FOOTBALL: Neshaminy looking to return to District playoffs and beyond
LANGHORNE – While they might be missing their 2015 All-Suburban One League (SOL) National Conference first teamers Hunter Kelly and Billy Ritchey, the Neshaminy Redskins have plenty of talent returning to the roster in 2016.
With senior Mason Jones coming back to quarterback the offense for his third season and First Team All-SOL running back Will Dogba returning after a near 1,500-yard rushing performance in 2015, the hope is that the Skins come out firing on all cylinders in 2016.
“We are going to start right where we left off last year and we’re going to be a very high-paced offense,” stated starting right guard Eddie Parry.
Neshaminy opens its current campaign on Friday against Philadelphia Catholic League rival Roman Catholic.
Last year, Neshaminy went 2-1 in the non-league portion of its schedule including a close call with Continental conference rival Council Rock South. The Golden Hawks are back in the SOL National division however, so that battle will have to wait until week nine when the regular season is just about over.
Now, it hasn’t even begun and in addition to the opener with the Cahillites, Neshaminy has non-league duels looming against SOL Continental Conference rival Pennridge and 2015 District 1 qualifier Downingtown West – two teams that beat the Skins last year.
While former wideout Denzel Hughes is off to Bloomsburg, senior Zach Tredway is back to lead the receiving corps into action. A First Team All-SOL Nominee in 2015, he led the team with 688 yards receiving last season.
Tredway will have help this year from juniors Mike Garlick and Joel Stills. But it’s the relationship between Tredway and Jones that is special, says Skins head coach Steve Wilmot.
“They grew up on the same dead-end street so they’ve known each other for a long time and they’ve been throwing the ball to each other for a long time,” said Wilmot.
At 7-3 in their first 10 games including a 16-14 triumph over Pennsbury in the regular season finale at Falcon Field, Neshaminy certainly finished the 2015 campaign firing on all cylinders. The Skins followed that up with impressive postseason wins over Spring-Ford and Quakertown, advancing to a District 1 semifinal battle against SOL National champion North Penn.
Neshaminy returns to the gridiron in 2016 with a 4-4 defense and its pistol offense. With experience under center, Wilmot and company have installed a few more spread formations, which should make things interesting for the fans.
A second team All-SOL selection in 2015, Parry, along with senior Chris Wilson at left tackle, and A.J. Sanko, at center, are back to anchor the offensive line.
At 6-5, 290 pounds, Wilson has the power to move bodies off the line, says Wilmot. The coach says that Wilson has put a lot of work into his game in the offseason. He’s comparing the left tackle to Tom McEowen, a 2006 NHS graduate who went on to play on the other side of the ball at Penn State.
“When Tom McEowen blocked, it just changed our entire running game because he just blew in the whole side of the line,” said Wilmot. “That’s what we’re looking for out of Chris this year.
“We’re looking for Chris to be a great pass protector on Mason’s blind side. In the run game, we’re looking for Chris to cave that side of the line down and make some nice holes for our running back Will Dogba.”
New up front are juniors Giovanni Figueroa at right tackle and Nick Napadano at left guard. Figueroa replaces All-SOL First Teamer Hunter Kelly (Penn State) and Napadano takes Parker Minotti’s old spot.
With First Team All-SOL tight end Billy Ritchey off to play football at Sacred Heart, Neshaminy has 6-2, 220-pound senior Ben Raab to fill in.
Where things get tricky is the defense. Linebackers Kyle Smith (Lock Haven) and Dalton Fox are gone as are defensive ends Harmon Yalartai (Bloomsburg) and Ritchey. Cornerback Dave Nuckles (North Greenville/lacrosse) has also graduated.
The good news is that senior Jacob Gordon is back at corner, Tredway returns to his free safety spot and sophomore Oleh Manzyk is back to anchor the linebackers. Parry and senior Kyle Osterhaudt are going to play the ends this season, a year after playing along the interior line. Stills will play the other corner position while Garlick and senior Hayden Rooney will help man the linebacker spots.
“With the experience we have coming back on offense, we’re looking to control the ball a decent amount,” said Wilmot. “We want to keep the defensive guys off the field as much as possible to start the year.”
With 38 point-after attempts and five made field goals on six attempts, senior Dylan McDonald is also back for his senior season a year after earning Second Team All-SOL honors. Of course, with Hughes gone, the Skins could lack that explosive element that could lead to a touchdown on special teams.
If you recall, Hughes raced 77 yards to paydirt on a punt return, igniting Neshaminy in its district quarterfinal win over Quakertown. The Skins also have to find a way to replace the energy provided by defensive back Jack Spingler (Lock Haven), who recorded four takeaways in the playoff battle including three interceptions.
That set the table for a pair of late TD runs by Dogba and a 31-17 Neshaminy win.
The Skins are hoping for some more of that action in 2016.
Contact Steve Sherman at ssherman@21st-Centurymedia.com or @BucksLocalSport on Twitter
NESHAMINY FOOTBALL
2016 Schedule
Day Date Opponent Time
Friday, Aug. 26: vs Roman Cath. 7 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 2: at Pennridge 7 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 9: at Downingtown West 7 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 16: vs CR North 7 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 23: at Truman 7 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 30: vs Abington 7 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 7: vs CB South 7 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 14: at Bensalem 7 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 21: vs CR South 7 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 28: vs Pennsbury 7 p.m.
