HAVERFORD >> Nick DiIorio is the biggest of Haverford High’s starting defensive linemen, even if he’s as lean as a Slim Jim.
“Let me give you the physical stats,” coach Joe Gallagher said after practice Wednesday, turning the pages of Haverford’s program book. “He’s the big guy at 6-2, 205. And this is notable because of the way they’re playing.”
DiIorio is the engine. The lone returning starter on the D-line from last season’s Central League championship squad, DiIorio has made the others around him better. Rookie varsity starters Kevin Odgers (5-9, 185), Tyler Kimble (6-2, 190) and Pat Boyle (5-8, 190) have flourished along with DiIorio, the veteran of the bunch.
“We’re not overwhelming anybody with gigantic size,” Gallagher said. “But they’re solid kids in that 180-190 (pound) range. Not gigantic, but they’re very quick and they’re very strong, I’ll give them that. And that’s really the key, the quickness and the strength.”
DiIorio’s play has earned rave reviews. In his 24th season at Haverford, Gallagher called DiIorio one of the best he’s coached. That’s high praise.
“He’s playing as good as any defensive lineman has ever played for me. Period,” Gallagher said. Coming into the year, DiIorio focused on becoming a faster and more efficient defensive player.
“I tried to get quicker off the ball, in general. I also wanted to work on my pass rush and get to the quarterback a little bit quicker,” he said. “I definitely think I have quickness to my advantage, and I try to use that as much as possible.”
DiIorio has registered a handful of sacks and tackles for a loss for the Fords (2-2), who look for their third straight win Friday night when they host Strath Haven (2-2). Since their surprising season-opening setback at Chester, DiIorio and the Haverford defense have allowed just seven points in their last three contests. Those seven points were given up in the fourth quarter against Ridley in Week 2.
“There’s definitely been a big change. It starts at practice, where we realized that we’ve got to step it up,” DiIorio said. “The Ridley game (in Week 2, a 7-0 loss), we only let up the seven points, the one touchdown, and that was (late) in the game. We realized that we want to give up less every game. The last two weeks, with the shutouts (over Conestoga and Penncrest), that’s because we’ve been really working hard in practice and taking it one game at a time.”
Gallagher knew it would take time for his offense, under sophomore quarterback Jake Ruane, to hit its stride. Sure enough, Ruane and the Fords offense have been impressive over the last two weeks.
Click HERE to read the full article.