Choi, Jordan lead experienced group for Bishop Shanahan
DOWNINGTOWN >> The Bishop Shanahan High School football team has a lot reasons for optimism coming into the 2021 season.
The Eagles went 4-0 in the abbreviated Covid-19 season. They were the 2019 District 1 4A champions and advanced to the PIAA 4A playoffs before falling to Jersey Shore in the first round.
Shanahan has 30 returning seniors and a three-year starter in quarterback Cooper Jordan, an All-State linebacker in senior Brandon Choi and athletes at almost every spot on the field. Head coach Paul Meyers has reason for optimism and feels the strength of his talented team will be up front.
“We have 30 seniors on the roster and they have all been in big games,” Meyers said. “They all played in the 2019 district championship game and the one state playoff game we had. We really like our three-year starter at quarterback in Cooper Jordan because he does so many things on the field for us. But, going into the season I would say the strength of our team may be our defensive line. As always, depth will be a concern and we just cannot withstand any injuries because of the size of our school, so that is my biggest worry coming into the season.
“But, the defensive line will be very strong. They have size, they are strong and all can make plays. We have Kenny Daniels, Liam Blakely and Charles Adams, who is 6-foot-5, 320 pounds. We look for that group to really give us big push up front. this season.”
The Eagles know that they have a senior laden and talented squad and they exude a quiet confidence on the practice field. Shanahan’s defense allowed just a paltry 3.56 points per game last season in its four blowout victories. The Eagles players have some lofty goals for the 2021 season.
“As far as a team goal, we want to defend the district title and go very deep in the state playoffs,” Daniels said. “And we feel we have the team to do that. We dominated defensively last season and basically gave teams nothing on offense. As a personal goal, I want to break the Bishop Shanahan school record of 15 sacks by Doug Costin (currently playing for the NFL Jacksonville Jaguars).
“I just think we can all fly to the ball and we all can make plays and create turnovers and that is the name of the game — to get the football and get the opposing offense off the field and let our offense go to work.”
Daniels’ partner in crime on the defensive line is 6-3, 215 lb, Liam Blakely, who really excelled last season as a run stopper for the aggressive Shanahan defense. However, Blakely says that he is comfortable rushing the passer or defending the run.
“My attitude on the field is just go get the football,” he said. “It makes no difference to me what the play is, I just like to go get the ball. Our whole defense is like that. And we like to get off the field and give our offense time to score. They are a bunch of dogs. We have Cooper Jordan at quarterback and he is dynamic on the field and Wessah Jordan and the rest of guys that can all make plays. We are very excited about our team this year.”
With all the talent on the defense, one cannot forget out All-State senior linebacker Brandon Choi, who is a hitter from sideline to sideline. Choi also feels big things are ahead for the Eagles in 2021.
“Our goals are to win the Ches-Mont League, win the District 1 4A championship again and win the first-ever state playoff game in school history. We know we have a tough schedule being on the Ches-Mont National side, but we feel we have a chance to compete with the big boys this season. Our defense is on a mission this season.”
Besides playing the rigorous Ches-Mont National Division schedule that includes Downingtown East, Downingtown West and Coatesville, the Eagles will play Archbishop Ryan, Phoenixville, Central High School, Penn Wood and Sun Valley.
