Inter-Ac FB Thumbnails, 2010

Inter-Ac Football Preview/Thumbnails, 2010

Malvern Prep favors being the favorite in Inter-Ac
By Ted Silary
Daily News Sports Writer

AMONG THE MANY things Kevin Pellegrini learned from his father was how to see the big football picture.

So, at preview time, you won't hear him asking reporters to pick anyone but Malvern Prep to win the Inter-Ac League championship. Nope, you'll hear him embracing the favorite's role. And even going beyond that.

"We like being viewed as a program that's always going to compete for the title," said Pellegrini, who last year earned a tri-championship (with a vastly inexperienced squad) in Year 1 as the successor to his wildly productive dad, Gaspare "Gamp" Pellegrini. "We don't just want the Inter-Ac title, though. We want to be one of the best teams in Southeastern Pennsylvania. That's our thought every year. It's not just the players and coaches who want that. The school does, too. We set the bar high, then work to get there."

This year, help is coming from an unlikely source.

In last week's 20-0 nonleague win over Downingtown West, junior Shawn Wilson rushed 19 times for 154 yards and two touchdowns.

You won't find his name on the 2009 roster. Unless you have North Catholic's.

"With North's closing, Shawn was looking for a place with good academics and football," Pellegrini said. "A family member thought of us and I met Shawn at an open house last winter. He's a mature kid and is helping us right away."

Another of Malvern's headliners is two-way back Chris O'Brien, who is committed to North Carolina for baseball (lefthanded pitcher).

The Friars' strongest push likely will come from Penn Charter, which features strong-armed passer John Loughery, the cousin of Atlanta Falcons starting quarterback Matt Ryan.

PC coach Jeff Humble, getting back in the flow after the Sept. 3 birth of his daughter, Sadie, said Loughery is being pursued hard by Princeton and Harvard while Boston College (Ryan's alma mater), North Carolina, North Carolina State, Duke and Temple are among those waiting to make fall judgments.

"One [major college] assistant told me John would have had 150 offers 10 years ago," Humble said. "But now, so many teams use the spread and John's a pro-style QB."

Of the league race, Humble said, "Because so many big stars graduated, we're looking at parity. It should be very competitive."

Said Haverford School coach Michael Murphy: "I'm expecting Malvern to be very strong since they tied for the championship even in their 'rebound' year. It should be a very competitive league beyond that."

Returning all-Inter-Ac players (selected by coaches)
OFFENSE

Lineman: Colin Kelly, CH.

Backs: John Loughery, PC (QB); Carl Walrath, HS (RB), Brian Ruditys, EA (RB).

DEFENSE

Lineman: Jake Richards, PC.

Linebacker: Chris O'Brien, MP.

Inter-Ac League thumbnails
CHESTNUT HILL ACADEMY

Coach: Rick Knox, 6th year (also Episcopal, 2001-04); Education: Chestnut Hill, Penn. Career: 53-26, 39-11 at CHA (fifth year in I-A).

Last year: 4-1, triple tie 1st; 9-1.

Great eight: Colin Kelly, G-DT, 5-11, 260; Danny Gallagher, QB-DB, 6-foot, 180; Brian Dones, WR-DB, 5-7, 145; Bobby Keyes, RB-LB, 6-foot, 200; Corbin Booker, WR-DB, 5-9, 170; Cedric Madden, RB-DB, 5-9, 175; Tyler Hightower, OT-DT, 6-1, 285; Nick Boyle, WR-DB, 5-10, 155.

Happy about: Work ethic, chemistry.

Concerned about: Replacing production, size differential vs. many opponents.

Knox' comment: "Despite big losses, we still think we'll be competitive and surprise some people."

EPISCOPAL ACADEMY

Coach: Bill Gallagher, 6th year (also Chestnut Hill, 1973-80; Penn Charter, 1981-91 and 1993-94; Springfield Montco, 2004); Education: Judge, Notre Dame. Career: 154-79-4; 25-24 at Episcopal.

Last year: 0-5, 6th; 2-8.

Great eight: Brian Ruditys, RB-LB, 5-10, 180; Shane Morrell, WR-DB, 6-3, 190; Ted Gramiak, OT-DT, 6-3, 275; Taylor Wright, QB, 5-4, 190; Scott Rushton, T, 6-3, 230; Chase Seegers, FB-DE, 6-foot, 230; Erik Klein, TE-LB, 6-foot, 205; Khalid Jones, RB-DB, 5-9, 180.

Happy about: Skill players.

Concerned about: Defensive front.

Gallagher's comment: "I could be crazy, but I'm pleased with how we've looked so far. After our injury problems last year, it's nice to look at bodies instead of crutches."

GERMANTOWN ACADEMY

Coach: Luke Harris, 5th year; Education: Germantown Academy, Dickinson. Career: 15-23.

Last year: 1-4, 5th; 3-6.

Great eight: Lamont Jackson, RB-CB, 5-10, 175; Keith Corliss, FB-LB, 6-2, 200; Chuck Boddy, OL-DL, 6-foot, 285; Brian Erb, WR-S, 5-11, 175; Keith Braccia, QB, 5-10, 145; Ryan Crane, FB-LB, 5-9, 190; Ryan Dolan, RB-S, 5-11, 175; Aaron Novak, TE-LB, 6-foot, 190.

Happy about: Nine vets on each side of ball, growing numbers.

Concerned about: Kicking game.

Harris' comment: "If our starters can stay healthy, we should be able to have success. But in a sport like football, that's a big if."

HAVERFORD SCHOOL

Coach: Michael Murphy, 6th year; Education: Quakertown, East Stroudsburg. Career: 23-30.

Last year: 4-1, triple tie 1st; 8-3.

Great eight: Carl Walrath, RB-DB, 5-11, 175; Joe McCallion, FB-LB, 5-10, 185; Nick Craig, RB-S, 5-10, 180; Michael Washington, WR-DB, 5-9, 165; Chris DiBello, C-LB, 5-10, 220; Nick Lombardo, OL-DL, 6-1, 230; Damali Austin, G-NG, 5-10, 235; Vince Garman, QB, 6-2, 170.

Happy about: Skill players, summertime work ethic.

Concerned about: Inexperienced lines, other league teams' size/experience.

Murphy's comment: "What I think we have is potential. Let's see if we can play up to it."

MALVERN PREP

Coach: Kevin Pellegrini, 2nd year; Education: Malvern, Georgetown. Career: 7-4.

Last year: 4-1, triple tie 1st; 7-4.

Great eight: Chris O'Brien, RB-DB, 5-11, 190; Connor Mahoney, OL-DL, 6-4, 270; Sean Mooney, TE-DE, 6-6, 225; John Bradford, C-DT; 6-1, 260; Shawn Wilson, RB, 5-8, 175; JoJo Rava, WR-DB, 6-1, 170; Joe Nilan, FB-LB, 5-11, 205; Bob Scaramuzza, FB, 5-9, 215.

Happy about: Size, experienced defense.

Concerned about: Inexperienced offense.

Pellegrini's comment: "Should be a fun year. Our goal is to get better every week and win the league."

PENN CHARTER

Coach: Jeff Humble, 3rd year; Education: Coughlin (Wilkes-Barre, Pa.), Cortland State (N.Y.). Career: 9-11.

Last year: 2-3, 4th; 5-5.

Great eight: John Loughery, QB, 6-5, 225; Jake Richards, T-DE, 6-3, 270; Cornell Harriott, C-DT, 6-3, 290; Nick Briscella, TE-LB, 6-1, 185; Blair Bodeck, TE-DE, 6-foot, 190; Joey Sankey, WR-DB, 5-7, 155; DeShawn Hollis-Baker, RB-DB, 6-1, 165; Jackson Tamasitis, FB-LB, 5-7, 170.

Happy about: Improved numbers, o-line.

Concerned about: Young receivers' progresss.

Humble's comment: "It's a matter of jelling into a group. There's not a game we shouldn't be competitive in."