Football: Miller returns to direct another strong Conestoga team

After a solid season during which they reached the postseason — and went 7-4 in the process — the Conestoga Pioneers like what they see so far in 2015.

“We have a good number of lettermen back from last year,” coach John Vogan said. “As for camp, they’re really pushing themselves. They’re exhausted, they’re tired.”

And for that, Vogan added, “I’m really proud of them.”

Senior Pioneers quarterback Tim Miller returns to the fold this season, as does fellow seniors Corey Manning and Daquan Perry, who will man the backfield. Vogan was also pleased with Pete Jean, a senior who will play wide receiver and inside linebacker.

With the rest of the team, Conestoga will simply fill in the remaining spots and hope to build experience. It could take some time. Or, perhaps, the Pioneers will pick it up quickly.

“The overall key for us is we lost four or five solid two- to three-year starters,” Vogan said. “We have kids that can fill those roles, (but) they’re untested. With our new starters and new players, how fast will it take them to adjust?”

Conestoga does have both of its starting offensive tackles back from last year, so with significant skill position talent and a solidified offensive line, the Pioneers figure to be a Central League force.

That, however, is not on Vogan’s radar.

The only thing that is, is the opener: Friday against Owen J. Roberts.

“Our concern right now is winning the first game,” Vogan said. “We don’t want kids looking down the road. For me, it’s a focus.”

As for other Central League schools outside the county lines:

Harriton

Not a traditional power by any stretch of the imagination, the Harriton Rams are coming off a 1-10 season where they still managed to make some noise.

Their up-tempo, no-huddle offense kept them in games. Quarterback Patrick Stewart, back for his senior season, threw for an eye-popping 2,754 yards. But outside of him, this group is quite young. Coach Justin Mellor knows it.
Harriton will rely on many sophomore and even some freshman on varsity this year. The program might see better days two or three years down the line, but for now, they’re anticipating being a work in progress.

“It’s really exciting for the future, (but) it’s going to take those kids a little while to catch up to Friday night football,” Mellor said. “They’re following the leadership of the seniors really well. They’re a really fun group to be around, they really work. That’s all I could ask for them to do.”

However, realism will set in. Physically, the Rams aren’t there yet.

“The reality is my 160-pound guard isn’t going to block Garnet Valley’s 300-pound tackle,” Mellor said. “But they try their butts off.”

Jake Smolenski, a senior tight end and linebacker, will be Stewart’s top target. Gavin McKendrick, the middle linebacker, is the defense’s leader. Zach Zuzelo, a two-way lineman, is the top big man. The Rams have them, and they’ve been showing a great effort during camp.

Mellor is pleased with that.

“Our biggest goal, always, and I always tell them this, is you’re going to play with great attitude and you’re going to give me great effort,” Mellor said. “That’s all I ever tell them to do.”

Lower Merion

The Aces will look to improve on the 2-9 season of 2014. They finished 1-7 in the Central League.

However, Lower Merion does have key senior skill position players back like quarterback Brandon Jones, running back Isaac Iglesias and wide receiver Brandon Jordan. It opens Friday against Chichester and also faces Delco Christian in nonleague action before the Central League portion of the schedule begins.

“The key to our success is the ability and willingness of our offensive and defensive lines to battle,” Lower Merion coach Bryan Scopelliti said. “A lot of our big guys will be playing both ways. They need to get their motors running for a large amount of snaps.”

This story appears in the Delco Times Football Preview, available on newsstands Friday.