Top 25 Early Contenders high school football team preview: No. 15 Central Catholic

Central Catholic football coach Terry Totten thought there was too much undue pressure on his team last season.

With all that talent he had, many college coaches showed up at practice, which drew massive media attention.

If the Vikings felt the burden, they sure didn't show it, going 15-1 and winning their fourth state 4A title and first since 2007 with a 21-18 victory over Parkland.

Central Catholic sent five graduated players from that team on to successful FBS schools.

"That was last year," Totten said. "This is this year. I feel good about this group – it's a good one. But we have some holes to fill."

The pressure may be dialed up a notch this year. The Vikings open 2016 as the No. 15 team nationally in the MaxPreps Early Contenders package. They are the No. 1 team in Pennsylvania.

"Our offensive line is a big strength," Totten said. "We have a good quarterback. Our front seven on defense is pretty darn good. If we sprinkle together some good play on the outside offensively and in the secondary, we'll be all right."

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Totten, starting his 12th season as head coach for Central Catholic, doesn't mince or use many words. Like his teams, Totten is no nonsense and direct.

The Vikings of 2016 should be big, physical and go right at opponents.

The Players
They return 14 starters, including everyone along the offensive front, led by Penn State bound guard Chris "C.J." Thorpe. The 6-foot-4, 300-pound senior is ranked the 12th best senior guard in the country, according to 247Sports Composite, though he'll play left tackle for Central Catholic.

"He's got great size, he's aggressive and he's a finisher," Totten said. "He very much likes to take his opponents to the ground."

Thorpe is joined on the line by returners at guard Jake Trautman (6-4, 265) and Jake Hinish (6-3, 282), center Donovan Slater (6-3, 285) and right tackle Kurt Hinish (6-3, 280), a Notre Dame commit.

"Strong, technically superb and a real high motor," Totten said of Hinish.

The line play will definitely make life easier for dual-threat quarterback Troy Fisher, who threw for 1,406 yards, rushed for 546 and accounted for 27 touchdowns in 2015 as a sophomore.

He'll have two very talented running backs to hand the ball to in 5-8, 160-pound senior J.J. Younger, who rushed for 408 yards and five touchdowns last season, and Justice Evans (5-8, 170).

"It will be key for us to run the ball efficiently," said Totten whose team last year averaged nearly 240 rushing yards per game.

The defense is led by the team's top recruit, another Notre Dame pledge, in 6-2, 230-pound middle linebacker David Adams. He's ranked the No. 3 inside linebacker in the country and No. 113 overall recruit.

"He's just a throwback," Totten said. "He wants to be a great college linebacker and with his tenacity and range, there's no doubt he'll be just that."

With a defensive line that features Thorpe, Hinish and Jamain Stephens (6-3, 370), the life of Adams should be much easier. Stephens father by the same name was a first-round pick of the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1996. He was an offensive tackle.

"Our defense should be staunch," Totten said.

The Keys
With all that brawn and talent in the trenches, the Vikings will likely be doing a lot of inside running.

But finding speed on the edges and game-breaking capability from an inexperienced receiving bunch will be key.

Central Catholic is moving up to the 6A level, so its competition will also rise.

Totten believes his team is up for the challenges. His teams have gone a sparkling 113-17 over the last decade.

"A new season always brings new goals and aspirations," he said. "Early on, they've shown an ability to work hard and listen. I feel great about the coming season."