Football Preview: Archbishop Carroll took no time putting last season in mirror

RADNOR >> The afternoon practice, the second of the day, was just about over at Archbishop Carroll, and on cue, Kyle Detweiler would point toward the goal line.

There, the Patriots would line up for a 40-yard sprint. And then another. And another. And another. And a couple more after that, the entire team unwilling to let one more opportunity pass to prove that whatever it was that happened in 2021 would not occur in 2022.

“They are motivated,” said Detweiler, the Patriots’ fifth-year coach. “They have a lot to play for, especially the way last year went and the way last year finished up.”

The year finished with the Patriots having gone winless in 10 games. To Detweiler, there was no value in camouflaging that. There was only value in using it as incentive not to allow it to happen again.

The plan?

“We didn’t take any time off,” he said. “We went right into our offseason program. And they are really motivated to turn this around.”

There are some big reasons to anticipate a rebound, emphasis on big. That begins with 6-foot-4, 265-pound senior tackle and defensive end A.J. Dilks, a returning first-team Blue Division All-Catholic. With 6-4, 255-pound classmate Jack Fry, Dilks will anchor a sturdy line that will include valued senior tight end Anthony Spurio and promising junior Cleveland Woodson.

“We’re always moving guys around, putting different guys in different spots,” Dilks said. “And we want to make sure that we have the fundamentals. You can have all the size you want, but if you don’t have the fundamentals, you can’t play football. So we want to make sure that the younger guys that have size are learning the fundamentals and the right techniques.”

The success of that project will be central to the Patriots’ turnaround, as Detweiler will consider as many as three quarterbacks useful. Senior Anthony Groce and junior James Wright shared the bulk of the responsibilities last season, but senior Mason Waller, a transfer from Penncrest, is high in the quarterback mix.

Better than no quarterbacks?

“It depends on what theory you subscribe to,” Detweiler said, smiling. “If you have to play more than one quarterback, it can sometimes mean you don’t have ‘a’ quarterback. But we do feel like each of those guys has a different skill set and a unique skill set. And we’re evaluating everything they do and we’ll see who comes out at the top of the leaderboard.”

Senior Josh Jones, who enjoyed some practical experience last season, will pair with sophomore Adam Moffitt in the backfield.

“We feel really good about that,” Detweiler said. “A little thunder and lightning there. Josh is the downhill power back there, and Adam is the burstier perimeter guy. We feel those guys can do some different things and some special things with the ball in their hands.”

Returning All-Catholic Jesse Ventre will return as the slot receiver, along joining 2021 starting receivers Pat Liney and Shane Bockrath. Chase Gallagher, a Carroll basketball player, will add his 6-5 frame and trusty hands to the passing attack.
Spurio will anchor the defense at linebacker. Fry, Dilks and Woodson will man the defensive line. Juniors Hassan Bailey and Anthony Hopson will return to the secondary.

“The one thing we learned last year is that you have to play through adversity,” Spurio said. “Nothing is going to come easy. Nothing is going to be given to you. So you have to work together to achieve a goal. There is more unity this year. We try to play as one. We’re still competitive with each other and that gets us all better.”

The Catholic League is ever-challenging, but the desire to snap a losing strike gives the Patriots a unique level of motivation.

“The energy in the locker room and the energy in these practices is the best that I’ve seen,” Dilks said. “So I think we are going to surprise a lot of people. We are making a statement this season. We are going to win games. And we are going to go to the PCL playoffs.”