PRZPA Team Preview. Upper St. Clair Part 1

<p>The Upper St. Clair Panthers are determined to bounce back after narrowly missing the postseason in 2023 despite an impressive 8-2 record. Head coach Mike Junko returns Division I talent, complemented by a mix of promising underclassmen and seasoned veterans. Last season, USC suffered two tough conference losses to state runner-up Peters Township and Bethel Park. The Panthers will look to avenge those defeats in weeks 6 and 8. Upper St. Clair opens the season at home against Mt. Lebanon on August 23 at 7 pm.</p>    <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/michaelalbert__/status/1798729856211153198?s=46&t=Z9HVsIfxlYpUmBtFJHGC4g </div></figure>   <p>Albert is an athlete who has been frequently highlighted on this platform, and for good reason. He's currently committed to play Division I football for Princeton, alongside his teammate [player_tooltip player_id='386102' first='Nate' last='Stohl']. Albert excels on both sides of the ball for Upper St. Clair, consistently showcasing next-level physicality throughout the 2023 season. His strength as a TE/H-back is likely what attracted the Tigers to his skill set. He's quick off the ball, and this year, he'll have the opportunity to showcase his talent as a pass-catching receiver. Defensively, Michael's lateral movement and ability to tackle in space will be valuable assets for the Panthers in 2024. Albert ultimately chose Princeton over programs such as Lehigh, UPenn, Dartmouth, Richmond, Furman, Columbia, Cornell, New Hampshire, Maine, and Brown.</p>    <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/natestohl/status/1802490739827360211?s=46&t=Z9HVsIfxlYpUmBtFJHGC4g </div></figure>   <p>Stohl is another Upper St. Clair player poised for a Division I career. Nate was the second player to commit to the Princeton Tigers, joining his teammate [player_tooltip player_id='386110' first='Michael' last='Albert'] in New Jersey in 2025. The 6'3, 265-pound lineman, known for his nimble footwork, will be one of Upper St. Clair's top enforcers in 2024. He possesses next-level strength, whether he's locking out offensive linemen on defense or pancaking defenders on offense. Collegiately, Nate has endless possibilities as a 5-technique or defensive tackle for the Tigers. He's explosive off the snap, with the motor and redirection skills to cause tackles for loss. This year, he will undoubtedly be a two-way leader for the Panthers in the trenches. Should Stohl continue to develop in college, he has the skillset to excel as an offensive lineman as well. Nate chose Princeton over offers from Navy, UPenn, Maine, Columbia, Dartmouth, Cornell, Duquesne, Lafayette, Colgate, Lehigh, Bucknell, and Brown.</p>    <p>Gianni is a three-sport athlete who plays with heart and tenacity on the gridiron. He rises to the occasion against tough competition and is fearless in man coverage. Disora's strong route recognition enables him to contest passes effectively, even against highly touted receivers. He's a solid tackler who doesn't let stalk blockers keep him from getting to the action. Gianni excels at flipping his hips to transition in zone coverage and has the speed to maintain good positioning over the top in cover 3 and on fade routes in man coverage. He plays with a low pad level and fundamental footwork, preventing him from overextending when breaking on the football. He will also provide quality depth on offense this season as a slot receiver.</p>    <p>Brock is a physical prospect with the potential to become a scholarship-level lineman. He excels on both sides of the ball, playing offensive guard and multiple positions on the defensive line. At 6'3 and 265 pounds, Gillespie moves very well, delivering powerful hits upon contact. His strength in both run blocking and pass protection is a skill set often seen in college-level linemen. Brock's agility is evident when he pulls, consistently making his block and finishing the play. He not only handles his assignments but also drives defenders off the ball until the whistle blows. Defensively, he prevents offensive linemen from getting any push, whether he's facing single or double teams. Brock is talented at engaging and disengaging blockers and is quick to shoot gaps in run support. Gillespie is another key contributor with collegiate size and strength returning for Upper St. Clair. Although he's been receiving significant attention from Division I FCS programs, he has yet to receive any offers.</p>    <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/charliebywilly/status/1814468822549909883?s=46&t=Z9HVsIfxlYpUmBtFJHGC4g </div></figure>   <p>Charlie is a savvy wide receiver with the potential to be a major contributor in 2024. At 6'2, 180 pounds, his size and speed make him a mismatch for most WPIAL cornerbacks in man coverage. As an X receiver, Charlie excels at releasing against press coverage and consistently creates separation on his routes. He's a deep threat capable of running every route in the tree effectively against man coverage. His physicality in stalk blocking and hand fighting during routes are qualities typically seen in a next-level possession receiver. Bywalski possesses excellent ball skills, using his frame to secure jump balls and various receptions. On defense, he shows versatility by being able to play both strong safety and cornerback. Charlie recently received his first Division I offer from Bucknell University, highlighting his growing potential.</p>    <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/van_hellmann/status/1775923165023056040?s=46&t=Z9HVsIfxlYpUmBtFJHGC4g </div></figure>   <p>Hellman is a Division I caliber player who brings explosiveness to both sides of the football. His ability to tackle in space is impressive, as is his skill at blitzing from the linebacker position. Van plays with relentless aggression, whether he's pressuring the quarterback or tracking down ball carriers from sideline to sideline. His strength as a fullback or H-back allows him to create significant running lanes as a lead blocker. Standing at 6'2 and 215 pounds, Hellman's frame is ideal for delivering big hits and forcing fumbles on defense. He's also highly athletic, with the ability to catch and score from the backfield. As a 2025 prospect, Van is an effective zone dropper who has the skills to make plays on the football in coverage. His versatility as a linebacker allows him to excel at outside, middle, or weakside linebacker for the Panthers. Hellman's talent extends to special teams, where he could be a standout at the collegiate level. He has already received offers from Navy, Army, Richmond, Sacred Heart, Merrimack, and VMI.</p>    <p>Dahlem is a two-sport athlete who brings fierce competitiveness to the field. As one of Upper St. Clair's biggest returning playmakers, his impact is undeniable. Julian is a shifty, fast slot receiver who is dangerous with the ball in his hands, excelling on bubble screens, short outs, and direct snaps. He's a threat to score from anywhere on the field, thanks to his elusiveness and sharp route-running. Whether it's ripping the top off a defense on seam routes or creating separation on digs and deep outs, Dahlem consistently makes plays. As a wildcat quarterback, he's equally dangerous, using his athleticism to run the football behind a stout offensive line. On defense, his ball skills and shiftiness allow him to create turnovers, often returning interceptions for scores. Julian is a versatile defensive back with good footwork and smooth hips in coverage, and he's a solid tackler who reacts quickly to run plays. Without a doubt, Dahlem is a collegiate prospect with the talent to play at the scholarship level.</p>

The Upper St. Clair Panthers are determined to bounce back after narrowly missing the postseason in 2023 despite an impressive 8-2 record. Head coach Mike Junko returns Division I talent, complemented by a mix of promising underclassmen and seasoned veterans. Last season, USC suffered two tough conference losses to state runner-up Peters Township and Bethel Park. The Panthers will look to avenge those defeats in weeks 6 and 8. Upper St. Clair opens the season at home against Mt. Lebanon on August 23 at 7 pm.