Eastern PA storylines in 2009

The start of the 2009 high school football season might not start for six months, but it’s never too early to start thinking about what the upcoming season could offer.  Here’s a hint:  we probably won’t see another Jeremiah Young or Zach Barket anytime soon.  Could Neshaminy be considered a favorite to win District 1 “AAAA?”  And how long will Steel-High’s winning streak last?  Think Brian Fluck might attempt a few field goals this season?

Here are some things to watch in the eastern half of Pennsylvania for 2009:

Pat Devlin’s career passing yardage record could be in serious jeopardy.  Lancaster Catholic blue-chip quarterback Kyle Smith is just 2,302 yards shy of the 8,109 yards the former Downingtown East star accumulated.  Smith is also 25 touchdown passes shy of former Manheim Township field general Pat Bostick’s career total of 94, also a state record.  Smith is coming off of a 2008 season in which he threw for 3,192 yards and 42 touchdowns.  The 3,192 yards is believed to be the fourth-best single season passing total in state history.

Keeping up with the Smith’s, Wilson Area quarterback Tyler Smith is just 2,130 yards shy of 7,000 passing yards for his career.  Smith replaced DJ Lenehan two seasons ago.  Lenehan is the second-leading passer in state history, with 7,742 yards.  No Pennsylvania school has ever had two quarterbacks pass for 7,000 career yards consecutively.

Liberty’s Anthony Gonzalez, the top quarterback prospects in the state, could become the second quarterback in state history to rush and pass for 4,000 yards in his career.  Terrelle Pryor is the only other quarterback to accomplish the feat.

There’s no shortage of talent on the ground, either.  The most notable returning running back belongs to traditional District 2 power Dunmore.  Michael Perry enters 2009 with 4,832 career rushing yards and 62 touchdowns.  Perry could become the 19^th running back in state history to hit 6,000 rushing yards for his career, a mark he’s just 1,168 yards from attaining.

Speaking of the ground attack, 18 different backfields had two running backs each surpass 1,000 rushing yards last year.  At least one PIAA champion since 2003 has produced a duo of 1,000-yard rushers.  Will that streak continue in 2009?

Selinsgrove returns a 1,000-yard rusher, 2,000-yard passer, & 1,200-yard receiver, among others.  Will 2009 be the first time the Seals play for a PIAA football championship?  And could Southern Columbia really go a third year of not playing in Hershey?

The elite 300-win club of coaches will welcome at least one member in 2009, and possibly a second or maybe a third.  Southern Columbia head coach Jim Roth is just three victories shy of 300 for his career, and Forest Hills’ Don Bailey isn’t far behind.  Bailey is 10 wins shy of 300.  Manheim Central’s Mike Williams is 13 wins shy of the mark.  The 300 club currently has seven members, with retired Selinsgrove head coach Bill Scott (303 victories) the most recent member.

Bayard Rustin enters its fourth year of existence, and the defending District 1 “AAA” champs.  The Knights also boast a wickedly proficient Wing-T offense that produced a 2,000-yard rusher in Rondell White.

Bishop McDevitt is loaded with potential Division-1 prospects.  There are eight D-1 prospects in the Class of 2010.  Add in quarterback Matt Johnson and running back Jameel Poteat, both juniors, and the Crusaders will boast 10 D-1 prospects this season.  Gateway, meanwhile, only has four D-1 prospects thus far in the 2010 class, according to Rivals.com.

Finally, will 2009 be the year that the Philadelphia Catholic League wins a PIAA football championship?  Neither West Catholic or Archbishop Wood were successful in 2008.  The early favorite from the PCL in ’09 is LaSalle – the Explorers are loaded with talent at the skill positions, including two D-1 prospects.