Mike Ewing, Eric Van Wyk, Kyle Yeiter get their shot as head coaches

The high school football season is here.

Nearly every Delco team is in action this weekend. The exceptions are Episcopal Academy and The Haverford School, which open next Friday, and Delco Christian, which starts the following week..

This Friday marks the head coaching debuts of Cardinal O’Hara’s Mike Ewing, Garnet Valley’s Eric Van Wyk and Radnor’s Kyle Yeiter.

There are some intriguing interleague matchups between Delco schools on the docket. Let’s take a look at the schedule.

Friday

Souderton at Haverford, 6

The Fords look to build upon a 5-7 campaign under second-year coach Luke Dougherty. They feature one of the county’s top quarterback-wide receiver tandems in seniors Jimmy Wright and Ethan Mahan.

Souderton went 6-4 a year ago and, like Haverford, was blown out in the first round of the District 1 6A playoffs. Jared Zimmerman returns at quarterback.

Ridley at Crestview (Fla.), 6

The Green Raiders travel to northwest Florida to play the Bulldogs, who were 6-4 last fall. Ridley advanced to the semifinals of the District 1 6A playoffs and finished 12-3 overall. Wide receiver Khameen Powell is a big playmaker for a new-look offense quarterbacked by sophomore Ryan Carroll.

Senior running back Jason Jones ran for 13 touchdowns last season for Crestview.

Upper Darby at Bonner-Prendergast, 7

Senior Montez Ellis is a dual threat for the Royals, who finished 2022 with a 6-5 record and wins in four of their last five games.

The Friars move on without reigning Catholic League MVP and All-Delco running back Mason Peterson, who led them to two straight trips to the PIAA Class 4A tournament. Avery Hankey and Isaiah Session could get the bulk of the carries this year.

Springfield at Cardinal O’Hara, 7

Quarterback Jake Rama and lineman Tyler Klambara lead a Cougars team that struggled to a 5-7 record last fall. Bryan Minnott will be the No. 1 running back.

The Lions start fresh with Ewing, who was previously the offensive coordinator at Ridley and Academy Park. The team was 3-6 a year ago. Two-way lineman Edmund Wisseh and linebacker John Shelton are players to watch.

C.B. West at Garnet Valley, 7

Van Wyk, an All-Delco in his heyday for the Jaguars, takes over for the legendary Mike Ricci after spending 10 years on Ricci’s staff. GV captured the District 1 Class 6A title and has won 34 consecutive Central League games. All-purpose threat Drew Van Horn is one of the few returning starters from last year’s team that won 14 games and lost to St. Joseph’s Prep in the state semifinals.

Strath Haven at Interboro, 7

The Panthers begin the journey to repeat as District 1 Class 5A champions. Senior Sam Milligan is back under center for a team that returns 10 starters including senior fullback Anthony Crawford.

The Bucs should be much-improved after going 3-9 in Dennis Lux’s first full season as head coach. Senior Abu Kamara is arguably the best returning running back in the county.

Sun Valley at Penncrest, 7

The Vanguards lost eight straight games to end the 2021 season, finishing 2-9 under first-year coach Ernie Ellis. Senior wide receiver Brendan Dougherty has big play potential and senior Todd Harper will lead the running game.

The Lions are rebuilding their program under Paul Graham, who took over midseason in 2021 following the departure of Ryan Smith. The team finished 1-9. Graham previously head coached the Lions from 2017-10. Senior quarterback Sean O’Donnell will begin his first season as the starting quarterback.

Boys Latin at Marple Newtown, 7

Junior quarterback Dave Bertoline is a three-year starter for the Tigers, who were 9-4 last season. Junior tackle Andrew Kirlin (6-6, 300) is garnering Division I interest. Sophomores Brian Box and Paul Defruscio, among others, will share the duties at running back.

Sophomore Semaj Carmichael was a 1,000-yard rusher for Boys Latin last season.

Saturday

West Phila. vs. Radnor at Springfield, 10 a.m.

The Raptors, who played all of their home games in 2021 at neutral sites, hope to return to newly renovated Provost Field sooner than later. Seniors Tommy DeShan and Amir Byrd give the Raptors plenty of speed in the receiving game. Radnor went 3-8 last year.

The West Philly Speedboys were 2-6 last year, which included a 34-6 loss to Chester.