The Prep should be a power, as usual

by Ted Silary

ST. JOSEPH'S Prep someday will become an also-ran in Catholic League football. You're advised not to hold your breath.

Most years, the only issue is whether the Hawks will be great or off-the-charts stupendous.

Though the Hawks are not as experienced as they were heading into an '05 season that produced another Red Division title (four in 5 years), coach Gil Brooks acknowledges the presence of talent and reports that last year's junior varsity was undefeated.

"I tend to forget when we're inexperienced," he said. "When you enter a new year, past years don't matter."

Chris Whitney has been offered Division I scholarships for his work as a quarterback and safety, two-way lineman Jeff Battipaglia is down to Army or Navy and guard John Gazzola has his sights set on Harvard. Junior Jamir Livingston already has a running-back profile.

The Prep's chief threats should come from vet-rich La Salle and Cardinal O'Hara, where rusher-safety John Dempsey is fielding offers from Temple, West Virginia and Vanderbilt with a visit to Michigan State forthcoming.

While Roman (Virginia-bound cornerback Dom Joseph) and Father Judge look to have quality, big noise could be difficult to make.

Especially in light of its opening win over North Penn, there's no reason not to anoint Archbishop Wood, the three-time defending champ, the Blue Division favorite.

The speedy/valuable Chris Lorditch, a wideout/defensive back/kicker/punter, also likes the idea of attending Harvard, though he is receiving I-A offers/contact.

Anthony Rhoades, a true force making the move from end to linebacker (and sorting through numerous I-A offers), will lead the way as West Catholic tries to make a fifth straight title-game appearance. Its main competition (and for Wood, as well) should come from an Archbishop Carroll squad with eight returning starters on each side of the ball.

The other Blue player of note is North Catholic's Daryl Robinson, who has committed to Temple to play cornerback.

Six teams in each division will make the playoffs, and the finals will be played on the first weekend in December. There are four new coaches: Drew Gordon, La Salle; Jim Burner, Monsignor Bonner; Mike Santillo, Kennedy-Kenrick; and Chris Riley, Cardinal Dougherty.

---

RETURNING ALL-CATHOLICS
(Selected by Daily News)
FIRST-TEAM OFFENSE
  Jerry Penrose, O'Hara, L; Jeff Battipaglia, SJ Prep, L: Chris Lorditch, Wood, Rec., Chris Whitney, SJ Prep, QB; Tim Edger, SJ Prep, K.
FIRST-TEAM DEFENSE
  Anthony Rhoades, West, L; Jack Forster, La Salle, B.
SECOND-TEAM OFFENSE
  John Pettine, Carroll, L; Isiah Edmond, West, L; Wiley Flowers, Carroll, Rec.; John Harrison, La Salle, QB; Jamir Livingston, SJ Prep, RB; John Dempsey, O'Hara, RB; Dennis Shaw, West, RB; Daryl Robinson, North, MP; Ryan Cain, La Salle, K.
SECOND-TEAM DEFENSE
  John McBurnie, La Salle, L; Pat McAfee, Wood, LB; Dom Joseph, Roman, B.
HONORABLE MENTION
  Offense: Kevin Schafer, C-E, QB; Mark Hatty, N-G, QB; Chris Ashley, La Salle, RB.
  Defense: Jewhan Edwards, Roman, L; Scott Waters, La Salle, L; Sean Saverio, La Salle, B; Pat Devlin, Wood, B.

CATHOLIC LEAGUE THUMBNAILS (Coaches' records through 2005)
RED DIVISION
ARCHBISHOP RYAN
Coach: Glen Galeone, 17th year. Education: Wood, Drexel. Career: 115-75-3.
Last year: 3-4, 5th; 5-7.
Great eight: Taylor Cave, C-LB-P, 6-2, 220; Matt Wilk, T-DT, 6-4, 225; Chris Wilk, Rec.-LB, 6-3, 220; Rob McArdle, Rec.-DB, 5-9, 160; Mike Ramirez, DE, 6-foot, 195; Nick Ferdinand, RB-Rec.-DB, 6-foot, 180; Rob "Cookie" Kilchrist, RB, 5-10, 200; Eric Silenok, LB, 5-9, 170.
Happy about: defense.
Concerned about: offensive inconsistency.
Galeone's comment: "There are no easy games even before we start the league."
CARDINAL O'HARA
Coach: Danny Algeo, 3rd year (also Roman, 1996-99; Phoenixville, 2000). Education: Lansdale Catholic, Gwynedd-Mercy. Career: 50-31; 20-4 at O'Hara.
Last year: 6-1, 2nd; 9-3.
Great eight: John Dempsey, RB-DB, 6-foot, 205; Jerry Penrose, T-DT, 6-1, 275; Pete Plousis, G-DE, 6-foot, 220; Joe Goldschmidt, Rec.-DE, 6-2, 240; Chris Smith, Rec.-DB, 5-10, 170; Mark Wedderburn, Rec.-DE, 6-7, 225; Tom Savage, QB, 6-4, 215; Joe Collelouri, RB-LB, 5-10, 195.
Happy about: offseason dedication, blend of older/younger players.
Concerned about: offensive inconsistency, young defense.
Algeo's comment: "At some point I see us being very good."
FATHER JUDGE
Coach: Tommy Coyle, 7th year. Education: Judge. Career: 25-46.
Last year: 2-5, 6th; 5-8.
Great eight: Tom Hayes, Rec.-DB, 6-2, 165; Joe Thompson, RB-DB, 5-10, 180; Jim Lavelle, RB, 5-8, 185; Chris Dowling, RB-LB, 6-3, 190; Mike Murphy, G-DT, 6-1, 275; Andrew McHale, Rec.-DB, 5-10, 165; Paul Volpe, QB, 5-11, 180; Ryan Kreider, Rec.-DE, 6-3, 235.
Happy about: balance, work ethic.
Concerned about: team speed, playmaking ability.
Coyle's comment: "We should be OK as our QB matures with his young receivers."
LA SALLE
Coach: Drew Gordon, 1st year. Education: McDevitt, Villanova. Career: 0-0.
Last year: 4-3, 4th; 9-4.
Great eight: Jack Forster, Rec.-DB, 6-foot, 180; John Harrison, QB, 5-10, 165; Chris Ashley, RB, 5-9, 175; Greg Frantz, Rec.-LB, 6-2, 210; Dom Baker, DT, 5-11, 215; Sean Saverio, LB, 5-11, 200; John McBurnie, DT, 5-11, 255; Andrew Wood, LB, 6-1, 220.
Happy about: chemistry, veteran defense.
Concerned about: blending in newcomers.
Gordon's comment: "Because of our leadership, I believe we have something special."
MONSIGNOR BONNER
Coach: Jim Burner, 1st year (also Valley Forge MA, 1986-92). Education: Judge, Eastern. Career: 42-14.
Last year: 1-6, 7th; 2-9.
Great eight: Mike Dougherty, RB-DB, 5-10, 190; Mike Curran, RB-DB, 5-10, 170; Craig Love, QB, 5-10, 205; Dave Diehl, C, 5-10, 210; Brian Lake, LB, 6-3, 190; Chris Licci, LB, 5-10, 205; Tom McPhillips, 6-3, 200; DE, Dave Wisely, 5-10, 200, LB.
Happy about: work ethic, intensity.
Concerned about: having only one full-season starter returning (Diehl).
Burner's comment: "We just have to put all these young kids on the field and have them learn on the run."
NORTH CATHOLIC
Coach: Chalie Szydlik, 3rd year. Education: Frankford. Career: 5-18.
Last year: 0-7, 8th; 1-11.
Great eight: Daryl Robinson, RB-DB, 5-10, 170; Chris James, RB-LB, 6-1, 190; Tom Hannan, LB, 5-11, 200; Ryan McCullough, Rec.-DB, 6-3, 185; Pete Sellecchia, Rec.-DB, 6-1, 175; Anthony DeLuca, T-DT, 6-3, 295; Rich Cruz, RB-DB, 5-8, 165; Robert Mullen, C-DT, 6-foot, 265.
Happy about: offseason dedication.
Concerned about: inexperienced lines.
Szydlik's comment: "We're looking to be more competitive, with a goal of making the playoffs."
ROMAN CATHOLIC
Coach: Jim Murphy, 7th year. Education: North Catholic, Holy Family. Career: 43-29.
Last year: 5-2, 3rd; 7-5.
Great eight: Dom Joseph, Rec.-DB, 6-1, 185; Ricky Nau, RB-LB, 5-8, 175; John Clark, Rec.-DB, 5-10, 165; Matt Marcinek, Rec.-LB, 6-3, 230; Chuck Cohen, G-LB, 5-10, 200; Mike Long, C-DT, 6-2, 225; Mike Gioquindo, DT, 5-10, 285; Mike Penna, Rec.-DE, 6-2, 225.
Happy about: work ethic.
Concerned about: youth.
Murphy's comment: "Taking care of the little things has to be important."
ST. JOSEPH'S PREP
Coach: Gil Brooks, 15th year (also Paul VI, N.J., 1986-87). Education: St. Joseph's Prep, Swarthmore. Career: 130-57-3; 126-44-2 at SJ Prep.
Last year: 7-0, 1st; 11-2.
Great eight: Chris Whitney, QB-DB, 6-3, 215; Jamir Livingston, RB, 5-7, 155; Jeff Battipaglia, T-DE, 6-5, 260; Neil Doogan, RB-LB, 6-4, 230; Ryan Haber, NT, 6-2, 265; Steve Schell, Rec.-DT, 6-2, 225; Joe D'Orazio, C-DT, 6-3, 250; John Gazzola, G, 6-5, 260.
Happy about: line play.
Concerned about: wideouts, physicality of new defensive backs.
Brooks' comment: "This is a good group of young men."
BLUE DIVISION
ARCHBISHOP CARROLL
Coach: Dan Bielli, 7th year (also Carroll, 1995; Kennedy-Kenrick, 1996-97). Education: West Catholic, West Chester. Career: 81-40; 73-25 at Carroll.
Last year: 5-2, 3rd; 8-5.
Great eight: Matt Cantafio, QB, 5-11, 180; Russell Johnson, RB-DB, 5-11, 180; Wiley Flowers, Rec.-DB, 5-11, 165; Brent Christie, RB, 5-10, 200; Matt Hallinan, G-LB, 6-foot, 215; John Pettine, T-DE, 6-3, 250; Bill O'Brien, T-DE, 6-5, 215; Jordan Faust, DT, 6-2, 305.
Happy about: returning eight starters each way.
Concerned about: too many two-way players.
Bielli's comment: "This is the strongest team we've ever had, and we're pretty athletic, too."
ARCHBISHOP WOOD
Coach: Joe Powel, 3rd year (also Kenrick, 1990-92; Harriton, 1993-94). Education: Kenrick, Widener. Career: 38-37-1; 18-6 at Wood.
Last year: 7-0, 1st; 10-2.
Great eight: Chris Lorditch, Rec.-DB-K-P, 6-3, 180; Matt Little, RB-DB, 5-10, 180; Pat McAfee, RB-LB, 6-foot, 205; Pat Devlin, Rec.-DB, 6-foot, 170; Jim Daley, Rec.-DB, 5-11, 170; Bob DeLucas, RB-LB, 6-foot, 220; Matt Clark, Rec.-DE, 6-1, 215; Kevin Lynn, DB, 5-11, 175.
Happy about: having seven returning starters on defense, skill positions.
Concerned about: offensive line, young QB.
Powel's comment: "We want to be playing again in December."
BISHOP McDEVITT
Coach: Pat Manzi, 25th year. Education: Judge, Temple. Career: 150-94-5.
Last year: 3-4, 5th; 6-5.
Great eight: Jim Surdykowski, G-DE, 6-2, 255; Steven Yuan, T-DT, 6-3, 290; Pat Doyle, Rec.-DB, 5-9, 160; Frank Doyle, QB, 5-9, 145; Steve Parrish, G-DT, 6-2, 230; Marc Newton, Rec.-DB, 6-1, 180; Kyle Epps, RB-DB, 5-9, 150; Joe Mitros, Rec.-LB, 5-8, 160.
Happy about: size/experience on lines.
Concerned about: youth at skill positions.
Manzi's comment: "I think we'll be OK - in the mix."
CARDINAL DOUGHERTY
Coach: Chris Riley, 1st year. Education: Northeast, Delaware Valley. Career: 0-0.
Last year: 0-7, 8th; 1-10.
Great eight: Justin Minter, Rec.-DB, 6-2, 185; Quinten White, Rec.-LB, 6-2, 190; Matthew Bryant, RB-LB, 5-10, 210; Phil Baxter, QB, 5-10, 175; Steve Hart, G-DT, 6-2, 255; Paul Howard, T-DT, 6-foot, 325; Corey Key, Rec.-DB, 5-10, 175; Sean Williams, RB-LB, 5-8, 210.
Happy about: fantastic attitude.
Concerned about: offensive line.
Riley's comment: "If we take care of the little things, big things will follow."
CONWELL-EGAN
Coach: Kevin Kelly, 5th year. Education: North Pocono, Bloomsburg. Career: 30-19.
Last year: 4-3, 4th; 7-6.
Great eight: Kevin Schafer, QB-DB, 6-1, 205; Justin Bainbridge, G-DE, 6-foot, 220; Joe Snydman, G-DE, 6-2, 220; Ray O'Hara, RB-LB, 5-11, 205; Dave Kuebler, Rec.-DE, 6-2, 220; Tom McCue, T-LB, 6-2, 210; Shane Nolte, Rec.-DB, 5-9, 175; Jim Domzalski, RB-LB, 6-1, 200.
Happy about: speed, senior leadership.
Concerned about: secondary.
Kelly's comment: "We expect our great senior class to put us right in the mix."
KENNEDY-KENRICK
Coach: Mike Santillo, 1st year. Education: Kenrick, Delaware Valley. Career: 0-0.
Last year: 1-6, 7th; 4-7.
Great eight: Greg Santangelo, RB-LB, 5-10, 175; Alex Johnson, Rec.-DE, 6-foot, 245; Keith Andrews, RB-NG, 5-10, 245; Drew Gulotta, QB, 5-10, 175; Sean Cook, Rec.-DB, 5-9, 180; Matt Ganley, RB-LB, 5-10, 210; Chris Santoro, C-DT, 5-11, 285; Shane Giongo, T-DT, 5-11, 275.
Happy about: speed, veteran offensive line.
Concerned about: overall inexperience.
Santillo's comment: "We're looking for a complete buy-in from the kids, and to start a winning tradition."
SS. NEUMANN-GORETTI
Coach: Steve Smith, 3rd year. Education: Neumann, Villanova. Career: 7-17.
Last year: 2-5, 6th; 5-7.
Great eight: Mark Hatty, QB-K, 6-4, 185; Vinny Burgese, LB, 5-11, 190; Mark McPherson, RB-LB, 5-9, 180; Anthony Sample, RB-DB, 5-10, 175; Preandre Watson, Rec.-LB, 6-3, 225; Joe Gionfriddo, Rec., 5-11, 165; Louis Mobley, T-DT, 6-2, 280; Chris Palmer, G-DT, 6-4, 290.
Happy about: camaraderie, speed.
Concerned about: tough early schedule.
Smith's comment: "We're looking to survive in a tough division."
WEST CATHOLIC
Coach: Brian Fluck, 8th year. Education: West Catholic, Temple. Career: 50-37.
Last year: 6-1, 2nd; 10-3.
Great eight: Anthony Rhoades, Rec.-LB-P, 6-2, 240; Marc Holloway, RB-LB, 6-1, 225; Isiah Edmond, G-DE, 6-foot, 250; Khiry Carter, Rec.-DB, 5-10, 180; Dennis Shaw, RB, 5-8, 170; Marquese Sanders, RB-LB, 6-1, 210; Ode Evans, T-DE, 6-3, 245; Eric Brennan, QB, 6-5, 200.
Happy about: senior leadership, young skill players.
Concerned about: inexperienced lines.
Fluck's comment: "Though we're young, we're excited about our chances to get back to the championship game again."