[tps_title]Interboro Bucs [/tps_title]
For Digital First Media — Matt Chandik
Interboro quarterback Jared Dellapriscoli throws a pass at a recent practice.
Lennox’s Bucs are a retool in progress
GLENOLDEN >> It might be OK to bring up the word around some, but use the term “rebuilding” around Interboro coach Steve Lennox at your own peril.
In Lennox’s mind, it doesn’t matter that the Bucs come into the 2017 season relatively inexperienced. It’s irrelevant how much Interboro lost to graduation from a team that lost by a point in overtime in the District 1 Class 4A title game last year. Nobody cares that a bunch of fresh faces dot the depth chart as new starters. 
“I just expect to win,” Lennox said. “I don’t believe in rebuilding. My expression is that we reload. You lose your seniors and they’re successful because they’re bigger, stronger kids. I just expect the younger kids to step up. This is their chance and their year and I expect them to do well. Through the years, we’ve had kids who work hard. They’re tough kids with a work ethic, and usually, it works out pretty good.”
Sure does. The Bucs only have one losing season this decade and have a combined 18 wins in the past two seasons, so there’s definitely a winning pedigree. With that in mind, they’ll have to make another run with that revamped squad, but there are some pieces for Lennox to work with.
It’s Interboro, so you’re going to get a ton of single back and I-formation runs and very few passes. Kalie Kuyateh is primed to be the feature back after ceding the bulk of the carries to All-Delco Chris Thomas last year. Kuyateh averaged a whopping 9.3 yards per carry last year, the best by any Delco player with 45 or more carries. He’ll likely see the ball at least 20 times a game, especially as the Bucs break in a new quarterback in Jared Dellipriscoli. Kuyateh will also see plenty of time at outside linebacker and will likely man the return units.
Other than that, not too much.
The other three-year starter that returns is tight end and middle linebacker Brett McLaughlin. A recent Neumann lacrosse commit, McLaughlin is the tone setter for the Bucs. He knows that the Bucs have to overcome their inexperience somehow, and putting in the extra work in the offseason is as good a starting point as any.
“Everybody’s in the weight room this year. We didn’t have a lot of guys returning, so everyone’s been putting in work,” McLaughlin said. “We don’t have much experience, but we’ve got a lot of tough guys.”
It’s a thought echoed by Kuyateh, who has to not only man four positions, but also emerge as a leader to the younger group.
“It’s definitely a challenge. It’s something I’m not used to, but I think we’re doing pretty well so far,” Kuyateh said. “The biggest challenge is just to motivate people.”
The offense might open up just a tad more this year, even with a first-year starter under center. Dellipriscoli has good size, a solid arm and some decent mobility, so he should be able to stretch the field vertically to give the running game a little bit more wiggle room. The youngest of four brothers, Dellipriscoli sat back and absorbed knowledge last year, knowing he’d be the guy this year. That’s when he became comfortable with the playbook and he feels ready to guide the offense.
“I think he has a great future and I think he can be one of the best around,” the normally reserved Lennox said. “For a junior, he really has excellent potential. He’s got a good head on his shoulders. He’s a smart kid and a quality kid.”
Despite the lack of experience, the quarterback sees a vast amount of potential for the Bucs, and it wouldn’t be a stretch to see them hit their stride in time for Del Val play and beyond.
“I’m pretty comfortable with where we’re at,” Dellipriscoli said. “We might start off slow, but we’re going to end up good.”
Based off prior history, it’s hard to argue with that.
By Matt Chandik; For Pa Prep Live
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