Starting Lineup: Saints’ Josiah Jordan can score at any time, and from anywhere
To recognize the top players in Berks football MikeDragoSports.com has selected the “Starting Lineup,” a preseason All-Berks team that includes the 12 top linemen, backs, receivers, linebackers and specialists.
“Starting Lineup” is presented by GoBigRecruiting.com.
Players were selected based on past performance, expected performance this season and college potential. Two-way players were given special consideration. One player will be introduced each day, in random order (the players are not ranked 1 thru 12). Former NFL lineman and recruiting expert Ross Tucker offers comments on each selection.
Josiah Jordan, Berks Catholic
| 6-0 | 170 | Senior | HB/CB/KR |
BACKSTORY: It wouldn’t be accurate to call Jordan a triple threat; he’s actually more than that. He can score in the kick return game if teams dare send the football in his direction. He can score on defense, where he’s a lockdown corner with the ability to jump a route and take it to the house. And he can score on offense — as both a ballcarrier and receiver.
The Saints don’t throw much but when they do it’s often to a back out of the backfield. When Jordan, a senior halfback, floats out there no linebacker in the league is going to be able to stay with him once he catches it.
He showed that last season when he averaged 25.4 yards on 12 catches, taking seven of them to the house.
Only three other Berks players caught more scoring passes a year ago: Conrad Weiser’s Aanjay Feliciano, Twin Valley’s Trey Freeman and Exeter’s Joey Schlaffer, all record-breakers.
Only one other Berks Catholic player has had more TD receptions in a season: Isaac Lutz, a high school halfback who went on to see time at receiver for Penn State. Jordan matched Lutz’s program record with three TD receptions in a game.
The Saints have had some outstanding running backs in their short history — Lutz, his brother Cooper, Brandon George, Pop Lacey, Abdul MacFoy and Chris Warren. Jordan’s as explosive and versatile as any of them and might be “more natural going up and getting the ball” than any of the Saints’ best receivers, says Saints coach Rick Keeley.
The pass-catching aspect of Jordan’s game is just a bonus. He’s a dominating back with breakaway ability and a weapon on defense; that’s why he was an all-league pick at both spots as a junior.
He didn’t get much of a chance to show off his devastating open-field game because opponents generally kicked away from him, even with dangerous options such as Christian Cacchione and Trace Brown the only other choices.
“He’s an explosive runner who makes people miss,” said Keeley. “He’s a strong kid, and he does a good job of blocking when we run the sweep. When he’s running it, he has the speed to score.”
Jordan scored 20 TDs as junior, including two on interception returns.
“He’s a great pass defender,” Keeley said. “He has a nose for the ball. With him in the secondary, we can score playing defense, too. He likes to go for the interception and if he gets it, he has the speed to take it back.”
His four interceptions last season were tied for second-most in Berks, behind only Tanner Maddocks of Fleetwood, who had seven.
Jordan rushed for 800 yards and averaged 8.5 yards per carry. He had a pair of key scoring runs in the opening round of the district playoffs last season, with runs of 47 and 32 yards the difference-makers in a 21-7 win over Cocalico.
Jordan’s an all-around athlete. He earned All-Berks honors in basketball, where he led the Saints to a District 3 Class 4A championship last season. In his first year of track field he ran a leg on the program’s record-setting 4×100 relay team and earned district medals in the triple jump and high jump.
ROLE: He’ll be the top threat in the Saints’ Wing-T and easily one of the most explosive players in Section 4 of the Lancaster-Lebanon League.
COLLEGE PROSPECTS: Has an offer from Division II Clarion and likely will get strong consideration from other PSAC schools, as well as Division III programs.
TUCKER’S TAKE: “Explosive athlete who excels not only on both sides of the ball but in three sports. Emerged as Berks Catholic’s best player and biggest threat a year ago, making plays both in the running and passing game. Should be their featured back this season who will have to make even more plays on both sides of the ball as the Saints head into Section 4 of the Lancaster-Lebanon League.”
Starting Lineup 2022
| Josiah Jordan | Berks Catholic | HB/CB/KR |
| Lucas Palange | Exeter | G/LB/DE |
| Jven Williams | Wyomissing | G/T/DT |
The “Starting Lineup” team was selected by MikeDragoSports.com, with input from Berks coaches and Ross Tucker, co-founder and CEO of GoBigRecruiting.com and a former NFL lineman. Tucker, who played at Wyomissing, has deep contacts throughout college football and remains dialed into Berks football. He offers comments on each of the “Starting Lineup” selections.
After the “Starting Lineup” team has been announced MikeDragoSports.com will present the “Berks Watch List,” which will include 50 more other top players to watch this season.
