2026 High School Football Preview

UConn football commits Minikon Johnson and Lamier Wade have one final season in powder blue and navy before they head to Storrs -- and they aren't ready to leave Bishop Canevin without finishing what they've started.

The Crusaders have made three straight WPIAL semifinal appearances, but finally want to get over the hump and punch their ticket to Acrisure Stadium.

“It’s the last year,” Wade said. “We try, and we try to get over that hump. We have to do it. There is no other option.”

The Crusaders won the WPIAL title in 2021. They followed up with a WPIAL championship game appearance and then the three straight semifinals, combining for a 40-10 record since 2021.

They’re primed for another strong run; they have plenty of experience with seven returning starters on offense and eight on defense.

“I’m overly excited for my senior season, but I'm overly locked in,” Johnson said. “I’ve got goals and I’m focused. The team's focused. It's the most focused we've ever been. The guys stepping up, they're disciplined. We’re just excited to get on the field and we’re ready to show what we we’re able to do. We'll keep the board going. This year, everybody got bigger, stronger, faster.”

Second-year head coach Rod Steele is glad to have a full offseason with his players. He said the team has bought in and has been attacking the weight room and training since January.

“They're mature,” Steele said. “They're different. They have a great attitude. They're committed. Their effort, that's everything. Those are all the variables and qualities that you're looking for in a good team. Obviously, they're still going to have to go on the field Friday night and do it, but they have the makeup to be a special ballclub.”

Steele said the team has gone to numerous camps and competed in multiple 7-on-7s over the offseason.

Offensively, the Crusaders will have a lot of weapons. Senior Myontae Mott and sophomore Neuval Bone will be the one-two punch at running back. Mott ran for 1,081 yards and 19 touchdowns a season ago. Bone, a four-star prospect, added 366 yards and four touchdowns as a freshman.

Senior Alex Kirk, who ran for 229 yards last season, and sophomore newcomer Dennis Jackson will also contribute. Jackson holds offers from Incarnate Word and Akron.

Steele said the depth is a major plus, particularly when it comes in the form of players who have competed in big games.

“It's always good to have them back as returners,” he said. “I think at any level, experience matters, and they have some experience and ability.”

Senior Brady Wagner will start at quarterback for the second straight year. Wagner threw for 880 yards and 13 touchdowns and was intercepted seven times last season. Steele said he continues to impress him.

“Brady's grown,” Steele said. “He's older, he's got games under his belt, and he's a natural leader. Anytime you have a guy at the quarterback position who has a 4.2 (GPA) and is leading the team, and the ball's in his hands every snap, I think the decision-making is pretty good. It's always nice to have him as a leader at quarterback.”

Justin Melvin figures to be his leading target. He hauled in 34 passes for 692 yards and eight  touchdowns last season.

“Justin's another kid who's experienced,” Steele said. “He's going to be a senior and has a lot of games under his belt. He's a very unselfish kid. He's got great speed, can run, can catch the ball, but he also does the little things. He blocks downfield, he helps his teammates out, and he's a leader off the field as well.”

Steele added: “The maturity and the experience of the group is what really separates them. I think any great team has that. They have experienced, mature leaders that lead the way for the young guys.”

Johnson and Wade will lead the defense, with Johnson operating at linebacker. Qua’Juan Esposito will be on the other end with Wade.

“He's a long, twitchy kid who gets off the ball and is very physical,” Steele said of Esposito. “He showed spurts of it last year when we put him in against Greensburg Central. They had a legit quarterback who went to Georgetown (Samir Crosby). He was a great player, and Qua’Juan ran him down a couple times on the backside.”

Joining Johnson at linebacker will be Chris Smith while Bone and Malik Davis will serve as key pieces in the secondary. Johnson said that the secondary is one of the best in the WPIAL. Wade added that Anthony Evans will also make an impact.

Wade said that the team spirit is what sets them apart.

“We’re all on the same page and we’re all cool,” Wade said. “We all hang out, and we have good chemistry. We talk to each other. I just feel like that’s a big reason as to why we come together so well.”

The Crusaders are also in the same mindset going into this season.

“We have the kill or be-killed mindset,” Johnson added. “The defense will be unstoppable this season.”

With the size, speed and strength, along with their experience, the Crusaders want to take over. They want to make sure the team they’re playing knows they just played Bishop Canevin.

“We like to terrorize the program across from us,” Wade said.

“It’s going to be fast, physical, smart football, so we’re all gonna be in shape. We’re all going to be ready to play. But at the end of the day, you’ve still got to win in film. You still have to know, know what you have to do when you come in learning everybody’s plays. We’re homing in on trying to really beat our opponents, and making sure they can’t do anything about it.”

Johnson said that Steele has helped tremendously in instilling confidence and team chemistry. He loves how focused he is as a coach and how he prepares them for more than just high school football.

Steele said he tries to impress upon his players the importance of locking in and working to get better every day.

“Every rep has value, especially for guys who are looking to continue playing the game,” he said. “They have to understand that they're being evaluated on each rep. In college, it's nice to have highlight plays, but the reality is they're going to watch every play. They're going to cut up your good plays and your bad plays, and they're going to see how your attitude is and where your effort's at. Those are the things that we focus on.”

Both Wade and Johnson said they feel blessed to play for Bishop Canevin. They want to leave it all on the field one last season.

“Everyone’s really excited,” Wade said. “We think we have a good chance of winning it all this year. Everybody’s really tapping into the mission, and I think we could do it.”

Although the Crusaders have a clear goal of a WPIAL title, they want to win every play, one play at a time.

“The team's overly motivated,” Johnson said. “We really want this. We could feel it. This is our year. We just want to work toward our goal. Everybody knows what the main goal is, so we're just going to keep working every day. Take one game at a time.”

Johnson and the team have blocked out any noise. Playing football is their only focus.

“We have a lot of doubters,” Johnson said. “I see other media outlets predicting our games. We’re not going to say anything or talk on social media. We’ll just show up and show how we can play on the field.”