Top20 continued Miller (6-2, 190) blocks well and really came into his own during the latter part of the Chiefs' season; defensive end Tony Williams (6-4, 215) has the frame to put on a lot more weight, blocks well and possesses 4.9 forty speed; tackle Johnny Lewis (6-1, 230) was a starter last year and shows lots of promise; QB Labrunt Harris (5-11, 180) didn't play much last year but could develop into a real prospect according to the coaching staff, who like his speed (4.7) and strong arm. It will be needed if Miami Carol City is to survive in the rough and tough Florida AAAA grid wars with schools like Hialeah-Miami Lakes, Miami Killian and Tallahassee Godby lurking in the shadows.
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5. Pitt. Penn Hills PENN.
(National Prep, April/May). His teams have definitely been building. Penn Hills Senior High possesses 2,500 students in the II th and 12th grades, is a member of the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Association, Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Association and Foothill Conference, totals 16 assistant coaches in grades eight through 12, possesses three full-time certified athletic trainers, and like most successful football programs throughout the land, is fed by an excellent junior high system. With almost 40 juniors up from a nearperfect 8-1 JV team, plus over one dozen experienced lettermen returning from last year's proud 13-0 club, Penn Hills looks loaded again. All skilled positions return intact, the defensive secondary and the linebackers look strong and depth is never a problem. But inexperience in the offensive line could cause problems - especially early in the season. However, that's been a problem before and the answer was found by September. Quarterback Jim McCallister (5-10, 175) can run (4.7 forty) and throw; running back Joel Coles (6-0, 195) can run (4.8) and block; receiver Joe DiRiggi (6-3, 195) can run (4.9) ami catch; and tackle Clem Barbarino (6-4, 205) is back to terrorize opponents in the line. All arrows point in the direction of a repeat. But don't bet on it .. Not in the state of Pennsylvania. Penn Hills, however, will tell you differently.
Going into the 1977 grid season Penn Hills in Pittsburgh is riding a 17 game winning streak, has lost only two games in the past four years (going undefeated in two of those four years) and since 1971 has won 53 of the 59 games played. In one of the strongest football states in America, the Joliet Catholic Indians have won the famed Foothill Conference six of the last seven years. Since head coach Andrew Urbanic arrived on the scene in 1968, the Indians have posted these season records: 3-5, 4-6, S-5, 9-1, 5-3-1, 9-1, 9-0, 8-1 and 13-0, the Class SA is the largest conference in latter earning his team the Pennsylvania Illinois high school sports. More often AAA title and the No. 6 spot in the nation than not, the strongest teams in most areas
6.
ILLINOIS
of the country can be found in the larger schools. Although "small town" basketball schools have sometimes prevailed in states where all classes are combined, football is usually ruled by the "big school" teams. However, this may not be the case in Illinois, where defending 4A champ Joliet Catholic has all the makings of a giant again. The Hilltopper's head coach, Gordon Gillespie, has been at the "Hill" for 25 years now, posting a won-loss record of 127-41-8, and as one Illinois coach stated, "With Gordie at the helm, you can always count on Joliet Catholic." The Hilltoppers return 25 lettermen from the Illinois 4A champions which put together an incredible length-of-the-field drive in the fourth quarter to beat Rockford Boylan, 8-7, in the semifinals; propelling the Hilltoppers into the finals against Danville and an eventual 16-8 hard-fought victory. Gillespie's 'Toppers finished 12-1 on the year while giving Catholic High its second consecutive state championship playing top-notch Illinois competition. Returning QB Dave Abens (S-9, 160) will again be expected to guide a Hilltopper offense where the majority of last year's competitive crew has graduated. But championships are won with defense, and this year's juggernaut is strong and experienced. Almost everybody is back on the team which lost only one to Marian Catholic, 16-6, last year. Three of the best defenders in the state include tackle John Meade (6-4, 220) and linebackers Jim Berresse (6-3, 200) and junior John Piazza (6-2, 200). Not many teams in all of Illinois possess a linebacking corps like Joliet Catholic. Backfield performers with experience in championship play include Derren Deskin (S-7, 160), Bob Vera (5-10, 160), Terry Birsa (S-8, 160), John Murren (S-6, ISS), Mike Tyrell (5-10, 165), Jim Nonnie (5-I 0, 170), Dave Matichak (5-9, 175), Steve Carbery (S-8, 165), Joe Petrovic (59, 170) and Tony Medved (5-10, 185).
Surrounded by talent! Such is the case with Andy Urbanic, pointing the way to another big win for Pittsburgh Penn Hills. With running backs like Joel Coles (44) and signal callers like Jim McCallister (5), the Indians have gone undefeated two of the last three years and enter the 1977 campaign riding a 17-game winning streak.