2A: Century Conference Top Teams & Performers
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Washington: Washington High School (Wash High) is undefeated at 4-0 and has various weapons at their disposal. In 2A football, to possess a confident QB combined with burners at WR and RB usually spells success. The Prexies have easily defeated…
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Continue ReadingWashington:
Washington High School (Wash High) is undefeated at 4-0 and has various weapons at their disposal. In 2A football, to possess a confident QB combined with burners at WR and RB usually spells success. The Prexies have easily defeated Monessen, Clairton, Serra Catholic, and Greensburg Central Catholic in the first half of the season.
Gordon is too fast on the outside in 2A football. He’s the go-to guy when the Prexies need a play downfield in the passing game. He’s not just a deep threat but a threat in general, scoring in a variety of ways in 2023. His afterburners are of the D1 level. Not only has Gordon showcased his speed this season, but his toughness can be seen when he breaks to make a tackle. He isn’t afraid to hit anybody with the ball. I’d be surprised if there is any DB that truly matches up with Ruben at the 2A level. He runs a 4.33 40-yard dash and a 10.8 100-meter dash.
Ed continues to flex his playmaking ability in a variety of ways. He’s been dynamic with the ball in his hand, displaying a lot of elusiveness mixed with sharp cuts. His 4.4 speed proved to be too much against Clairton in ‘23. He had a long TD run where he showcased body control and stop-and-go quickness. Lewis also displayed special teams playmaking ability by scooping and scoring a blocked kick against the Bears. I love Ed’s ability for scholarship-level football. His vision, toughness, and explosion with the rock will continue to intimidate opponents in the 2A Century conference.
Zxavian Willis
Zxavian Willis
Zxavian is another athlete that the Prexies find ways to get the ball to. He’s shown a lot of versatility, running the wildcat QB, and catching the football as a receiver. Against Clairton, Willis gashed the Bears’ defense from the wildcat QB. Zxavian has good hips and has excelled in 2023 at being competitive in coverage. Zxavian has also flashed the ability to fluidly transition in phase on deep balls this season. He definitely has a college CB frame at 5’11-6’0, 170 pounds, with the skills to go with it.
Reed is a nice-sized QB who can easily see over the O-line at 6’4, 160 pounds. He has a sidearm release that he needs to work on in order to play as a college QB. Although he has enough arm strength and accuracy to be effective now, collegiately, pressure could change that assessment. In 2023, he’s gotten the ball to his playmakers consistently, which has contributed to Wash High’s 4-0 record. Reed also plays safety and runs a 4.6 40-yard dash. Tristan’s athletic ability could have him playing DB or WR collegiately if he doesn’t correct his throwing motion. Overall, he’s an athlete that shows a lot of potential, and I’m excited to watch his progression.
Highlights
Waynesburg Central:
Waynesburg Central is also currently enjoying an undefeated season at the moment. They kicked off the season with a victory over Carmichaels in week one. The Raiders then reeled off 3 straight victories against Jefferson-Morgan, California, and conference rival Keystone Oaks. Waynesburg Central’s defense has been formidable in 2023, not allowing more than nine points scored thus far.
Woods has been a leader and a stand-out performer on both sides of the football. Woods had a nice 20-yard TD run against Jefferson-Morgan, where he hit the corner and put the afterburners on. On defense, he had a really nice interception, displaying sound ball skills. Against California, his breakaway speed and vision were on display on a couple of long rushes, including a 65 & 71-yard TD. Breydon has been a home run hitter so far, hard to bring down by one tackler. Woods has showcased the ability to rush inside and outside of the tackles during the first 4 games of the 2023 season.
Highlights
Jack’s a 6’3, 190-pound freshman that can go up top and get the ball. He’s very smooth off the line and does a good job restacking on fade routes, and has the speed to take it the distance whenever he receives the ball. Two of his TD catches this season showcased his speed and overall deep-threat capabilities. He runs precise routes and snags the ball out of the air when receiving his passes. His strong hands, coupled with his crisp route-running, are very impressive for only being a freshman in high school. He’s been elusive with the ball in his hands and isn’t afraid to catch the ball in heavy traffic.
McGuffey:
McGuffey is 1-0 in the Century conference play and has an even .500 winning percentage at 2-2. The Highlanders have contributed thus far by committee in 2023. McGuffey’s wing T offense has gotten production from Daniel Furmanek, Dylan Droboj Dylan Droboj LB McGuffey | 2024 State PA , Connor Crowe, and Malachi Ealy, to name a few of the rushers. Their O-line has gotten the job done with veteran tough players led by Reno Presto and Chris Ealy Chris Ealy 6'1" | 200 lbs | LB McGuffey | 2024 State PA . Defensively, players like Charles Wagers, Jacob Durbin, Lincoln Johnson, and Aiden O’Dell have produced the most thus far for the Highlanders.
Keystone Oaks:
The Golden Eagles have gotten off to a rough start. A big reason for Keystone Oaks’ 1-3 start is due to their best player, Syracuse commit Clinton Robinson Clinton Robinson 6'1" | 195 lbs | ATH Keystone Oaks | 2024 State PA , being out with an injury. They’re 0-1 in conference play and hoping to rebound quickly.
Anthony Stribling Anthony Stribling 6'0" | 215 lbs | DL Keystone Oaks | 2024 State PA
Anthony Stribling Anthony Stribling 6'0" | 215 lbs | DL Keystone Oaks | 2024 State PA
Anthony is a hybrid DE/OLB who is quick off the ball. He’s been a menace this season coming off the edge. Stribling is 6’0, 210 lbs and a lot stronger than he looks. He has a lot of moves, a toolbox when getting to the quarterback, like the rest of the players on this post. He’s good at dipping his shoulder and bending under the outstretched arms of the OT when getting pressure on the quarterback. Anthony has a great motor, and he doesn’t let blockers stop him. I actually saw him run through 2 pass protectors en route to a QB sack. He’s definitely physical with violent hands, and he does a good job of utilizing the Bullrush as well. Anthony has two football offers at the moment from Notre Dame College and West Liberty in the MEC. In my opinion, local FCS programs, more PSAC and MEC programs need to take another look at Stribling.
Dimajio Locante
Dimajio Locante
Dimajio has displayed a lot of versatility so far in 2023. He’s explosive with stop-and-go speed mixed with quickness. Keystone Oaks has done a good job of getting the ball in his hands, whether handed the ball at RB or taking direct snaps as a wildcat QB. Locante’s cutting ability, combined with his patience and vision with the football, were on display against Deer Lakes & South Park. He’s definitely an athlete that has shown this season that he’s capable of being a scholarship-level scatback or slot. I also believe that he’s athletically capable of being a DB and a kick returner. Dimajio has been clocked at 4.6 in the 40-yard dash.
Ryan has been active this season despite Keystone Oaks’ 1–2 record in 2023. The senior DE is 6’3, 250 lbs and has a knack for getting pressure on the QB. So far this season, Hazlet has put up solid numbers with 5.5 Sacks, 7 TFLs, and 16 tackles. Ryan has a quick get-off and knows how to use his hands to get rid of the OT. At 250 pounds, he’s strong and big enough to utilize Bullrushes, spin moves, violent rips, and also bend underneath the OT’s outstretched arms when providing pressure.
Highlights
Giovontae is another Keystone Oaks athlete who shows a lot of versatility and toughness. As a corner, he plays with a low center of gravity. He doesn’t take steps outside of his body frame, and he displays good hips when bailing to his third in cover 3. His overall DB footwork is sharp, and when he comes up to tackle, he’s coming to punish somebody. I really do believe that Hutchinson could be a scholarship-level defensive back, and he definitely has return ability, taking a long touchdown back on a kickoff in ‘23. He has quickness and speed, and it will be interesting to see what he can do in the slot in the remaining portion of the season.
Sto Rox:
The Vikings have dropped 2 of their first 3 games to solid teams in Steel Valley and Avonworth. Their lone victory came against Charleroi last week. It’s also worth noting that they graduated 15 seniors out of the 29 players they fielded last year.
Harper has looked good to start the season, dominating in a lot of areas on the DL. The 6’1, 270-pound interior lineman looks like he’s quicker and stronger. He’s been very hard to move in the run game and has made multiple TFLs. On offense, he’s the O-Lineman that you run behind when attempting to move the ball. Harper has done a good job of coming off the ball swiftly while shocking the OL. Amare’s improved quickness and brute strength have allowed him to make plays in the backfield. He has one football offer presently from Clarion in the PSAC.
Eric McGuire
Eric McGuire
McGuire is a confident athlete and happens to be one of Sto Rox’s biggest playmakers this season. He showcased great anticipation and breaking ability, taking a pick-6 back versus Charleroi in man coverage. His toughness is very apparent, watching him break to the flat to hit a ball carrier. The Vikings do a good job of utilizing his quickness on jet sweeps, and he has the type of speed that can break angles. Eric’s aggression at nickel tells me that he’s capable of playing safety but quick enough to play cornerback at the next level. McGuire is definitely a strong, pound-for-pound athlete that Sto Rox must rely on
Robert Sykes Jr.
Robert Sykes Jr.
Sykes is an aggressive strong safety who sheds blockers quickly and comes up in run support. He possesses good ball skills and anticipation, logging 2 picks thus far in 2023. He has a pretty decent-sized frame for the next level as a DB at 6’0, 175 pounds. Sykes has man coverage skills and never gives up on a play in coverage. Rob’s ball skills were most certainly showcased against Avonworth at WR, catching a nice fade where he adjusted to make the TD catch. It’s very evident that Sykes has next-level potential at DB and special teams.
Yates has excelled this season as a two-way player for the Vikings. He took a direct snap to the house, showcasing body control mixed with speed against a formidable opponent in Avonworth. On defense, he plays sideline to sideline and has caused a couple of fumbles. He switches between fullback and tailback and can be a dangerous receiver out of the backfield. He’s not the biggest, weighing 170 pounds presently, but he packs a punch when he hits somebody. The Vikings are 1-0 in conference play, and if they get over the hump, it will be because of players like Yates.