PRZNY Team Previews: Archbishop Stepinac Crusaders

<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Last Season (8-3)</h2>   <p>Last season Stepinac made a big move going down to Tennessee to play the Baylor School, although it ended in a 51-21 defeat playing that level of competition was only a good thing for a strong Stepinac team. Stepinac started the season off strong 2-0 in the CHSFL AAA and with a win over New Jersey powerhouse DePaul Catholic. Stepinac handled the CHSFL AAA division through the season and only 8 points between two games in two losses to Cardinal Hayes was their kryptonite. A strong season from Stepinac who ultimatley were just a couple points away from potentiall being NYCHSFL State Champions. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Top Prospect</h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">The Boston College commit returns as one of the top offensive lineman in New York, not many OL prospects have the athleticism as Williams and his background in basketball is evident in his football tape where he has very quick feet and excellent lateral movement. Williams will often be the guy that Stepinac runs behind both in the run game and with screens. With so many unknowns on offense that we will touch later, Williams not only is the best player returning on the Stepinac roster but could be the focal point of their offense production, something you don't often say about offensive lineman. </p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Five X-Factors</h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">Heslop has an extremely high ceiling and he slides into the role as CB1 for Stepinac and will be the key returner in the defensive backfield. A long, lean CB prospect Heslop shows fluid hips on tape and the ability to turn his head and find the ball. Heslop is one of the top athletes in the CHSFL and is the type of player who won't reach his ceiling until he has developed at the next level where he holds offers and interest from several D1 programs. </p>     <p class="text-gray-700">Spellman is the only offensive skill returner who had significant production and is a player who could have a major breakout season for Stepinac. Spellman is one of the faster athletes in the CHSFL and has routinley been a top performer at the Elite V showcase the past couple seasons. Spellman will be the player on offense to watch and although last season was a big WR room that saw a ton of spreading the ball around I could see Spellman having a 2022 Gjok Dedvukaj type season where he is the clear #1 option. </p>     <p class="text-gray-700">Ramos returns as an athletic OLB prospect who has strong varisty experience. Ramos can impact the game as a blitzer, against the run where his ability to evade blockers and tackle in space win reps, and in coverage where he shows good movement skills and the ability to run with offensive playmakers. Ramos is a smaller backer under 6' 200 but he is the best athlete amongst the returning front 7. Ramos is also the best returning pass rusher in terms of Varsity level performance and will be key in Stepinac getting pressure on the QB this season. </p>     <p class="text-gray-700">Waters a bigger LB prospect will be a major factor in Stepinac stopping the run behind a new defneisve line. At 220lbs Waters is physical around the LOS and is the best Stepinac Defender taking on blocks. Waters who plays with a quick trigger and the ability to close on the ball at the LOS. Waters strength is against the run and figures to be a key piece in the middle of the Stepinac defense. </p>     <p class="text-gray-700">Hoover who comes to Stepinac from Newburgh will come with a wealth of expereince where he led Newburgh to the AA State Title game as a sophomore in the 2022 season and has several years of varsity experience under his belt. </p>   <p>Hoover will compete for the QB job but is the clear front runner against some young QB prospects Stepinac has, Hoovers ability to move and extend plays even do some work as a designed runner is the type of athlete Stepinac has not had at the quarterback position. Hoovers experience and composure in the pocket could be an asset for Stepinac with nearly a whole new WR and OL group. </p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Breakout Players</h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">Having to completely revamp the defensive line there are a couple new names that could become big name prospects for Stepinac the one name that has been talked about a little bit behind the scenes and a player who could really standout in the CHSFL is [player_tooltip player_id='1345061' first='Elias' last='Murray']. At 6'1 285 he has a similar build to former Crusader and Wake Forest commit Kadear Dembele and with the prospective amount of playing time for Murray he could standout as the leader of the Stepinac DL group. </p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Names To Know</h2>   <figure class="wp-block-table"><table class="has-fixed-layout"><thead><tr><th>Name</th><th>Year</th><th>Position</th><th>Notes</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='1235800' first='Anthony' last='Terilli']</td><td>2025</td><td>Linebacker</td><td>Returning with Varsity Experience</td></tr><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='1692609' first='John' last='Marino']</td><td>2025</td><td>Linebacker</td><td>Returning with Varsity Experience</td></tr><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='820121' first='Ethan' last='Whitehead']</td><td>2025</td><td>Offensive Line</td><td>6'4 270lb prospect - Starting OL</td></tr><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='820115' first='Adrian' last='Sukalic']</td><td>2025</td><td>Defensive Line</td><td>Returning with Varsity Experience</td></tr><tr><td>Nathaniel Rosario</td><td>2025</td><td>Defensive Line</td><td>Returning with Varsity Experience</td></tr><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='820132' first='Calvin' last='Wills']</td><td>2025</td><td>Offensive Line</td><td>6'5 330lb prospect - Potential Starting OT</td></tr><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='820260' first='Jessie' last='Osbourne']</td><td>2025</td><td>Running Back</td><td>In-line to be top RB, Physical Runner </td></tr><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='820089' first='Troy' last='Baker']</td><td>2025</td><td>Running Back</td><td>Will be a part of RB rotation</td></tr><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='1568121' first='Max' last='Oliveri']</td><td>2025</td><td>Wide Reciever</td><td>Returning with Limited Varsity Experience</td></tr><tr><td>Keeshawn Lamazon</td><td>2025</td><td>Wide Receiver</td><td>Returning with Limited Varsity Experience</td></tr><tr><td>Joshua Genwright</td><td>2025</td><td>Wide Receiver</td><td>RReturning with Limited Varsity Experience</td></tr><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='820112' first='Alex' last='Sakellariou']</td><td>2025</td><td>Center</td><td>Potential Starting Center</td></tr><tr><td>Ethan Morris</td><td>2025</td><td>Safety</td><td>Returning with Varsity Experience</td></tr><tr><td>Dimitrios Tsapatsaris</td><td>2025</td><td>Kicker/Punter</td><td>K/P - High Academic Prospect</td></tr><tr><td>Ka'Mauri Guinyard</td><td>2026</td><td>Defensive Line</td><td>Twitchy DL/EDGE - potential starter - Young Prospect to Know</td></tr><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='1208805' first='Jordyn' last='Eaton']</td><td>2026</td><td>Wide Reciever</td><td>Intruiging Young WR Prospect</td></tr><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='819995' first='Nieem' last='Hardy']</td><td>2026</td><td>Wide Reciever</td><td>Intruiging Young WR Prospect</td></tr><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='1236538' first='Ian' last='Thomas']</td><td>2026</td><td>Wide Reciever</td><td>Intruiging Young WR Prospect</td></tr><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='820269' first='Eddie' last='Keeler']</td><td>2026</td><td>Tight End/Wide Reciever</td><td>Could earn the TE/WR role on Varsity</td></tr><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='820268' first='Richie' last='DeMarco']</td><td>2026</td><td>Wide Reciever</td><td>Intruiging Young WR Prospect</td></tr><tr><td>Sean McKenney</td><td>2026</td><td>Offensive Line</td><td>Intruiging Young OL Prospect</td></tr><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='496905' first='Neron' last='Wilmot']</td><td>2026</td><td>Safety</td><td>Intruiging Young DB Prospect</td></tr><tr><td>Kieran Austin</td><td>2026</td><td>Safety</td><td>JV MVP - potential starter at SAF</td></tr><tr><td>Ny'Zay Wingfall</td><td>2027</td><td>Safety</td><td>Very Intruiging Young SAF prospect, could play as Sophomore </td></tr><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='1364040' first='Jahmai' last='McNeil']</td><td>2027</td><td>Quarterback</td><td>Smaller QB prospect, competing on Varsity</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Key Losses/Commitments</h2>   <p>QB - Will Currid - Brown<br>RB - Jordan Osbourne - Monmouth<br>RB - Lorenzo Robinson - Lock Haven<br>WR - Jahi Gary - New Haven<br>WR - Darison Hooper - Trinity<br>WR - Troy Worrell - Williston Northhampton (PG)<br>OL - Ryan Diaz - Franklin & Marshall<br>OL - Jayden Palmer - Norwich<br>OL - Christian Hood - Hampton<br>OL - Harrison Brown - Colgate<br>DL - D'Andre Newby - Western Connecticut State <br>DL - Savion Rucker - Springfield<br>DL - Tyler Bevan - Norwich<br>LB - Tommy Cottrell - Williams<br>LB - Eddie Palumbo - Yale<br>CB - Samuel Madu - Minnesota<br>SAF - Damon Smith - Franklin Pierce<br>SAF - Deonte Douglas - Central Connecticut State<br>SAF - Morgyn Howell-Brown - Eastern <br>K/P - Marco Graci - (Scranton Soccer)<br>LS - Lachlan Mcintyre - Fordham<br>ATH - Bryceson Wise - Bridgton Academy (PG)<br><br>DL - Kadear Dembele - Wake Forest<br>* Returns to West Haven, CT for Senior Season<br></p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">2024 Schedule</h2>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/07/Stepinac-Schedule.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1352539" /></figure>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">2024 Outlook</h2>   <p>Replacing this many talented players, especially this many players who will play at the next level is something that really has not been done across the entire state of New York. Several Catholic League programs have graduated a ton of top prospects at once but not many have been gutted like Stepinac has with such little experience returning. Stepinac has an even tougher schedule this year than last year starting with two national powerhouse programs in McDonogh followed by Archbishop Spalding, two trips to Maryland. Then a game against St. Joseph's Regional who has been stacking their roster with top transfers. There is not a team in New York with a tough 4 game stretch to start the season and with so many new varsity players there surely will be bumps in the road. If Stepinac can remain healthy headed into the CHSFL play they do lighten up a little bit with two AA teams in the second half and games against teams they handled last season. </p>   <p>The Schedule is hard and the team is being overhauled so there is a lot of unkown for Stepinac and likley we really won't know what this team is capable of until week 5 or 6 of the season. If Stepinac can have 2-3 players emerge as top CHSFL prospects they have I think enough of a core intact with Heslop, Williams, Spellman, and the LB group that they could be a team you wouldn't want to face late in the season if they can rattle off 4-5 wins on the second half of the schedule. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">3 Things Going For The Crusaders</h2>   <p>Stepinac returns a strong group of linebackers with Varisty experience, with youth on the defensive line and in the defensive backfield having some experience in the middle of their defense will be important early in the season. </p>   <p>There are some intruiging young 2026 + 2027 prospects who will be able to compete and earn starting role and playing time through camp and the early season, players that are potentially talented enough to be multi-year starters. </p>   <p>Although I have been open about it being a QB competition, the front-runner Hoover has plenty of experience on Varsity even helping Newburgh make it to the AA State Championship just two season ago. With plenty of experince, Hoover gives Stepinac an option at QB that understands the play speed of the CHSFL and talent of their competition. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">1 Area Of Concern</h2>   <p>Stepinac loses 23 players who will continue their careers in college or doing post-grad years at other schools, this includes 4 of the 5 starting offensive lineman, quarterback, both running backs, and multiple major contributors to the defense. Regardless of the talent you have in your program JV level or transfers to replace that much production and talent in just one year will be an uphill climb in a league where multiple other programs return the core of their rosters. Not only players, but Stepinac also lost multiple coaches who earned roles as head coaches of other local programs. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Last Word</h2>   <p>I think Stepinac has an uphill climb here, training camp will be important in determining a lot of spots where starters are not determined or playing time is available. I do expect to make a visit during training camp to check out some prospects and see their overall progress and where they are at. I think a lot of this season will fall on Hoover whose experience will be the reason I think he gets the nod or at least earns the job through the season. Hoover offers Stepinac a dual-threat prospect they have not had at the position the past few years. With Spellman being the top playmaker if Osbourne or a couple of the young WR prospects can emerge Stepinac should be able to compete offensively with the rest of the CHSFL. Defensively, Ka'Mauri Guinyard, [player_tooltip player_id='1345061' first='Elias' last='Murray'], and Ny'Zay Wigfall are all prospects who could have a big impact on Stepianc's success. </p>