CONCORD >> Danny Guy is a quiet young man who’d rather not talk about his accomplishments on the football field. In other words, he is the prototypical Garnet Valley person and player. Guy embodies hard work, character and selflessness, the three pillars of head coach Mike Ricci’s famous “Oneness” pyramid. The Garnet Valley senior has followed the rules and worked tirelessly to make himself not only a better player, but most of all, a better person.
“We have a bunch of hard-working kids at Garnet Valley and Danny Guy works as hard as any of them,” Ricci said. “The thing that sets Dan apart, on the field, is his relentlessness. It’s his refusal to be tackled, his mentality of ‘Give me the ball because I’m going to give you everything I have when I carry it.’ Coupled with that is his complete selflessness and his sheer excitement and his celebration of success with his teammates.”
Guy was a top running back, alongside fellow classmate, Matt Lassik. Both enjoyed 1,000-yard rushing seasons, in a year where most teams in Delaware County didn’t have one rusher, let alone two, who hit that milestone. But Guy never wants to speak about what he did to help Garnet Valley win football games — a lot of them — this fall. He, like so many of Ricci’s players, does not crave the spotlight. Guy is someone who “carried the team on his back” down the stretch, as Ricci has said, but you would never get Guy to admit to such a thing.
“Dan is very humble and never wants to take any credit,” Ricci said. “He just wants to go out there and do his job. And he does it without opening his mouth. During the course of the season … we have another great running back in Matt Lassik and Matt was a little banged up toward the end of the year. Danny just took over the team and did a tremendous job for us. His refusal to be tackled set the tone for the rest of the team. He upped the level of our overall effort.”
That effort took the Jaguars a long way. While he might not care to admit it, Guy was extraordinary all season. It’s why he is 2017 Daily Times Player of the Year.
OFFENSE
First Team
Anthony Paoletti, Marple Newtown: The two-time All-Delco and record-breaking quarterback battled through a litany of injuries this season. While his overall statistics suffered at times, Paoletti’s drive, determination and reputation as the best quarterback in Delco never waned. As one Central League rival coach bluntly stated: “Paoletti was the best quarterback, period.” Although he had competition from the likes of Penn Wood’s Desman Johnson Jr., Haverford High’s Jake Ruane and Springfield’s Jack Psenicska, all of whom garnered serious first team consideration, Paoletti showed on a weekly basis why he was — with sore knee, banged-up shoulder and all — the cream of the crop at his position. Paoletti shattered Marple Newtown coach Chris Gicking’s longstanding county record for most passing yards in a career, finishing with 6,944 yards. That record-breaking effort came one year after Paoletti became the single-season passing champion with 2,793 yards. In his senior year, Paoletti threw for a county-leading 2,263 yards to go with 21 touchdowns and a 54.2 completion percentage. His 308 passing attempts were, by far, the most in Delco. Paoletti, who earned Mini Maxwell Award honors for his excellence on the field and in the classroom, will continue his career at the University of Delaware.
Marlon Weathers, Marple Newtown: Weathers triggered his inner beast-mode down the stretch, turning a so-so junior season into an excellent one. His performance late in the regular season and in the playoffs helped the Tigers return to the District 1 Class 5A semifinal round for the second year in a row. Weathers was the leading rusher in Delco with 1,544 yards and 21 touchdowns. He racked up 6.1 yards per carry and posted back-to-back efforts of 250-plus yards on the ground. In the Tigers’ first-round postseason victory over Oxford, Weathers carried the team with 258 yards and four touchdowns. In three playoffs contests, Weathers accrued 484 yards and six TDs.
Dash Dulgerian, Marple Newtown: For the second season in a row, Marple Newtown is the home of Delco’s leading receiver. Dulgerian finished 32 yards from tying the county’s single-season receiving record of 1,266 yards previously set in 2000 by Strath Haven great Josh Hannum. The senior did, however, become the county’s all-time record holder in catches in a single season with 82, breaking All-Delco and former teammate Abel Hoff’s record of 72 in 2015. It’s not a coincidence, of course, that arguably the best wide receivers in the county — Hoff, Dulgerian and 2016 All-Delco Cameron Mathes — all played alongside the top quarterback in the land, Anthony Paoletti. This season Dulgerian had 82 receptions for 1,234 yards and seven touchdowns. In the Tigers’ season-opening loss in Florida, Dulgerian became the first Delco receiver in five years to amass more than 200 yards in a game.
Lee Holbert, Strath Haven: Highly respected for his performance as a two-way lineman, the 6-3, 285-pound senior was a stalwart in the trenches for the Panthers, who posted a 6-6 overall record and won a District 1 postseason contest for the first time since 2010. With Holbert showing the way, the Panthers had one of their best offensive seasons since their last district championship team, seven years ago. Holbert’s play at left tackle helped running back Zack Hussein become one of the top rushers in the county. In addition Holbert was a force at defensive tackle, racking up 61 tackles, 11 quarterback hurries and one sack.
Tom Mahoney, Garnet Valley: Year after year, the Jaguars churn out quality offensive linemen and this season was no different. The 6-1, 230-pound senior was the center and anchor of the Garnet Valley O-line. With Mahoney directing traffic, the Jaguars broke the single-season team record for most rushing yards (4,302). Mahoney’s leadership upfront played a large, yet underrated part in helping the Jaguars advance to the District 1 Class 6A final for the second year in a row. Moreover, with Mahoney leading the way, running backs Danny Guy and Matt Lassik both eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark. No other team in Delco boasted two 1,000-yard rushers.
Derek Strain, Springfield: Another outstanding two-way lineman, Strain was a difference maker for Delco’s No. 1 team. As an offensive guard, the athletic 5-11, 210-pound senior helped open running lanes for 1,000-yard rusher Ja’Den McKenzie and protect first-year starting quarterback Jack Psenicska, who passed for more 2,000 yards. Strain’s blocking enabled the Cougars to average 330 yards per game. As a defensive end Strain registered 51 tackles and a sack.
Second Team
QB — Jake Ruane, Jr., Haverford
RB — Zach Hussein, Sr., Strath Haven
RB — Matt Lassik, Sr., Garnet Valley
RB— Kamal Richardson, Sr., Ridley
WR — Alden Mathes, Jr., Marple Newtown
TE — Jon Ricci, Sr., Garnet Valley
OL — Esso Adigwe, Sr., Garnet Valley
OL — Jake Erley, Sr., Garnet Valley
OL — Dan Pennestri, Sr., Springfield
OL — Christan Weber, Sr., Ridley
AP — Josh Gouch, Sr., Upper Darby
SP — Jason Rose, Sr., Garnet Valley
DEFENSE
First Team
Cade Brennan, Garnet Valley: Brennan was a terror at defensive end for the Jags. The 6-4, 235-pound senior combined speed and strength to cause plenty of disruption in the backfield. Brennan led the Jags with three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. A defensive catalyst on a team that advanced to the District 1 Class 6A final for the second straight season, Brennan posted 46 tackles and six sacks. Brennan scored a touchdown on a fumble return in Garnet Valley’s win over Pennridge in the district semifinals.
Derrick Korboi, Upper Darby: A premier pass rusher and run stuffer, Korboi was a dominant force on an underrated Upper Darby defensive unit. For the past two years, Korboi made his mark in the Central League as both an offensive guard and defensive tackle. In helping the Royals to a 6-5 campaign, Korboi racked up 72 tackles, including 41 for a loss, with 10.5 sacks.
Justin Shields, Springfield: The junior was the anchor of Springfield’s tough, no-nonsense defensive unit that wreaked havoc on the Central League. In helping the Cougars claim the Central League title for the third time in four seasons, Shields was disruptive force at defensive tackle in addition to his strong performance on offense at center. A two-time All-Delco, the senior registered 99 tackles and notched a team-high 7.5 tackles. With Shields anchoring the defensive line, the Cougars held the opposition to 10.6 points and 215 yards of offense per game.
Pat Clemens, Springfield: Clemens was a tackling machine for the Central League champion Cougars. On a defense that thrived against some of the top offenses in District 1, Clemens was the star playmaker. Clemens is the next in a long line of great linebackers at Springfield. A two-year starter, Clemens posted an eye-popping 138 tackles in 2017. Moreover, he notched four fumble recoveries and two interception en route to becoming of the premier backers in Delaware County.
Ja’Den McKenzie, Springfield: The senior linebacker is best-known for his exploits as the Cougars’ No. 1 running back the past two seasons. But McKenzie was an excellent two-way player. He registered a county-leading four defensive touchdowns and had four interceptions as a linebacker. McKenzie was among the top rushers in the county with 1,269 yards and 18 touchdowns. In a 42-7 rout of Ridley, McKenzie scored five touchdowns (three runs, one catch and one interception return) and ran for a season-high 249 yards. McKenzie’s all-around stellar play enabled the Cougars to win the Central League title and reach the District 1 Class 5A final for a second straight year.
Nasir Greer, Upper Darby: The senior was an all-purpose standout for the Royals. He earned a reputation for being one of the premier shutdown cornerbacks in the county and often blanketed the opposition’s No. 1 wide receiver. This ability was on display Thanksgiving morning when he limited Haverford’s Jordan Mosley, one of the most talented players in the county, to only one catch. Greer finished with four interceptions and allowed only a handful of catches all season. He notched 95 tackles and five interceptions. At wide receiver, Greer led the Royals in receptions (28), yards (613) and touchdowns (five).
Kyle Long, Springfield: After taking a year off from football, Long returned his senior season and quickly became one of most dynamic players in the county. He excelled in the defensive secondary, registering 51 tackles and two interceptions for No. 1 team in Delco. However, it was his tremendous play as a wide receiver/all-purpose threat that led him to earning First Team All-Delco honors. Long flourished as a wide receiver with 61 catches for 774 yards and 12 touchdowns. An All-American and two-time All-Delco lacrosse player, Long will continue his lacrosse career at the University of Maryland.
Jordan Mosley, Haverford: A two-time All-Delco,. Mosley’s career took off once he transferred from Bonner & Prendergast after his sophomore season. Mosley had one of the best two-year runs by a wide receiver in recent memory. He followed a 996-yard, 10-touchdown junior campaign with 49 catches for 865 yards and 10 touchdowns. Mosley’s prowess as a two-way standout was a major factor in Haverford’s 9-3 season. Midway through the year, he broke the Haverford High program record for most receiving yards in a career. As a hard-hitting free safety, Mosley led Delaware County in interceptions with eight. He will continue his career at Maryland.
Second Team
DL — Richard Moore, Sr., Upper Darby
DL — Griffin Salus, Sr., Garnet Valley
DL — Kyle Tobin, Sr., Marple Newtown
LB — Sean Crowley, Sr., Ridley
DB — Trey Blair, So., Haverford
Honorable Mention
Quarterback: Jack Psenicska (Springfield).
Running Back: Phil Shovlin (Springfield)
Receiver: Luke Cantwell (Marple Newtown), Frank Durham Jr. (Springfield)
Offensive Line: Kyle McCullough (Garnet Valley), Ryan Shomo (Garnet Valley), Kevin Hahn (Marple Newtown), Mike Shelly (Marple Newtown), Anthony Laudicina (Radnor), Tom Bramwell (Ridley), Mike Williams (Upper Darby).
All-Purpose: Caleb Mahalik (Penncrest), Ociele Miller (Ridley), Thomas Foster (Strath Haven).
Specialist: Ryan Meyer (Ridley), Jack Coary (Springfield), Emmet Young (Strath Haven).
Defensive Line: Josh Ciarrocchi (Garnet Valley), Adam Oldrati (Garnet Valley), Pat Boyle (Haverford), Tim Campli (Haverford), Dan Bark (Ridley), Joe Spillman (Ridley), Kevin Deal (Springfield).
Linebacker: Zachary Shankle (Garnet Valley), Jon Klee (Haverford), Bryant Leschak (Haverford), Luke Jelus (Marple Newtown), Chris Chelo (Penncrest), John Cosgrove (Penncrest), Jeff Biancaniello (Springfield), Kyle Addis (Radnor), Ethan Belville (Strath Haven), Ryan Morris (Strath Haven), Justin O’Donnell (Upper Darby).
Defensive Back: Kevin Doherty (Garnet Valley), Chris Mills (Penncrest), Jack Spence (Springfield), Jihaad McDonald (Upper Darby).
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