WARRINGTON — A position change helped the Central Bucks South football team and is also benefiting Santino “Sonny” Wade.
Growing up, Wade played linebacker for Lenape Valley Football and again at CB South.
But an injury to a teammate was the primary reason he switched from outside linebacker to defensive end in Week 5 vs. Central Bucks West last year as a junior after starting the first four games at linebacker. He stayed at end for the rest of the Titans’ season.
He’s a second-year starter at defensive end in 2026 having a blast playing the position.
“I like them both, but if I had to choose, I’d probably say (I prefer) D-end just ’cause you don’t really have responsibilities – you just smash people in the mouth,” said Wade, smiling. “I feel like at
outside (linebacker) you have to know more (coverage) stuff. At D-end, you don’t have to think about much – you kind of just play and react.”
Wade, a 6-foot-1, 200-pounder, has eight tackles, including 1½ for loss, in the 0-2 Titans’ first two games. He also plays tight end in short-yardage situations.
CB South visits 2-0 Plymouth Whitemarsh on Thursday night (7) prior to beginning Suburban One League National Conference competition in Week 4.
“Sonny Wade is a very physical and versatile player that the team depends on,” said CB South junior linebacker/defensive end/H-back/receiver Juju Hardy. “Sonny leads by his actions (and is) one of the most physical players I have ever played with. Each week Sonny should be on the other team’s scouting report because he could single-handedly wreck a game.”
Titans co-coach Johnny Cataldo, who is the defensive coordinator, appreciated how Wade spent extra time learning defensive end a year ago and quickly adapted to the position.
“Our goal is to get the best 11 on the field,” Cataldo said. “Him moving to defensive end enabled us to do that. He’s a very selfless player.”
Wade had 29 tackles (two for loss, with 1½ sacks) as a junior and recovered one fumble. He contributed one tackle in a Week 8 shutout win over Abington on the ’24 SOL National championship team on which he spent most of his time on the scout team, only to fracture his tibia and ankle in the Abington game.
College recruiters especially like Wade’s burst off the ball and toughness, according to Cataldo.
Wade, a Chalfont resident, has also assumed more of a leadership role on the Titans’ 2026 squad.
“I feel like I’ve taken a way bigger role as a leader than last year,” Wade said.
“Sonny’s not a huge vocal guy but you don’t need to be,” Cataldo said. “He’s a guy that leads by example.”
Wade’s brother Roman is a junior running back/linebacker on the team and cousin Jimmy Wade, a 2025 CB South graduate and former Titans defensive end, plays at West Chester.
Wade hopes to continue making an impact for CB South at defensive end during the remainder of this season.
“It’s a good lesson for all football players to understand,” Cataldo said. “If you do something selfless for the team, usually good things happen for you.”
Tom Moore: tmoore@couriertimes.com; @TomMoorePhilly is a sports columnist for PhillyBurbs.com. Support our journalism with a subscription.
This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: CB South, Wade benefiting from football position change
