Malvern Prep football squad aiming for additional glory in 2021

Malvern >> Malvern Prep compiled a perfect 4-0 record during last year’s COVID-shortened football season, and with an 11-game schedule this fall, is looking for an opportunity to achieve additional glory in 2021.
“We can’t wait, we’re excited,” said Malvern Prep football head coach Dave Gueriera. “We feel like last season could have been so much more, had we [played] more games, but that’s behind us now, and we’re looking forward to playing a full season.”
Although Malvern Prep lost Lonnie White to graduation last spring, the Friars’ offense should be potent this fall.
The Friars feature plenty of size on the offensive line, with senior Cole Deery (6-3, 285) leading the way at center, junior Kevin Miller (6-3, 300) and senior Will Shallow (6-1, 240) at guard, and senior Max Bowman (6-6, 300) and sophomore Peter Jones (6-5, 290) at tackle.

Deery, who received Daily Local News all-area first team football honors last fall for his play on the offensive line, is a two-way lineman who also plays defensive tackle, and is a University of Maryland commit.
“He’s definitely the anchor for us up front,” said Gueriera. “He’s a hard-working kid and a great vocal leader who also leads by example.”
The Friars will be quarterbacked by senior Jack Capaldi (6-2, 205), who received Daily Local News all-area first team recognition last fall at the signal-calling spot. Capaldi threw for 632 yards, six touchdowns and one interception in four games last fall, with an area-high rating of 164.4.
“Jack is super smart; he knows our offense really well and has a good handle on what the [opposing] defenses are trying to do,” said Gueriera. “He has a quick release and is a quick decision-maker. His game is really between the ears, but he’s got a strong arm and he’s very accurate.”

The running attack is led by senior Isaiah Wright, who rushed for 337 yards and four touchdowns in four games last fall and received Daily Local News all-area first team honors at running back.
“Isaiah is probably one of the most versatile players I’ve ever coached, because he can do so many different things – he can run, catch, return punts and kicks, he can throw,” said Gueriera. “He’s a very heady player, really smart, and a great worker who’s a great example to the younger players.”

Joining Wright in the Friar backfield will be junior Yaahdir Nash (5-9, 165).
The Friars receiving corps includes senior Andrew Connolly (6-2, 195), junior Ryan Falkenstein (6-1, 200), senior Sam Brecker (5-9, 155) and senior D’Angelo Stocker (who is also an outstanding defensive back).
Gueriera sees the biggest key to the Friars’ defense as their two top interior linebackers, seniors Ryan Davis (6-1, 205) and Dale Law (6-1, 215). Both started for the Friars last fall.
“Dale played defensive end last year and is moving to interior linebacker, his natural position,” said Gueriera. “Both Ryan and Dale are big and physical, really good at defending the run game. The leading indicator for how good our defense will be this fall is how these two guys play.”
The outside linebackers will be Connolly and senior Jayln Evans (5-10, 190). The defensive front line will be led by Deery, Shallow and junior Colin McHugh (6-0, 200).
The Friars’ defensive backfield will be led by D’Angelo Stocker (5-10, 165), who received Daily Local News all-area first team honors last fall in his second year as a starter.

“D’Angelo is a really good corner, super fast,” said Gueriera.
Other defensive backs who will see a lot of playing time are Nash, Wright, senior Robby DiFabio (5-10, 170) and senior Stephen Hollander (5-9, 170).
Malvern’s punting and kicking will be handled by Navy commit Jake Reid.
“Jake’s got an absolutely powerful leg,” said Gueriera. “This is the first year he’ll be punting for us, and what we’ve seen in practice so far has been amazing.”
This summer, the Friars had a three-day preseason overnight camp at Camp Kweebec in Schwenksville Aug. 16-18, before starting practice at Malvern Prep Aug. 19.
“We used to go to James Madison University [for preseason camp], but COVID knocked that out last year,” said Gueriera. “It was great at Schwenksville this year – we had about 10 cabins of kids, and we had both an opportunity to practice, and an opportunity to let kids be kids – there was a pool, lake, basketball court, we had talent shows, it was a lot of fun, just a little team bonding experience.”
Deery said, “I thought it was a great time – we really bonded as a team. We practiced together, and came together more as a team, I think.”

Gueriera is optimistic about the upcoming season.
“If we take care of the fundamentals, and execute, and don’t beat ourselves, I’m really excited about what this year could bring,” said Gueriera.
Capaldi said, “We have a lot of really good talent across the board this year; this season should be fun.”