Central Catholic Crusaders 2023 high school football preview

Mike Popovich, Canton Repository
Central Catholic's Jack Hopkins (left) celebrates his touchdown with Jonathan Stangl during last year's game against St. Thomas Aquinas.
Central Catholic's Jack Hopkins (left) celebrates his touchdown with Jonathan Stangl during last year's game against St. Thomas Aquinas.

CENTRAL CATHOLIC CRUSADERS

HEAD COACH: Jeff Lindesmith, 10th year, 63-43

LAST YEAR: 7-5

POSTSEASON: Division VI, Region 21

RETURNING LETTERMEN (12)

  • Noah Berbari, OL-LB, 6-0, 180, Jr.

  • Dan Boron, WR-DB, 6-0, 185, Sr.

  • Zachary Gall-Montgomery, WR-DB, 5-9, 175, Sr.

  • Gabe Grisez, OL-DL, 5-9, 230, Sr.

  • John Hofacre, RB-LB, 6-2, 185, Jr.

  • Jack Hopkins, WR-DB, 6-0, 175, Sr.

  • James Kane, WR-DB, 6-2, 175, Sr.

  • Andrew Neal, WR-DB, 5-9, 160, Sr.

  • Luke Pieper, WR-DB, 5-9, 165, Sr.

  • Richard Salvino, OL-DL, 6-0, 190, Jr.

  • Jonathan Stangl, OL-DL, 6-8, 310, Jr.

  • Connor Thomas, OL-DL, 5-9, 180, Jr.

IMPACT PLAYERS: At 6 feet, 8 inches and 310 pounds, Jonathan Stangl is a massive force on Central's offensive line. He started at left tackle as a sophomore and already has offers from Ashland and Ball State. With the Crusaders graduating four senior offensive lineman, Stangl will assume a bigger leadership role this season. ... Dan Boron and Andrew Neal have a nose for the football out of the secondary. A first team All-Northeast Inland District selection, Boron shared the Stark County-area lead in interceptions last season with six. Neal was third with five. ... Boron, Jack Hopkins and James Kane form a talented group of returning skill-position players. Boron is Central's top returning rusher. Hopkins and Kane have combined for almost 1,500 yards receiving during their careers.

Central Catholic's football schedule: Stark County-area team-by-team 2023 high school football schedules

WHAT'S NEW: Replacing three-year starting quarterback Jack Talkington won't be easy. Brennan Betz gives the Crusaders a viable option. He started the past two seasons at East Canton and is a versatile threat as a runner and thrower. Louis DiRuzza, the quarterback on Central's JV team a year ago, also will get reps in the preseason. ... Perennial state power Mogadore is a newcomer to Central's regular-season schedule. The Wildcats edged the Crusaders in the Division VI playoffs in 2021 and 2022. The two teams meet Sept. 29 at Central. Richmond Heights and Collinwood are the Crusaders' other new opponents.

OUTLOOK: Central faces familiar challenges again this season. The Crusaders are never shy about loading up their schedule. In addition to Mogadore, they will also face Jackson and Perry of the Federal League, Alliance and Salem of the Eastern Buckeye Conference and Wayne County-power Norwayne. Despite playing a tough schedule and having several players go both ways, you rarely see head coach Jeff Lindesmith's teams out of a game. Those challenges will help prepare the Crusaders for the playoffs, if they qualify again.

This article originally appeared on The Repository: Ohio high school football: Central Catholic Crusaders 2023 preview

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