From the Enquirer: GCL Football 2020
Two teams from the Greater Catholic League-South played for Ohio state championships last December in Canton with La Salle High School winning a Division II state title and Elder finishing as Division I state runner-up.
LaSalle returns many from the 2019 Lancer team that rolled deep in Canton, while Elder will need some young players to step up and fill big shoes. The GCL-South continues to be a regular visitor to state finals with Moeller winning the Division I tile in 2012 and 2013, La Salle taking Division II in 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2019, St. Xavier winning DI in 2016 and Elder finishing as last year's runner-up.
Here's how the fearsome four stack up for 2020.
Elder
Coach Doug Ramsey's Panthers took some major hits on the roster due to graduation with the GCL-South's top rusher and No. 2 passer Matthew Luebbe gone as well as tight end Joe Royer and offensive lineman Jakob James to Ohio State and lineman Luke Kandra to Louisville. Top tackler Colton Sandhas is also gone.
But, they tend to replenish in Price Hill with many of the youngsters growing up dreaming of playing in The Pit. Many in last year's shadows will now have the opportunity to shine, including junior Drew Ramsey who followed Elder's recent tradition of being in the offense as a receiver/back while waiting for his turn at quarterback. The Panthers remaining have much to prove after
falling short in the DI final last December after entering the fourth quarter with a 14-7 lead on Pickerington Central.
"People are going to doubt you now because you think about the guys we lost," Ramsey said. "Two guys going to Ohio State, a guy going to Louisville, a quarterback that threw for 4,000, rushed for 2,000. We lost a lot of talent. That's what happens in sports. Some of these guys have to assume those roles and play at a high level."
Players to watch: Drew Ramsey was 3-for-5 passing last season, but two of those went for touchdowns. Back at his natural position, those numbers should improve. As a utility back as a sophomore, Ramsey ran for 319 yards and four touchdowns and caught 61 passes for 633 yards and five scores. One of his targets could be tight end David Larkins, who backed up Joe Royer last season. Larkins has committed to play at Appalachian State.
"Why not us?" Larkins said. "Just because we lost so many people, so many high-rated guys, why can't we make a run for state again?"
On the line, Drew Beckenhaupt will lead the way. The 6-foot-4, 290-pounder has committed to the Toledo Rockets.
La Salle
Lancers coach Pat McLaughlin is guarded about the season ahead, but a look at a roster full of college talent returning should have La Salle fans feeling good about their 2020 chances. La Salle returns a starting quarterback in Zach Branam, who threw for 1,676 yards and 21 scores and ran for 1,394 with 14 touchdowns. Of those yards, 166 of them came in La Salle's 34-17 DII title win over Massillon Washington last December.
For his senior year, Branam returns a starting running back and receiver with Division I college offers and will have a defense with an all-DI secondary helping get the ball back.
"I'm definitely feeling confident in our team," Branam said. "We've got a lot of guys coming back. We only had 14 seniors, even though those seniors were a big part of our team. We're definitely confident in all of our people coming back. Once we get to work this year, we'll definitely get better than we were last year. I have a little chip on my shoulder not getting recruited as much as I'd want to. It just makes me work even harder to prove everyone wrong. They'll see that this year."
Players to watch: In addition to senior Branam, La Salle's star-studded secondary features Ohio State-bound Jaylen Johnson (61 tackles), Alabama commit Devonta Smith (38 tackles, three interceptions plus 11 catches for 271 yards and five scores at receiver), Cincinnati Bearcat commit Iesa Jarmon (31 tackles, two fumble recoveries, two INTs) and Miami RedHawks commit Jaymar Mundy (50 tackles and a league-high six interceptions). Junior Gi'Bran Payne has seen his recruiting blow up after running for 790 yards and nine scores and recording 41 tackles, four sacks, three forced fumbles and a pair of interceptions at linebacker. Among some of
four-star Payne's offers are Alabama, Florida, Michigan, Notre Dame, Penn State, Iowa and UC.
Moeller
Moeller has its fourth coach in four seasons as
Mark Elder comes from the college ranks of Eastern Kentucky to try to amp the Crusaders up from a 2-8 2019 campaign. The Crusaders appear to have picked up the pace some and will try senior playmaker T.J. Rotello at quarterback.
Moeller is just two seasons removed from winning the GCL-South two years ago when Rotello was a sophomore running back. However, that's been their only winning season out of the last five.
"We're just focusing on getting better," Elder said. "I'm not really worried about what happened last year or years in the past. Those things don't really have a major impact on the season we're going to have this year. What does have a major impact on the season we're going to have is the work ethic, the commitment level of the guys and coming on a consistent basis and working really hard."
Players to watch: Hoping to lead the Moeller ground game is offensive lineman Landon Fickell, who has committed to play for his father, Luke, at the University of Cincinnati. Nate Pabst, a 6-foot-6, 250-pound defensive lineman has committed to Bowling Green, while junior tight end Josh Kattus, the son of former Bengal and Michigan player Eric Kattus, has an offer from his father's alma mater. Brothers Deuce and Aiden Shaw will be defensive leaders and brothers Bryan and Brandon White plus Rotello will be threats with the football in their hands.
St. Xavier
Steve Specht lost the GCL-South's top passer as Matthew Rueve has moved on to Boston College after throwing for 3,126 yards and 28 scores in new offensive coordinator Andrew Coverdale's passing game.
But, the "long blue line" continues and the Bombers have Penn State commit Liam Clifford returning for his senior season after catching 77 balls for 1,180 yards and 17 scores. From the looks of last week's scrimmage vs. Lakota West, St. Xavier again has an able passer as Brogan McCaughey threw a couple scoring passes against Lakota West.
The Bombers were 9-3 last season, falling short in a second-round playoff game to eventual DI state runner-up Elder. Early indications are the Bombers will be in the hunt again.
"Liam Clifford is a special talent and he's done a great job in a leadership role," Specht said. "Liam's just one of many seniors that are going to make an impact again this year. We have a great nucleus to build around. Now the young guys need to measure up what the expectation is here. We'll get after them and we'll find 11 guys to put on the field. I like this group of kids."
Players to watch: Clifford is multi-talented and may even get an occasional look at safety if situations warrant, according to Specht. He spent the spring/summer catching passes from his brother, Penn State starting quarterback Sean Clifford. Junior Luke Vrsansky is the top returning rusher. Senior Jalen Patterson is also a receiving threat along with sophomore tight end Joey Wassler and defensive back Gabriel DuBois is a playmaker.
