Unranked PCL Prospects to Watch: Week 1
In today’s piece, we will focus on the Philadelphia Catholic League and prospects of any position and class who have been producing who may have gone unnoticed by our scouts. The PCL season is almost fully underway, with nine of…
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Continue ReadingIn today’s piece, we will focus on the Philadelphia Catholic League and prospects of any position and class who have been producing who may have gone unnoticed by our scouts. The PCL season is almost fully underway, with nine of the twelve teams having played at least one game thus far. Cardinal O’Hara, Lansdale Catholic, and Neumann-Goretti have yet to begin their football seasons, head on over to our piece on the PCL’s first big week of the year to get a summary on how prospects played after the first major weekend of football.
We begin with nine unranked prospects who deserve a ton more recognition for their play after the first major weekend in the PCL.
Blaine Bunch – RB, 5’7″, 175lbs, C/O 2022, St. Joseph’s Prep
We begin with Blaine Bunch, who is currently splitting carries with teammate Noble House at St.Joes Prep. Bunch, a transfer from Northeast HS in Philadelphia has made the most of his carries totaling 118 yards on 20 totes for the PCL powerhouse. We know how well the Prep can throw the ball downfield and light up the scoreboard through the air, but some love to the ground game can also be shown. Let’s see if Bunch can capitalize on his uptake in carries this coming match against Bishop Sycamore.
Makai lewis – DT/NG, 6’2″, 305lbs, C/O 2021, Roman Catholic
James Kunek – LB, C/O 2021, Roman Catholic
Next up is Makai Lewis out of Roman Catholic, who took a brutal 21-0 loss at the hands of Bonner-Prendie this past weekend. Lewis led the Roman defense with 1.5 sacks from his defensive tackle spot. This kid is massive. He only recorded two tackles on the day but both were behind the line of scrimmage albeit when the game was already in hand. Teammate James Kunek also deserves some shine for recording 15 total tackles in the loss, one being for a loss.
Christopher Thompson La Salle College HS
Justin Machita – WR, 5’11”, 185lbs, C/O 2021, La Salle College HS
Not much can be found on this kid, no Hudl or Twitter to speak of but boy do his stats standout thus far for the Explorers defense. La Salle has begun the season 3-1 and Thompson had led the team in total tackles (39), 10 more than the next player! Two of those 39 tackles have come behind the line of scrimmage which is tied for second on the team. Film on this kid is a must! On the offensive side, wideout Justin Machita has been Quarterback Gavin Daly’s primary target, reeling in 11 receptions for 251 yards and two scores in four games. Machita was only able to bring in one catch against SJP, a team that boasts a stellar defense, however, Machita showed effort in blocking and route running throughout the night despite a 38-14 loss.
Kaelin Costello – RB, 5’9″, 180lbs, C/O 2021, Archbishop Wood
Ryan Woertz – WR/DB, C/O 2021, Archbishop Wood
Next are a pair of Vikings who stepped up to the plate to defeat a loaded Bishop McDevitt team 35-14 this past weekend. We start with Costello, who put up 112 rushing yards and a score on 17 carries in the season debut for Wood. Costello also contributed in the passing game, catching 2 passes for negative yards, however. Ryan Woertz, the primary outside blocker on that Costello touchdown also had himself a solid night, bringing in 4 targets for 94 yards and a score. Woertz also had an 18-yard run to add to his night. Woertz was effective in the slot, showing off solid balance and fluidity in and out of his routes.
Johnny Pergine – LB/FB, 5’11”, 210lbs, C/O 2022, Bishop McDevitt
Bishop McDevitt is absolutely loaded with talent, and we spotlight a ton of prospects out of this HS, so it may come as a surprise that they went down in the fashion they did. What also caught us by surprise was McDevitt’s leading tackler on defense. Pergine, who totaled 9 tackles on the night, 3 for a loss, 1 sack, and one forced fumble, did his part to keep the game in hand. He even had an interception out of his linebacker spot. This kid was all over the field and undoubtedly will garner much more attention from scouts on our site. Expect him to enter our rankings in due time.
Mason Peterson – RB/ATH, 5’10”, 195lbs, C/O 2022, Bonner-Prendie HS
Last but not least is Mason Peterson out of Monsignor B-P. The Friars start their season with a victory against Roman 21-0. Peterson, who has a compact, athletic build led the team on the ground, running the rock 22 times for 131 yards and a score. Bonner-Prendie relies heavily on the run game, with four different players carrying the ball at least 3+ times. Two additional players received carries this past weekend, which put into persepctive, really shows how much trust HC Jack Muldoon has in his junior running back. We will keep our eye out for future productivity from Peterson.