Imani Christian vows to again contend for championships

By: Matthew Purucker
Wednesday, August 13, 2025 | 6:01 AM

When asked about his team’s goals for the season, Imani Christian coach LaRoi Johnson said the team wants to win a state championship.

It is a short response, yet it sufficiently describes what the Saints have been working toward since their 14-6 defeat against Avonworth in the WPIAL Class 3A semifinals, which ended their chance at a title last year.

“That’s the only goal I’ve set as head coach. We have to win the first one first and put it all together. One goal at a time, but the ultimate goal is the state championship,” Johnson said. “Win the section, WPIAL; go undefeated in the regular season. All these things set the standard.

“We’re getting better every day, just working hard. We’re just focusing on making amends for what we did last year.”

The Saints have plenty of athleticism and experience on both sides of the ball, but Imani Christian’s talent especially shines through on defense. Defensive back Gabe Jenkins, a junior and four-star recruit, and defensive back David Davis, a senior Penn State commit, highlight a stout secondary. They are members of the 2025 Trib HSSN Preseason Football All-Star Team.

“It’s like playing with another you but with different attributes. … Certain things he could do I can’t do, and there’s certain things I could do that he can’t do at all,” Davis said. “And it’s like, our abilities play hand in hand in what goes on in the game.”

Other players who will mark their third or fourth year starting for Imani Christian include junior lineman Davon Johnson, senior lineman Matt Fulmore and senior edge rusher and tight end Will Gorman, a Youngstown State commit. They will help provide the leadership critical to the success of a young team.

“We have elite team speed. … We have a lot of guys in the defense and secondary that have Division I offers. Everybody at linebacker started last year, so you feel really good about that as well,” Johnson said. “So we’re replacing a really big guy (Dayshaun Burnett), but we have some guys that are more than capable of producing those numbers we’re accustomed to at that position. I really think that Will Gorman will have a great year. He has really impressed me with his work this offseason.”

Offensively, Jenkins is likely to switch from running back to quarterback to replace Stephen Vandiver at the position after rushing for more than 1,200 yards last season. Davis looks to have most of the snaps at running back, while Anthony Portis and others will see a good share of reps there as well.

Davis also has the most receiving yards among returning pass catchers. Imani Christian’s young wide receiver corps will seek to complement the offense’s strong run game when needed.

With plenty of star power and enough returning experience from last year’s WPIAL semifinal run, Johnson believes he has the players he needs for Imani Christian to put it all together to win championships this time around.

“We’ve grown up tremendously on the offensive line,” he said. “To try to go out and win on Friday, I think there’s a better understanding of that. Our skill position guys understand what they need to do. … I think I’m tremendously excited with how our things have come together, and I’m excited to see them come out to camp.”

Imani Christian

Coach: LaRoi Johnson

2024 record: 11-1, 6-0 in Class 3A Allegheny 7 Conference

All-time record: 56-57-0

SCHEDULE

Date, Opponent, Time

8.22 at Clairton, 7

8.29 at Beaver Falls, 7

9.5 at Beaver, 7:30

9.12 Valley*, 7

9.19 at Highlands*, 7

9.26 North Catholic, 7

10.3 East Allegheny*, 7

10.10 at Deer Lakes*, 7

10.17 Burrell*, 7

10.24 Freeport*, 7

* Conference game

STATISTICAL LEADERS

Passing: Steve Vandiver*

100-172, 1,801 yards, 22 TDs

Rushing: Gabe Jenkins

122-1,283 yards, 14 TDs

Receiving: Dayshaun Burnett*

34-549 yards, 9 TDs

* Graduated

FAST FACTS

• Imani Christian made the WPIAL Class A playoffs three straight seasons from 2016-18.

• After Imani Christian’s three-year playoff streak, the Saints had four consecutive losing campaigns from 2019-22.

• The Saints first played in the WPIAL in 2012 under former head coach Harvey Smith.

• Former Imani Christian edge rusher/wide receiver Dayshaun Burnett was a member of the 2024 Trib HSSN All-Star Team. He is now a freshman at Penn State.

Tags: Imani Christian