First-year coach Dalessio has talent to work with
EWING >> With an ace staff recently bolstered by Western Pennsylvania linebacker coach Darren Basich, the Ewing High football team enters the season with a sense of optimism in Matt Dalessio first-year at the helm.
An outstanding player for the powerhouse Cherokee program where he was also a state champion in the shot put, Dalessio inherits a team that went 6-4 a year ago and was one touchdown away from winning two others.
Although Ewing is not exactly a complete package, it does have some obvious strengths to go along with a solid 80 players in its program.
“We’re going to try to platoon as much as we can,” said Dalessio, who previously served as an assistant coach at Ewing in a variety of positions. “We are getting a lot done in a short of period of time. The kids are presenting themselves well.”
Expect Ewing to once again have a strong running game led by two tailbacks in senior Ricky Francois and junior Gabe Abel. The Blue Devils will also have double-barrel action at quarterback with junior Matteo Rodriguez and sophomore Tariq McKinney.
“They both have earned their positions and playing time,” said Dalessi of his quarterbacks. “Abel is more of the scat back type, but both he and Ricky run the ball well.”
When its not running the ball, Ewing has two senior wide receivers in Rafael Torres and Bryce Simms who have the speed and moves to get open.
For it all to work Ewing’s inexperienced offensive line will have to come around, although it does have a leader in that unit in three-year senior starting center Mike Abelowitz.
“We’re young along the offensive line, but they have picked up our schemes well,” said Dalessio. “They move fast. We are confident in that unit.”
Ewing has a young secondary as well, but this group may very well prove to be one of the biggest strengths of the team. The lone senior is Taih Harris, who will be joined by sophomores Kenrick Davis, Kyle Stokes and Mekhi Gibson.
“The sophomores in the secondary are ready,” said Dalessio. “We also feel good about the rest of our defense.”
This includes senior linebackers Parris Wright and Zyaire Glanton, who both move well and are physical run stoppers.
Another plus is a capable kicking game with Matt Hedrick, who will handle both the place kicking and punting duties.
Once again Ewing has a tough schedule. It starts with an away game against Notre Dame and includes six games against Burlington County competition.
The Blue Devils face only three teams in Mercer County, so its final record might not be a true indication of where it actually stands in the local pecking order.