Wednesday, August 27, 2003

By Mike White, Post-Gazette Sports Writer

North Penn is the biggest high school in the state in terms of boys' enrollment. Besides being the biggest, North Penn also might have the best football team in the state this season.

	More high school football Pennsylvania's top 30 prospects Post-Gazette rankings for WPIAL, CityLeague and PIAL 2003 High School Football Preview index page

North Penn is the Post-Gazette's preseason No. 1 team in Class AAAA of the PIAA.

North Penn has eight starters back on offense and seven on defense from a team that lost to Parkland, 33-13, in the PIAA semifinals. Senior running back-defensive back Kevin Akins (6 feet 2, 185 pounds) is one of North Penn's stars. He rushed for more than 1,500 yards last season and already has made a verbal commitment to Boston College.

North Penn has two other Division I college prospects in receiver Dean Oliver (6-1, 180) and fullback-linebacker James Casterano (6-2, 235).

And just for comparisons, consider this: According to the most recent PIAA enrollment figures, North Penn has 1,600 boys in the top three grades. That's 500 more than Butler and North Allegheny, the two largest WPIAL schools.

Here is a look at some of the other top teams around the state:

Class AAAA

Parkland won the PIAA title last year, and Coach Rob Melosky has been saying his players are out to prove the team wasn't a one-year wonder. But one has to wonder what the Trojans will do without Austin Scott.

Scott, now a freshman at Penn State, set a Pennsylvania single-season rushing record last year with 3,853 yards. But Parkland, ranked No. 2, has a half-dozen defensive players back who either started or saw plenty of playing time in the PIAA championship game against Woodland Hills. One of the defensive standouts is end-linebacker Travis Decker. On offense, quarterback Phil Searfoss returns for his senior season.

Woodland Hills is the only WPIAL team in the Post-Gazette's top five. The Wolverines have lost in the PIAA championship game the past two seasons.

No. 4 Cumberland Valley features two Penn State recruits --offensive lineman Wyatt Bowman and fullback-linebacker Dan Lawlor.

No. 5 West Lawn Wilson has quarterback Chad Henne, considered one of the best quarterbacks in the country. Henne, who already has committed to Michigan, has a chance at the state passing record (7,447 yards) this season. A starter since his freshman year, he has completed 416 of 739 for 5,328 yards. But the question is whether Wilson has enough talent, other than Henne, to make a run at the PIAA title.

Cumberland Valley and Wilson are both in District 3, but another District 3 team to watch is Reading, which was 7-3 last season. Reading running back-linebacker James Bryant is one of the best players in the state and has a number of Division I college offers.

In District 11, Bethlehem Catholic and Easton are expected to make some noise this season.

In District 1, Neshaminy looks to be strong, but Glen Mills could be a sleeper. Joe Ferrainola is in his second time around as the Bulls' coach. Ferrainola, a graduate of North Allegheny High School, resigned from Glen Mills in the mid-1990s.

Class AAA

Strath Haven has made it to the PIAA title game four years in a row, and the Panthers are ranked No. 1 this season. Dan Connor, a Penn State recruit, is ranked by two scouting services as one of the top three inside linebacker in the country. He also is a fullback and rushed for more than 1,000 yards last season.

"We have our whole offensive line back," Connor said. "Plus, we have a couple of good skill guys. We think we can make another run at a state championship."

Strath Haven tight end-outside linebacker Dave Peck is another Division I prospect. He has a scholarship offer from Wisconsin.

Three WPIAL teams are ranked in the PIAA top five -- No. 2 Thomas Jefferson, No. 3 Blackhawk and No. 5 Pine-Richland.

Last year was the first time since 1993 that Manheim Central didn't make the PIAA playoffs. But with talented quarterback Jared Moyer, Manheim Central should rebound this season.

Class AA

Mount Carmel is ranked No. 1. Yawn.

This is the fifth time in the past six seasons Mount Carmel has been ranked No. 1 in the preseason. But why not put the Red Tornado at the top? Mount Carmel has won five PIAA titles since 1994. However, every title has been won in an even-numbered year, and this is 2003.

Mount Carmel features lineman Jon Skinner, who already has committed to Ohio State.

Camp Hill Trinity made it to the PIAA quarterfinals last season, and the Shamrocks boast quarterback Chris Crane, who has committed to Boston College.

The rest of the top five is made up of WPIAL teams -- No. 3 Beaver, No. 4 Jeannette and No. 5 Aliquippa.

Class A

Southern Columbia and Rochester have played for the PIAA title four of the past five seasons. Don't be surprised if they meet again in Hershey in December.

Southern Columbia is ranked No. 1 in the PIAA and Rochester No. 2. Southern Columbia has five starters back on offense and five on defense from last year's team that defeated Rochester, 31-6, in the title game. Senior Brandon Trough was Southern Columbia's leading rusher last year with a little more than 1,000 yards.

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