Lower Merion football squad to rely on experienced veterans

Last fall, the Lower Merion football team’s offense started off like gangbusters, scoring more than 45 points in each of their wins against Pottstown, Harriton and Penncrest en route to a 3-2 start.

The Aces, who finished at 3-8 in 2021, are looking to continue their improvement under third-year head coach Joe Augustine.

“Each year, we have taken some great strides in our culture and execution, and improving as a staff and as student athletes,” said Augustine. “We want to get better each week.”

Augustine sees one of Lower Merion’s biggest strengths as experience.

“We have a great group of upperclassmen, most of whom have been playing varsity since they were freshmen,” said Augustine. “They provide great leadership for the first year players and the underclassmen. We have a great deal of talent on both sides of the ball and some new additions that have really brought some new energy and spark coming out of camp.”

One of the key returnees for the Aces is junior quarterback Mekhai Smith (6-2, 195).

“Mekhai is extremely talented both on the field as well as the meeting room,” said Augustine. “He is a true student of the game with the vison and arm strength to back up everything he learns.  He is learning everyday how to be a better leader and is going to be the driving force of the success we have as a team.”

Other key returnees on the offense are junior running back Ben Booker (5-11, 195), senior tight end Aidan Fliszar (6-1, 210) and senior wide receiver Sam Zheng (5-10, 215).

Up front, veteran senior tackle Xavier Archawski (6-6, 285) anchors the offensive line. Archawski received second team All-Central League honors last fall for his work on the offensive line.

“Xavier has dedicated himself to becoming one of the best players in the state, through hard work in every aspect of this game,” said Augustine. “He trains hard, is very focused on his nutrition and how he fuels himself. Because of all that, he has made himself one of the most sought-after linemen in our area – he has quite a number of Division 1 schools interested in him.”

Promising newcomers on offense include junior wide receivers Declan Mack (5-10, 185) and Zion Gray (5-10, 180) and sophomore tackle Toby Myers (6-3, 235).

On defense, the Aces are deep at linebacker, with junior Andrew Cook (5-11, 225), senior Charlie Coyle (6-1, 220), Booker and Fliszar.

“We have a very strong run defense this year,” said Augustine. “We have a lot of aggressive and hungry guys who love to fly around and crave contact.  We are looking to control the line of scrimmage and box, which will help control the flow the game.”

Lower Merion’s defensive backfield is led by Zheng and Gray at cornerback, and Mack at strong safety, and up front, Myers has been looking good at defensive end.

Many of the Aces’ leading players are two-way starters, and Augustine mentions depth as one of Lower Merion’s challenges this season.

“I think one of the hurdles we have to prepare for this year is our depth at certain position on both sides of the ball,” said Augustine. “We have some spots where we are very talented at the starting position but the experience level drops quickly as we move down the depth chart.  We are going to look to bring some young players along a bit quickly and do our best to put our players in the best position to be successful.”

Lower Merion will open its season at Pottstown Aug. 26 at 7 p.m.

 

Lower Merion 2022 Football Schedule

Aug. 26 – at Pottstown, 7 p.m.

Sept. 2 – at Conestoga, 7 p.m.

Sept. 9 – at Marple Newtown, 7 p.m.

Sept. 17 – vs. Upper Darby, 1 p.m.

Sept. 24 – vs. Strath Haven, 1 p.m.

Sept. 30 – at Ridley, 7 p.m.

Oct. 7 – at Harriton, 7 p.m.

Oct. 15 – vs. Garnet Valley, 1 p.m.

Oct. 21 – at Springfield, 7 p.m.

Oct. 29 – vs. Haverford High, 1 p.m.