WPIAL Preview: Top 10 Tri-County 2026 Prospects

<!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":"","_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6604cca26ecd7"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["256526"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='256526' first='Colsen' last='Gatten'] is one of the best players in the 2026 class and the best player in the Tri-County Conference. Gatten can do it all at outside linebacker. Below is what I wrote about him earlier this year:rnrnu0022He has a good combination of athleticism and fundamentals. He does a good job of playing in space and the box as a linebacker. In pass coverage, he does an outstanding job of getting his hands on the ball for pass breakups and interceptions. In run support, he does a good job of reading and reacting to the play and then coming upfield to make the play. He is an outstanding tackler. In the open field, he is good at tracking down ball carriers. Sky's the limit for Gatten and he picked up an offer from Tennessee. I expect more offers to come his wayu0022.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6604cca26ed7d"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["388089"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='388089' first='Ashton' last='Blatt'] is a talented linebacker in the 2026 class. Blatt makes a ton of plays all over the field. Below is what I wrote about him earlier this year:rnrnu003cemu003e“[player_tooltip player_id='388089' first='Ashton' last='Blatt']u003c/emu003eu003cemu003e, along with others in this piece, served as a priority to get my eyes on at this event. He, as well as u003c/emu003eu003cemu003e[player_tooltip player_id='256526' first='Colsen' last='Gatten']u003c/emu003eu003cemu003e , placed very high along our initial freshman rankings that debuted in August of last year. Word from coaches I know out West u003c/emu003eu003cemu003ehas pounded the table for the kid, I had to get out there and see the kid work for my own eyes. Watching Blatt was a focal point of my trip to West Virginia, the kid carries an awesome build for a myriad of positions, said build looked good in person. Blatt's lack of tape would have had him off the rankings u003c/emu003eu003cemu003eentirely yet seeing him throw darts across the field against great DBs and LBs helped his cause to not only stay on the rankings but stay inside the top 50. After seeing him work different levels of the field, u003c/emu003eu003cemu003eand seeing how live his arm can be, especially when u003c/emu003eu003cemu003etargeting weapons 20+ yards downfield, I feel much more comfortable talking about Blatt as one of the better Freshman prospects in the state. Even if Blatt doesn't stick at quarterback for whatever reason, I still believe his presence will be felt in a significant way next Fall”. u003c/emu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6604cca26ee28"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["647246"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='647246' first='Adam' last='Gehm'] is a good prospect who plays at defensive end and tight end for Seneca Valley. At both positions, he shows a good combination of strength and athleticism. At tight end, Ghem runs excellent routes and catches the ball well. He is good at catching the ball in traffic and holding on even when he knows he will get hit. Gehm shows good blocking as well, but it is an area he can improve on. He is even good when he is put in the slot to catch the ball. At defensive end, he shows a good ability to get hands-on with offensive linemen and to create havoc for the offense. Gehm has all the tools at tight end and defensive end.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6604cca26eeaf"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["647287"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Patrick Smith is a good, physical, and tough football player. His 1st two plays from his film tell the story. In the 1st play, he is in at quarterback and runs with the ball on a designed QB run. He breaks through a ton of tackles to score a touchdown. In the 2nd play, he is playing as a stand-up defensive end, he breaks through the line makes the play in the backfield picks up the ball, and races over 80 yards for a touchdown. Smith is a good athlete that is good on defense. He is a perfect hybrid player that you can play as either a linebacker or a stand-up defensive end. He is athletic enough to play either. As a quarterback, he shows he can throw the ball, but needs to get better in this area. Regardless, he is the type of player every football team would want.rnrnu0026nbsp;","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6604cca26ef2f"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":"","_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6604cca26ef8e"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["944134"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='944134' first='Cayden' last='Parker'] is a good athlete who played as a defensive end and as a tight end. At defensive end, he shows off his athleticism by attacking offensive lineman. He has a great burst off the line of scrimmage. Once he gets into the backfield, he can use his athleticism and his strength to create chaos against the offense. He also showed a motor that never stops by chasing plays all over the field. At tight end, he ran good routes and caught the ball well. Seneca Valley used him in motion a ton to throw him the ball or block. Parker is a talented player on both sides of the ball.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6604cca26f044"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1156004"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='1156004' first='Grayson' last='Beck'] is a good tight end and outside linebacker for Mount Lebanon. As an outside linebacker, he is good at both playing out in space and playing on the edge. When he plays out in space, he does a good job in run support by coming up field to make tackles in the open field. When the offense passes the ball, he is good at dropping in a zone and getting his hands on the ball to deflect it. Beck also is good at blitzing off the edge. He also has a motor that never stops. He was used mostly as a tight end as a blocker but showed good skills running routes and catching the ball. Beck is a talented player in the 2026 class as both an outside linebacker and as a tight end.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6604cca26f0b9"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["402455"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='402455' first='Matt' last='Bowers'] recruitment is starting to heat up after he has visited West Virginia and Michigan. There are a ton of good things to like about Bowers. He has good size standing 6'4u0022 inches tall. Bowers has good fundamentals and does a good job shooting out of his stance. Bowers should be an even bigger contributor this season for Pittsburgh Central Catholic. He has all the tools to play at a high-level next season.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6604cca26f126"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":"","_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6604cca26f188"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["647204"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='647204' first='Marco' last='Faieta'] played as an outside linebacker/strong safety last year for Canon McMillan. He is good at playing in space as a flat defender. He is  good at reading his keys and then coming up field to make plays. He is a good tackler, who tackles especially well in the open field. Faieta also does a good job in pass coverage by dropping in the flat and making passes thrown his way. Faieta is a good player who should only improve.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6604cca26f1fa"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["402467"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='402467' first='TJ' last='Sabatucci'] is a nice player who played defensive end and tight end last year for Canon McMillan. In both positions, he has good size and athleticism. At defensive end, he gets off the ball extremely quickly and shows a motor that never stops. He is constantly chasing plays all over the field. As a tight, he shows a good ability to catch the ball. Especially difficult catches. He also gets moved around the formations a ton to block and catch the ball. Sabatucci is a good prospect who plays well on both sides of the ball.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6604cca26f25e"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1156198"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='1156198' first='Jayden' last='Baxter'] played safety last year for Canon-McMillan. He played it at a high level last year. He did a good job of playing a deep zone, but also coming up field to make tackles in the open field. In pass coverage, he was a ball hawk. He had several interceptions by being around where the passes were thrown and then anticipating the pass and breaking on the ball. Baxter is a good combination of size, strength, and athleticism at safety.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6604cca26f2c0"} /-->