Offensive Preview:
The Crusaders return one of the top quarterbacks in Eastern Pennsylvania. Last year senior Nick Marsilio passed for 2,657 yards on 171 of 289 completions and 31 touchdowns. Look for Nick to have a big year with all the weapons McDevitt has.
“He has a strong arm and is mobile. His biggest attribute is his arm. We have on his highlight tape that he threw a 70 some yard touchdown pass and the ball was in the air 68-yards. He can make all the throws. He has good mastery of our offense. We run a complex passing game and he understands it. He understands where to go and make his checks. He throws well on the run.”
The backup is sophomore Tayvon Bowers.
“We want to get him in and get him some varsity experience. He can run and is very fast. He can throw the ball and is very intelligent.”
Not only do the Crusaders have one of the top quarterbacks but one of the top running backs in Pennsylvania. Senior Andre Robinson returns after rushing for 2,338 yards on 260 carries and 29 touchdowns. He averaged almost nine yards a carry last year.
“Andre is a combination of everything you look for in a running back. He has good vision and he used to be a point guard in basketball. He runs with power and probably is the strongest running back I have ever had. He has very quick feet and makes a lot of jump cuts. He’s a good blocker and runs routes as good as any receiver in the state and has good hands. He’s pretty much the total package. He runs well outside. He’s the strongest kid on our team.”
Que’Shawn Jenkins is a big linebacker that will get some carries this fall and last year he averaged over six yards a carry.
They have two sophomores’ that will see time. They are Matt Geiger and Jacque Jackson.
Keep an eye on two freshmen this fall. They are Michael Jones and Shalimar Artis-Payne.
“We have a staple of running backs. We have Que’Shawn who will pound the ball and some of these young runners to give a different look to the running game.”
Their fullback is Vinny Salomone.
Myles Turner will play some fullback.
On the offensive line Jaelon Mitchell is the left tackle.
“He started three games last year at guard. He’s 6-foot-2, 270-pounds. He’s very athletic and strength. He has quick feet.”
Anthony Long is playing left guard this year.
“We moved Anthony Long who has been the left offensive tackle the last two years. He’s 6-foot-3, 295-pounds and moves very well. We moved him to inside so we can pull with him.”
Braden Weachter is the center.
“He’s 5-foot-10, 250-pounds and he makes a lot of the line calls for us. He was the JV center the last two-years.”
The right guard is Kendric Lewis.
“He’s a three-year starter and is a senior. He’s a very good run and pass blocker.”
The right tackle is Mitch Ward.
“He’s 6-foot-3, 285-pounds. He started the last two-years at Middletown.”
Senior Alex Burkey will play a little bit this year. Derek Lutes is another guy that can see some action.
At wide receiver McDevitt has one of the most explosive receivers in the state. Junior Kobay White is back, after 64 passes for 1,172 yards and 15 touchdowns.
“Kobay’s number one thing is his speed. As an eighth grader he finished second in the nation in the 100 meters in a national track meet. He has a long stride and when he gets into his stride you don’t realize he’s going as fast as he is. He is very strong and he’s tough to bring down when he catches the ball. He runs good routes and is always working harder to be better. When he gets in open space, no one can catch him.”
When Kobay isn’t open Nick Marsilio can throw to senior wide receiver Tyrone Gibson, who’s the fastest player on the team. Last year he caught 37 passes for 503 yards and five touchdowns.
“He has a lot of speed and is really a running back playing the wide receiver position. He has good hands and runs nice routes. We will put him in the slot position a lot.”
Bryce Hall is the third receiver that McDevitt can throw at you. He averaged over 37 yards per catch and had seven touchdowns.
“He has gotten taller and is now 6-foot-3. He has gotten faster and was the guy who made the game winning catch last year against Cathedral Prep.”
Kevin Lenz is another kid to watch.
“He’s our most improved player this offseason.”
Kyree Calli is a 6-foot-4 kid that will be a big target this year.
“We have four division one receivers that are all over 6-foot-1.”
When they are in the pro-I formation look for Jake Perloski to come in at tight end.
“Jake played a little bit on the defensive line as a freshman last year.”
When they go to spread Chad Cortez will play some tight end. Tim Kater is a freshman that will see action at tight end.
Defensive Preview:
They have one returning starter, Myles Turner, on the defensive line. Last year he had 18 solo tackles, 47 total tackles, two sacks and one pass deflected.
“He has very good movement and can change directions. He’s a very strong player and is physical. He benched 315 pounds for 10 reps. He’s a good run stopper and pass rusher.
Derek Lutes can play end or tackle for McDevitt this year.
“He brings a lot of quickness to the line.”
Anthony Long will see more time at defensive tackle this year.
Kendric Lewis and Mitch ward will rotate in at defensive tackle. Shaneil Johnson will get some playing time and he’s a good edge rusher.
Buddy Pagliaro played some last year and will get playing time. Sophomore Nick Fricchione is a good pass rusher to watch.
“We have a lot of depth and can rotate a lot of guys in and out.”
They have two out of three starters back at linebacker and another kid that played a lot last year. The middle linebacker is Greg Artis-Payne. He had 75 total tackles last year.
“He’s a three-year starter and is 6-foot-2, 225-pounds.”
One of the best defensive players on the team is Que-Shawn Jenkins. He’s the Sam linebacker. He had 90 total tackles and 13 tackles for loss last year.
“He had a very good state championship game against Wood. He’s a physical kid and a great tackler.”
The other linebacker is depending on who the play. Senior Jake Phillips has a lot of experience from last year. Vinny Salomone will play some backer this year.
Jacque Jackson will play some when teams go to spread offenses.
In the secondary they return three players from last years team.
“We should have returned four players from last year but Anthony Dasent our free safety got hurt in the offseason and is out.”
They return Tyrone Gibson at one of the corner positions.
“He’s a very good cover corner. He’s very physical at the line and can press a man and can play off man. He’s a very good tackler. We like to put him on the other team’s top receiver.”
Joe Headen is the other returning corner. Brandon Stanback is the strong safety. Brandon had 90 total tackles.
“Both of these kids are athletic and can make plays in the secondary.”
At free safety they have a battle going on. Osman Kamara and Alex Marsico are the guys battling.
Kobay White will play some free safety.
Special Teams Preview:
The two main punt returners are Andre Robinson and Kobay White.
“Andre had two punt returns for touchdowns last year.”
The three kick returners are Andre, Kobay and Tyrone Gibson. Kyree Calli may be back there too.
Chris Mixon is the kicker and Matt Geiger will do the punting.
Nick Fricchione will do long snapping duties.
Head Coach: Jeff Weachter
2013 Record: 14-2 (6-1 Conference)
Key Starters Lost:
Offensive Players Returning: (9)
QB Nick Marsilio
RB Andre Robinson
RB Que’Shawn Jenkins
OL Anthony Long
OL Jaelon Mitchell
OL Kendric Lewis
WR Kobay White
WR Tyrone Gibson
WR Bryce Hall
Defensive Players Returning: (8)
DL Myles Turner
DL Anthony Long
LB Greg Artis-Payne
LB Que-Shawn Jenkins
LB Jake Phillips
CB Tyrone Gibson
CB Joe Joe Headen
SS Brandon Stanback
