Williams, Session, Beaty at forefront of the Friars’ success
The All-Delco defense includes:
Mylachi Williams, Bonner & Prendergast: The junior caused havoc at defensive end all season for the Friars, who won the Catholic League Blue Division and District 12Class 4A titles. At 6-5, 210pounds Williams was unguardable in one-on-one situations and routinely found himself making tackles in the backfield. Williams flourished on a defense that allowed only 11.8 points per game. An All-Catholic League selection, Williams posted 68tackles, 12sacks, 28 tackles for loss, five passes defended and one interception.
Elijah Beaty, Bonner & Prendergast: The senior defensive back was the star of the Friars’ secondary. Beaty earned AllCatholic League honors for a team that allowed only 12.4 points per game. He played a huge role in helping the Friars tie the school record for most wins in a season (11). A shutdown cornerback, Beaty led the PCL Blue Division with 14passes defensed. He also finished with 32 tackles and two interceptions.
Kieran Gallagher, Garnet Valley: The senior was a key cog on the offensive and defensive lines for the Central League and District 1Class 6A champions. Gallagher (6-0, 250) did the dirty work on defense, oftentimes facing double teams to allow Jaguars linebackers to attack the line of scrimmage. Thus, Gallagher didn’t have the most gaudy statistics, registering 35tackles and three tackles for loss .Coach Eric Van Wyk called Gallagher the “keystone to the defensive line.” He was named to the All-Central League team on defense. Gallagher was a starting guard for an offensive line unit that averaged 288yards rushing per game.
Strath Haven’s Sam Milligan, right, drops Springfield’s Bryan Minott during a game between the teams in November.
Bill Brosko, Haverford School:
The senior defensive tackle had a memorable season for the Inter-Ac League champion Fords, who finished with a 10-0record. The 5-10, 280pounder racked up 72tackles, three sacks and two fumble recoveries on the way to earning co- MVP honors in the Inter-Ac. In addition to his excellence on the gridiron, Brosko is a three-time All-Delco wrestler and considered one of the best heavyweights in the state.
Isaiah Session, Bonner & Prendergast: The junior linebacker was the headliner of the Friars defense. The Catholic League Blue Division MVP helped the Friars win the District 12Class 4A title and advance to the PIAA semifinals. He was the secondleading tackler in the PCL Blue Division (70) and ranked first in tackles for loss with 30. The 5-10, 170pounder also racked up five sacks and three fumble recoveries. As the Friars’ No. 2 running back Session produced 344yards and 12touchdowns.
Noble Thompson, Chester: The senior linebacker is a two-time All-Delco. As the leader of the Clippers’ defensive unit, Thompson recorded 81tackles, including eight for loss, one sack and a fumble recovery. The All-Del Val League honoree was Chester’s leading rusher with 552 yards and four TDs. His performance on both sides of the ball enabled the Clippers to win the Del Val title outright for the first time in 25years and a District 1playoff game for the first time in program history. Drew Van Horn, Garnet Valley: The senior linebacker was a playmaker on both sides of the ball for the Jaguars, who finished 13-1 and advanced to the PIAA Class 6A semifinal round for a second year in a row. An All-Central League selection, Van Horn posted 51 tackles, including eight for loss, two sacks and two fumble recoveries. He was the primary target for quarterback Matt Mesaros in the passing game, hauling in 21 catches for 532yards and nine touchdowns. Van Horn will play baseball at Misericordia University,
where he was recruited to play football as well.
Louie Atkinson, Haverford School: As the Fords enjoyed a perfect season for the first time since 2015, the senior linebacker performed a huge role. A standout on the top scoring defense in Delco (10.1ppg), Atkinson compiled 122tackles, one sack and a fumble recovery. Atkinson (6-2, 205) registered 15tackles in the Fords’ 21-19victory over Episcopal Academy to win the Inter-Ac championship. He was selected to the All-Inter-Ac first team.
Jack Westburg, Garnet Valley:
The senior is the third of three Westburg brothers to shine for the Jaguars in recent years.
Like Nick and Alex, Jack was an excellent defensive back for the Central League champions. He was the captain of the secondary as a safety, Westburg had 53tackles and a pair of fumble recoveries. On offense, Westburg ran for 337yards and six TDs and made 16catches for 220yards and three scores. He scored the game-winning touchdown in overtime in the Jags’ 30-27 decision over Spring-Ford in the District 1Class 6A tournament.
Amir Byrd, Radnor: The senior was one of the most explosive players in the county and the definition of an all-purpose threat. He had close to 600 yards rushing and more than 300 yards receiving, returned kicks and punts, and was a lockdown cornerback for the Raptors, who earned a berth in the District 1 Class 5A tournament. Byrd was named to the All-Central League first team as a running back and second team as a defensive back. He has an offer on the table from Lock Haven University.
Sam Milligan, Strath Haven:
The senior was the heart of a Panthers team that won a share of the Central League title and advanced to the semifinals of the District 1Class 5A tournament. Milligan was the starting quarterback and leader of the defensive secondary in each of the last two seasons and guided the Panthers to a district title last year. While unable to play quarterback due to a hand injury early this season, Milligan remained a force on defense and was an interception machine. He eventually returned to his role as QB1 in Haven’s runheavy Wing-T offense, rushing for 632yards and 10touchdowns. The All-Central League selection recorded six interceptions, 61 tackles, one forced fumble and two punt/field goal blocks. Milligan will continue his football career at Bucknell University. Khameen Powell, Ridley: The junior athlete was a factor on offense, defense and special teams for the Green Raiders, who finished 8-4overall. Powell was named first team All-Central League after catching 45balls for 715yards and 11touchdowns. He added 227yards rushing and has been the top kick and punt returner in Delco since his sophomore year. Powell produced more than 1,500 all-purpose yards. As a cornerback he often blanketed the opposing team’s top wide receiver.