2017 Early Contenders high school football preview: No. 19 St. Joseph's Prep

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Video: 2017 Early Contenders - No. 19 St. Joseph's Prep
Host Zack Poff breaks down why St. Joseph's Prep should contend for national glory this season.

Head coach: Gabe Infante

Last season: 14-0, No. 12 national ranking, beat Central Catholic in 6A state title game, 42-7

Last decade: 93-30, two state championships

Famous alums/players: ABC anchorman Jim McKay, former NBA star/coach Matt Guokas, former NFL QB Rich Gannon PLAYERS TO WATCH

QB Marquez McCray (6-2, 205, Sr.) — Louisville, UConn and Boston College are all showing interest, but thus far Morgan State is the only to make him an offer.

WR Darryle Simmons (6-3, 200, Sr.) — Pennsylvania's No. 13 recruit is headed to Virginia Tech.

DT Ryan Bryce (6-4, 280, Sr.) — The state's No. 33 recruit is committed to Army.

RB Kolbe Burrell (5-8, 182, Soph.) — The speedster is one of the top sophomore backs on the east coast.

WR-DE Johnny Freeman (6-1, 165, Jr.) — He's a major big play threat. KEY GAMES

Sept. 9 — vs. St. Peter's Prep (Jersey City, N.J.)

Sept 16 — vs. Archbishop Wood (Warminster, Pa.)
STORYLINES

* The Hawks lost 5-star running back D'Andre Swift to the University of Georgia, but Burrell is capable of filling his shoes as he did in a 35-14 win over Archbishop Ryan last year, rushing for TD runs of 51 and 10 yards as a freshman.

* McCray is one of the most underrated quarterbacks on the east coast and will likely be expected to largely carry the load without Swift.

* Look for the numbers of Simmons and Freeman to expand greatly.

* Not only did the Hawks win the 6A title last year, but they won the NFL Draft 7-on-7 Tournament in April and by doing so got to announce a Philadelphia Eagles draft pick. 

* St. Joseph's Prep's massive offensive linemen last season averaged 291 pounds, but all graduated, so the new group will need to develop quickly.