[tps_title]Episcopal Academy Churchmen [/tps_title]
Episcopal aiming for memorable season, not just memorable game
NEWTOWN SQUARE >> It was a game Episcopal Academy players will revisit 20 years from now.
On Oct. 15, 2016, at Malvern Prep, the Churchmen let a 25-point lead momentarily slip away when the Friars went ahead on a field goal with less than a minute to play in the fourth quarter. 
On the ensuing drive, then-sophomore running back DeeWil Barlee took a screen pass from quarterback CJ McAnally deep into Malvern territory. The play helped set up Connor Ringwalt’s 29-yard field goal that clanked off the left upright before going through good as time expired. Episcopal fans rushed onto the field to celebrate a win that was the peak of EA’s season. Episcopal lost three of its final four games to finish a respectable 7-3 overall, but fifth place in the mighty tough Inter-Ac League.
“That Malvern game, it was exciting for everybody on the team and in the EA community. That’s what we want at every game,” said Barlee, who rushed for 575 yards and five TDs last fall. “It was something to remember.”
Two players who made that victory possible — McAnally and tight end Kyle Virbitsky — are no longer around. EA coach Todd Fairlie had a slew of new faces in camp competing for jobs at the offensive skill positions. Adam Robinson, a 6-0, 180-pound senior who thrived at defensive back and wide receiver last fall, was competing with sophomore Marcus McDaniel (6-0, 160) for the No. 1 quarterback job.
“There’s a lot of opportunity,” Fairlie said. “Up front we are pretty soldified. We have guys who we think are going to be good players, it’s just when. When will they be ready, when will they step up and how much can we count on different guys? We bring back our leading rusher (Barlee), which is always great. We’ve got a lot of multiple-sport kids, good kids who are working hard and doing the right thing.”
Fairlie loves his offensive line, which is anchored by Temple-bound senior Adam Klein, a 6-5, 260-pound mountain who dominates both ways. Joining Klein as three-year varisty starters are seniors Harry Riley (5-11, 220) and Mike McFillin (6-1, 230). Junior Ryan Rockenbach (6-2, 265) earned a starting role late in the year and is a player Fairlie believes will make a big impact.
“Any team can be great with a good O-line,” Klein said. “That’s where it starts. You can have the greatest skill position players in the world, but if you don’t have a good O-line, you’re going to struggle. It’s awesome that we have four guys back.”
Jack Purcell, a junior tight end/defensive end, is expected to take over for Virbitsky as an athletic, disrupting force on both sides. Purcell excelled in a starting role last season. In addition, junior Sam Stickley (5-9, 155) is a “big time role player in all three phases of the game,” Fairlie said.
Chip Off Old Block
The Churchmen are looking for big things from Milton Mamula, a 6-3, 220-pound senior defensive end who earned All-Inter-Ac League honors last season and led the team in sacks after injuries sidelined him to begin the season. Milton is the son of former Eagles star Mike Mamula, and has already garnered one Division I offer.
Turning Heads
The buzz among senior players is that freshman Malcolm Folk has major potential. He is a multi-purpose threat in the making — EA has a treasure chest of those types — who could impact the game in multiple ways.
“Expecting him to contribute early,” Fairlie said.
Another underclassan to pay attention to is sophomore two-way lineman Dom Minicozzi, whose brother, John, was an All-Delco lineman a few years ago.
By Matt Smith; mattsmith@21st-centurymedia.com
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