The 2002 NEWS of Delaware County's All-Star football team has, of course, its share of impressive skill players. Marple Newtown quarterback Gabe Maiocco, for instance, threw for over 1,000 yards, and Cardinal O'Hara junior Anthony Heyg-ood scored a dozen touchdowns in an injury-shortened season.
But the NEWS' first-team defense features several imposing linemen, including Marple Newtown's Jon Dardine. Tiger coach Pat Clark calls him "the best inside defensive linemen in the county.''
Another first-teamer, Upper Darby defensive tackle Chris Sfamurri, is getting Division I scholarship looks. So are tackles Omar Emmens (O'Hara) and James Roderick (Carroll).
You won't see them tonight, or even tomorrow, on Sports Center, but you're experiencing them today on the front sports page and highlighted in the lede to the 2002 NEWS of Delaware County's All-Star football story.
|
|
GABE MAIOCCO - Senior quarterback from Marple Newtown... Threw for over 1,000 yards and 50 percent completion rate in 11 games...Led team in rushing touchdowns with eight... Started at cornerback and played special teams...Two-year starter at quarterback improved leadership tremendously as a senior... Also plays basketball... Looking at several Division II schools in state...
KEVIN MULKERN - Senior quarterback from Springfield - Threw for 1,503 yards and 16 touchdowns in 11 games... Rushed for two touchdowns... Played defense in one game, against Ridley: five tackles and one pass knockdown...Third in class academically... May play Division I-AA... Plans to major in business... Like a coach on the field, says head coach Mike Heath...Can read coverages well and shows poise under fire...
RICK DOUGHERTY - Junior running back from Upper Darby...Had 879 yards in 12 games with eight touchdowns.., Two-year starter... Made second-team All-Central... Elusive runner... Also plays basketball...
PRINCE BURNS - Senior running back from Springfield - Rushed for 728 yards and four touchdowns in 11 games... Caught six passes for 78 yards... Played linebacker on defense: Had 32 total tackles, 2 l/2 sacks...Started on offense for two years... Sprints on track team...Combination of speed and power when running... Looking to play Division II or III football...
ED McELROY - Senior running back from Haverford ... Leading Ford ground gainer... Surpassed 100 yards three times ... Two-year starter...Scored four TDs... Speed to the hole and toughness... Played inside linebacker on defense...Led Fords in tackles... Division II interest...
ANTHONY HEYGOOD - Junior running back from O'Hara... Ranked one of top 50 juniors in country at start of season...Tore ACL in second game, missed three games... Finished with 889 yards rushing and 12 touchdowns anyway... Very strong north-south runner ... Good blocker...Two-year starter ... At 6-1, 210 pounds, already considered a Division I prospect: "He gets more mail than the president,'' notes O'Hara head coach George Stratts... Sprinter and triple jumper on track team...
CHAZ SCOTT - Senior running back from Carroll...Rushed for 386 yards for 56 carries for three touchdowns... Caught seven TD passes... Recovered fumble and scored... Two-year starter ... Played safety on defense: Had six interceptions...Center fielder on baseball team... His brother, Scott, was late cut by Eagles at split end... First-team All-Catholic on both sides of ball...
RYAN STEWART - Junior running back from Carroll... Had 436 carries for 1,058 yards and 12 touchdowns... Very fast and knows Carroll's pure Wing-T offense... Starting cornerback on defense: 35 tackles and two interceptions in 13 games...Second-team All-Catholic running back ... Starting left fielder on defending Catholic League champion in baseball...
SHEROD MARTIN - Junior running back from Penn Wood... Finished with 1,007 yards rushing and 11 touchdowns... Power runner with enough speed... Staring linebacker, had 42 tackles (36 assists) in 10 games... Two-way starter for two seasons...
MARQUISE HALL - Junior wide receiver from Upper Darby... Caught 35 passes for 480 yards and five touchdowns... Has excellent speed... Had a 70-yard pass play against Salesianum... Sprinter on track team...
PAUL McNICHOL - Senior wide receiver from Bonner...Two-year starter...Had 28 catches for 780 yards...Caught six touchdown passes... Good student.. Division I and I-AA interest, including Fordham Lehigh...Pitcher on baseball team ... Played some safety on defense... First-team All-Catholic...
BRANDON DOWNS - Senior wide receiver/kick returner from Penn Wood... At wide receiver, made 36 catches for 420 yards...Scored four TDs on punt returns, two with interceptions and and six on passes...Averaged 28 yards per kick return, including 64 yard dash for a touchdown... Great speed and field vision... As a cornerback, played the best receiver... Had three interceptions... Has attracted some Division One interest at 6-2, 175 pounds...
NICK CELENZA - Senior tight end from Bonner... Two-year starter..."Our best blocking tight end in recent seasons,'' says Bonner head coach Mike Coyne...Caught 10 passes for 180 yards...Leading tackler on special teams... Honorable Mention All-Catholic... Division II schools are looking at him...
RICK FINNEGAN - Senior center from O'Hara... Stands 6-1, 230 pounds...''One of the best centers we ever had,'' says head coach George Stratts...Team leader and one of captains...Strong blocker, quick recognition of defenses...Makes calls at line of scrimmage... Honorable Mention All-Catholic.. Division II prospect, talking to Widener...
MATT BLONG - Senior guard from Bonner... Two-year starter... "Our best offensive lineman,'' say coach Coyne... Played defensive tackle: Had 389 tackles in 11 games... At 6-0 and 240 pound, has attracted Division II and III interest.,., On wrestling team... Made first-team All-Catholic...
DAN RUNK - Senior offensive tackle from Haverford... Big improvement from last season, first year starting... Rated Haverford's top blocker... Made All-Central League second team... Academically oriented, going to Penn State main campus...
ERIC ELLIS - Senior offensive tackle from O'Hara... Stands 6-1, 235 pounds...No varsity experience, but had an outstanding year as a blocker...Had to block man by himself to make O'Hara's weakside attack work ("we don't double-team on weakside,'' says coach Stratts)...May play Division III football...
JUSTIN FAUST - Senior offensive tackle from Carroll...Made first-team All-Catholic at 6-4 and 260 pounds...Key player in Carroll winning third straight Catholic League Blue Division championship... Generating interest from Division I and I-AA schools...
CHRIS SCHRADER - Senior kicker/punter from Bonner... Made 23 of 24 extra points... Kicked four field goals, including a 42-yarder... Two years kicking at Bonner: Punt average 38.5...Longest was 75 yards and school record against Passaic Tech...Rutgers and Fordham are interested...Used to play soccer...
JASON JOY - Senior punter from Upper Darby... Averaged 40 yards per punt...Upper Darby's punter last two seasons.. Also starts at cornerback, had three interceptions... Could try to make it as a college punter...
RYAN McGOLDRICK - Senior punter/kicker from Carroll... Excellent punter with tremendous leg power at 6-2 and 175 pounds... As a starting cornerback, he 38 tackles and one interception... Broke collarbone in Catholic League Blue Division championship game won by his Carroll team... Plays first base in the spring...
First team defense
JOE TORIELLO - Junior defensive tackle from Upper Darby... Had 25 solo tackles, 32 assisted in nine games.., Missed three games due to injury... Sacked quarterback six times... Played last eason as a sophomore... Tight end on offense, caught 12 passes... Also plays basketball and lacrosse...
CHRIS SFAMURRI - Senior defensive tackle from Upper Darby... Had 28 solo tackles, 48 assisted... Sacked quarterback four times... Starting offensive tackle... Power player both ways... Rhode Island and Villanova have expressed interest in 6-2, 280-pound lineman...
JON DARDINE - Senior defensive tackle from Marple Newtown... Second-leading tackler on team with 65 tackles in 11 games... Led MN in sacks with 7 ½... "I think he's the best inside defensive lineman in the county,'' said MN head coach Pat Clark. "Not many people could run right at us because of John''... Played some offensive tackle... Also plays lacrosse... Will probably play Division III football...
JUSTIN HANRAHAN - Senior defensive end from Springfield... Missed three games with broken back... Had 23 solo tackles, seven assisted in seven games... Starting center until he broke back... Two-year starter at defensive end... Also had 4 1/2 sacks, 6 ½ tackles for loss... Came up with two fumble recoveries...Made a big difference in the 8-to-10 plays after coming back from injury in late October...Division I lacrosse prospect, may play Loyola of Baltimore...
OMAR EMMENS - Senior defensive tackle from O'Hara... Stands 6-3, 250 pounds... Captain and one of leading tacklers on team.. Being recruited by Division I and I-AA schools... Runs a 4.9 40... Division I interest coming from Northwestern and Maryland... Good student... Two-year starter... First-team All-Catholic...
JAMES RODERICK - Senior defensive tackle from Carroll... Had 76 tackles in 13 games...Four sacks and "best defensive lineman in Catholic League Blue Division'' says Carroll head coach Dan Bielli...A legitimate Division I prospect at 6-2, 260 pounds...At fullback: 206 carries for 1,089 yards and 12 touchdowns... Power runner with enough speed to break away... Scholarship offer from University of Pittsburgh...All-Catholic first team on defense, second team offense...
JOHN LACHMAN - Junior defensive end from Carroll... Two-way player, a tackle on offense... Had eight sacks and 52 tackles in 13 games... Has nose for football... Able top contain and apply pressure at same time...Relentless weight room worker... Leadership qualities...
CASEY ROSS - Senior defensive end from Bonner... Had 65 tackles, two forced fumbles and recovered one...Sacked quarterback four times...Three-year starter... Honorable Mention All-Catholic... Stands 6-1, 230 pounds... Has 1450 SATs, getting Ivy League interest, including Harvard...
DUSTIN LOGUE - Senior defensive tackle from Penn Wood... Had 21 tackles (42 assists) in 11 games... At 6-0, 235 pounds, lifted a lot of weights to get stronger... Also played tackle on offense, improved blocking... Division II prospect...
JUSTIN PERACHIO - Senior linebacker from Marple Newtown... Team's leading tackler with 75... Second on team in sacks with five...Three-year defensive starter... Also started at running back, leading rusher with four yards per carry... Exceptionally quick defensively... Looking at Division II for football...
DAN PLANK - Senior linebacker from Springfield... Had 102 tackles, seven for loss.. Recovered fumble for TD against Conestoga...Also started at guard... Started all 33 varsity games at Springfield...Very athletic at linebacker, his pursuit is excellent... Lacrosse standout... May play lacrosse or football, or both, in college...
JOE O'SHEA - Junior linebacker from Springfield... Had 113 total tackles, 5 ½ for loss... Also came up with two sacks and two fumble recoveries... Started at offensive tackle, moved to center when Hanrahan broke back...He doesn't complain; he just plays,'' says Springfield head coach Mike Heath. "He accepts responsibility for mistakes...'' Will be Cougar captain next season...
VINCE NATALE - Senior linebacker from Haverford... Played outside linebacker... "Pound for pound, our toughest player,'' says head coach Joe Gallagher... Second leading tackler on team... Known for hitting hard...Excellent on special teams...Starting halfback on offense... Will compete for starting spot in baseball...Looking at Williamson Trade School or Division III...
COREY CANNON - Senior linebacker from O'Hara... Stands 6-2, 210 pounds.. One of four team captains... Very good student (1200 SATs)...Runs a 4.8 40... Leading tackler on team, averaged seven... Two-year starter... Had15 tackles at Absegamie (New Jersey) - he practically shut that team down in second half,'' recalls head coach George Stratts...
A.J. DiMATTEO - Senior linebacker from O'Hara... Played outside LB... Runs a 4.8 40.,. Has 1,130 in SATs... Two-year starter and second-team All-Catholic... Had key interception against St. Joseph's Prep, returned it 60 yards, leading to a field goal...Averaged six tackles per game.. Also plays lacrosse... Division III prospect...
MATT ASCIUTTO - Senior linebacker from Bonner... Had 68 tackles in 11 games... Two fumble recoveries... Two-year starter... Tremendous run stopper... Stands 5-10, 215 pounds... Lacrosse player... as well...
MARTEL GAINES - Senior linebacker from Penn Wood... "The heart and soul of our team,'' says coach John Leary...Team captain... Offensive and defensive leader...Leading PW tackler with 62 (42 assists)... Three-year starter as linebacker, two at nose guard... Nose for the ball... Division II or II prospect...
CRAIG HAYWOOD - Senior defensive halfback from O'Hara... Second-team All-Catholic at defensive halfback..."Best cover kid we have,'' says head coach George Stratts...Looking at William & Mary, Northwestern... Honor student and officer on student council... Quarterbacked first time this year... Separated shoulder and missed three games, came back from injury and shut down Ryan's top receiver... All-Catholic high jumper... Starting point guard on basketball team...
CHRIS ECCLES - Senior safety from Bonner... Two-year starter... Had 34 tackles and five interceptions... Plays guard on basketball team, lacrosse in spring... Will play lacrosse in college, maybe University of Vermont or Marist College...
FRANK NUNAN - Senior cornerback from Bonner... Had 24 tackles and four interceptions... Was kickoff return man, averaged 31.4 per return... From split end: caught 14 passes for 320 yards and two TDs... Played QN early because of injuries to others... Point guard on basketball team and center fielder on baseball team... Division I interest in baseball...
DAVE PASCIOLLA - Senior cornerback from Bonner... Had 42 tackles, two fumble recoveries and five interceptions... Second-team All-Catholic... Charged with covering best receivers... Good speed... Also plays outfield on baseball team... Getting interest from Division I schools...Good student...
MARK NELSON - Senior safety from Penn Wood... "Quarterback of our defense, called our coverages on the field, says head coach John Leary...Had two interceptions and many pass break-ups.. Outstanding hitter with 28 tackles (12 assists)... Division II or III prospect...
Second team offense
DENNIS DUNN - Junior quarterback from Upper Darby... Threw for 1,285 yards and 10 touchdown passes in 12 games... Transfer from Bonner... Strong arm... Pitches on baseball team...
MATT GOUGH - Junior fullback from O'Hara... Gained over 500 yards... Power runner and very good blocker and receiver... First year starting...
STEVE JUISTI - Junior fullback from Upper Darby... Rushed for 513 yards in 12 games.... Superb blocker and can read holes... Inside linebacker on defense with 18 solo tackles, 31 assisted...
TOM DiVIETRO - Senior running back from Bonner... Carried 40 times for 250 yards...Scored four times, including 80-yard TD run... Transfer from Upper Darby High... "Probably our hardest working kid,'' says Bonner head coach Mike (Stumpy) Coyne...Looking at Williamson Trade School...
JASON SCHATZ - Junior wide receiver from Springfield... Led Cougars with 36 receptions for 479 yards and six TDs...Played safety, had 37 total tackles and led secondary with three interceptions... Lacrosse standout... Nicknamed Spider due to long arms and big hands...
PAT MULKERN - Junior wide receiver from Springfield... Had 33 receptions for 406 yards and four touchdowns... First year varsity player... Outstanding student, straight A average ... Known for running smart routes, knows where defense is going...
SEAN BARKSDALE - Sophomore wide receiver from O'Hara... Bench presses over 300 pounds at 6-1 and 185 pounds..."We expect him to be a very good receiver for us in the future,'' says coach Stratts... Great hands and speed...
KEVIN CROWDING - Senior center from Penn Wood... Very sound blocker with superior technique...Pulls and traps on occasion... Made line calls...Two-year starter at center... Also team punter with 31.2 average... From defensive end, made 11 tackles (15 assists)... Also plays baseball...
JOHN YOUNG - Senior center from Marple Newtown... Two-year starter at center and linebacker... "He really sets a lot of our blocking schemes. He's consistent week in, week out,'' says coach Clark. "He takes a lot of hitting and leads by example...Plans to major in engineering in college...Has 1,200-plus SATs...
RYAN LANE - Senior offensive tackle from Haverford... Two-year starter...Excellent one-on-one blocker... Stands 5-11, 235 pounds... May go to Williamson Trade School...Also plays baseball...
ERIK BURLING - Senior punter/kicker from Marple Newtown... Two-year starter...Also starts at running back and linebacker... Consistently kicked off inside 10-yard line... Averaged 33 yards per punt... Season's highlight: scored only TD of game and a kicked a 27-yard field goal to account for all the points in MN's 10-0 shutout of Penn Wood... Had 31 tackles at linebacker and rushed for two TDs...
CHRIS SPINOSA - Senior punter from Springfield... Converted soccer goalie, first year of football... Punted 53 times, averaged over 35 yards... Stands 6-1 and 210 pounds... Wants to continue punting career in college...
Second team defense
DOUG SHAFER - Senior defensive tackle from Upper Darby...Had 20 solo tackles, 46 assisted... Three batted balls and three quarterback sacks... Two-year starter... Going to West Chester University...
ROBERT BROWN - Senior defensive end from Penn Wood... First year starting, also played guard on offense... Improved through weightlifting...Had 15 tackles (23 assisted)...Outstanding pass rusher with four sacks in 11 games... Likely Division II or III player...
PAUL SIGNORA - Junior linebacker from O'Hara...Great run stopper at inside linebacker... Due to team injuries, had to play some fullback... Plays baseball in spring...
MIKE CUTONE - Senior linebacker from Carroll... Had 55 tackles, three sacks, two interceptions and one fumble recovery in 13 games... Two-year starter at LB... Made first-team All-Catholic this year, second team last year... Crisp tackler at 175 pounds...May play Division II or III football...
MITCH YANAK - Senior linebacker from Carroll... Two interceptions and fumble recovery in 20-9 season-ending victory over Shanahan...In previous game, he made first career interception during Catholic League Blue Division title victory over West Catholic... Had 65 tackles in 13 games...Great preparation for season, watches lots of film... Two-year starter..."When the other teams comes out of the huddle, he calls the formation,'' says Carroll head coach Dan Bielli...
PAUL RAMBO - Senior linebacker from Carroll...Two-year starter and captain... Had 78 tackles, one sack, one interception and one fumble recovery... Played second half of season with high ankle sprain...
FIDEL MYERS - Junior linebacker from Penn Wood... Transfer from Alabama... Great quickness and speed... Played at 5-8 and 165 pounds... Flies to the ball...Had 18 tackles (14 assists)... Hopes to wrestle at Penn Wood...
KEITH MUHAMMAD - Senior linebacker from Penn Wood...Had 21 tackles (25 assists)...Two-way starter, also played running back: rushed for 262 yards...On offense, primarily used as a blocking back from I formation... Division II prospect...
MATT LIVOY - Junior safety from Upper Darby... Had four interceptions... Made12 solo tackles, 29 assisted... Nine pass deflections... Two-year starter... Pitcher on baseball team...
DAN WARD - Senior safety from Marple Newtown... Two-year starter... Third leading tackler at Marple Newtown with 58... Intercepted one pass... "He set all our coverages and was our defensive leader,'' says coach Clark... Split time at fullback and scored two touchdowns...Runs indoor and outdoor track... Looking at Division III schools for football...
CHRIS SMYTH - Senior safety from O'Hara... Two-year starter... Tough an aggressive... Hopes to play Division III football...Plays lacrosse...
GAVIN GOANE - Senior cornerback from Springfield... Finished with 61 tackles, 2 ½ for loss...Knocked down seven passes and intercepted one... Receiver on offense: had 26 catches for 200 yards and one touchdown...First-year player, became a two-way starter... Varsity standout in lacrosse and basketball... "Fierce competitor,'' says coach Heath...'' Looking at Ursinus and other schools...
DARRYL BARNETT - Junior cornerback from Penn Wood... Doubled as a quarterback and running back when needed... Threw for 10 TD passes... Projected slotback next season...From defensives backfield, he had one interception with 18 tackles (12 assists)... Outstanding baseball player, but didn't try last year...
