Offensive Preview:
Quarterback Andre Dreuitt-Parks returns for his senior season after passing for over 1,600 yards and 24 touchdowns last year.
“Andre is a four-year starter. He’s 1,000 yards away from breaking the Public league passing record.”
The public league record is held by Northeast Malik Stokes in 2009. He passed for 4,170 yards and Andre has 3,129 yards passing in his career. The City record is held by LaSalle College HS quarterback Brett Gordon who passed for 6,837 yards. Stats provided by Ed “Huck” Palmer and TedSilary.com
Andre can make all the throws and is very poised in the pocket. He can run if he has too and is good at moving around in the pocket.
“Andre is like a coach out there. He knows the offense extremely well. He’s very confident and the young players follow him. He’s a leader not only on the field but also in the classroom. He’s one of the top academic kids we have at Imhotep. When he’s doing very well we are tough to beat.”
At running back their leading rusher Nasir Bonner is gone. But don’t worry about the Panthers running attack. They have a lot of depth there and are led by junior Tyliek Raynor who rushed for over 900 yards and 13 touchdowns last year.
“Tyliek is getting some division one offers already. He went to Rutgers camp and ran a 4.34 40-time. He’s a very fast young man and is our game breaker.”
Mike Waters is the other running back that got a lot of carries last year.
“Mike is more of a physical runner and a nice compliment to Tyliek. He can break a big run at anytime on the field.”
The third guy in the rotation is Rahmir Johnson. He averaged over 10 yards per carry.
“Rahmir played defense for us last year and played some running back late in the year. He got hurt in the Berks Catholic game last year and is back this year. He’s a very powerful runner.”
At wide receiver, Imhotep has one of the most explosive receivers in the state. Senior D.J. Moore returns after catching 41 passes for 844 yards and 13 touchdowns last year.
“We arguably have the number one wide receiver in the state and he’s committed to the University of Maryland. When you talk about DJ he’s a complete football player. He’s very strong and has great hands and he runs great routes. He’s a great blocker, is very fast and has great body control.”
They also have Kalihf Clemons who averaged 17.4 yards per catch last year.
“He’s a slot receiver for us and did very good last year. He’s a very smart receiver and knows how to run his routes. He can catch the ball.”
Also returning is junior receiver Nasir Lewis. He averaged 20-yards per catch and had three touchdowns last year.
“He’s a guy that is drawing some division one interest. He’s 6-foot-2, 180-pounds and he makes spectacular catches look real easy. He’s a young man that is working hard and getting better each day.”
When you talk tight ends Naseir Upshur is not only one of the best in Pennsylvania, but one of the best in the nation with over 20 division one offers.
“His greatest attribute is his tenacity as a blocker and he loves doing it. He’s very good at it. He has soft hands and is very athletic. He’s such a weapon for us when we are at the goal line. Last year we didn’t throw to him a lot because of the weapons we had. This year we are planning to get the football to him in different aspects.”
Also at tight end is a West Catholic transfer Andre Mintze.
“They are two big young men. Naseir is 6-foot-4, 232-pounds and Andre is 6-foot-3, 220-pounds. That gives us another couple of big targets.
The Panthers have two offensive linemen returning from last year’s team. Antoine Williams will start at tackle this year.
“Antoine was a tackle last year. He’s 6-foot-3, 280-pounds.”
The other returning starter is Johncarlo Valentin. He’s a guard.
“Johncarlo is a 6-foot-5, 315-pounds. These guys are big and athletic. He was an all-league player last year.”
Keyon Marable was the backup center his sophomore year. He’s 6-foot-2, 305-pounds.
“Last year he was out all year and we get him back this year.”
Kalim Kennedy played defensive tackle last season and he’s going to play offensive guard this year. He’s 6-foot-2, 285-pounds.
Junior Yasir Durant is going to play the other tackle position. He’s 6-foot-7, 335-pounds.
They have a couple of young lineman that might rotate in at times. They are center Jalen Denby (5-foot-11, 275-pounds) and Devonte Scott (6-foot-3, 290-pounds).
“We have size and athleticism with this group of guys. We are excited about the offensive line.”
Defensive Preview:
On the defensive line the Panthers return both defensive ends. Qwamere Wright-Downing is a returning end with size and power.
“He was third on our team in sacks last year with 16 sacks. He has size, power and speed.”
The other defensive end is senior Shaka Toney.
“He led the team with sacks last year with 19 sacks. He’s very quick to the quarterback. Both these guys are our leaders on the line.”
The two starting defensive tackles are Laurence Nickens who’s going to be a junior and he will play some nose guard. Jaquan Watson is the other guy.
“These guys do have some experience from last year.”
When you talk about the Panthers defense at linebacker Shaquille Jones name will come up more times than not.
“He’s a University of Cincinnati commit. He’s 6-foot-1, 195-pounds and plays weak side backer. He’s a great leader and is a very smart football player. He knows where everyone should be on the field and he’s like my defensive coordinator on the field.”
The Panthers have three guys battling for the two remaining spots at linebacker. Braheem Garland, Ian Toney-Thomas and Jordan McCray are the guys battling for playing time.
The returning players in the secondary are Seifuddin Black and Zahir Wright.
“Those two guys started for us last year and played a lot of minutes. Seifuddin is the leader in the secondary. He’s a very smart and talented player.”
The other starting corner will be Terrill Gillette along with West Catholic transfer Romeo Gunt.
Mike Crawford and Shyheem Shaw will be in the mix.
Special Teams Preview:
Mike Waters and Terrill Gillette lead the way as kick returners. D.J. Moore will do punt returns.
Also Moore will do kicking and punting duties this year.
Head Coach: Albie Crosby
2013 Record: 12-4 (4-0 Conference)
Key Starters Lost: RB Nasir Bonner,
Offensive Players Returning: (10)
QB Andre Dreuitt-Parks
RB Tyliek Raynor
RB Mike Waters
RB Rahmir Johnson
WR D.J. Moore
WR Kalihf Clemons
WR Nasir Lewis
TE Naseir Upshur
OL Johncarlo Valentin
OL Antoine Williams
Defensive Starters Returning: (5)
DE Qwamere Wright-Downing
DE Shaka Toney
LB Shaquille Jones
CB Seifuddin Black
CB Zahir Wright
2014 Outlook:
What’s new with Imhotep? They move up from Class 2A to 3A in 2014.
We are very excited about the offense. We bring back a four-year starting quarterback and running backs with experience. I feel we have the number one wide receiver and tight end in Pennsylvania.
We are always a running team first but this year we are going to surprise teams by throwing the ball more.
We have some experience on defense and our linebackers will lead the way.
One Response
Imhotep Panthers are an awesome team. Shaka Toney is an explosive junior DE.