All-Delco Defense: Chester’s fearsome backfield, EA’s versatility on display

In addition to Daily Times Player of the Year Trey Blair of Haverford, the rest of the All-Delco defense includes:

Isaiah Rogers, Academy Park: The 6-4, 270-pound junior tackle led an AP defense that held opposing rushers to less than 100 yards in eight of 14 games. “Zae” Rogers was a beast at stopping the run and disrupting the quarterback. He also excelled on the offensive line for the Del Val League co-champions. Rogers posted 78 tackles, 3.5 sacks and two pass deflections. His strong campaign earned him all-league honors for a second straight year. He recently received an offer from Central Michigan University.

Oscar Uduma, Bonner-Prendergast: The senior defensive end was a major force for the Friars, who won nine games and qualified for the District 12 Class 4A final. Uduma, who did not play football two years ago, posted 58 tackles, 13 sacks, 17 tackles for a loss, four forced fumbles, and one fumble return for a touchdown. With Uduma leading the way, Bonner’s defense forced 20 turnovers and held opposing offenses to less than 160 yards per game. Uduma contributed on offense with 235 yards rushing and nine TDs, earning All-Catholic League honors.

Alex Westburg, Garnet Valley: The senior was a nightmare for offensive linemen. The 6-1, 230-pound defensive end was the best pass rusher on a Jaguars team that won the Central League title for a second straight year and advanced to the semifinal round of the District 1 Class 6A playoffs. In a victory over Conestoga, Westburg tied the school record for most sacks in a game (3.5). He finished with 59 tackles and 9.5 sacks.

Richie Kimmel, Archbishop Carroll: The senior linebacker is a two-time All-Delco selection. Simply put, he was the best linebacker in the county. Kimmel spearheaded a defensive unit that made steady improvement as the season progressed and limited teams to 14 points or fewer on six occasions. He recorded 122 tackles, two forced fumbles, six tackles for loss and six passes defensed. In his varsity career, Kimmel averaged better than 12 tackles per game. An All-Catholic League selection, Kimmel is a 2019 Mini Maxwell Award recipient and was invited to participate in the Blue-Grey All-American Bowl at Tampa Bay’s Raymond James Stadium on Jan. 4.

READ: The full list of All-Delco defensive honorees

Aasim Muhammad, Chester: The senior linebacker was outstanding for the Clippers, who enjoyed their first winning season in more than a decade. Muhammad was at the forefront of a physical and stingy Chester defensive unit that for most of the season was considered the best in Delco. Muhammad, who earned All-Del Val League recognition, helped lead the way for a defense that posted three consecutive shutouts to start the season. Muhammad registered team-highs in total tackles (110) and sacks (seven). He also recorded an interception and four passes defensed.

Matt Bush, Episcopal Academy: The senior linebacker was a force on both sides of the ball. In addition to being one of the Inter-Ac’s top defensive players, Bush was a bruiser at the running back position. When the Churchmen needed tough yards, they called upon Bush, who finished with nearly 500 yards rushing and three touchdowns. As a bone-crunching linebacker, Bush recorded 77 tackles and an interception on the way to helping the Churchmen win the Inter-Ac championship. He was voted the No. 1 running back and linebacker in the Inter-Ac League.

Will Higson, Haverford: The senior linebacker had a sensational season. Higson and classmate Sean Reynolds were one of the best backer duos in Delco the last two seasons. A relentless tackler who was seemingly involved on every play, Higson finished with more than 115 tackles, two sacks and a pair of interceptions. With Higson tackling everyone in sight, the Fords accomplished program history by winning two District 1 Class 6A playoff games. Higson was recently named to the All-Central League first team.

Robert Dahn, Penn Wood: The senior linebacker was a tackling machine for the Patriots, who earned a share of the Del Val League title. While the Patriots went through some growing pains in 2019, Dahn was a consistent standout in every game. His strong defensive play in the district quarterfinals helped keep a high-powered Academy Park offense to only eight points. An All-Del Val selection, Dahn registered 120 tackles (six for loss), two interceptions, four forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and three passes defensed.

READ: All-Delco Offense: Johnson set records among starring quarterbacks

Ayden Garnes, Bonner-Prendergast: The junior safety was one of the stars on a Friars defense that caused 20 turnovers and held opponents to 13 points per game. Garnes racked up 41 tackles, two sacks, four interceptions and 10 passes defensed on the way to helping the Friars to their best season in since 2012. He will be one of the top seniors in the league next fall.

Rafiqe Hilliard, Chester: The senior defensive back has been a mainstay on varsity since his freshman year. A repeat All-Del Val League selection, Hilliard was a shutdown, hard-hitting DB throughout his career. In his senior campaign, he helped the Clippers become one of the best defensive teams in the county. Hilliard, who boasted a 3.8 GPA at the start of the school year, was the captain of the secondary, finishing with 45 tackles, one sack and five interceptions. The Clippers had the top-ranked passing defense in Delco and led all teams with 24 interceptions.

Malcolm Folk, Episcopal Academy: The junior defensive back excelled at multiple positions — running back, wide receiver, tight end, defensive secondary. He was superb in both run and pass coverage for the Inter-Ac champion Churchmen. A two-time All-Inter-Ac defensive back, Folk had 28 catches for 419 yards and six touchdowns and ran for 385 yards. He is the only Delco player with 300-plus rushing yards and 400-plus receiving yards.

Justin Burgess, Haverford: The senior defensive back/wide receiver was a standout on offense and defense, recording six interceptions and eight pass breakups. Because he played opposite Trey Blair (who teams rarely contested), Burgess was picked on at times, but showed why he was one of the top coverage backs in Delco. In his final game against Upper Darby on Thanksgiving, he returned an interception for a touchdown and also caught a TD pass. He finished with 29 receptions for 382 yards and six TDs.

Maurcus McDaniel, Episcopal Academy: The senior quarterback/defensive back guided the Churchmen to the Inter-Ac championship. One of three Delco QBs to to eclipse 1,000 yards in both passing and rushing, McDaniel was named MVP of the Inter-Ac. He threw for nearly 1,300 yards and was the highest rated passer on the county (175.73). He passed for 15 touchdowns against only two interceptions and completed better than 66 percent of his attempts. McDaniel recently received an offer from Penn.