Smith: This Delco season has been one to remember
With Thanksgiving right around the corner, three Delaware County teams remain alive and well in the District 1 playoffs. The Central League’s Garnet Valley, Marple Newtown and Springfield are vying for titles and state playoff berths.
Next week, the traditional Turkey Day bowls take place between Interboro and Ridley, Upper Darby and Haverford, and Sun Valley and Chichester.
As the 2017 season winds down, it’s time for our annual analysis of the Delco season by the numbers.
1 Win by The Haverford School. Traditionally one of the top programs in Delaware County, the Fords stumbled to a 1-9 record. It was a trying year for coach Mike Murphy and his players. The Fords captured league championships from 2013-15 and last fall finished 7-3 overall. The 2017 campaign marks Haverford’s poorest season since it posted a 1-10 record in 2006.
3 Quarterbacks who have started for Garnet Valley this year. Sophomore Ryan Gallagher was thrust into action following seasonending injuries to Ryan Hamby and Cole Palis. In last week’s stunning comeback win over North Penn in the second round of the District 1 Class 6A tournament, Gallagher scored on a two-point conversion run to put the Jags up with 46 seconds to play in the fourth quarter. Gallagher has handled the postseason pressure with great poise.
4 Defensive touchdowns scored by Springfield’s Ja’Den McKenzie. It’s also the number of interceptions the senior running back/ linebacker has piled up this season.
6 County-leading interception total for Haverford High’s Jordan Mosley. The Maryland recruit has excelled at safety and linebacker for the Fords (83). Mosley is also one of the best wide receivers in the county. He broke the school record for most receiving yards in a career, and has 48 catches for 853 yards and nine touchdowns this fall.
20 Touchdown runs for Episcopal Academy’s DeeWil Barlee. The junior was the heart and soul of EA’s offense and never missed a down in the defensive secondary. He capped a brilliant season last Saturday with 200 yards and four touchdowns to lead the Churchmen to a 35-21 victory over The Haverford School.
28.1yards Average per catch for Penn Wood’s Kennedy Poles. One of the most electrifying talents in Delco, Poles wrapped up an amazing junior season ranked first among receivers in yardage (1,181) and touchdowns (14). Poles had the fifth-best single-season receiving performance in county history. It’s worth noting that Marple Newtown’s Dash Dulgerian, with 1,108 yards, has a chance to surpass Poles’ receiving total.
36 Takeaways by Springfield’s defense. The Cougars’ penchant for creating turnovers is a big reason why they captured the Central League championship and remain undefeated as they prepare to host Upper Dublin in the semifinal round of the District 1 Class 5A tourney. Eight Springfield players have at least one interception. 66.1of Percentage completions by Springfield quarterback Jack Psenicska, which is tops in Delaware County. A first-year starter, the junior has been stellar for the Cougars, who are two wins shy of the program’s first district title. Psenicska has thrown for 21 touchdowns and only four interceptions.
170.24Passing efficiency rating for Penn Wood quarterback Desman Johnson Jr.. That is good for first in Delco. The sophomore, who debuted as a freshman in 2016, earned All-Del Val League honors this year as he guided the Patriots to their first conference title since 2010. Johnson Jr. ended a spectacular sophomore campaign with 2,225 yards and 20 touchdowns. Career coach300ing victories for Strath Haven’s Kevin Clancy, the winningest coach in Delco history. Clancy reached the milestone in memorable fashion when kicker Emmet Young made the game-winning field goal to lift the Panthers past Bishop Shanahan in the opening round of the District 1 Class 5A playoffs.
683yardage Rushing for Marple Newtown’s Marlon Weathers ... over his last three games. The junior tailback has been sensational down the stretch for the Tigers. He posted back-to-back 250-plusyard outings before last week’s 170-yard performance in a win over Upper Moreland. Thanks to his late-season surge, Weathers ranks first in Delco in rushing with 1,488 yards and 21 scores.
1,132yards Rushing produced by Upper Darby quarterback Josh Gouch. It’s believed to be the most yards by a quarterback in county history. Springfield’s Brian Allen was the previous record holder when he amassed 1,024 yards in 2014.
Total of1,409fensive yardage for Sun Valley’s Julz Kelly. The do-everything junior has been a human highlight reel all season for the Vanguards, who qualified for the District 1 Class 5A postseason for a second year in a row. Kelly has 14 rushing touchdowns and two receiving scores. Kelly’s 8.0 yards per carry is tops among those county rushers with at least 100 attempts.
6,944passing Career yardage — and counting — for Marple Newtown All-Delco Anthony Paoletti, who became the county’s all-time passing leader earlier this season. On the way to leading the Tigers to the District 1 Class 5A semifinal round, the University of Delaware recruit has thrown for 2,263 yards and 21 touchdowns.