Delco Football Notebook: Bonner & Prendie flying high after win over Neumann-Goretti
Bonner & Prendergast’s signature win of the 2022 season came last Saturday afternoon in South Philly.
The Friars (5-1) claimed sole possession of first place in the Catholic League Blue Division with a convincing, 26-14 decision over Neumann-Goretti. The Saints had been the Friars’ biggest bugaboo in recent years.
“I told the kids to enjoy this win and to celebrate it. I know (beating N-G) meant a lot to them and our coaches,” head coach Jack Muldoon said. “But we’ve got to keep winning. Next week (this Friday) we have Lansdale and they are a good team. They played Neumann well. We’ve got them at home, so knock on wood we’ll have everybody healthy which should put us in a good position.”
Ultimately the Friars are aiming for a PIAA Class 4A title. With wins against 4A schools Cardinal O’Hara and Archbishop Ryan, they are guaranteed a spot in the Catholic League Class 4A championship game against either O’Hara or Ryan. The winner of that game will play for the District 12 Class 4A title against the Public League representative. The District 12 champion advances to the PIAA tournament in November. The team’s only loss was a 14-12 setback at The Haverford School in Week 2.
The Friars are built on a sturdy defense that has forced nine turnovers and is limiting teams to 9.3 points per game. Mylachi Williams, who has 5.5 sacks, is a beast at defensive end. Isaiah Session, who leads the team in total tackles, and Nick Smith have flourished as well.
“We know we still have a lot to work on, but the kids are playing well,” Muldoon said. “We know it’s going to get tougher too.”
• • •
Interboro star running back Abu Kamara is within striking distance of breaking Delco’s single-season rushing record of 2,519 yards, which was set last year by Ridley’s Tahir “Tubby” Mills, who was the 2021 Daily Times Player of the Year. Kamara sits at 1,495 yards.
While Kamara rushed for a season low 106 yards in the Bucs’ 38-0 drubbing of Chichester last Saturday, he was coming off a pair off 300- yard games against Oxford and Kennett. His 335-yard performance versus Kennett bested his 309-yard effort the prior week at Oxford. Both were single- game Interboro records. He has rushed behind a strong offensive line unit that includes Matthew Galanaugh, Logan Roberts, Rocco Barone, Mike Welsh and Nolan Royer.
Although Kamara is the clear focal point of coach Dennis Lux’s offense, he’s not the only Buc capable of making big plays. Senior quarterback Julian Bulovas has passed the ball well when called upon and wide receiver Dominic Gunter has been a reliable target. Junior cornerback Eddie Jeffery, junior defensive end Pete Gentile and senior linebacker Theo Demopoulos have been standouts on defense.
“We’re not satisfied at all,” Kamara said after the Kennett game. “We want to keep going, keep getting better. It’s all about hard work, hard work, hard work. Everybody is working hard and we want to keep it going all year.”
Interboro (5-2) is going for its fourth consecutive win Saturday afternoon at Academy Park (2-5).
• • •
In addition to Interboro, Sun Valley is making a strong case for comeback team of the year in Delco.
The Vanguards (4-3) are a win away from matching their highest win total since the 2017 campaign. The program hasn’t enjoyed a winning season since 2006.
After routing winless Penn Wood and West Chester East the last two weeks, the Vanguards close the regular season with Ches-Mont League opponents Rustin (4-2), Kennett (4-3) and Oxford (2-5). It’s a make- or-break stretch in their schedule as the Vanguards enter the weekend in 13th place in the District 1 Class 5A power rankings.
“This particular group (of seniors).has been through a lot of struggles,” coach Ernie Ellis said prior to last Friday’s 50-14 victory over W.C. East. “Their freshman year we had a freshman team and they were a pretty decent squad. But as far as the kids who have gone through the varsity game experience, the group only won one game as freshmen. When they were sophomores it was the COVID year and we had no wins. Last year, we had two wins. They’ve got three under their belt right now. If things go right, hopefully, we can get a few more here. We have Rustin who is getting back a bunch of guys and we have Kennett who is really tough. After that we have Oxford. They’re all strong teams and we just have to be ready for them.”
• • •
What IS expected to be an exciting Inter-Ac League schedule kicks off this weekend.
Four of the conference’s six teams remain unbeaten in 2022: Episcopal Academy Germantown Academy, The Haverford School and Malvern Prep are 5-0. Penn Charter isn’t too shabby, either, at 4-1. This could be the most talented group of Inter-Ac teams since the turn of the century.
Episcopal and Haverford are the top two teams in the Daily Times Super 7.
Junior quarterback Na’Rome Rayoborn has thrown for 831 yards and 13 touchdowns for the Churchmen, who travel to Germantown Academy Saturday. EA has outscored the opposition 218-39.
The Fords are buoyed by a tremendous offensive line and running back Matt Brosko, who has accumulated 692 yards in five games. Haverford hosts Springside Chestnut Hill Academy Saturday. It would come as no surprise if EA and Haverford are both undefeated when they meet Saturday, Nov. 12 on the final day of the season.
