Unionville expects to contend in final season under head coach
EAST MARLBOROUGH >> Expectations never change at Unionville under longtime head football coach Pat Clark.
This fall the Longhorns will have to replace a long list of departed starters. But the major goals – to beat prime rival Kennett, win the Ches-Mont American title and pursue a district championship – are still front and center, as usual.
“We have a pretty young roster, but that’s OK,” Clark said. “We still have high expectations.
“We probably have 8-10 younger brothers or cousins of kids who have played here. They know what our program is about and they know what the expectation is.”
The defending C-M American champs went 10-2 a year ago, and there is a strong motivation to keep Unionville in the upper echelon. And for 2022, there will also be another major incentive: it will be Clark’s 19th and final season at the helm.
“I was named Assistant Principal (at UHS) midway through last season,” he explained. “I get this season to wrap it up.”
It may take some time, but the ’Horns believe they have the makings of another stout defense, with standout players at all three levels: lineman Nathan D’Angelo (6-foot-3, 230), inside linebacker Quintan Boyle (6-0, 195), and safety Tucker Opdahl. Not surprisingly, all three are legacies.
D’Angelo is a three-year starter, his dad, Dan, is on the coaching staff, and his brother played for Clark. Boyle is the fourth brother to play at Unionville, and Opdahl was a first team all-league pick a year ago.
“(D’Angelo) has been watching Unionville football since second grade,” Clark said. “He has size and is athletic. Nate should be an impact player on both sides of the ball.
“Go to Coatesville or the Downingtowns, where they’ve been playing football for a long time, and you see a lot of kids whose dads or brothers played there. It makes a difference. Would you want to answer to your brother if you weren’t successful?”
Outside linebacker Matt D’Amico (5-11, 200) is also back and he is the third D’Amico brother to play for Clark. Up front, there is good size with returnees like senior Owen Prysock (6-5, 250), junior Jack Hyman (5-11, 235) and senior Christian Demming (6-3, 191).
In addition to Opdahl, the secondary is set at one cornerback spot by senior speedster Joe King. Others like junior Oliver Tarr, seniors Spero Ferentinos and Ryan Gilday are expected to fill out the other two spots.
“As seniors, we are going to do our best to lead the younger guys and see where it takes us,” D’Angelo said.
On offense, King is taking over for Ethan Bennick as the Longhorn’s primary tailback. He is experienced, elusive and instinctive. It is an important role, but also a big opportunity.
“I think I am ready. I feel like our offense is going to be what everybody expects from Unionville,” King said.
“We always seem to have a tailback that can carry the load,” Clark added.
“Joe was an awesome compliment to (Bennink) last year. We will build around Joe. He has a great burst and he cares. He is a quiet leader, but the kids voted him one of our captains.”
At quarterback, it’s a battle between Gilday (6-3, 205), and junior Levi Brawley (6-2, 185). Both are good athletes, and Clark vows that both will see the field, whether at quarterback or elsewhere.
“But I don’t know if we are in a spot yet where we split quarterback reps,” Clark pointed out.
“Levi can run well and he can throw it. Gilday’s arm is terrific,” added Opdahl, who is expected to be a favorite target.
D’Angelo will anchor the offensive front, and others like Prysock, Hyman and Demming are in the mix.
“We have some pieces,” Clark said. “We will do some things by committee along the offensive and defensive lines early on. We will be better in September than we are now. And we’ll be better in October than we are in September.
“On offense, we are kind of unknown on the perimeter, but there are a lot of young guys to choose from.”
The overall message is clear: a handful of returnees may have to hold things together in the early going while the newcomers get up to speed. But by mid-season, Unionville will probably look like Unionville always does: competitive and tough.
“We want to go out with a bang, but our preparation is the same,” Boyle said. “There is a level on consistency since coach Clark got here, so we are trying to play at that same level.”
Opdahl added: “The standard is up here, and it’s not going to come down for anybody or any team.
“Nineteen seasons happens for a reason. Before (Clark) got here, the football was pretty bad for a long time. He brought the standard up and we’ve been a playoff contender ever since.”
And according to Clark, the future is bright.
“We’ve got some young kids who we think are going to be real good,” he said. “Whoever takes over for me, the program is going to be stocked.”
Unionville
Fri., Aug. 26 — vs. Academy Park, 7 p.m.
Fri., Sept. 2 — at Sun Valley, 7 p.m.
Fri., Sept. 9 — vs. Oxford, 7 p.m.
Fri., Sept. 16 — vs. West Chester East, 7 p.m.
Fri., Sept. 23 — at Coatesville, 7 p.m.
Fri., Sept. 30 — vs. Chichester, 7 p.m.
Fri., Oct. 7 — at Kennett, 7 p.m.
Fri., Oct. 14 — vs. Great Valley, 7 p.m.
Fri., Oct. 21 — at West Chester Henderson, 7 p.m.
Fri., Oct. 28 — at West Chester Rustin, 7 p.m.
Head Coach: Pat Clark
2021 Record: 7-0 Ches-Mont American, 10-2 Overall
