A Detailed Look into the 2016 season for Radnor

By: Jack McCaffery

Source: PAPrepLive

RADNOR >> There were three games remaining in Tom Ryan’s ninth season as the football coach at Radnor High when suddenly, and at last, he’d begun to see the results of a long, long drive to fulfillment. 

By then, he was confident that the young Raiders developmental program was humming, prepared to provide years of talented players. By then, he’d been convinced that junior Pat McDermott was a special quarterback. By then, he’d been nicely supplemented by a sturdy coaching staff. And, then, he saw the big bang, a three-game blast to end the season, a 40-12 victory over Strath Haven, a 49-13 follow-up against Harriton and a 34-0 punctuation mark dropped on Lower Merion.

That would make Ryan’s 10th season as anticipated as any at Radnor in a generation.

“We have a high-caliber offense,” McDermott said. “We have a lot of players returning. A great line. Lots of depth. Plenty of players at every position. We have some guys who can do some damage.

“We scored a lot of points last year, and we had a great defense, which meant we didn’t have to score that many. We definitely were able to put up a lot of points last year. Hopefully we can carry the same thing over to this year, and do even better.”

McDermott is 5-10, 185 with a big arm developed via a successful baseball career. As a junior, he threw for 1,376 yards and 15 touchdowns out of Ryan’s efficient multi-threat spread offense. Jack Horvath, who rushed for 1,273 yards and 19 touchdowns last season, is back, along with tight end Charlie Connolly, receiver Kyle Addis, receiver Tucker Ballbach, power runner Naair Williams and running back Ian Henkel. Sophomore Vernon Harper also had an impressive offseason.

“It all starts up front with the offensive line,” Connolly said. “We have great blocking and a great running back in Jack Horvath. We hope to make the playoffs and keep it going from there.”

The Raiders’ multiple weapons will be protected by a veteran line, including center Matt Rigolizzo, guard Matt McCue, guard Joe Riley and tackle Harrison Doane. That should be plenty for a continuation of a show that helped Radnor to the third-most points among District One Class AAA programs last season.

“We have enough for the ball to go around,” Williams said. “We’ll always have a chance to be in the game.”

Ryan, a former receiver at Upper Darby, has built a classic coaching staff, including Dave Bowen, veteran aids Dave Booth and Tony Brigg, strength coach Luke Peterson, program all-timer Chris Sydnor, Mike McCall, Vince Mirarchi, Larry DiSipio and James Hemwall.

“I think we have a great chance this year,” McDermott said. “We have a great defense and a great offense and we can definitely surprise some people.”

As for those who remembered that late-season scoring parade in 2015, they wouldn’t be shocked at all.

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John DeFilippo, a former Radnor quarterback of high achievement, is the Eagles’ quarterbacks coach and spent some offseason time sharing experiences and expertise with the Raiders.

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Radnor is expecting a big year from defensive lineman Isaiah Coates, who had 70 tackles last season, 22 for losses, including four sacks. … Tom Ryan is excited to welcome back running back Ian Henkel, who was injured in the opener last year and missed the rest of the season. … Tight end, receiver and linebacker Charlie Connolly has committed to bringing his 92 mph fastball to Navy. “It presents a multitude of opportunities after college,” the right-hander said. “It is a great career path, I think.”

Connolly does not expect to play football in college, saying, “I think I am a little bit better in baseball.”

Why Radnor will compete in 2016

Points. With depth and experience the Raiders should be able to score plenty. “I think our wide-receiver corps is going to be really good this year,” said Naair Williams, a power back who provided 500 yards and nine touchdowns last year. “Our offensive line is going to be a force to be reckoned with.”

What would hold Radnor back in 2016

Key losses. The Raiders will miss 6-5, 280-pound offensive lineman Colin Bradley, who accepted a full football scholarship to Lafayette and All-Delco linebacker Dario Falcone, who provided 103 tackles as a middle linebacker.

Be on the Lookout

Offensive Player to Watch | Pat McDermott >> The senior splits his athletic interests between football and baseball, as he spent much of his summer thriving with the travel-program Philadelphia Reds. His arm is valuable both in an infield and a backfield. “He is really good,” running back Jack Horvath said. “He is getting more experienced. Every snap he is getting better. He’s got a cannon. That’s his strength. With the experience he gained last year, he is a big-time threat this year.”

Defensive Player to Watch | Zack Wade >> The Raiders will miss All-Delco Dario Falcone, who will play lacrosse at Richmond. But Wade surfaced in the offseason and should thrive at middle linebacker. “It’s a great opportunity,” he said. “It’s a big assignment, but I am really looking forward to it.” Wade impressed the Radnor coaches with his commitment to offseason workouts.