All-Delco Football: Offense – Chris Thomases get it done on line, in backfield

In addition to Daily Times Player of the Year Teddy Wright of Academy Park, the 2016 All-Delco offense include:

Anthony Paoletti, Marple Newtown: The junior quarterback became the county’s single-season passing leader by breaking Ridley grad Dennis Decker’s record of 2,737 yards. Paoletti threw for 2,793 yards and 25 touchdowns en route to leading the Tigers to a share of the Central League title for the first time since 1977 and a berth in the District 1 Class 5A semifinals. The All-Central League selection has 4,681 career passing yards, 1,216 short of tying Marple Newtown head coach Chris Gicking’s school and Delco record of 5,897. Paoletti is garnering interest from several programs including Harvard, Columbia, Duke, Boston College, Connecticut, Purdue and Temple.

Dazhon Miller, Academy Park: The senior running back was the next in line to earn the No. 1 job for the Knights. Miller joins Jerry Lanier (2012-13) and Jermaine Wesley (2015) as AP’s fourth All-Delco running back in five years. Miller was a workhorse throughout the Knights’ 13-2 campaign and a second consecutive District 1 championship. He ranked second in the county with 1,653 yards and 19 rushing touchdowns. Miller also excelled at linebacker for the Knights.

Mallik Twyman, Haverford School: The senior running back entered the year off a season in which he rushed for nearly 900 yards and earned second-team All-Delco honors. Twyman led the Fords to a 7-3 record as he topped the Inter-Ac League in rushing with 1,559 yards and 19 touchdowns. He was third in rushing in the county behind fellow All-Delco selections Thomas and Miller. A two-time all-league honoree, Twyman will continue his career at Colgate.

READ: The full list of All-Delco honorees

Chris Thomas, Interboro: A strong candidate for Player of the Year, Thomas was the heart of the Bucs offense. He led the county with 1,733 yards, second all-time in Interboro history, and a program-record 25 touchdowns. A Mini Maxwell Award winner, the senior had a pair of 200-yard rushing performances, including a 221-yard effort to help the Bucs defeat Academy Park for the Del Val League championship, the Bucs’ first conference crown in seven years. Thomas also was an all-league linebacker for the Bucs, who advanced to the District 1 Class 4A final.

Cameron Mathes, Marple Newtown: The senior wide receiver, who will play baseball at Villanova, was the lone player from Delaware County to eclipse the 1,000-yard receiving plateau. With 50 catches for 1,027 yards and eight touchdowns, Mathes became the fifth Delco player since 2000 to amass 1,000 receiving yards in a season. He caught the game-winning touchdown in overtime against West Chester East to move the Tigers (11-3) to the District 1 Class 5A championship.

Jordan Mosley, Haverford: The junior wide receiver/linebacker transferred from Bonner & Prendergast and made a sizable impact on a post-Jack Donaghy Fords team that was looking for new stars. Mosley it was. The 6-1, 200-pounder made history in his first season at Haverford, posting a school-record 996 receiving yards with 51 catches and 10 touchdowns. Defensively, Mosley registered more than 70 tackles with five forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and one interception.

Quentin Frangelli, Interboro: The 6-0, 280-pound senior guard was the catalyst on the offensive line for the Del Val champion Bucs. Frangelli paved the way for Thomas and an Interboro rushing attack that mauled opposing defenses. Frangelli was instrumental in helping the Bucs average 256.4 rushing yards per game. He was dominant in the Bucs’ come-from-behind victory over Academy Park to claim the Del Val League title. Even when banged up late in the year, Frangelli still made a large impact for Interboro. For his efforts, Frangelli earned All-Del Val League honors.

Des Holmes, Cardinal O’Hara: The 6-6, 320-pound senior tackle was the biggest and baddest offensive lineman in Delaware County this season. Holmes, an All-Catholic League selection, was one of the most highly sought-out college prospects in the area after his junior campaign. Prior to the season, Holmes made a verbal commitment to continue his playing career at Penn State. Holmes then helped O’Hara to its first Catholic League division championship since 2004, as the Lions finished 10-1 and qualified for the District 12 Class 4A final. With Holmes showing the way, the Lions averaged close to 200 yards per game on the ground and rushed for 22 touchdowns.

Chad Hrivnak, Garnet Valley: The junior lineman was a threat on both sides of the ball for the Jaguars. Garnet Valley coach Mike Ricci said of Hrvinak: “He was our best offensive lineman throughout the year.” Hrvinak was vital in helping the Jaguars average a county-leading 299 rushing yards per game and qualify for the District 1 Class 6A final. The All-Central League selection was outstanding on defense, too, as he racked up 13 sacks, the most by a Garnet Valley player since 2009. With Hrvinak on the field at all times, the Jaguars broke a school record for most points in a season (528) while logging the most team sacks in a season (45) since 2009.

John Sheldon, Ridley: The 6-2, 250-pound senior lineman recently announced his commitment to Robert Morris University. His decision to spend the next four years at RMU comes following a tremendous 2016 campaign. The offensive guard was a menace in the trenches for the Green Raiders, who captured a piece of the Central League championship and returned to the district playoffs. Sheldon opened running lanes for backs Brock Anderson and Malik Young and quarterback Cade Stratton, all of whom gained more than 700 yards on the ground. Ridley’s return to prominence in Delco happened in large part because of players such as Sheldon.

Chris Thomas, Academy Park: The “other” Chris Thomas in Delaware County was as important as one who earned All-Delco running back honors at Interboro. The Knights’ “CT” started 53 consecutive games on varsity, the most by any player in school history. A starter since freshman year, Thomas played a key role in leading the Knights to three District 1 championships and two Del Val League titles in four seasons. An offensive guard/tackle, Thomas blocked for three All-Delco running backs in Jerry Lanier, the 2013 Daily Times Player of the Year, Jermaine Wesley (2015) and Miller (2016). Thomas also helped make Teddy Wright, an All-Delco defensive back last year, a 1,000-yard rusher and the 2016 Daily Times Player of the Year.

Brock Anderson, Ridley: The senior put together a stellar senior campaign as an all-purpose player. Anderson rushed for 722 yards and six touchdowns for the Green Raiders, who advanced to the quarterfinals of the District 1 Class 6A tournament. In his finale, Anderson scored the game-winning touchdown against Interboro on Thanksgiving. He excelled on defense in the secondary, where he recorded an interception. An All-Central League selection as a punter, Anderson was an exceptional special teams player, posting two touchdowns as a returner. Anderson will play lacrosse at Hofstra.

Jacob Buttermore, Garnet Valley: A top candidate for Player of the Year honors, Buttermore made history at Garnet Valley this season. The senior specialist/all-purpose standout led the Jaguars to the final of the District 1 Class 6A playoffs by shattering the program’s single-season scoring record with 189 points (the previous record was 143). Buttermore rushed for 1,053 yards and 15 touchdowns but did so much more in other areas. As a returner, Buttermore had three touchdowns. He was the team’s primary kicker, converting 51 of 53 extra-point attempts while making four field goals and kicking eight touchbacks. Buttermore will play lacrosse at Syracuse.