After earning its crown back, Interboro seeks another long reign
For Digital First Media — Matt Chandik
Interboro running back Kalie Kuyateh runs during a drill in a recent practice.
The Del Val League championship returned to a familiar address last fall.
From 1998-2009, Interboro was the team to beat. During that span, nobody in the league could ever solve the Bucs. They reeled off 12 straight Del Val crowns and were a perennial powerhouses in Delaware County.
In 2010, Penn Wood ended Interboro’s reign of supremacy. Until last year, the Bucs had been doing their best to climb back atop the Del Val mountain.
After a seven-year drought, the Bucs succeeded in 2016. They took the championship from Academy Park, which had solidified itself as the new king of the Del Val in recent seasons. In one of the most memorable games of the Delco football season, Interboro earned a thrilling, come-from-behind victory over Academy Park to earn at least a share of the title. The Bucs would finish unbeaten in league play on the way to winning the championship outright. Interboro fell to Pottsgrove in the District 1 Class 4A final and ended an otherwise fantastic season (10-3 overall) with two consecutive losses.
This fall, the Bucs start anew with several fresh faces. Gone is All-Delco running back Chris Thomas, who rushed for a county-high 1,733 yards and 25 touchdowns, as well as All-Delco defensive back Connor Adams and All-Delco offensive lineman Quentin Frangelli. They will lean on their scant returning veterans, including senior running back/linebacker Kalie Kuyateh, who amassed 426 yards and six touchdowns in a backup role last fall. Brett McLaughlin is a returning senior linebacker.
As for Academy Park, it’s difficult not to like its chances to regain the Del Val title. Despite losing several starters to graduation — including All-Delco athlete and 2016 Daily Times Player of the Year Teddy Wright — last year’s District 1 Class 5A champions have reloaded. They will, once again, be one of the most athletic teams in the PaPrepLive coverage area.
Coming off a 13-2 campaign, AP will look for big production from No. 1 running back Kareem Burton, who flourished in a wide range of offensive roles last season. All-Delco defensive back Jermal Martin will see more action in the receiving game. Issa Fox is a playmaking linebacker and junior Skylor Fillis will transition to starting quarterback.
[totalpoll id=”61530″]
One team that could be knocking on the door is Penn Wood, which made a big leap as a program last year, posting a 7-3 record and qualifying for the District 1 Class 6A playoffs. Under first-year head coach Ato Troop, who was the team’s defensive coordinator in 2016, Penn Wood boasts a slew of exciting, talented players. Senior running back Answered Gleplay rushed for 1,172 yards and 11 touchdowns last fall. Gleplay is arguably the top returning running back in Delco. Meanwhile, junior wide receiver Raheim Bowens is looking to build upon a season in which he made 41 catches for 580 yards and eight TDs. Bowens and Kennedy Poles will make a dynamic duo in the Patriots’ receiving game. Sophomore quarterback Desman Johnson Jr. showed off a cannon of an arm in limited attempts last year.
ANNE NEBORAK-DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA
Chester’s Devin Freeman takes the ball from quarterback Tahree Fuller-Bryan.
Chester began the 2016 campaign with a victory over Haverford. The Clippers celebrated, and rightly so, their first season-opening triumph in 16 years. But they struggled the rest of the way and ended with a 2-8 record, including a winless trek in the Del Val.
With senior Devan Freeman back on board, the Clippers have a game-changing running back and a workhorse at their disposal. Freeman rushed for nearly 800 yards in his junior campaign. The Clippers like what they see from junior quarterback Tahree Fuller-Bryan, senior athlete Lahneir McBride and senior wide receiver Tahiaj Cooper-Lundy.
Chichester hopes to rebound from a 4-7 overall record, including a 1-4 mark against conference foes.
Cody Profitt is the team’s defensive captain at linebacker. Andrew Rodriguez showed flashes of potential at quarterback last year and was fighting to maintain his starting job in camp. The Eagles expect big things from top newcomer and senior athlete Rashaad Shaw.
Glen Mills earned a spot in the District 1 Class 5A playoffs with a victory at Chester on the final day of the regular season. As a school that educates court-adjudicated youth, it’s often difficult to tell, especially in the early going, just how good the Bulls will be. But something they never are, under longtime coach Kevin Owens, is a light opponent. Back for his senior season is running back/linebacker Quadir Gibson, who rushed for 848 yards five touchdowns last season.
By Matt Smith; mattsmith@21st-centurymedia.com
Who has the best student section?
[totalpoll id=”61530″]
