Lower Merion football squad looking to improve this fall

Lower Merion >> Lower Merion High School football head coach Joe Augustine is encouraged by the turnout of players for the LM squad this fall.
“We have 53 players on our roster this year,” said Augustine, now in his second year as head coach at LM. “Last year, we had about 40-42 players. I think we’ve added some kids who have come back to the program. We have a good core, a good nucleus, of sophomores this fall.
“We’re really trying to build the program here, not just with the players at school, but the community as a whole, making them feel a part of what we do. We try to get out in the community as much as we can to help out, work with the blood drives, do certain fund-raisers with local businesses. Success in our program goes well beyond the field, we’re trying to transform this [Lower Merion] neighborhood into one community.”
During the second half of last season, Augustine’s first year as head coach, Lower Merion improved considerably. In its first three games, the team lost to Garnet Valley, Haverford and Conestoga by a combined score of 118-13; but in the second half of the 2020 campaign LM bounced back with a competitive effort in a demanding three-game schedule over eight days.
The first contest of the eight-day period was a closely-fought 28-14 loss to Upper Darby; the second game was a 42-20 win against Harriton; and in the third contest, the season finale, LM gave perennial rival Radnor a tough battle before falling.
“Upper Darby was a game where we showed we could contend as well as compete – it was a big turning point for our guys,” said Augustine. “The Radnor game was closely-fought, and I think during those 3 games in eight days, our guys started to understand that, when we play together, we can win these games.”
One notable performer for Lower Merion this fall should be junior left tackle/defensive end Xavier Archawski (6-5, 275), who is attracting plenty of college football interest. As a sophomore, Archawski received second team All-Central League honors for his play on the offensive line, and in the 28-14 loss against Upper Darby last fall, he produced 11 pancake blocks.
“He’s an all-around football player – agile, has a nasty streak, and really enjoys being a lineman,” said Augustine, who played center for Harriton in the late 1990s under coach Mike Korom.
Lower Merion plans to try to establish a running attack this fall.
“Our plan is to run the ball this year to control the speed, tempo and pace of the game, instead of playing catch-up,” said Augustine.
Senior running back Jay Zheng (5-10, 205) set a single-game school rushing record last fall with 238 yards against Radnor. One game earlier, he ran for 180 yards and three touchdowns against Harriton after spraining his ankle against Upper Darby. He finished the season with 893 rushing yards (in six games) and received All-Main Line football honors last fall.
“Jay is one of the most explosive athletes I’ve coached,” said Augustine. “He goes from zero to full speed faster than anyone I’ve seen. He has great vision, understands our offense and lets the blocks set up [properly].”
Two more running backs in the Lower Merion arsenal are junior Sam Zheng (5-11, 180) and sophomore Ben Booker (5-11, 190).
“Sam is a multi-dimensional player – he can play running back, receiver, or in the slot,” said Augustine. “He’s one of our fastest players, a big play guy. Ban is a hard-nosed cloud-of-dust kind of runner. He loves contact, and pass-blocks with the best of them.”
Another offensive weapon for Lower Merion is senior Jack Lledo (6-1, 180), who received All-Main Line football honors for his play last fall at quarterback and safety.
“Jack’s a leader, and will do whatever it takes for the team,” said Augustine. “He’s a playmaker, and has taken some plays in the slot and at running back. He wants to play every down, even all of the special teams.”
Competing with Lledo for the quarterback position this fall is sophomore Mekhai Smith (6-0, 180).
Joining Archawski on the Lower Merion offensive line this fall are two other returning starters – senior center Hubert Phan (6-0, 240) and senior right guard James Dougherty (5-10, 230).
“Hubert is the quarterback of our line – makes all the calls,” said Augustine. “James is one of our strongest guys, who really stands out in the weight room.”
The left guard spot will be manned by junior Felix Morales (6-1, 250) and sophomore Andrew Cook, while the right tackle spot will be rotated between seniors David Shaffer and Paul Liang.
Lower Merion’s wide receivers are seniors Andre Gilmore (6-2, 190) and Lance Kim (5-10, 160).
“Andre has really good hands,” said Augustine. “Lance doesn’t have a lot of size, but he always seems to come down with the ball when it’s thrown to him. He’s a good worker too.”
Defensively up front, Lower Merion has some decent size in Phan at defensive tackle, Dougherty at nose guard and Paul Liang (6-2, 235) at defensive end.
“Paul has really come on recently for us at defensive end,” said Augustine. “He was a linebacker who got bigger and stronger but kept his athleticism.”
Augustine likes the athleticism of his linebackers, senior Luke Hendrickson (6-2, 185) and junior Charlie Coyle (6-1, 165) on the outside, and Shaffer and Booker on the inside.
“Luke is one of our more aggressive players,” said Augustine. “Charlie is always around the ball, and Dave is the quarterback of our linebackers – he’s one of our smartest defensive players.”
In the defensive backfield, Gilmore and Sam Zhange are the cornerbacks, while Lledo, junior Brennan Else (6-2, 155) and promising sophomore Zion Gary (5-11, 155) should see much playing time.
Lower Merion will kick off its 11-game regular season with a home game against Pottstown Aug. 27.
Augustine said, “One of the slogans we have on our team is ‘We are one.’ It goes beyond our players, it’s our school, it’s our community, it’s our neighbors. We want to bring everyone into our Lower Merion football family.”