Since 2008, three different teams have been crowned as champions, depending on their enrollment size (4A, 3A, 2A, respectively). This fall, the Catholic League has switched to a two-division format.

Among the seven teams in the Red Division (larger enrollment) are 4A champion La Salle, 3A champ Archbishop Wood, perennial juggernaut St. Joseph’s Prep, Roman Catholic, Father Judge, Archbishop Ryan, and Archbishop Carroll. In the seven-team Blue Division (smaller enrollment), 2A champion West Catholic will face Cardinal O’Hara, Bonner-Prendergast, Conwell-Egan, Lansdale Catholic, Neumann-Goretti, and Conwell-Egan.

Since 1961, playoffs have determined the CL champion. That will change. Catholic League champions (separate for both the Red and Blue Divisions) will be determined by regular-season records, and, if necessary, a tie-breaking procedure. After the regular season comes seeding for the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) tournament. This year, there will be five classes (6A, 5A, 4A, 3A, 2A). Determining the respective PIAA representatives will require playoff games that follow the last week of the regular season.

Starting on September 16, league competition will commence. Here is a breakdown on each of the Catholic League’s 14 teams.

RED DIVISION

Archbishop Carroll

Last Year’s Record – 3-8

Early Team Leaders – OL Anthony Sabol, Sr.; FB/LB Rich Melito, Sr.; DB Khadir Roberts, Sr.; RB Christian Smith, Sr. 

Words of Wisdom – “The team has a lot on its plate this year,” said junior defensive lineman Anthony Warnick. “With the energy from our new coaching staff, we can shock some people and put Carroll football back on the map.”

Words of Wisdom – “It’s obviously a challenge,” said coach Frank McArdle. “We get a schedule and we go play it. What’s the point of complaining? Nobody’s listening anyway.”

Archbishop Wood

Last Year’s Record – 11-1; Won AAA title, 35-7, over Archbishop Ryan. Lost in city title.

Early Team Leaders – RB/DB Raheem Blackshear, Sr.; WR Mark Webb, Sr.; TE/DL Anthony Diodato, Sr.; FB Shawn Thompson, Sr.; LB Matt Palmer, Jr.; K Dan Zanine, Sr.

Words of Wisdom – “Right now, the ultimate goal is to win the Catholic League,” said coach Steve Devlin. “Then that will get us to the next goal.”

Father Judge

Last Year’s Record – 6-5

Early Team Leaders – QB Rob King, Sr., WR/DB Justin Gies, Sr., DL Savion Perez, Sr.; DL Dom Carey, Sr.; DL Earl Volz, Sr.; WR/DB Jeremy Smith, Sr. (Transfer from Archbishop Ryan); LB Mark Kellam, Sr.; WR Frank Conway, Sr.; DB Alex Schaeffler.

Words of Wisdom – “We return six starters on defense and six on offense, all who got valuable experience as sophomores and juniors,” said coach Mike McKay. “We need to find depth on the offense and defensive lines.”

La Salle College High School

Last Year’s Record – 8-4; Won AAAA title, 29-28, over St. Joseph’s Prep; Lost in PIAA quarters.

Early Team Leaders – OL Chris Maloney, Jr.; TE Liam Trainer, Jr.; RB Syaire Madden, Sr.; LB Austin Lemke, Jr.; OL/DL Garrett Zobel, Jr.; QB Tom LaMorte, Sr.

Words of Wisdom – “Winning the Catholic League plaque means a lot,” said coach John Steinmetz. “To be Catholic League champs, you have to work hard at it. They know what the expectations are.”

St. Joseph’s Prep

Last Year’s Record – 7-3; Lost AAAA final, 29-28, to La Salle.

Early Team Leaders – RB D’Andre Swift, Sr.; DB Richard Carr, Sr.; LB James Johnson, Sr., C Mack Grey, Sr.; OL Jackson Evans, Sr.; WR Darryle Simmons, Jr.; Terrence Greene, Sr., LB/FB Phil O’Connor, Jr.; QB Marquez McCray, Jr.

Words of Wisdom – “The new schedule is probably in the best interest of the league,” said coach Gabe Infante. “It makes every game more meaningful.”

BLUE DIVISION

Bishop McDevitt

Last Year’s Record – 7-7; Lost in PIAA Class A quarters.

Early Team Leaders – OL Dan Church, Sr., TE Jayvonne Campfield, Jr.; DL Nasir Pettus, Jr.; WR Jaron Macon, Jr.; RB/LB Diavante Lloyd, Sr.; QB Max Bryson, Sr.

Words of Wisdom – “We have seven or eight returning starters on both sides of the ball and a three-year starting quarterback,” said coach Mike Watkins. “We’re switching from a 4-4 (defense) to 4-3, because it fits our personnel. We’ll have some growing pains. But there are a lot of nice changes going on with our program, including a sodded field and a nice weight room. I’m feeling very positive.”

Bonner-Prendergast

Last Year’s Record – 4-6

Early Team Leaders – RB/LB Joe Hartley-Vittoria, Sr.; DL Mike Larsen, Sr.; LB Jordan Mosley, Jr.; RB/DB/P Tom Millison, Sr.; QB Evan Raiburn, Sr.; WR/DB Brandon Bettole, St.; WR Alex Cole, Sr.; WR/DB Kyrin Jackson, Jr.; RB/LB Billy McGoldrick, Jr.

Words of Wisdom – “I like the new alignment a lot,” said coach Jack Muldoon. “It really gives us a chance to compete.” 

Cardinal O’Hara

Last Year’s Record – 1-9

Early Team Leaders – OL/DL Des Holmes, Sr.; OL/DL Stephen Brown, Sr.; LB Brandon Borcky, Jr.; LB Tyric Gould, Jr.; LB Jamir Redd, Jr.; WR/DB Justin Santilla, Jr.

Words of Wisdom – “We started 10 underclassmen last season,” said coach B.J. Hogan. “We have some very good sophomores who will compete for some jobs. A few transfers will join our school and football program. We are very excited about our incoming freshman class.”

Conwell-Egan

Last Year’s Record – 5-6

Early Team Leaders – MP Kyree Bronson, Sr.; LB Brandon Cohen, Sr.; DL Keanan Baines, Sr.; LB Danny Bentley, Sr.; WR/DB Danny Green, Sr.; QB/DB Kendall Jones, Sr.; RB Pat Garwo, So.; DT Dwayne Majors, So.

Words of Wisdom – “If we finish the year with the key players we start the year with, we will be competitive with every team on our schedule,” said coach Jack Techtmann. 

Lansdale Catholic

Last Year’s Record – 8-3; Lost AA final, 7-6, to West Catholic.

Early Team Leaders – DT Ifeanyi Okorji, Sr.; QB Mike Basilii, Sr.; LB Dave Saulino, Sr.; OL Nate Ensanien. Sr.; OL Nolan Dougherty, Sr.; WR Bob Bausman, Sr.; RB Matt Casee, Jr.; DE Tyler Scheetz, Sr.; DE Andrew Huggins, Sr.; DB PJ O’Connor, Jr.; LB Jake Doheny, Jr.

Words of Wisdom – "Our season depends largely on the maturity and leadership of our senior class,” said coach Tom Kirk. “Depth is an issue, so we need some luck in staying healthy. Developing serviceable backup players is critical for us to be competitive."

West Catholic

Last Year’s Record – 10-5; Won AA title, 7-6, over Lansdale Catholic; Lost in PIAA semis.

Early Team Leaders – RB Calil Wortham, Sr.; FB Supreme Kemp, Sr.; LB/P Rovny Da’Silva, DB Dajone Averett, Sr.; WR Amadou Barry, Sr.; MP Ahmad Kent, Sr.; OL/DL Josh Taylor, Sr.

Words of Wisdom – “We’re keeping the kids focused on our mission,” said coach Brian Fluck. “They can’t falter. We have to compete every week. Each week is a playoff game.”

(John Knebels can be reached at jknebels@gmail.com.)