Tredyffrin >> The Conestoga High School football squad, which posted a 6-4 regular season record last fall and advanced to the PIAA District 1 6A playoffs for the second consecutive year, return a solid veteran lineup, particularly on the offensive line and at linebacker.
The Pioneers return their two leading tacklers from last year, senior linebackers Charlie Newhall (6-3, 235) and Tommy Costigan (6-0, 215).
“Charlie and Tommy bring an intensity to the field, and fundamentally they’re always in the right spot,” said Conestoga head coach Matt Diamond. “They’re great leaders on the field, and you know they’re always going to be locked in ready to go.”
Conestoga plans to use five linebackers in a 3-5-3 defensive formation, sometimes switching to a 4-4-3 with Newhall moving to defensive end.
Diamond said, “Last year, we had a senior-heavy defensive line, but this year, we have a bunch of experienced linebackers. A lot of them are multi-sport athletes; they know what it’s like to compete, they know what it takes to work hard.”
Newhall, a Navy football commit who received first team All-Central League honors last fall, led the 2022 Pioneers in tackles with 75.5 (15 of them for a loss) as well as four sacks and 23 quarterback pressures.
“I like to think that we’re a team of athletes, which is why we run the 3-5-3,” said Newhall, who also was a starting midfielder for the Pioneers’ lacrosse team last spring. “We don’t have a [huge amount] of size but we’re athletes, and we have a very strong D-line as well as linebackers. We’re ready to pound the ball, and pound some guys back (smiles).”
Costigan was the second leading tackler for the Pioneers last season, finishing with 67.5 tackles as well as four sacks and 10 quarterback pressures.
Other linebackers include seniors Gavin Shoup (6-0, 210), Quinn Nichols (6-0, 200), Matt Kent (6-0, 175), Charlie Gilmartin (5-11, 185) and Gillian Byrd (5-11, 180) and junior Ian McLaughlin (5-8, 190).
Up front, the Pioneers feature senior defensive end Benner Miller (6-3, 240) and senior nose tackle Matt O’Brien (5-9, 220), as well as senior defensive ends Landon Ross (6-4, 195), Robby Whann (6-4, 180), Tommy Darlington (6-4, 218), Sean Mackey (6-3, 220) and sophomore nose tackle Justin Schwartz (6-5, 280)
The defensive backfield will include senior Jude Cook (5-11, 195), senior Andrew Arbes (5-10, 185), senior Jake Yancoskie (5-7, 160), senior Kyle Friend (5-9, 150), junior Luke Rantanen (5-10, 170), junior James Quici (5-9, 165), junior Jerry Wang (6-0, 180) and junior Jonah Brown (6-0, 180).
The Pioneers’ biggest strength on offense is a veteran offensive line, led by O’Brien, a first team All-Central League selection last fall at center.
“Matt is very consistent, solid and dependable,” said Diamond. “He makes the right calls on the line and helps everyone get into the right spots.”
O’Brien said, “As the center, I’ve got to know what everyone on the line is doing on every play, but our O-line this year is mostly seniors, so we have a good bond, everyone knows what he’s doing.”
Other key veterans on the offensive line are Nichols and Shoup at guard, and the senior trio of Miller, Darlington and Mackey (who is coming back from an ACL injury) at tackle.
Newhall will be the starting fullback and the running backs will be Kent, Gilmartin, McLaughin and junior Chris Pecora (5’11, 190).
At quarterback, Cook stepped in for a period last fall for senior starter Peter Costigan when the latter was injured. Junior Timmy Bruder (5-8, 156) is another candidate for the signal-calling spot.
“Both Jude and Timmy have been good leaders for us, they both have good arms, and speed to run the football,” said Diamond. “You can use them both in a lot of the same ways.”
The wide receiving corps includes Tommy Costigan (6-0, 210), Yancoskie, Friend,Whann, Arbes, Quici and Brown. Candidates at tight end include Ross, senior Gillian Byrd (5-11, 180), junior Jack Steigerwald (6-3, 195) and sophomore Kurt Tharnish (6-0, 180).
Arbes handles the punting for the Pioneers, while Steigerwald is the team’s kicker.
The Pioneers are looking to build on the successes of the last two years.
Diamond said, “It’s something that we’re proud of – we have a senior class that knows the hard work it takes to reach the PIAA playoffs. That resonates all the way down to our younger players – they see how much the older guys are working in the weight room, and the younger kids mimic it, we had great numbers throughout the summer (weight room, Wednesday night workouts). You do things the right way, and you expect good things for yourself because you’ve worked hard to achieve those goals.”
Costigan said, “It’s crazy – ever since I’ve played here, we’ve been on an uphill climb after a down period. We want to go past the first round in the playoffs this year (after losing in the first round the last two years) and I think we can do it.”
O’Brien said, “Our program the past couple of years has only gone upward. Being a part of two playoff teams my sophomore and junior year, as seniors we’re looking to set a good example for the younger guys on our team, keep building this program.”
Miller said, “Even though we’ve had winning seasons the last two years and advanced to the district playoffs, I feel that, in the Central League we’re still underrated. Everyone on our team plays with a chip on their shoulder because of that and I think we use it to our advantage.”
Conestoga
Fri., Aug. 25 – vs. Owen J. Roberts, 7 p.m.
Fri., Sept. 1 – at Haverford High. 7 p.m.
Fri., Sept. 8 – at Springfield (Delco), 7 p.m.
Thurs., Sept. 14 – vs. Upper Darby, 7 p.m.
Fri., Sept. 22 – vs. Radnor, 7 p.m.
Fri., Sept. 29 – at Ridley, 7 p.m.
Fri., Oct. 6 – vs. Father Judge, 7 p.m.
Fri., Oct. 13 – vs. Garnet Valley, 7 p.m.
Fri., Oct. 20 – at Penncrest, 7 p.m.
Sat., Oct. 28 – at Lower Merion, 1 p.m.
Coach: Matt Diamond
2022 record: 6-5 overall, 5-4 Central League
