2023 Season Preview Lancaster Catholic

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lancaster Catholic had a special season last year starting 10-0 and winning Section 5 of the Lancaster-Lebanon League. Then they got beat by West Perry in week 1 of the PIAA Playoffs, but it was still an excellent season for Lancaster Catholic and something to build on. Coach Chris Maiorino is returning for his 4th year as Head Coach. His 1st season was tough for the program because it was his 1st season as Head Coach and it was during Covid (full disclosure I was on staff during that season). Maiorino went 2-6 his 1st year, 4-7 in his 2nd season, and then 10-1 last year. They lost a ton of Seniors off last year's team, but I expect them again to be the favorites to win Section 5 and compete for a Playoff spot. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["706111"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64b0aa600947f"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='706111' first='Elijah' last='Cunningham']. </strong>Cunningham is one of the most under-recruited prospects in District 3. He played running back last year. He is a talented player who didn't get on the field until last year as a full-time starter. He recently got an offer from Wilkes which is a great start and I expect more offers to come his way. Cunningham has the potential to play Division 2 and at the FCS Level. Below is what I wrote about him earlier this year:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Cunningham has legit track speed. If he gets in the open field he is gone to the end zone. His speed is legit. Cunningham also is very good at making cuts and making people miss in the hole. Several times on film he will cut and leave defenders just watching. He also is a physical running back who runs through contact. He runs with a physical style that punishes the defense. On several plays, he broke 3 or 4 tackles for big rushing gains. </em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/Eli_Cunningham1/status/1675892773159940097?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/Eli_Cunningham1/status/1675892773159940097?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["711012"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64b0aa60094e4"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='711012' first='RJ' last='Gonzalez']. </strong>Gonzalez played wide receiver, and defensive back, and was a returner for Catholic last year. He is another dynamic player that is special with the ball in his hands. Below is what I wrote about Gonzalez earlier this year:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Gonzalez is a really good athlete that every time he touches the ball he can score a touchdown. Last year he played wide receiver for Lancaster Catholic, but he was good at kickoff returns. He constantly made huge plays on kickoff returns and several times in his film he returned kickoffs for touchdowns. Gonzalez has elite speed and when he gets into the open field he is gone. A wide receiver is a classic slot receiver in that he is very difficult to catch in the open field. He has good hands and catches the ball in traffic. Like the kickoff returns when he gets into open field he uses his athleticism to make a big play.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Josh Acker","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'11u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2410","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Lancaster Catholic","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64b0aa600957d"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Josh Acker. </strong>Below is what I wrote about Acker earlier this year:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Acker played wide receiver last year for Lancaster Catholic. Acker is a good wide receiver who catches the ball very well. He runs good routes and is also good at finding the soft spot in the zone. He is also solid after the catch and makes good plays after the catch. Acker's ability to use his feet and hands while he manipulates the defense with his routes is very good. Acker is especially good at making catches along the sideline and keeping his feet in bounce. Acker with a strong Senior year should have a chance to play College Football. </em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Terrell Crawley","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'8u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2408","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Lancaster Catholic","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64b0aa6009604"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Terrell Crawley. </strong>Crawley played running back and safety for Lancaster Catholic last year. At running back he showed legit track speed by running by defenders. He hits the hole well and does a solid job making the right cut on a run. He is a physical runner who rarely goes down after the 1st tackler attempts to tackle him. At safety, he played close to the line of scrimmage and did a nice job setting the edge. He sets the edge and then does a good job of coming upfield to make the tackle. In the open field, he is a good tackler who rarely misses. Crawley has a chance to play College Football with a strong Senior year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Storm Haney","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'0u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2405","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Lancaster Catholic","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64b0aa6009686"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Storm Haney</strong>. Haney played guard for Lancaster Catholic last year. Haney shows good strength and uses it well blocking defensive linemen. He does a nice job at the point of attacking when he is engaging defenders and driving them off the ball. The best part of his game is his pulling. He does a nice job pulling to kick out defensive ends or pulling upfield to block linebackers. He will pull and pancake unsuspected defensive players. He shows he has good feet by staying in front of defenders during pass blocking. Haney has a ton of talent and I can see him playing College Football at the Division 3 Level. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='915421' first='Charlie' last='Warren']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'3u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2495","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Lancaster Catholic","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64b0aa6009708"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='915421' first='Charlie' last='Warren']. </strong>Warren played wide receiver and safety last year. At safety is where he got the most playing time. At safety, he does a nice job of reading and reacting and then coming upfield to make the tackle. Safety is an important position because a lot of times you are the last line of defense and Warren does a nice job of making those tackles in the open field. He also showed that he is good in coverage and can break on the ball well. At wide receiver, he showed the ability to catch the ball well. Catholic threw him the ball on wide receiver screens and he did a nice job of catching it and getting yards after the catch. Warren also has good size for either position standing 6'3" inches tall. Warren is an interesting prospect that should get some College Football looks in the future. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='915421' first='Charlie' last='Warren'] recently went to the Manning Passing Academy:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/Cwarren2025/status/1673141668931837953?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/Cwarren2025/status/1673141668931837953?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Brayden Bowles","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'11u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2405","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Lancaster Catholic","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64b0aa600978e"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Brayden Bowles.</strong> Bowles played guard last year for Lancaster Catholic. He has good strength and uses that strength to block defensive linemen. He does a nice job double-teaming defensive tackles and then peeling off to block linebackers. He has a good stance and is able to get out of the stance and fire off the ball well. He also shows good athleticism by going and blocking linebackers downfield. Bowles also has good feet and is able to move well. Bowles showed some good skills at the offensive line. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Zackary Dresch","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'0u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2496","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Lancaster Catholic","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64b0aa600980f"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Zackary Dresch. </strong>Dresch played linebacker for Catholic last year. Dresch does a nice job of reading and reacting to the play and then coming downhill to make the play. He is a good tackler and really does a good job tackling people in space. When Dresch gets downfill he is an excellent linebacker who excels at making plays all over the field. He is also good at running from sideline to sideline to make plays all over the field. Dresch shows good skills and should have a good chance at playing College Football. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["304154"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64b0aa6009855"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='304154' first='Brandon' last='Way Jr.'] </strong>Way is one of the best prospects in the 2026 class. Way started at cornerback last year as a Freshman. He has visited several Colleges this summer. He should get on the field this year as well on offense and be used as a running back and wide receiver. Below is what I wrote about Way earlier this year:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Brandon Way played cornerback and running back for Lancaster Catholic last year. At cornerback, he does a nice job in both man-to-man coverage and zone coverage. When he is in man-to-man coverage he does a nice job shadowing and keeping close taps on the receiver he is guarding. In zone coverage, he does a nice job playing the zone, but also coming up and making a play on the ball. He also does a nice job in run support and is not afraid to come up and provide support in the run game. He got limited carries as a running back, but he showed elite speed when he gets into the open field. He just runs by defenders. Way also does a nice job making people miss in the hole and running with a physical style. Way is a good prospect who should get on College Football Coaches' radar sooner than later. </em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/bwxyyy_/status/1670791145058607104?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/bwxyyy_/status/1670791145058607104?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"David Stefanow","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'10u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2409","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Lancaster Catholic","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64b0aa60098d7"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>David Stefanow. </strong>Stefanow is projected as the starting quarterback for Lancaster Catholic this year. Stefanow played Junior Varsity last year, so he has plenty of reps to be successful. Stefanow has the benefit that Lancaster Catholic has tons of talent at wide receiver and running back to help support him. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Final Thoughts</strong>: Lancaster Catholic is looking to repeat as Lancaster-Lebanon Section 5 Champs. They have the players and the personnel to win back-to-back titles. The next goal for the program would also be to win a playoff game after last year set back against West Perry. Coach Maiorino and his staff do a nice job, so I expect them to be highly competitive again and have a successful year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->