Moody ranks as area's top defensive end

This week, crossing over to the other side of the ball and beginning our defensive-player rankings, we rank the best pass-rushing and run-stopping ends in Southeastern Pennsylvania.

Next week, staying on the D-line, we'll review the area's best tackles and nose guards.

Here is our top-10 list of ends.

1. Justin Moody, George Washington, senior, 6-foot-3, 270 pounds. Opponents try their best to run away from this Division I-A recruit, who is expected to choose from among California, Pittsburgh, Purdue, Syracuse, and Temple.

Moody, who doubles as an offensive guard, has accepted an invitation to play in the Semper Fidelis All-American game, scheduled for Jan. 4 at the Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif.

2. Curtis Cothran, Council Rock North, Sr., 6-4, 230. Cothran, a late bloomer headed to Penn State, has bench-pressed 345 pounds, power-cleaned 270, deadlifted 500, and back-squatted 415.

3. Nelson Lee Lucas-Murphy, Downingtown East, Sr., 6-2, 220. The Robert Morris recruit helped the Cougars nailed down the top seed in the PIAA District 1 Class AAAA playoffs.

4. Sema'j Reed, Haverford School, Sr., 6-7, 270. Reed, also a bruiser on the hardwood, has scholarship offers from Fordham and Lafayette. Cincinnati, Maryland, and Temple are also involved.

5. Mike Staples, Radnor, Sr., 6-4, 260. Staples, also a force at offensive tackle, has a scholarship offer from Bryant. He has drawn interest from Harvard, Princeton, Cornell, and Lehigh, too.

6. Brandon Waller, Haverford High, Sr., 6-3, 245. It was a big blow for the Fords when Waller, ticketed to Richmond, went down in Week 1 with a season-ending knee injury.

7. Hezekiah Trahan, Roman Catholic, Jr., 6-4, 235. This up-and-comer, likely to wind up in the Division I ranks, regularly beats blocks to make plays.

8. Dan Riordan, Malvern Prep, Sr., 6-1, 225. Riordan, also solid as an offensive lineman, has been a rugged and consistent playmaker for the Friars.

9. John Dubyk, Pennridge, Sr., 6-2, 225. A versatile performer for the Rams, who have won eight straight games, Dubyk is hearing from the likes of Monmouth and Wagner.

10. Jon Naji, La Salle, Sr., 6-2, 240. Naji, also productive for the Explorers at tight end, earned first-team all-Catholic League Class AAAA honors on defense.

Twenty others to watch, listed alphabetically: Dante Addona, Episcopal Academy, Sr., 6-0, 220; Colin Biggs, Unionville, Sr., 6-3, 200; Sean Boylan, Archbishop Ryan, Jr., 6-4, 205; Evan Butts, Episcopal Academy, Jr., 6-4, 215; Luke Carrezola, Neshaminy, Jr., 6-3, 225; Ryan Coonahan, La Salle, Jr., 6-0, 185; Vittorio Goggins, Bok, Sr., 6-0, 225; Pete Kirlin, Haverford High, Sr., 6-0, 205; Vince Marra, Springfield (Delco), Sr., 6-1, 215; Dalton Mayberry, Garnet Valley, Sr., 6-0, 190; Kevin McCormack, Central Bucks West, Sr., 6-0, 200; Mike McDermott, Central Bucks South, Sr., 6-1, 212; Zameer McDowell, Spring-Ford, Sr., 6-5, 220; James Mooney, St. Joseph's Prep, Sr., 6-1, 210; George Shipp, North Penn, Sr., 6-1, 220; Tyler Smith, Archbishop Wood, Sr., 6-0, 230; Sykeem Steward, Pennsbury, Sr., 5-10, 220; Khyree Thomas, Academy Park, Jr., 6-0, 165; Dominic Toney, West Catholic, Sr., 6-3, 243; Shane Williams, St. Joseph's Prep, Sr., 6-2, 205.

Class AA playoffs. For the second time in the last three seasons, District 1 will not be represented in the PIAA District 1-12 Class AA subregional playoffs.

Lower Moreland or New Hope-Solebury was expected to represent District 1. But because of Hurricane Sandy, the regular-season finale between the Bicentennial Athletic League rivals had to be pushed back a week.

"We had to make a decision based on the best interests of the two teams," New Hope-Solebury coach Jim DiTulio said. "We weren't able to practice until Friday. And we only had 19 kids [of 39 varsity players] show up."

In an all-District 12 tourney beginning next weekend, with sites and times to be determined, No. 1 seed Imhotep Charter will face No. 4 Prep Charter, and No. 2 West Catholic, the defending champ, will go against Conwell-Egan.

Last year, Springfield (Montco) represented District 1 in the subregional playoffs. After beating Imhotep in the semifinals, the Spartans bowed to West Catholic, 28-7, in the final.

Bob Ruoff, executive secretary for the PIAA's District 1, said he expects the Class AA subregional format, with District 1 gaining at least one berth, to be in place again next year.