out how to beat PCC’s big-bodied offensive line.
Walter displays FBS ability in my personal opinion. Cam’s Armstrong. He has good mobility in the pocket, and he’s a pretty good athlete in general. He improvises well and doesn’t fixate on specific targets. He gets the ball out fast and he’s accurate with a strong arm. Walter is mobile and will have to be against the likes of the Vikings’ defense. Cameron is ranked the sixth-best quarterback in the 2026 class by Prep Redzone PA.
Andrews is a recent transfer from the state champs, Pine-Richland. Niko is a smooth athlete that’s dangerous when playing WR or DB. He’s another corner with great footwork, has a competitive attitude, and displays good technique. Woodland Hills needed a player like Andrews for quality depth against the Vikings’ wideouts. I think Niko is without a doubt a D1 prospect that runs good routes at wide receiver and is a savvy cornerback. The matchup between Andrews and FBS recruits Xxavier Thomas Xxavier Thomas 5’10” | 160 lbs | DB Pittsburgh Central Catholic | 2025 State PA or Vernon Settles Vernon Settles 6’0″ | 160 lbs | WR Pittsburgh Central Catholic | 2024 State PA is a very intriguing one.
Brown is a multi-sport star and a serious DB that the Vikings’ pass catchers will have to contend with. Brown is athletic. He moves well, has speed, explosion, strength, and body control. Amere has good makeup speed which will come in handy if he missteps versus big-body D1 WRs Peter Gonzalez Peter Gonzalez 6’3″ | 200 lbs | WR Pittsburgh Central Catholic | 2024 State PA (PSU commit) or Bradley Gompers Bradley Gompers 6’5″ | 205 lbs | LB Pittsburgh Central Catholic | 2025 State PA . I’m not sure if Coach Tarrant wants to use him on offense, but he was a weapon for Woody High in 2022.
Hill will be responsible for making plays in the run game against top-notch rushers Amari Shields Amari Shields ATH Pittsburgh Central Catholic | 2025 State PA and Elijah Faulkner Elijah Faulkner 5’10” | 190 lbs | RB Pittsburgh Central Catholic | 2025 State PA . George is a versatile LB that has experience playing tough competition down south before transferring up north to Woody High. Hill plays off of blocks well and has to against PCC’s veteran OL that love getting blocks on the second level.
Jones is a workhorse running back that’s good at running inside or outside of the tackles. Brandon has a lot of strength and vision, which will aid him well against top PA LB Anthony Speca Anthony Speca 6’2″ | 215 lbs | LB Pittsburgh Central Catholic | 2024 State PA . Jones is a game changer that makes big plays and breaks big runs. The 180-pound senior will need to use his patience, skills, and toughness to affect the game versus Central Catholic.
Tarrant will face top D1 prospects Peter Gonzalez Peter Gonzalez 6’3″ | 200 lbs | WR Pittsburgh Central Catholic | 2024 State PA and Bradley Gompers Bradley Gompers 6’5″ | 205 lbs | LB Pittsburgh Central Catholic | 2025 State PA on the outside in Week 0. Prince is only a sophomore but will have to play like an upperclassman against the Vikings’ top-flight WR corps if the Wolverines are going to have a chance at pulling out a victory. Terrence is Coach Tarrant’s son who has good technique. He doesn’t overextend when he breaks on the ball and he triggers fast in run support. He’s good at contesting passes and doesn’t give up on plays.
Smith is a physical linebacker that delivers a big hit when he tackles someone. He will be relied upon heavily to slow down the Vikings’ rushing attack along with his fellow backer, George Hill George Hill 6’2″ | 225 lbs | LB Woodland Hills | 2025 State PA . Smith is a good blitzer off the edge and tackles well in space. Andre is a versatile athlete who has played at outside linebacker, safety, and running back. In 2022, he had 92 tackles (53 solo), 9 TFLs, and 3 forced fumbles.