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I'll be doing an in-depth preview of the CHSL, among others, in a few months. But, it was interesting to see EZ's early thoughts and the various responses.

I basically agree with EZ's asessment of the Central Div. teams. OLSM and Rice will be the top tier teams. DLS a clear-cut #3. CC in fourth. The winner of the DDC vs UDJ game will finish 5th. On the top two teams, I think the jury is out on who will be #1. I'm not ready to annoint OLSM as the top team, but also can't criticize anyone who feels that way. OLSM does have the top marquee players in Bolden and Sims, and to a lesser extent Semmes. They also have some good skill players in Taylor Peruski and Suave Lavalis. Two good defensive players, Earnest Thomas and Gary Hunter, could also contribute at wide receiver. OLSM has good skill in the starting lineup, but their depth is questionnable and there will be a fall-off at running back and the Oand D lines. Fiorini is a good TB, but White was more dangerous. The O and D lines each only return one starter. OLSM also lost both its placekicker and punter. Rice on the other hand won't have the big names, but a ton of talented depth. The big question mark for Rice will be whether they can replace Caulton Ray at tailback. Danny Henneghan has more speed than Ray, but he needs to prove he can take the pounding that the starting TB takes in Rice's run-oriented offense. I assume Danny will concentrate on offense, so he will need to be replaced at CB. The QB and WR positions should be solid with Juniors, Frankie Popp and Kevonte Martin. They will miss Ron Dorsey-Austin, but experienced receivers Mark Makoski and John Farney both return. The linebacker position will again be the strength of the team. Shamari Benton is the top Div. 1 prospect on the team. Ed Viverette and John Miller, both of whom got a lot of playing time last year will be first year starters. Jimmie Pickens, coming off a stellar freshman season, will again be one of the best players on the team. If Henneghan falters at TB, I wouldn't be surprised to see Pickens get some reps on offense. There are only two starters returning on both the O and D lines, but they are good ones: Glanda and Cherocci on Off. and Maletzke and Plaskey on Def. Some quality players from last year's Varsity and JV rosters should more than adequately fill the line openings. The line will also benefit from two big and athletic baseball players who didn't play football last year, but were outstanding players at the sub-varsity level two years ago. Junior, Jason Kelmigian, is a big, strong and fast lineman. Senior, Matt Conway is a tough, sure-handed tight end. Both are outstanding baseball players who plan to play football next year. Both will compete for starting jobs and will help fill holes on the line due to graduation. The kicking game will be one of the best in the state with Seniors, Ryan Kelly, PK, and Alex Charles, P.

With an experienced QB and the Martinez twins returning, I give the nod to DLS over CC for third place. I question the number of returning starters that EZ talked about and that I've seen posted elsewhere. EZ, where did you get the number 16 for returning starters. As I see it, there are six returning starters on offense and six returning starters on defense. Twelve is still a good number and should be the biggest in the CHSL Central. There are only really ten players since the Martinez twins are counted on both offense and defense. Also, Tony Ramierez is counted as a returning starter and I believe he is no longer at DLS. So, it looks like the real number is 11 (or 9). Chad O'Shell is a huge loss. DLS has benefitted the last three years by having a great breakaway back with speed and toughness. Andre Dortch has a lot of speed, but is small and I don't think he can carry the team like O'Shell and Berezik did. I'm also showing that DLS lost most of its D Line and three starters from its O Line. At linebacker, Kyle Torzy will be a big loss, but Mark Karam and Chet Privett are two good returners. Darryl Pitts will have to step up and replace David Blackburn as the go-to receiver, assuming DLS passes this year. The influx of players from good sub-varsity teams will help DLS remain competitive, but in order to challenge the top two teams, DLS will have to expand the role of the Martinez twins and develop a passing game--unless they can find another O'Shell ( actually there is another O'Shell--could he be the heir apparent to Chad's leadership role).

It's going to be a tough road for CC. After making a run in the playoffs, and convincing fans and sceptics alike that they had turned the corner, CC will need to completely rebuild for 2008. With only one returning starter on both offense and defense, and not a lot of help coming from the JV and Freshman teams, it appears that this will be a down year for the Shamrocks. There was at least one non-starter during most of last season, who got some starts and significant playing time late in the season (Anthony Capatina) so I guess you should increase the Off. starters who return to 2. Still, I'm not sure CC is going to build a team around Capatina. Soph. Justin D'Agostino will be a contributor, but he's young. Both kickers have graduated, as have the entire O and D lines, all the linebackers and 75% of the D Backs. You don't replace the Mike Martins and Joe Kinvilles with players from average JV teams. Maybe the younger Kinville has the talent of his older brother. A couple players from the special teams (e.g. Palazetti) will likely get starts. In a normal league, CC would be fine. In the CHSL Central, with two strong teams at the top, it will be problematic this year--or for the forseeable future for that matter.

As for UDJ and DDC, neither will have much impact on the Central Race and Prep Bowl. They are both de facto AA members.

Kaycob: as usual, you have a good grasp of the CHSL teams. I disagree in one area--your depth rankings. I would combine the roster depth and starter depth and give the nod to Brother Rice. I can see why you have OLSM as the best skill depth team, but Rice isn't that far behind. Bolden, Sims, Lavalis and Peruski are four good skill guys. Fiorini is a good TB, but I think there will be a big fall off from Dominique White. It looks like Rice will have a roster of 99 players in 2008. I've looked at a potential three-deep roster and it is amazing. The second team would be competitive in most leagues. The first team, if it can overcome the loss of C. Ray, should be very strong, and still young. Popp and Martin could end up being the league's best passing combo, and they are both Juniors. Bolden and Sims will be good as well, but the supporting cast at OLSM is not as strong as Rice. As for CC, I thought they made a great run last year, but when you think about what they lost to graduation, it looks bleak for CC next year. If they can't re-load at OL/DL?LB, it's going to be a long season, notwithstanding the weak non-conference schedule. I agree that the Martinez twins have to play a bigger role on offense, with one of them perhaps moving to QB. I also agree with you on the OLSM offense. I think they would be a lot more dangerous if they adopted a Rich Rodriguez type spread offense. I hate to give GP the idea, but can you imagine Robert Bolden running every play from the shotgun and spreading out Sims, Lavalis, Peruski, Hunger and Thomas.