Football Friday: Mike Ewing, Eric Van Wyk, Kyle Yeiter get their shot as head coaches
The high school football season is here.
Nearly every Delco team is in action this weekend. The exceptions are Episcopal Academy and The Haverford School, which open next Friday, and Delco Christian, which starts the following week..
This Friday marks the head coaching debuts of Cardinal O’Hara’s Mike Ewing, Garnet Valley’s Eric Van Wyk and Radnor’s Kyle Yeiter.
There are some intriguing interleague matchups between Delco schools on the docket. Let’s take a look at the schedule.
Friday
Souderton at Haverford, 6
The Fords look to build upon a 5-7 campaign under second-year coach Luke Dougherty. They feature one of the county’s top quarterback-wide receiver tandems in seniors Jimmy Wright and Ethan Mahan.
Souderton went 6-4 a year ago and, like Haverford, was blown out in the first round of the District 1 6A playoffs. Jared Zimmerman returns at quarterback.
Ridley at Crestview (Fla.), 6
The Green Raiders travel to northwest Florida to play the Bulldogs, who were 6-4 last fall. Ridley advanced to the semifinals of the District 1 6A playoffs and finished 12-3 overall. Wide receiver Khameen Powell is a big playmaker for a new-look offense quarterbacked by sophomore Ryan Carroll.
Senior running back Jason Jones ran for 13 touchdowns last season for Crestview.
Upper Darby at Bonner-Prendergast, 7
Senior Montez Ellis is a dual threat for the Royals, who finished 2022 with a 6-5 record and wins in four of their last five games.
The Friars move on without reigning Catholic League MVP and All-Delco running back Mason Peterson, who led them to two straight trips to the PIAA Class 4A tournament. Avery Hankey and Isaiah Session could get the bulk of the carries this year.
Springfield at Cardinal O’Hara, 7
Quarterback Jake Rama and lineman Tyler Klambara lead a Cougars team that struggled to a 5-7 record last fall. Bryan Minnott will be the No. 1 running back.
The Lions start fresh with Ewing, who was previously the offensive coordinator at Ridley and Academy Park. The team was 3-6 a year ago. Two-way lineman Edmund Wisseh and linebacker John Shelton are players to watch.
C.B. West at Garnet Valley, 7
Van Wyk, an All-Delco in his heyday for the Jaguars, takes over for the legendary Mike Ricci after spending 10 years on Ricci’s staff. GV captured the District 1 Class 6A title and has won 34 consecutive Central League games. All-purpose threat Drew Van Horn is one of the few returning starters from last year’s team that won 14 games and lost to St. Joseph’s Prep in the state semifinals.
Strath Haven at Interboro, 7
The Panthers begin the journey to repeat as District 1 Class 5A champions. Senior Sam Milligan is back under center for a team that returns 10 starters including senior fullback Anthony Crawford.
The Bucs should be much-improved after going 3-9 in Dennis Lux’s first full season as head coach. Senior Abu Kamara is arguably the best returning running back in the county.
Sun Valley at Penncrest, 7
The Vanguards lost eight straight games to end the 2021 season, finishing 2-9 under first-year coach Ernie Ellis. Senior wide receiver Brendan Dougherty has big play potential and senior Todd Harper will lead the running game.
The Lions are rebuilding their program under Paul Graham, who took over midseason in 2021 following the departure of Ryan Smith. The team finished 1-9. Graham previously head coached the Lions from 2017-10. Senior quarterback Sean O’Donnell will begin his first season as the starting quarterback.
Truman at Chichester,7
The Eagles are coming off a 6-4 season and earned a share of the Del Val title for the first time since 1996. Quadir Blackwell has game-breaking potential at running back and defensive back.
Truman posted a 3-7 record last fall. Senior athlete Rondell Bradley had 750 yards receiving and 12 TDs.
Boys Latin at Marple Newtown, 7
Junior quarterback Dave Bertoline is a three-year starter for the Tigers, who were 9-4 last season. Junior tackle Andrew Kirlin (6-6, 300) is garnering Division I interest. Sophomores Brian Box and Paul Defruscio, among others, will share the duties at running back.
Sophomore Semaj Carmichael was a 1,000-yard rusher for Boys Latin last season.
Academy Park at Unionville, 7
The Knights finished 9-3, won a share of the Del Val championship and advanced to the semifinals of the District 1 5A playoffs last year. Senior quarterback Darrell Fields threw for 982 yards and 10 TDs.and senior running back Terrence Oliver rushed for 955 yards and six scores.
AP defeated the Longhorns, 28-13, in the second round of the playoffs last November. Unionville went 10-2 and won the Ches-Mont League American Division title a year ago. Senior running back Joe King is a player.to watch.
Penn Wood at Perkiomen Valley, 7
The Patriots (0-9) were one of two winless teams in Delco last fall. Seniors Marques Sarkor and Mike Keene are experienced starters at linebacker and running back. Two-way senior lineman Osman Kamara is another standout.
Perk Valley was 12-0 before losing to Coatesville in the District 1 Class 6A quarterfinals last year. Senior running back Ryan Klimek is considered one of the best skill players in the Pioneer Athletic Conference.
Saturday
West Phila. vs. Radnor at Springfield, 10 a.m.
The Raptors, who played all of their home games in 2021 at neutral sites, hope to return to newly renovated Provost Field sooner than later. Seniors Tommy DeShan and Amir Byrd give the Raptors plenty of speed in the receiving game. Radnor went 3-8 last year.
The West Philly Speedboys were 2-6 last year, which included a 34-6 loss to Chester.
Central at Chester, 11 a.m.
The Clippers won their first seven games in 2022 before going 0-4 to end the year. They qualified for the District 1 postseason for the first time, losing to Kennett in the Class 5A first round. Senior Cymeer Brown had 369 yards receiving and senior Noble Thompson ran for 336 yards and six TDs last year.
The Lancers were 2-8-1 last season.
Arch. Carroll at Pope John Paul II, 1
The Patriots look to turn the page from a 0-10 season. Senior two-way lineman A.J. Dilks (6-4, 265) and receiver Jesse Ventre earned All-Catholic League honors last year.
The Golden Panthers have won back to back PAC division titles. They handed Carroll a 43-14 loss in last year’s season opener.
