Porter Ridge PiratesPorter Ridge (7-4, 4-1)
The Pirates will have a healthy Jalen Lockhart back under center after missing all 4 games in September last season. Lockhart still connected on 63% of his passes for 646 yards and 8 TDs. The Pirates are a different offense with him under center. Senior RB Danny Kennedy (all-UCHSF 1st team) ran for 673 yards and 6 TDs in 10 games. Senior RB Samaad Peoples is Kennedy's running mate after putting up 500 yards 4 TD junior season. Never much of a passing team under Coach Hertz, Kennedy is the leading receiver returning in 2023 after putting up 16 catches for 227 yards and 2 TDs in 2022. Keep an eye on Harrison Johnson, the stud defensive player who is headed to William and Mary saw limited action as a WR last season (4 receptions for 49 yards and 1 TD). Sophomore Ryan Ladimir is back after knocking in 42-of-43 PATs and was good on 5-of-6 field goals in 2022.
Defensively the Pirates lost UCHSF Defensive Player of the Year in LB Stephen Zayachkowsky and DT Jason Hertz to graduation and those are big shoes to fill. Filling those shoes in 2023 will start with senior DE Harrison Johnson who is returning after leading the Pirates with 97 stops (60 solo) and was All-UCHSF 1st Team and All-SCC. Johnson is headed to William-Mary in 2024. Senior LB Jatavien Taylor is back after a 57-tackle junior season. Taylor was named 2nd Team All-UCHSF and All-SCC. Junior Kisiah Harris was named All-UCHSF 1st team as a rover and is back to lead the Pirates defensive backfield and 6 interceptions. The Pirates open the 2023 season hosting Rocky River on Aug. 18th.