CTK ’17 – 1-A Eastern Conference Preview

By: HSSN Staff
Friday, August 25, 2017 | 2:51 AM

Last season, the 1A Eastern Conference once again reigned supreme, with Clairton edging section foe Jeannette in the finals for the second straight year. Meanwhile, Imani Christian returned to WPIAL play and made the playoffs, while Greensburg Central Catholic uncharacteristically was out of the postseason.

Despite the loss of two superstars, the Bears will likely be the team to beat once again. However, the Jayhawks and Saints may have closed the gap considerably, which could make the head-to-head matchups some of the most anticipated games in the entire district this season. Moreover, Bishop Canevin and Springdale look stay in the playoff picture after solid campaigns, while Riverview, GCC, and Leechburg aim to improve upon last year’s performances.

Here’s a closer look at the 1A Eastern Conference:

BISHOP CANEVIN CRUSADERS

The Crusaders enjoyed a successful campaign in 2016, going 8-3. The three losses were all mercy rule affairs, though, including the season-ending defeat to Northgate in the 1A quarterfinals.

Bishop Canevin must replace some key pieces from last season, though, including the top passer, rusher and receiver. Quarterback Austin Scott wasn’t prolific through the air, but his ability to play an array of positions on offense will be missed. Similarly, departed Kellan Gustine’s 505 yards receiving paced the Crusaders by a wide margin. The biggest loss, though, might be at running back, where nearly 1,500-yard rusher Maleik Hemingway has transferred to the City League. With that trio removed from the equation, QB Brian De Schon and running back Zach Trusky will need to fill the void. De Schon, a rising junior, passed for almost 400 yards last campaign, but attempted just more than 50 passes. Trusky, meanwhile, rushed for more than 400 yards on the ground.

CLAIRTON BEARS

For years, the Bears have ruled the 1A classification, including another WPIAL title last season, defeating Jeannette 26-6. In fact, the Bears only loss came in the state title game, to Bishop Guilfoyle.  This year, however, the path to gold might not be quite as easy.

While Clairton did not lose a large number of players to graduation, the impact of the players lost is significant. Nobody was a biggest factor in the Bears’ past three district title wins than Lamont Wade. Wade, arguably the best player in the state in 2016, rushed for 2,368 yards, caught 11 passes and scored 33 touchdowns. Likewise, QB Noah Hamlin is playing Division I football after passing for more than 1,000 yards and rushing for nearly 800 last campaign. Top receiver Tre Howard is back, but he could assume the role of quarterback for the Bears this season. If so, Devlin Clifford, a big-play threat, will be a top target in the passing attack after he averaged nearly 40 yards per reception. On the ground, the bruising Kijafi Fuqua will be more prominent after compiling 461 yards last year.

Meanwhile, the Bears return talented players on both sides of the line, including Travis Irons, an all-conference performer on both offense and defense. Irons is joined by the physically imposing Maurice Reeves, an all-conference defensive lineman. Meanwhile, Fuqua is stellar at linebacker. The absence of both Wade and Hamlin in the secondary, though, will loom large. The Bears will also be without their coach, Wayne Wade, for the first four games of the season as he serves a suspension.

GREENSBURG CENTRAL CATHOLIC CENTURIONS

The days of the Centurions being among the WPIAL’s perennial powers appears to be long gone, as GCC failed to qualify for the postseason last year. GCC finished at 2-8, with both wins coming by narrow margins. Now under the guidance of new coach Aaron Smetanka, GCC aims for a bounce-back campaign.

In part due to circumstances, the Centurions threw the ball a lot last year, with QB Dom Eisaman attempting 228 passes. He completed just less than half of those throws for 1,538 yards and 11 scores. His top receiver, Alvin Ross, also served as the primary running back. That duo has graduated, though, and QB Max Pisula and running back Quincy Clark could be next in line. At receiver, the Centurions return some accomplished players in Ryan Quinn, who had 400 yards receiving, and Bruce Leonard.

While the offense has some holes to fill, the defense needs to make major strides, as GCC allowed more than 40 points per game, second worst in the entire classification. Special teams, though, should be a strength, with talented kicker and punter Ethan Slike returning.

IMANI CHRISTIAN SAINTS

Last season, the Saints returned to WPIAL play for football, and improved steadily during the course of the year. After losing five of their first seven games, the Saints won their final two regular-season games to qualify for the playoffs, and then blasted Our Lady of the Sacred Heart in the first round, 44-13. Now with a key addition, the Saints appear to be a legitimate title contender in 1A.

A lot of Imani Christian’s success last year came on the back of Kenny Robinson, who assumed the QB position and put up some prolific passing numbers. Robinson, a spectacular athlete, also made his mark on the ground, and compiled 15 rushing touchdowns. Despite the loss of one crucial playmaker, the Saints could have three dynamic playmakers on the field together this season. Asante Watkins and Sam Fairley, who joined the Saints from the City League late last season, return. Joining them is newcomer Rahmon Hart, one of Pennsylvania’s top prospects for the Class of 2019. Hart was the leading receiver for Plum last year, but now joins Ronell Heard’s improving squad.

JEANNETTE JAYHAWKS

The Jayhawks historically are perhaps the greatest team in the entire WPIAL. In recent years, though, Clairton has been the only team preventing Jeannette from adding to its trophy case. Jeannette’s two losses last year both came to the Bears, in the regular season 32-13 and in the WPIAL championship, 26-6. The Jayhawks and coach Roy Hall are again poised for a big year in 2017, but will they be able to finally get over the hurdle in the form of the Bears?

To do so, Jeannette must compensate for the loss of QB Gio Vanne Sanders and running back Kareem Hall. Sanders threw for nearly 1,600 yards and 22 scores, while Hall notched nearly 1,100 yards on the ground and scored 21 times. Robert Kennedy, who paced the squad in receptions last year, is expected to shift to QB. Kennedy only attempted nine passes last year, but did account for 20 total touchdowns. Physically-gifted receiver Marcus Barnes is also back.

Defensively, the Jayhawks were elite in 2016, posting an unbelievable seven shutouts, including six in a row. Defensive lineman Jalen Jones is among the top players returning on that side of the ball.

LEECHBURG BLUE DEVILS

The Blue Devils found the win column just once in 2016, a one-point nonsection victory against winless Brownsville. To get out of the basement in 2017, Leechburg will need to make offensive strides, as it finished worst in the conference in scoring.

Complicating matters, Leechburg graduated its top passer, rusher and receiver from 2016. JB Burtick passed for more than 700 yards, while Corey Nulph rushed for nearly 600. Those two players led the team in scoring, as they each found the end zone five times. Dalton Knapp, who had 330 yards receiving, is also out of the equation. However, the Blue Devils received a nice contribution from freshman Jacob Blumer, and he could develop into one of their top offensive weapons this season.

Coach Mark George will not have much senior experience to lean on, so it’s important that underclassmen make the most of their playing time this season.

RIVERVIEW RAIDERS

Riverview won just twice in conference play last season, but still managed to qualify for the postseason. Those victories came against Leechburg, as well as a surprising upset of Greensburg Central Catholic. The Raiders were held scoreless against four of the top section foes, though, and were dispatched by Rochester in the first round of the playoffs.

QB Jake Hanus and running back Nassan Tibbens are gone, as is receiver Brandon Davis. Jared Massack, entering his junior season, will likely take over under center, while Ben Blacksmith will be one of the top receivers.

The Raiders will have reinforcements coming to aid in the trenches, though, as Billy Conley joined the squad after transferring from Highlands. Conley, an offensive and defensive tackle, will join Zach Hanlon, another two-way standout on the line for second-year coach Matt Bonislawski.

SPRINGDALE DYNAMOS

The Dynamos experienced an up-and-down campaign in 2016, which included a playoff victory. Springdale had a three-game winning streak, followed immediately by a three-game skid during the regular season. Springdale defeated GCC in the season finale to qualify for postseason play, and then edged Carmichaels before falling to Jeannette.

Springdale traditionally has been a power running team, but last year, the passing game excelled too. With QB Sammy Carey now graduated and Seth Napierkowski taking over as coach, the identity of the offense could change. Running backs Ben Sowinski and Ethan McFarland combined to rush for more than 1,900 yards last season, so replacing that production will be a tall task. However, Josh Harmon was a multi-dimensional weapon, accounting for more than 500 yards receiving and almost 400 rushing.

MSA SPORTS PREDICTED ORDER OF FINISH in EASTERN:

1. Clairton Bears

2. Jeannette Jayhawks

3. Imani Christian Saints

4. Springdale Dynamos

5. Bishop Canevin Crusaders

6. Greensburg Central Catholic Centurions

7. Riverview Raiders

8. Leechburg Blue Devils

Tags: Bishop Canevin, Clairton, Greensburg C.C., Imani Christian, Jeannette, Leechburg