1. St. Joseph’s Prep (13-1 in 2023) The Hawks will be looking to threepeat as PIAA 6A state champs, while also looking to claim their sixth state title in seven years, and their ninth state title overall in the last 12 years. Since the 6A system was incorporated in 2016, St. Joe’s Prep has been in every Class 6A state championship, which means the Hawks have been the state finals eight-straight years and been to the large-school state finals 10 of the last 11 years, winning the state title eight times in that span. The road to the finals this year becomes bumpier. Perennial area powerhouse Imhotep Charter has moved up to Class 6A this season, and La Salle has a load of talent returning under new and innovative head coach Brett Gordon. Defense will be the backbone early on, led by a pair of linebackers, Notre Dame-bound Anthony Sacca and Penn State-bound Cameron Smith
2. Imhotep Charter (15-0) The defending 5A state champion Panthers carry the area’s longest winning streak into the season and are now a 6A school with a formidable defense led by Ohio State-bound Zahir Mathis and an offense led by Penn State-bound tailback Jabree Wallace-Coleman.
3. La Salle College (6-5) The gap between La Salle and rival St. Joe’s Prep is much narrower than in the past. With Gordon running the offense, the Explorers will be creative and unpredictable. It also helps having three-year starting quarterback Gavin Sidwar back, throwing to Syracuse-bound wide receiver Julian McFadden, and a defense led by 6-foot-3, 180-pound safety Joey O’Brien, one of the country’s top juniors.
4. Malvern Prep (9-1) Friars won their second Inter-Academic League title in three years, and their fourth in six years—and return one of the state’s best interior defensive linemen Cam Brickle.
5. Roman Catholic (9-3) Lost to Prep in the Catholic League Red title game, though return QB Semaj Beals.
6. Downingtown East (11-1) Reached the 2023 PIAA District 1 Class 6A semis.
7. Spring-Ford (9-3) The Rams return Missouri-bound QB Matt Zollers.
8. Central Bucks South (13-2) Defending 2023 PIAA District 1 Class 6A champions and state semifinalists.
9. Downingtown West (11-3) Reached the 2023 PIAA District 1 Class 6A championship and under new coach Tom Kline.
10. Strath Haven (13-2) The Panthers are the defending 2023 District 1 Class 5A champions and return a pair of 1,000-yard rushers in James Fisher and Shane Green.
Under consideration: Haverford School, Neumann-Goretti, Garnet Valley, Chester, Bonner-Prendie, Central Bucks West, Pope John Paul II, Episcopal Academy, Springside Chestnut Hill Academy, Father Judge, Coatesville, Perkiomen Valley, Quakertown, North Penn, Springfield (Delco), Marple Newtown.
Joseph Santoliquito is an award-winning sportswriter who has been covering high school football since 1992 and is the president of the Boxing Writers Association of America. He can be followed on Twitter @JSantoliquito.
