PRZPA Team Preview, Mcdowell

<p>McDowell finished last season with a 61% winning percentage, which they aim to improve upon this year. The Trojans ended with an 8-5 overall record and faced North Allegheny twice, suffering defeats both earlier in the season and in the second round of the playoffs. Their conference record was an impressive 3-0, with victories over Cathedral Prep and the Erie Royals twice. McDowell also secured a significant win over State College in the playoffs, demonstrating their ability to compete with top-tier programs. They open the season against Woodland Hills at 7 pm on August 23. Beating Woody High won't be easy, as they boast a roster filled with D1 talent and college prospects.</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/StephonPorter9/status/1780601199471038569 </div></figure>   <p>Porter is a big playmaker returning for McDowell this season. He has good vision and balance that allow him to break long touchdown runs. He's a running back who knows when to lower his shoulder and when to use his game-breaking speed. Porter is equally dangerous running between or outside the tackles. Once he breaks a long run, good luck catching him—he's rarely caught from behind. Porter's breakaway speed is a weapon in the return game as well, and I expect a couple of scores from him on kickoff returns. He's also a physical tackler with a nose for the football. Look for Stephon to add a lot more highlights for McDowell in 2024. Porter has received FBS interest, but hasn't received a scholarship as of yet.</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/zigler_jr/status/1806670405270171879 </div></figure>   <p>James is a skilled two-way player who had a lot of production last year. I like Zigler more at cornerback, but he's clearly a downfield threat at receiver. His routes are sharp, and he excels at adjusting to the ball on his receptions. At cornerback, he plays low, which gives him explosiveness when breaking on the football. He has innate man-to-man skills, whether he's pressing or playing off. He's a physical corner who can lay big hits on unsuspecting receivers in the flat. He's comfortable in his backpedal and knows the right tempo when covering. James plays with confidence at both DB and WR, showcasing the ability to shut down half the field at cornerback. I believe Zigler has the ability to play at the D1 FCS level, but he presently has an offer from Division II Edinboro. </p>    <p>Michael is a scrappy OG that McDowell can count on in the trenches this year. His pad level is an immediate advantage when he blocks. Panighetti is a good puller who can clear a hole when in position. Michael also excels at down, man, and combo blocking. At 6'3 and 285 lbs, he is decently athletic and capable of reaching the second level to pick up LBs in the run game. He's an adequate pass protector with a strong punch. Overall, Panighetti is a solid OG with the potential to flatten DL if they play too high. I'm intrigued to see if Michael will contribute on the defensive side of the ball this season for the Trojans. Panighetti is yet another collegiate prospect with the potential to play scholarship-level football.</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/daymard07/status/1799557777544589465?s=46&t=Z9HVsIfxlYpUmBtFJHGC4g </div></figure>   <p>Daymar was a productive player for the Trojans in 2023. He's a physical player who gives great effort on every play. Offensively, Dickerson is a dangerous TE/H-back with soft hands capable of long catch-and-runs. He's a good route runner with excellent hand-eye coordination, as showcased in a TD reception he skillfully caught over his shoulder on film from last season. Defensively, he's quick off the ball and has the motor to chase down plays. Dickerson is a good blitzer who exhibits strength in playing off blockers. His athleticism in redirecting in run pursuit is a quality shared by scholarship-level DEs. Daymar will continue to be a reliable two-way weapon for McDowell in 2024. He's on the radar of several FBS programs but currently has an offer from D2 Gannon.</p>    <p>Hower is another player with the potential to be a scholarship-level athlete. He's a fearless playmaker on both sides of the ball. His ball skills and anticipation serve him well in breaking on the football at safety. He's a solid tackler in space who runs the alley with aggression. On tape, he's an intelligent player with good route recognition and the ability to intercept the ball. At wide receiver, he's capable of turning a short pass into a long TD. He's fast off the line of scrimmage and is a reliable target with good hands. With Blayze Meyers throwing the passes, Jake will likely be even more productive in '24. Hower is also a solid punt returner with the skills to score a TD.</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/blayzemyers/status/1812626630667563462?s=46&t=Z9HVsIfxlYpUmBtFJHGC4g </div></figure>   <p>Myers is McDowell's returning QB1 and one of the team leaders. He was very productive last season and aims to continue his successful play. Blayze is poised in the pocket and mobile enough to extend plays outside of it. He has a good frame at 6'3, 215 lbs and has the arm strength to consistently complete deep TD throws. He excels at distributing the ball quickly to his targets, giving them the time needed to elude defenders. Blayze puts the right amount of zip on three-step and intermediate routes and excels at throwing outbreaking routes with good anticipation. Myers makes quick reads and knows when to put touch on his passes. I believe Blayze has the potential to play scholarship-level football collegiately. With Myers under center, the Trojans have the capacity to make another deep postseason run.</p>    <p>Fleming is a 2028 prospect with the potential to be a big-time player right away as a freshman. He has good footwork, excels at press-man, and possesses natural man-coverage skills. Deonte was impressive at PrepRedzone's prospect camp earlier in the year, showcasing his overall competitiveness, particularly in coverage. I'm very intrigued to see how the Trojans will utilize him in just his first year of high school football. Be on the lookout for this 6'1, 180 lbs collegiate prospect. Fleming will be a weapon for McDowell over the next four years.</p>       <p>Players such as [player_tooltip player_id='940995' first='Kameron' last='Scott Bastow'], Tim Niemi Jr., [player_tooltip player_id='941135' first='Brody' last='Bonsell'], and [player_tooltip player_id='941187' first='Nicco' last='Sargent'] will look to have elevated roles in 2024. Bastow has good hips, speed, and the athleticism needed to play varsity. His ability to intercept the ball on defense, combined with his natural ability to catch and score, will be crucial for a squad looking for more firepower. Despite limited action on varsity in ‘23, Kameron showed his potential to be a regular contributor for the Trojans. Tim Niemi Jr.'s 6'2, 295 lbs frame provides the size needed along the offensive line this season to open holes for RB [player_tooltip player_id='1282049' first='Stephon' last='Porter']. Niemi is a strong 400 lbs bencher who can provide a push once he gets his weight behind his blocks. Tim has been spotted at a couple of college prospect camps this summer, working on his craft in anticipation of this upcoming year. [player_tooltip player_id='941135' first='Brody' last='Bonsell'] and [player_tooltip player_id='941187' first='Nicco' last='Sargent'] will provide quality depth and competition on both sides of the football for McDowell. They are two more promising athletes with LB and DB/WR builds that the Trojans plan to utilize. All of these athletes need to be factors in vital parts of the game, like special teams, for the Trojans' continued success and progression.</p>

McDowell finished last season with a 61% winning percentage, which they aim to improve upon this year. The Trojans ended with an 8-5 overall record and faced North Allegheny twice, suffering defeats both earlier in the season and in the second round of the playoffs. Their conference record was an impressive 3-0, with victories over Cathedral Prep and the Erie Royals twice. McDowell also secured a significant win over State College in the playoffs, demonstrating their ability to compete with top-tier programs. They open the season against Woodland Hills at 7 pm on August 23. Beating Woody High won't be easy, as they boast a roster filled with D1 talent and college prospects.