North Catholic football 2026 preview: What to watch, 3 things to know and schedule
Joe Felitsky threw for 3,388 yards and 46 touchdowns. Logan Schade rushed for 1,104 yards and 18 scores. Preston Simko had 1,020 yards and 18 touchdowns receiving.
All gone.
The confidence of the North Catholic football players?
Still there.
“We want to win the state championship. That’s the goal,” senior receiver/safety Louie Iaquinta said. “We believe we can make that happen.”
Chris Rizzo enters his fourth year as head coach of the Trojans, who are coming off a 9-4 season that included a trip to the WPIAL Class 3A semifinals.
“I like the makeup of our team,” Rizzo said. “I’m not saying we’re reloading, but, certainly, we can still win.”
The Trojans return only two full-time starters on offense and three on defense. Seven players from last year’s team have moved on to college football.
“We had a lot of young guys play at least part-time last year,” Rizzo said. “We have more experience than people think we have, and I think that’s gonna show.”
North Catholic rushed for more than 1,800 yards a year ago. The Trojans threw for more than 3,400. The defense produced 17 interceptions.
“Sure, we had standout players and we’ll have standout players again this year,” Rizzo said. “But a lot of kids play here every year, and it takes a lot of kids to produce success.
“We’ve had a good offseason. Guys are anxious to step up and prove themselves. We want to improve and watch players develop, just like last year. That’s one of the neat things about coaching.”
Joseph Culleiton, a guard and nose tackle, is one of the returnees up front with some playing experience.
“I want to lead by example, but I’m a vocal guy and I want to be a leader that way, too,” Culleiton said. “We’re gonna come together up front. We’ll be strong, fast and competitive. All five of us are willing to put our bodies on the line every play, and that will go a long way.
“Winning football comes down to hard work and effort. We’ve got plenty of that.”
Rizzo pointed out many of his offensive and defensive linemen are sophomores and juniors who have been playing together for a while.
“It’s a good sign so many of them are coming back,” he said. “The cohesion is there. Everything starts up front, and I like how we’re shaping up there.”
1. Back in the saddle at last: No one can say Will Toprani isn’t patient.
Toprani was the starting quarterback at Ringgold his freshman year before moving on to North Catholic. After serving as the backup for a couple of years, Toprani will step in behind center for the Trojans this fall, replacing Felitsky (now at Kiski Prep).
Toprani saw mop-up duty in three games last season, completing 4 of 6 passes.
“Will’s learned under some great quarterbacks and offensive coordinators here (including former NFL QB Mike McMahon), and he is more than ready,” Rizzo said. “He’ll step right in and lead us. The footwork, the reads, the playbook … he has all of that down.”
Iaquinta agreed.
“He knows the personnel and he knows his reads,” Iaquinta said. “Just watch him go.”
2. Plenty of runners: While Schade is gone, the Trojans return plenty of talent in the backfield.
Nate Swisher, a junior, rushed for 451 yards, averaging more than 6 yards per carry last year. Anthony Greene, a senior, scored two touchdowns and averaged more than 10 yards on just 15 carries.
“Those guys are stepping into full-time roles,” Rizzo said. “Will (Toprani) has running ability, too, and Will Waskiewicz will get the ball on some jet sweeps. … There’s a lot we can do with the running game.”
Waskiewicz carried the ball only six times last year, but had 53 catches for 898 yards and 11 touchdowns. He is the prime weapon in the passing game.
3. Ballhawking defense: While North Catholic tallied 17 interceptions last year, its top two leaders in thefts return.
Waskiewicz picked off five passes last season, and junior Quinn O’Hara had three interceptions as a middle linebacker. Iaquinta, a third-year starter at safety, was among the Trojans’ leaders in tackles in 2025 with 42, including 30 solo stops.
“Will and Louie coming back will lead that secondary,” Rizzo said. “Anthony Greene and John Flerl can be pressure guys at defensive end. We should have an impact defense that can force a lot of mistakes.
“We can definitely be disruptive.”
“I love the back end of our defense,” Iaquinta said. “We can help put our offense in position to score points.”
- Aug. 28, 7 — North Catholic at Seton LaSalle
- Sept. 4, 7 — Elizabeth Forward at North Catholic
- Sept. 11, 7 — North Catholic at New Castle
- Sept. 18, 7 — Freeport at North Catholic*
- Sept. 25, 7 — North Catholic at Burrell*
- Oct. 2, 7 — Knoch at North Catholic*
- Oct. 9, 7 — Deer Lakes at North Catholic*
- Oct. 15, 7 — 412 Football Classic: Neshannock at North Catholic, at FNB Stadium
- Oct. 23, 7 — North Catholic at Valley*
- Oct. 30, 7 — North Catholic at Highlands*
*Section game
2025: 9-4*
2024: 5-7*
2023: 5-6*
2022: 5-5
2021: 12-1*
*Made playoffs
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North Catholic's Will Waskiewicz (6), Joey Culleiton, back center, and Louie Iaquinta (3) pose with head coach Chris Rizzo, front, during Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026, at Butler High School. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
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North Catholic's Will Waskiewicz during Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026, at Butler High School. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
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North Catholic's Joey Culleiton during Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026, at Butler High School. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
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North Catholic's Louie Iaquinta during Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026, at Butler High School. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
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North Catholic's Joey Culleiton during Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026, at Butler High School. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
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North Catholic's Will Waskiewicz during Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026, at Butler High School. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
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North Catholic head coach Chris Rizzo, left, talks to a reporter during Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026, at Butler High School. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
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North Catholic head coach Chris Rizzo, left, talks to a reporter during Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026, at Butler High School. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
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North Catholic's Will Waskiewicz, right, makes a catch during football practice Monday, Aug. 17, 2026, at North Park Sports Complex. Justin Guido/Special to the Eagle
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North Catholic players run a blocking drill during football practice Monday, Aug. 17, 2026, at North Park Sports Complex. Justin Guido/Special to the Eagle
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North Catholic players run sprints during football practice Monday, Aug. 17, 2026, at North Park Sports Complex. Justin Guido/Special to the Eagle
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North Catholic players warm up during football practice Monday, Aug. 17, 2026, at North Park Sports Complex. Justin Guido/Special to the Eagle
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North Catholic's Will Waskiewicz (6) makes a catch in a drill during football practice Monday, Aug. 17, 2026, at North Park Sports Complex. Justin Guido/Special to the Eagle
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North Catholic's Joseph Culleiton (55) blocks Anthony Greene (1) in a drill during football practice Monday, Aug. 17, 2026, at North Park Sports Complex. Justin Guido/Special to the Eagle
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North Catholic head coach Chris Rizzo shows the players how to run a drill during football practice Monday, Aug. 17, 2026, at North Park Sports Complex. Justin Guido/Special to the Eagle
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North Catholic head coach Chris Rizzo shows the players how to run a drill during football practice Monday, Aug. 17, 2026, at North Park Sports Complex. Justin Guido/Special to the Eagle
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North Catholic's Anthony Greene (1) protects the ball in a drill during football practice Monday, Aug. 17, 2026, at North Park Sports Complex. Justin Guido/Special to the Eagle
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North Catholic's Anthony Greene (1) runs the ball in a drill during football practice Monday, Aug. 17, 2026, at North Park Sports Complex. Justin Guido/Special to the Eagle
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North Catholic quarterback Will Toprani (13) throws a pass during football practice Monday, Aug. 17, 2026, at North Park Sports Complex. Justin Guido/Special to the Eagle
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North Catholic wide receiver Will Waskiewicz (6) makes a catch during football practice Monday, Aug. 17, 2026, at North Park Sports Complex. Justin Guido/Special to the Eagle
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North Catholic quarterback Will Toprani (13) throws the ball during football practice Monday, Aug. 17, 2026, at North Park Sports Complex. Justin Guido/Special to the Eagle
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North Catholic's Cristian Udrea, left, tries to get away from Joseph Culleiton, right, during football practice Monday, Aug. 17, 2026, at North Park Sports Complex. Justin Guido/Special to the Eagle
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North Catholic players run a blocking drill during football practice Monday, Aug. 17, 2026, at North Park Sports Complex. Justin Guido/Special to the Eagle
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North Catholic head coach Chris Rizzo, left, shows the players how to run a drill with Louie Iaquinta, right, during football practice Monday, Aug. 17, 2026, at North Park Sports Complex. Justin Guido/Special to the Eagle
