WPIAL high school football players to watch for Week Zero

By: Bill Hartlep
Thursday, August 22, 2019 | 8:39 PM

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Here are four WPIAL football players to watch for during Week Zero:

Josh Casilli

Peters Township, Sr., WR/DB

Casilli (6-0, 180) returns as a playmaker for the Indians, who won the first conference title in 43 years last season. Casilli had 50 catches for 880 yards and 11 touchdowns. The Indians host Fox Chapel on Friday.

Dan Deabner

Thomas Jefferson, Sr., WR/DB

Deabner (6-0, 185) had 59 catches for 1,365 yards and 18 touchdowns last season for the Jaguars, who reached the WPIAL Class 4A final. He again will catch passes from quarterback Shane Stump. They will open the season Friday against Canon-McMillan.

Tyler Padezan

East Allegheny, Sr., WR/DB

Padezan (6-3, 185) had more than 40 catches and six touchdowns last season for the Wildcats, who open the season Friday against Jeannette. He has college offers from Albany, Duquesne, Morgan State, Rhode Island, St. Francis and William & Mary.

Eric Wilson

Sto-Rox, Sr., QB/S

Wilson (6-3, 185) threw for 3,003 yards and 38 touchdowns last season and is the WPIAL’s top returning passer. He will get a stiff test in Week Zero on Friday against South Side Beaver, which reached the WPIAL Class 2A final last season.

Bill Hartlep is the TribLive sports editor. A Pittsburgh native and Point Park graduate, he joined the Trib in 2004, covering high school sports. He held various editing roles before assuming his current position in 2019. He can be reached at bhartlep@triblive.com.

Tags: East Allegheny, Peters Township, Sto-Rox, Thomas Jefferson