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Top Returning Wide Receivers
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- 1. Hunter Smeltz (Souderton)- Smeltz finished second in the league as a junior with 785 receiving yards and 4 TDs. Ben Walsh (QB1) is back for year four, and his favorite target from a season ago should pick up right where they left off. We expect their chemistry and timing to have only gotten better. 1,000 yards isn’t out of the question.
- 2. Ahsaiah Upchurch (Cheltenham)- “Zeke” led his team in receiving yards with 592, and 4 tds. Cheltenham has a new head coach in Terrence Tolbert, but something tells us the former OC won’t have any issues with the transition. After all, the best QB in the league and probably in the State in the Class of ’27 is throwing to his favorite target again.
- 3. Matt Pownall (North Penn)- Matt, who holds the RB/WR designation, finds himself at the top half of this list after securing 559 receiving yards and 5 tds during a stellar junior campaign. His QB1 Matt Bucksar returns to the helm and has one of the best arms in this crop of QBs. The Navy commit should enjoy another tremendous season.
- 4. Quentin West (Wissahickon)- West was second on the Trojans with 553 yards & 6 tds as a junior. Wissahickon lost Nolan Pounds to graduation, which means the quarterback will be new, but head coach Rory Graver shouldn’t have any issues breaking in a new QB, especially after another top receiving option finds himself on this list.
- 5. Carson Giddiens (Cheltenham)- Teammate to Zeke Upchurch and only a sophomore last season, Giddiens ended up being Jackson’s top option, throwing to him more than any other receiver. He tallied 30 catches for 415 yards and 6 tds. As a junior, we expect the chemistry to have only gotten stronger with Jackson (who loves to share the wealth). Coach Tolbert will have many options at his disposal, and we think Giddiens could lead the league if not be top 3 by season’s end.
- 6. Xavier Johnson (Wissahickon)- Coach Graver brings back another savvy receiving option in Johnson, who tallied 377 receiving yards and led the team in 2024 with 8 tds. Johnson’s experience and game will definitely benefit whoever is stepping into the QB1 role.
- 7. Mason Franek (North Penn)- Franek hauled in 20 passes for 348 yards and 4 scores. He was one of QB1’s (Matt Bucksar) top targets in 2024 and should only garner even more chances this season along side Matt Pownall. Franek gives the Knights a 1-2 punch that is going to be giving opposing defenses fits.
- 8. Chase Clontz (Pennridge)- Clontz had a really good junior campaign on the offensive side of the ball. he hauled in 25 catches for 220 yards and a score. Clontz returns for his senior campaign looking to make an impact. He has three years of starting experience and his quarterback, Noah Keating has been starting since his freshman season. Expect Keating looks Clontz way often. Head coach Kyle Beller says, "He has really good hands and runs good routed at wide receiver. We will need Chase to play a major role in our offense."
- 9. Larry Hughes (Upper Moreland)- The numbers don’t jump off the page, but when you look at his size, you can’t help but imagine the possibilities. Hughes stands a staggering 6’4.5” and weighs 188 lbs. As a junior, the long-armed receiver/tight end hauled in 4 tds and 173 receiving yards. UM is also breaking in a new quarterback, which isn’t ideal, but knowing a 6’4” safety blanket exists should ease the mind of Head Coach Adam Beach. Something tells us he isn’t worried about it.
- 10. Mike Sassano (Neshaminy)- As a junior, Sassano found himself as the third or fourth option sometimes, but still managed to haul in 13 catches for 132 yards in a run-first offense. Neshaminy has a new head ball coach at the helm in Nick Felus. Felus is known as a quarterback coach and developer, which can only help Sassano as he learns a new offense. The positive? QB1 Michael Eckart is back, and Sassano provides familiarity as the offense transitions. Don’t be surprised to see this young man’s name near the top of this list at the end of the season.
- *11Reuben Bell (CBE)- Bell was a part of an offense last season that was known for running. Hi, have you heard of a fella named Mike Price? Bell still managed to haul in 10 catches for 114 yards and a score. His 11.4 yards per catch average is impressive, and with a new QB under center, the sky is the limit for this budding senior. Head coach John Donnelly also knows he can hand it off to Bell, as he averaged 14.8 yards per carry and scored a rushing td.
*original list