All-Delco Football: Defense – Springfield’s Long, Shields, Clemens and McKenzie a big part of First Team

Members of the All-Delco First Team defense include:

Cade Brennan, Garnet Valley: Brennan was a terror at defensive end for the Jags. The 6-4, 235-pound senior combined speed and strength to cause plenty of disruption in the backfield. Brennan led the Jags with three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. A defensive catalyst on a team that advanced to the District 1 Class 6A final for the second straight season, Brennan posted 46 tackles and six sacks. Brennan scored a touchdown on a fumble return in Garnet Valley’s win over Pennridge in the district semifinals.

Tyric Gould, Cardinal O’Hara: For the second consecutive season, Gould was one of the top players in the county at his position. A Second Team All-Delco his junior campaign, Gould enjoyed another stellar season in 2017. As the star of a defensive unit that posted four shutouts this fall, Gould registered 80 tackles and 13 sacks for the Lions, who advanced to the District 12 Class 4A final for a second year in a row. One of Gould’s best single-game performances came in late September when he recorded four sacks in a victory over rival Bonner & Prendergast. For his efforts this season, Gould was named to the All-Catholic League squad.

Derrick Korboi, Upper Darby: A premier pass rusher and run stuffer, Korboi was a dominant force on an underrated Upper Darby defensive unit. For the past two years, Korboi made his mark in the Central League as both an offensive guard and defensive tackle. In helping the Royals to a 6-5 campaign, Korboi racked up 72 tackles, including 41 for a loss, with 10.5 sacks.

Justin Shields, Springfield: The junior was the anchor of Springfield’s tough, no-nonsense defensive unit that wreaked havoc on the Central League. In helping the Cougars claim the Central League title for the third time in four seasons, Shields was disruptive force at defensive tackle in addition to his strong performance on offense at center. A two-time All-Delco, the senior registered 99 tackles and notched a team-high 7.5 tackles. With Shields anchoring the defensive line, the Cougars held the opposition to 10.6 points and 215 yards of offense per game.

Pat Clemens, Springfield: Clemens was a tackling machine for the Central League champion Cougars. On a defense that thrived against some of the top offenses in District 1, Clemens was the star playmaker. Clemens is the next in a long line of great linebackers at Springfield. A two-year starter, Clemens posted an eye-popping 138 tackles in 2017. Moreover, he notched four fumble recoveries and two interception en route to becoming of the premier backers in Delaware County.

Milton Mamula, Episcopal Academy: It terms of pure talent, there was no defensive player in Delco that could match Mamula’s ability. The senior outside linebacker/defensive end finally put together a full season after being hampered by injuries throughout his career. Needless to say, 6-3, 220-pounder reached his potential in 2017. Mamula racked up 16 sacks and 23 tackles for a loss. He broke out for six sacks in Episcopal’s 21-7 victory over Springside Chestnut Hill Academy. He is the son of former Eagles first-round draft pick Mike Mamula. An All-Inter-Ac League honoree, Mamula is beginning to garner serious interest from several Division I programs and recently received an offer from the University of Montana.

Ja’Den McKenzie, Springfield: The senior linebacker is best-known for his exploits as the Cougars’ No. 1 running back the past two seasons. But McKenzie was an excellent two-way player. He registered a county-leading four defensive touchdowns and had four interceptions as a linebacker. McKenzie was among the top rushers in the county with 1,269 yards and 18 touchdowns. In a 42-7 rout of Ridley, McKenzie scored five touchdowns (three runs, one catch and one interception return) and ran for a season-high 249 yards. McKenzie’s all-around stellar play enabled the Cougars to win the Central League title and reach the District 1 Class 5A final for a second straight year.

Nasir Greer, Upper Darby: The senior was an all-purpose standout for the Royals. He earned a reputation for being one of the premier shutdown cornerbacks in the county and often blanketed the opposition’s No. 1 wide receiver. This ability was on display Thanksgiving morning when he limited Haverford’s Jordan Mosley, one of the most talented players in the county, to only one catch. Greer finished with four interceptions and allowed only a handful of catches all season. He notched 95 tackles and five interceptions. At wide receiver, Greer led the Royals in receptions (28), yards (613) and touchdowns (five).

Kyle Long, Springfield: After taking a year off from football, Long returned his senior season and quickly became one of most dynamic players in the county. He excelled in the defensive secondary, registering 51 tackles and two interceptions for No. 1 team in Delco. However, it was his tremendous play as a wide receiver/all-purpose threat that led him to earning First Team All-Delco honors. Long flourished as a wide receiver with 61 catches for 774 yards and 12 touchdowns. An All-American and two-time All-Delco lacrosse player, Long will continue his lacrosse career at the University of Maryland.

Jordan Mosley, Haverford: A two-time All-Delco,. Mosley’s career took off once he transferred from Bonner & Prendergast after his sophomore season. Mosley had one of the

best two-year runs by a wide receiver in recent memory. He followed a 996-yard, 10-touchdown junior campaign with 49 catches for 865 yards and 10 touchdowns. Mosley’s prowess as a two-way standout was a major factor in Haverford’s 9-3 season. Midway through the year, he broke the Haverford High program record for most receiving yards in a career. As a hard-hitting free safety, Mosley led Delaware County in interceptions with eight. He will continue his career at Maryland.

Dahmir Ruffin, Archbishop Carroll: Not many players had a better start to the the 2017 season than Ruffin. The senior wide receiver/defensive back had nine touchdowns, including seven receiving scores, after three games. It’s no surprise that Ruffin couldn’t keep up that torrid pace. Nonetheless, his consistent effort in all facets of the game earned him All-Catholic League honors on offense and defense, which is an accomplishment playing in the same division as St. Joseph’s Prep, La Salle and Archbishop Wood. Ruffin paced Carroll with 30 catches for 363 yards and 10 TDs. On defense he notched three interceptions. Ruffin also had one touchdown via kick and punt return.

Rahiem Bowens, Penn Wood: Bowens was a catalyst on offense, defense and special teams for the Del Val League champion Patriots. Bowens, who is the brother of Cardinal O’Hara All-Delco  and Boston College player Thaddius Smith, broke the school record for most receiving yardage in a career. This season he registered 40 catches for 823 yards and eight touchdowns. Bowens had an epic five-touchdown game in the Patriots’ overtime win over The Haverford School in September. On defense he totaled 30 tackles and five interceptions. Bowens is garnering interest from several college programs including Duquesne, New Hampshire, Maine, Morgan State, William & Mary and Delaware.