40th season for Malvern's 'Gamp'

by Ted Silary

GASPARE "Gamp" Pellegrini finds it hard to believe that someone in this country, John McKissick, of Summerville, S.C., is now in Year No. 55 as a high school football coach.

Hey, it's hard enough for him to believe he will start his 40th season, all in succession, this Saturday when his Malvern Prep squad visits Chester.

"Yeah, I know it's 40 years, but I don't think about it much," Pellegrini said, laughing. "I don't want to think about it. When I do, I get tired.

"I have a beach chair now at practice. For the first hour, my assistants run stuff and I just wander around and think about which kids might look good in other positions; how it's all going to fit. Sometimes, I sit and watch."

The game has certainly not passed Pellegrini by.

Last year he steered his 28th Malvern team to a 10-1 overall record and an 18th Inter-Ac League championship (he earlier coached at long-gone St. Thomas More, 1967-69, and then at St. Joseph's Prep, 1970-77), and a repeat would not raise eyebrows.

However, as many as three other teams - Penn Charter, Episcopal Academy and back-in-the-saddle Chestnut Hill Academy - appear to have similarly legitimate chances and that should make for a wonderful season.

Pellegrini is glad to welcome back two star linemen, Paul Ostick (6-4, 270 pounds) and Rob Bates (6-3, 240), and is thrilled with junior quarterback Ryan Nassib.

"He could be one of the best QBs we've had since ancient times," Pellegrini said. "He's got a gun. Really hums the ball. And Joe Hoban can really go get it. On defense as well as offense. A real ballhawk.

"I like this team. I'm really looking forward to getting started."

Ditto for PC coach Brian McCloskey.

"My whole staff has commented on what a joy this group is," he said. "They're together and fun to coach."

And, yes, they can play, mostly because of veteran lines headed by the likes of Drew Fullen, Ryan McGarvey and Richard White.

Episcopal coach Bill Gallagher, who expects big things from junior rusher Bobby FitzPatrick, loves the on-paper look of this year's I-A.

"You have to show up for all the games," he said. "Most years it's dominated by Malvern and/or PC. They're not going to walk through the rest of us this year.

"We'll see how our line does, but our skill people are as good as anybody's."

CHA, a longtime Independence League power, is returning to I-A football competition for the first time since 1972, when insufficient numbers forced an early end to the season.

Lineman Wayne Crawford (6-3, 295) and back Tyler Ahrenhold are being eyed by recruiters.

"Our football program is proud to be back in such an historical league," coach Rick Knox said. "We know it's a step up with more physical demands. We think we can actually compete."

For now, Germantown Academy (under rookie coach Luke Harris, an alumnus fresh from 10 years as a college assistant) and Haverford School likely will have to mark time as title-race outsiders.

GA does boast the league's top returning rusher, Alex Holcombe, one of those rare workhorses who's also quite athletic.

RETURNING ALL-INTER-ACS
(Selected by Coaches)
FIRST TEAM OFFENSE
  Alex Holcombe, Germantown Academy, RB.
FIRST TEAM DEFENSE
  Paul Ostick, Malvern Prep, L; Drew Fullen, Penn Charter L; Luke Miller, Episcopal Academy, L; Joe Rauchut, Penn Charter, LB; Dan Gillespie, Episcopal Academy, LB; Bobby FitzPatrick, Episcopal Academy, B.

THUMBNAILS
CHESTNUT HILL ACADEMY
Coach: Rick Knox, 2nd year (also Episcopal, 2001-04); Education: Chestnut Hill, Penn. Career: 21-17; 7-2 at CHA.
Last year: not in league; 7-2 overall.
Great eight: Wayne Crawford, G-DT, 6-3, 295; Tyler Ahrenhold, RB-DB, 6-foot, 180; Rashad Campbell, RB-DB, 5-8, 165; Don Houck, C-DT, 6-2, 270; Mike Mattei, QB, 6-1, 175; Tim Gramlich, T-DT, 6-2, 260; Mike Lonergan, Rec.-DB, 6-2, 180; Mike Wismer, Rec.-LB, 5-10, 185.
Happy about: experience, excitement level.
Concerned about: meeting greater challenge.
Knox's comment: "If things fall into place, we can have a good year."
EPISCOPAL ACADEMY
Coach: Bill Gallagher, 2nd year (also Chestnut Hill, 1973-80; Penn Charter, 1981-91 and 1993-94; Springfield Montco, 2004); Education: Judge, Notre Dame. Career: 135-59-4; 6-4 at Episcopal.
Last year: 2-2, 3rd; 6-4.
Great eight: Bobby FitzPatrick, RB-DB, 5-11, 180; Andrew Kissner, RB-LB, 5-10, 195; Dan Gillespie, LB, 6-1, 205; Dan Hilferty, QB-DB, 5-11, 180; Luke Miller, G-DE, 6-4, 210; Sean Cohen, Rec., 6-2, 210; Tom Mulligan, C-DT, 6-3, 255; Matt Byrne, Rec.-LB, 5-10, 180.
Happy about: defense, skill players.
Concerned about: offensive line.
Gallagher's comment: "With good offensive line play, we have a legitimate shot."
GERMANTOWN ACADEMY
Coach: Luke Harris, 1st year; Education: Germantown Academy, Dickinson. Career: 0-0.
Last year: 0-4, 5th; 0-7.
Great eight: Alex Holcombe, RB-LB, 5-11, 195; Charlie Taft, QB-DB, 6-foot, 165; Addison West, Rec.-LB, 6-4, 190; Joe Razzano, G-DE, 6-2, 195; Joe Zubkoff, Rec.-DB, 6-1, 185; Ed Logan, T-NG, 5-11, 250; Joe Conaway, T-DE, 6-2, 215; Kevin Doty, RB-LB, 6-3, 215.
Happy about: intensity, defense.
Concerned about: having so many two-way starters.
Harris' comment: "If we avoid injuries, we can be very successful."
HAVERFORD SCHOOL
Coach: Michael Murphy, 2nd year; Education: Quakertown, East Stroudsburg. Career: 3-7.
Last year: 1-3, 4th; 3-7.
Great eight: Fred Ferro, RB-DB, 6-1, 180; Chris Aitken, Rec.-DB, 6-1, 205; Frank Sweeney, G-LB, 6-foot, 210; Andrew Hubley, T-DE, 6-2, 220; Chris Ryan, Rec.-DB, 5-11, 160; Blaise Butler, 6-5, 210, 6-5, 210; Joe Dougherty, C-NG, 5-11, 250; Josh Eife, Rec.-LB, 6-foot, 180.
Happy about: senior leadership, enthusiasm.
Concerned about: inexperience at key positions.
Murphy's comment: "We want to compete for four quarters every game."
MALVERN PREP
Coach: Gaspare "Gamp" Pellegrini, 29th year (also St. Thomas More, 1967-69; St. Joseph's Prep, 1970-77); Education: St. Thomas More, Delaware. Career: 251-141-9; 192-83-8 at Malvern.
Last year: 4-0, 1st; 10-1.
Great eight: Paul Ostick, T-DE, 6-4, 270; Rob Bates, G-DE, 6-3, 240; Alex Forte, RB-LB, 6-foot, 195; Joe Hoban, Rec.-DB, 6-3, 170; Matt Bernier, DB, 6-2, 185; Ryan Nassib, QB, 6-2, 205; Chris Layne, RB, 5-8, 160; Jim Downey, G-DT, 5-11, 230.
Happy about: both lines, versatility.
Concerned about: mixing in new starters.
Pellegrini's comment: "I'm excited about this team."
PENN CHARTER
Coach: Brian McCloskey, 12th year (also Penn Charter, 1992); Education: Penn Charter, Ursinus. Career: 67-38.
Last year: 3-1, 2nd; 7-3.
Great eight: Joe Rauchut, RB-LB, 5-11, 180; Sean McNally, RB-LB, 5-11, 190; Brian Teuber, Rec.-DB, 6-1, 185; Richard White, T-DT, 6-2, 275; Drew Fullen, C-DE, 6-1, 180; Ryan McGarvey, G-DE, 5-11, 215; Je'Ron Stokes, Rec.-DB, 6-foot, 185; Ed Bambino, QB-DB, 5-9, 165.
Happy about: line depth, chemistry.
Concerned about: adjustment of new-style QB.
McCloskey's comment: "We have a chance to be entertaining."