93.7 The Fan High School Football Preview 2016 Class 6A: Pittsburgh Central Catholic
Central Catholic
Northern Seven Conference
The Vikings were the WPIAL and PIAA Class AAAA champions last season but graduated four first-team All-State players and had seven players sign with Division I colleges.
So it is natural to believe that a team with that many key personnel losses is going to have to rebuild a little bit and is ripe to take a step back.
That doesn't apply to the Vikings, though, as they might actually be better this season than they were last season as they again have a roster loaded with Division I stars.
But the Vikings aren't only blessed with fleet footed skill position players, they are also strong and physical up front as their five starting offensive linemen all hold Division I scholarship offers.
The line is anchored by two of the WPIAL's top players in tackles C.J. Thorpe and Kurt Hinish, who have already committed to Penn State and Notre Dame, respectively.
Middle linebacker David Adams anchors a defense that should again be among the best in the state as he is ranked as one of the top five inside linebackers in the nation by Rivals and several other scouting services.
Like Hinish, Adams is already committed to Notre Dame and at 6-foot-2, 225 pounds is a formidable force in the middle of the defense.
The Vikings offensive line has a stable of talented running backs to create holes for but their first duty will be to protect junior quarterback Troy Fisher, who is another player that has Division I offers.
Fisher is 6-4, 200 pounds and has great size and arm strength but he is also poised beyond his years as evidenced by the fact that the led the Vikings to the state title last season as a sophomore.
Central Catholic will open the season as the favorite to win the first WPIAL 6-A title and unless they have a rash of injuries, there is no reason to believe they won't raise another championship – their third in four years - at Heinz Field in November.
2016 Schedule
SEPTEMBER
Fri. 9/2 @ Shaler Area 7:30p
Fri. 9/9 vs North Allegheny 7:30p
Fri. 9/16 vs Hempfield Area 7p
Fri. 9/23 @ Seneca Valley 7:30p
Fri. 9/30 vs Pine-Richland 7:30p
OCTOBER
Fri. 10/7 @ Butler 7:30p
Fri. 10/14 @ Altoon 7p
Fri. 10/21 vs Norwin 7:30p
Fri. 10/28 @ Penn Hills 7p
