Conestoga football squad eager to build on surprising 2021 season

Tredyffrin >> Last fall, Conestoga’s football squad was the surprise team of the area, posting a 7-3 regular-season record and advancing to the District 1 playoffs for the first time in seven years.

“Last year, we took a big step in the right direction – we were a united team, with everyone working hard for each other, and we did the little things right,” said Conestoga head coach Matt Diamond. “It’s carried into this past off-season – our kids have worked extremely hard, with 40-50 guys at every team lift.”
The Pioneers lost some explosive aerial firepower to graduation last spring, but Diamond is hopeful that his squad can keep the good times coming this fall.

“We know we’ll be a different team this year and we know we have some big roles to fill, but with the way we have worked this off season, our players have shown they are not resting on their laurels from last year,” said Diamond.
The Pioneers’ top two receivers last fall, Pete Detwiler (46 catches, 833 yards, 19 touchdowns) and Pat Reilly (30 catches for 718 yards, 12 touchdowns), have both graduated but Conestoga returns a fine pass-catcher in senior tight end Brody Eaton (6-5, 225), who was a team captain last year.
“Brody’s a big focal point in our offense,” said Diamond. “He’s big and physical, a good blocker and has good [pass-catching] hands.”
Eaton is a two-way starter who earned All-Central League honors last fall at both tight end and defensive end. He plans to play football in college, and is currently looking at the Ivies, NESCAC and the Patriot League schools.

“We have a lot of potential this season,” said Eaton. “Last year, we learned we could hang with anybody, we never got blown out. We knew what we had to handle, and we knew what we were capable of. We want to go far in the playoffs this year.”
Senior safety Bryce Beltrante (5-11, 180), one of the Pioneers’ top defensive performers, said, “Last season, I felt we learned that if we could put it together, we could beat any team in the Central League, and Districts, and further than that. I saw all our hard work paying off after all those years of rough seasons.
“In our off-season workouts [last spring] I felt like our younger players were dedicated to carrying on the success that we had last year, and make a further run in the playoffs this year. We lost many good players [to graduation] but we have a lot of good players coming back.”

At quarterback, the Pioneers lost Calvin Shirley (1,645 passing yards, 17 TD passes, only 4 interceptions and a 58 percent completion percentage in 2021) to graduation last spring – he’s now playing for Dickinson. Taking over the signal-calling reins this fall for Conestoga is senior Peter Costigan (6-0, 195).
“Peter is smart with the football, a great leader, and he can utilize his legs at quarterback – he’s a good powerful runner,” said Diamond.
At running back, Conestoga returns senior tailback Jon Quici (5-7, 180), who gained 680 rushing yards on 134 carries last fall.
“Jon is shifty, quick to the hole, and keeps his pad levels low,” said Diamond.
Other tailbacks for Conestoga include junior Matt Kent (6-0, 170) and senior Charlie Gilmartin (5-11, 185).
At fullback, the Pioneers have a couple of big, physical runners in senior Jake Allred (5-10, 225), who was a starter last fall, and junior Charlie Newhall (6-1, 210).
At wide receiver, the Pioneers have many candidates, including seniors Jeremy Friend (6-0, 170), who was a primary receiver in all passing sets last fall, and Beltrante, as well as juniors Jude Cook (5-10, 180), Tommy Costigan (6-0, 210), Andrew Arbes (5-10, 185) and Kyle Friend (5-8, 145), Nolan Lyons (5’11, 175). Juniors Landon Ross (6-4, 190) and Robby Whann (6-3, 175) will also rotate in at tight end.
The Pioneers’ leading offensive lineman is senior guard Jimmy Marturano (5-10, 225), an all-Central League selection last fall. Other guards include senior Colin McGrath (6-1, 210), Gavin Shoup (6-0, 200) and Drew Mershel (6-3, 225). Working at center will be junior Matt O’Brien (5-8, 215) as well as Mershel. Juniors Benner Miller (6-3, 195), Sean Mackey (6-3, 220) and Tommy Darlington (6-2, 195) and senior Bobby Irvine (6’2, 225) are all working at the tackle position.
Conestoga’s top player in the secondary is Beltrante, an all-league selection last fall who Diamond calls, “one of the top safeties in the area.”
Beltrante, who has already received a couple of offers to play safety for college football programs, said, “I’ve got to be the [on-field] coach of the defense this year, make sure all the corners understand the plays, keep their heads up if they make a mistake. I’ve got to look over the whole field; be the eyes on the field.”
Up front, the Pioneers will play a 3-5 defense, with Eaton and Marturano manning the ends and Mershel at nose guard. Other defensive linemen will be McGrath, Mackey, O’Brien, and Ross.
“Our down linemen are experienced with a lot of depth and need to make a difference for us this fall,” said Diamond.
The linebacking corps will be led by Allred, Quici and Tommy Costigan; with Shoup, Newhall, junior Gillian Byrd (5-10, 175), Gilmartin, Kent, Quinn Nichols (6-0, 200), and Peter Costigan all playing a significant role.
Joining Beltrante in the defensive backfield will be cornerbacks Jeremy Friend and Jude Cook, with Arbes, sophomore James Quici (5-10, 165), Kyle Friend, junior Jake Yankoski (5’7, 140) and junior Laksh Bordia (5-10, 150) all competing for time. Kent can also split time between linebacker and defensive back.
Conestoga will kick off its regular season at Owen J. Roberts Aug. 26 at 7 p.m.
“I don’t have a crystal ball of how the 2022 season will play out, but I do know our players are carrying a quiet confidence that they can compete, and I do know they are going to play hard. That’s a real good thing,” says Diamond.

Conestoga 2022 football schedule
Fri., Aug. 26 — at Owen J. Roberts, 7 p.m.
Fri., Sept. 2 — vs. Lower Merion, 7 p.m.
Fri., Sept. 9 — at Strath Haven, 7 p.m.
Fri., Sept. 16 — vs. Haverford High, 7 p.m.
Fri., Sept. 23 — vs. Marple Newtown, 7 p.m.
Fri., Sept. 30 — at Upper Darby, 7 p.m.
Fri., Oct. 7 — vs. Springfield (Delco), 7 p.m.
Fri., Oct. 14 — vs. Ridley, 7 p.m.
Fri., Oct. 21 — at Radnor, 7 p.m.
Fri., Oct. 28 — at Garnet Valley, 7 p.m.