[tps_title]Upper Darby Royals [/tps_title]
DAILY TIMES – TOM KELLY IV
Upper Darby’s Derrick Korboi (59) sacks Penncrest QB Manny Ruffin (2) during the Upper Darby at Penncrest.
Korboi ready to lead a Royal turnaround
UPPER DARBY >> Derrick Korboi was 13, new to the United States after being raised in Liberia, and convinced of one thing: He was pretty good in football.
That’s until his dad, Roosevelt Korboi, came home one day with a video and a shock: There is another game called football, too.
“American football,” Derrick was saying, laughing out loud, after a recent practice in that discipline at Upper Darby High. “He said, ‘You should play it.’ I said, ‘I already played football.’ He said, ‘No. Watch this.’” 
So young Derrick watched the hitting. And the collisions. And the passing, the running and the fumbling, which was often the result of aggressive defensive line play. So he tried out for the team at Beverly Hills Middle School, played a little offense and a little defense, did some kicking, and got hooked: He could do something with this.
“I didn’t know what football was,” he said. “I didn’t know what to do. So one time, the coach just put me in. He didn’t even tell me what to do. He just said, ‘Once you see the football, anyone who has the football, tackle him.’ So as soon as I saw the ball, that’s what I did.’”
From there, it was to Upper Darby, and a stint with the freshmen, some defensive line success as a sophomore and, by his count, 35 tackles for losses, 9½ sacks and 60 tackles as a junior, good enough, according to Royals coach Rich Gentile, for first-team All-Central League status as a defensive tackle … and an offensive tackle, too.
For that, Korboi, who five years ago took courses in the English language to adjust to the American dialect, is a growing college prospect. Already, he has a scholarship offer from Bryant University, an FCS program in Rhode Island. Also, James Madison is making a push. And recently, Gentile said, Delaware has begun to nose around.
Football, indeed.
“A great story,” Gentile said. “When he came here, he couldn’t really speak the language. He still has a thick accent. But he is qualified (to play college football). He takes accelerated classes. He works hard. He takes SAT and ACT courses. He’s just done everything that he needs to do with marks and the football team. And he’s the strongest kid that I ever had. He squats 600, dead-lifts 610 and benches almost four.”
So Korboi has the drive, the stats and the ability to throw iron around the weight room. But at 6-feet, 285, Gentile has been told by scouts, he is a touch short for the mega-time. The scouts, though, could be making a mistake.
“I think so,” Gentile said. “But they know more than me. They know what they want. But I think he’ll get other offers. You have to watch him play. He’s amazing.”
Korboi will have plenty of chances to play at offensive and defensive tackle and occasionally at defensive end as the Royals endeavor to sneak into Central League contention. After a memorable 2015 season, Upper Darby was jolted by injuries in 2016 and fell to 5-7. Gentile has come to consider it a blessing, as it forced him to play underclassmen who return with valuable seasoning.
The Royals lost quarterback Nate Rimel to graduation, but have senior Josh Gouch ready to connect with, among others, skillful receivers Nasir Greer, Anauri Hankey, Brandon Sinclair, Jalen Camille and tight end Ryan Tegethoff. Halfback Quaran Davis, who racked up 600 yards before a hamstring injury in Week 4, is healthy.
Korboi and basketball-convert Mike Williams will provide protection at the tackle spots. Guard Dan Snyder and center Chris Litton will lend stability in the interior line.
Jihaad McDonald and Khalil Brown should excel in the secondary. Korboi’s determination to follow his first coach’s instructions and just start aiming for the football will help.
“It’s the best team I have played for so far,” Korboi said. “All of these guys are determined to win a championship this year. It’s a different team from last year. We are ready to win a championship. I don’t think anybody can stop us this year.”
As one who knows football — and football — he should know.
Two-Way Ticket
Greer broke his left wrist during camp last summer, then played against Bonner & Prendergast while wearing a cast. Eventually, the 5-10, 175 junior needed some time off, but returned to have a strong year as a slot receiver and free safety.
“He’s our best skill guy,” Gentile said. “I am fortunate enough to not have too many people go two ways. But he’s one of them.”
A Basketball Shot
A converted basketball player, 6-foot-6, 200-pound Mike Williams will provide valuable length at offensive tackle.
“He came out last year for the first time, and he has just gotten better,” Gentile said. “We’re looking for him to be a big help.”
By Jack McCaffery; jmccaffery@21st-centurymedia.com
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