Interboro favorite to win Del-Val League

There is a different tone from Interboro High coach Steve Lennox this year, a chord striking something other than the familiar lament that his Bucs aren't very big. Not the they-don't-have-enough-speed spiel the veteran coach usually likes to put out there. Lennox is the most successful coach in Delaware County, guiding the Bucs to 15 Del-Val League championships, including a current streak of 12 straight.

Gone was Lennox' faux we-can't mode, trying to convince anyone willing to listen that the Bucs might be lucky to win a game. Not so much this year. There was a ring of optimism in his voice. And there should be.

Lennox returns possibly one of the best teams he's ever had at Interboro, which went 12-1 last year and reached the PIAA District 1 Class AAA championship, losing to Pottsgrove, 28-21. The Bucs will be large, versatile and experienced in key areas, and have the kind of tough, no-holds-barred senior leadership Lennox likes.

"One of the reasons we were so successful last year was because we had great senior leaders, a great group who were a team, a real team," Lennox said. "This year, I think that attitude will carry over again. We're going to have a lot of interchangeable parts, and I'm going to have one of the biggest teams I've ever had here. We have more size and speed than what we normally have. We won't lose anything when we change some things. And you may be hearing something from me that you'd never expect to hear this time of year - but I am expecting good things this year. I like this team and I like their attitude."

But Lennox stressed the importance of his team staying unselfish and grounded. He also knows the league is better, much better, than it has been in the past.

"I don't think our league gets any respect at all," Lennox said. "I'm aware of how good Penn Wood, Chester and Glen Mills are, and Jason Vosheski has done a great job at Academy Park. Every game will be tough. We're capable of beating every team on our schedule, but every team on our schedule is capable of beating us. We have to keep things grounded and not think too ahead of ourselves. I have tough kids who expect to win. It's just harder staying on top."

The league has taken on a minor facelift, with Ryan Smith taking over at Chichester and Chuck Crews the new coach at Chester.

"I didn't think Interboro, last year, was going to be any good, and you saw what they did. That's why it's Interboro and the Four Pips until some other team comes up and proves otherwise," Crews said. "What coach Lennox does and what his program has done, you can't question. You know what they're going to do. You just can't stop them."

The Bucs return a formidable senior nucleus that includes Adam Smith (Sr. QB/DB, 6-1, 170), Zach McMenamin (Sr. OL/DL, 5-11, 225), Chris Long (Sr. FB/LB, 5-9, 175), Mitch Helmandollar (Sr. DB/WR, 6-1, 180), Felix Ortiz (Sr. OL/DL, 6-0, 240), Neil Casey (Sr. OL/DL, 6-1, 245) and Joe O'Mara (Sr. TE/DL, 6-2, 205).

If any team will push the Bucs, it's Penn Wood, which returns possibly the most fearsome player in Delaware County in Penn State-bound defensive end Shawn Oakman, a 6-9, 250-pound terror who had 17 sacks last year, and linebacker/fullback Kavonne Nottingham, who was among the area's leading scorers. Together, they are the keystone of one of Delaware County's best defenses. Patriots coach Sam Mormando may throw some wrinkles into his offense, playing anywhere from three to five different players at quarterback.

At Academy Park, Vosheski will have back his largest and quite possibly his best team ever. The Knights return Joe Richburg (Sr. RB/LB, 5-8, 190), AJ Hyatt (Jr. OL/DL, 5-11, 225), Jeremiah Lowery (Jr. OL/DL, 6-3, 240), Matt Ruggear (Jr. OL/DL, 6-3, 230), Mark Doe (Jr. WR/DB, 5-9, 170), Carl Coleman (Sr. QB/DB, 6-0, 175), and George Thompson (Sr. TE/DL, 6-4, 250).

Crews has back Evon Hyles (Sr. OL/LB, 5-10, 260), Anthony Davis (Sr. WR/DB, 5-11, 175), Da'Ryn Harris (Sr. QB/LB, 5-11, 190) and Martin Turner (Sr. WR/DB 6-1, 150) at Chester. Smith will look toward Dominick Scavicchio (Sr. RB/LB, 5-9, 215), John Gillespie (Sr. QB/DB, 6-2, 195), Rashaun Swain (Sr. DB/RB, 5-11, 210) and Frank Freeman (Sr. OL/DL, 5-8, 235) at Chi, in making the Eagles competitive.

Devon Johnson (Jr. RB, 5-8, 170) and James Green (Jr. QB 5-10, 175) are the key players back for Glen Mills coach Kevin Owens, who sees a different slant in the Del-Val League: "Penn Wood should be on the top of the league, with [Oakman] going to Penn State, and they always do a nice job, and you never can count out Interboro."

This marks the first year Delco Christian will be playing varsity football, after playing a junior varsity schedule last year. The Knights will play their home games at Marple Newtown, and coach Jim Favino will be looking to Kalin Wilson (Sr. DB/OL, 6-2, 200), Bob Hegman (Sr. DL/OL, 6-0, 270), Colin Lynam (Sr. DL/TE, 6-0, 195) and Jake White (Sr. LB/P, 6-0, 195) to carry the team in its first season. *

American Division (small school): Sun Valley will count on key players Bill Hudson (Jr. QB/DB, 6-0, 165), Rob Montella (Sr. OL/DL, 6-0, 230), Frank Wendling (Sr. OL/DL, 6-3, 255), Anthony Okoorian (Jr. WR/DB, 5-10, 160) and Seth Snyder (Sr. OL/LB, 6-0, 215) to turn around last year's 1-11 finish. Coach Mark Possenti revamped his coaching staff and is looking at the defense to carry the Vanguards through the first portion of the season.