PRZNY Team Previews: Waverly Wolverines

<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Last Season (13-1)</h2>   <p>Last season under the performance of QB Joey Tomasso Waverly had an early season overtime loss to Tioga but followed that up with 12 straight victories and a state title. The Wolverines were unstoppable on offense and they excelled down the stretch as Tomasso, Pipher, and Watson made the strongest 3 man trio through the air in New York. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Top Prospect</h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">Watson is one of the biggest difference-makers in Section IV, and the UConn commit has had no shortage of opportunities to play Division I football at the next level. </p>   <p>Last year, Watson was part of a 1-2 punch at WR, but this season, he is Waverly's main offensive target through the air. Waston will be transitioning to TE at the next level but plays more of an outside WR role at Waverly. Watson has the speed to win on the outside against the competition Waverly faces, and he showcases the ability to break tackles after the catch and win at the catch point with strength and strong hands. </p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Three X-Factors</h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">Keathley is a solid two-way performer who lines up at RB and at LB, and I saw him live at PA Classic camp, and he has a really nice build and some natural burst in his movements. An impact player for the Wolverines, Keathley, could probably play either side of the ball at the next level. </p>     <p class="text-gray-700">One of the bigger players in Section IV Hills is actually a very effective defensive tackle for Waverly; while his size would lead you to think he was an offensive guard first, his tape at DT shows explosive movements and the ability to get off blocks and fire through gaps. </p>     <p class="text-gray-700">Beeman is a multi-year performer for Waverly, and, entering his Junior season, not only has a ton of success from the DT spot, he is a physical player who can 2-gap and offer some pass rush from the interior. He has quick feet and physical hands at the point of attack, and he consistently showcases the ability to get off blocks. </p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Names To Know</h2>   <figure class="wp-block-table"><table><thead><tr><th>Name</th><th>Year</th><th>Position</th><th>Notes</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='1208777' first='Nate' last='Peters']</td><td>2025</td><td>Linebacker</td><td>Returning LB prospect who was amongst teams top tacklers</td></tr><tr><td>Payton Fravel</td><td>2025</td><td>Running Back</td><td>One of the top returning running backs</td></tr><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='1212775' first='Hogan' last='Shaw']</td><td>2026</td><td>Kicker</td><td>One of the top kickers in New York</td></tr><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='1248857' first='Ben' last='Shaw']</td><td>2027</td><td>Linebacker</td><td>Shaw was one of the top freshman performers, leading Waverly in tackles - potential at QB</td></tr><tr><td>Bryce LaForest</td><td>2027</td><td>Running Back</td><td>Young prospect with varsity experience</td></tr><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='1212742' first='Matthias' last='Welles']</td><td>2027</td><td>Athlete</td><td>A big athlete who can impact the game at TE/DE</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Key Losses/Commitments</h2>   <p>QB - Joey Tomasso - William & Mary</p>   <p>WR - Jay Pipher</p>   <p>DB - Jake VanHouten</p>   <p>OL - Jacob Benjamin - Edinboro</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">2024 Schedule</h2>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/Waverlyfootbal3/status/1771154318864887935 </div></figure>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">2024 Outlook</h2>   <p>An intriguing first-game matchup against a tough Clymer-Sherman-Panama team that has several playmakers kicks off the season for Waverly, and the other matchup to circle is against Tioga later in the season - their only loss last year. They face Maine-Endwell away from home as well, and this does seem like a tough schedule for the Wolverines this season. </p>   <p><strong>3 Things Going For The Wolverines</strong></p>   <p>They return one of the most dangerous playmakers in [player_tooltip player_id='1201633' first='Xavier' last='Watson']</p>   <p>There are several sophomores and juniors with good varsity experience</p>   <p>They are one of the bigger teams in Section IV, with size in the trenches and at WR</p>   <p><strong>1 Area To Be Concerned</strong></p>   <p>Waverly has to do the most challenging thing any high school team could be asked to do: replace the best graduating quarterback in the state.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Last Word</h2>   <p>Replacing Joey Tomasso is tough but I think this team returning a lot of their top defensive players will really help them get through any bumps in the road the offense will have. Sure their offensive ceiling isn't as high but [player_tooltip player_id='1201633' first='Xavier' last='Watson'] is as good as any other skill player when it comes to what he can do on the high school field and there are plenty of really good division three prospects on this team who will be major factors throughout the season. </p>