Football: The All-Delco Teams

Congratulations to the Central League Football players named to the All Delco Teams.

First Team Offense

David Bertoline, Marple Newtown: The senior quarterback and leading passer in Delco had a stellar career for the Tigers. A three-year starter, Bertoline passed for 2,311 yards and 23 touchdowns this season. His performance helped the 10-3 Tigers reach the quarterfinals of the District 1 Class 5A tournament. He completed 65 percent of his attempts. He ended his career with 5,452 yards, 46 touchdowns and a 64 completion percentage. His career yardage ranks fourth in Delco history and third in Marple lore behind Tigers coach Chris Gicking (5,897) and Anthony Paoletti (6,944). Bertoline is committed to play lacrosse at High Point.

Mike Turner, Springfield: The senior running back was a workhorse in his first season as the Cougars’ No. 1 running back. A candidate for Player of the Year honors, Turner was the focal point on offense throughout the Cougars’ 11-2 campaign. The second-leading rusher in Delco accumulated 1,463 yards and 17 touchdowns. He ran for 197 yards in a 20-7 win over Marple Newtown in the District 1 Class 5A quarterfinals and did everything he could in the Cougars’ loss to Strath Haven in the semifinals, amassing 128 yards and a score. The All-Central League selection also had one kick return for touchdown.

Khameen Powell, Ridley: The senior wide receiver was among the most feared playmakers in Delco. A three-year starter, Powell scored 22 touchdowns (16 receptions, five rushes, one kick return) in 2023. Ridley had trouble finding ways to get him the ball in the first month of the season, but Powell eventually got his touches and made defenses pay. He totaled five TDs in the Green Raiders’ first win, a 55-26 trouncing of Lower Merion. He ended the season as the county’s top pass catcher with 951 yards en route to earning All-Central League honors. In addition, Powell garnered All-Delco distinction for a second consecutive year.

Andrew Kirlin, Marple Newtown: The senior lineman was the biggest lineman in the Central League and his outstanding performance helped the Tigers enjoy a 10-win campaign and advance to the District 1 Class 5A quarters. The 6-6, 290 pound tackle was named to the All-Central League first team. He is garnering interest from several Football Championship Subdivision programs.

Gus Bryan, Springfield: The senior lineman was undoubtedly the most unique character in Delco, a force of nature who led with his voice and play. A mean and talented two-way tackle, Cougars coach Chris Britton called Bryan “the best lineman in the league and a team leader.” Bryan received the most points of any lineman in All-Central League voting. Bryan allowed no sacks on 85 passing attempts and was a huge reason why the Cougars accumulated 3,163 yards on the ground and won a share of the Central League championship.

Bill Brown, Strath Haven: The senior tackle was the anchor of the best offensive line unit in the county. Due in large part to the 6-5, 300-pounder’s dominance, the Panthers earned a share of the Central League championship and captured the program’s 13th District 1 championship under legendary coach Kevin Clancy. With Brown bullying defenders, the Panthers’ run offense accrued a staggering 4,087 yards and 52 touchdowns.

First Team Defense

Mike Miller, Springfield: The senior defensive end was the top player at his position in the Central League and a key reason why the Cougars won a share of the league title. Miller recorded 47 tackles, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, 5.5 sacks and 16 TFLs. Springfield coach Chris Britton said: “He would project to 90 tackles if we left him in the game. Best DE in the league.”

Nate Romano, Springfield: The junior linebacker was an impact player on both sides of the ball for a Cougars team that finished 11-2 and advanced to the semifinal round of the District 1 Class 5A tournament. The 6-2, 215-pounder registered 74 tackles and 3.5 sacks, but was frequently pulled in the second half due to the lopsided nature by which the Cougars won the majority of their games. Springfield coach Chris Britton said Romano projected to have 140 tackles and is garnering interest from several Division I schools. As a bruising fullback, Romano ran for 830 yards and 14 touchdowns, the thunder to All-Delco running back Mike Turner’s lightning.

Connor Kelly, Ridley: The junior linebacker was a constant for a Green Raiders team that endured ups and downs in 2023. A fierce competitor who has a nose for the ball, Kelly amassed 111 tackles q(11 per game) on the way to earning All-Central League accolades. Ridley’s team leader on defense also had 16 tackles for loss, nine sacks, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and one interception. He also excelled at fullback and in the receiving game.

Marco Kaufman, Strath Haven: Nobody wrapped up more often and with better efficiency than Kaufman. The senior middle linebacker was one of the team leaders and MVPs for the District 1 Class 5A and Central League champions. Kaufman recorded a county-leading 160 total tackles, including 7.5 for loss. As one part of the Panthers’ three-headed monster at running back, the All-Central League selection ran for 666 yards and six touchdowns. He also had four catches for 47 yards and a TD. Kaufman’s 23-yard touchdown run sealed the Panthers’ win over Garnet Valley Oct. 7, the first Jaguars loss to a Central League opponent in six years.

Tyler Lassik, Garnet Valley: The senior quarterback/defensive back is All-Delco for his all-purpose exploits. After battling through injuries early in the season, Lassik became a star in the latter half, guiding the Jaguars to a share of the Central League championship and a trip to the second round of the District 1 Class 6A tournament. Lassik threw for 955 yards and nine touchdowns with a 65 completion percentage. He added 437 yards and six TDs via the run. As one of the top corners in Delco, Lassik had 24 tackles, two interceptions, five passes defensed and three fumble recoveries. He was selected to the All-Central League team as a defensive back.

Second Team Offense

RB – Brian Box, Jr., Marple Newtown
RB – Shane Green, Jr., Strath Haven
TE – Cole Miller, Sr., Strath Haven
OL – Dylan Bledsoe, Sr., Garnet Valley
OL – Jack McGowan, Sr., Marple Newtown
OL – Jackson Geremia, Sr., Strath Haven

Second Team Defense

DL – Jahi Curtis, Sr., Strath Haven
DL – Kamar Perlote, Sr., Upper Darby
LB – Matt Malley, Sr., Penncrest
DB – Paul DeFruscio, Sr., Marple Newtown
DB – Chris Dolan, Jr., Springfield
AP – Jaylen Johnson, Jr., Upper Darby

Honorable Mention

Quarterback: Liam Taylor (Haverford), Ryan Carroll (Ridley), Matt Szychulski (Radnor), Ryan Whitaker (Springfield), Jake Kitchin (Strath Haven)

Running Back: Ronnie Leraris (Garnet Valley), Matt Ferry (Penncrest), Alante Smith (Ridley)

Wide Receiver: Dante DeVuono (Garnet Valley), Alex Gillan (Marple Newtown), Trey Saviour (Marple Newtown), Mikey Enright (Radnor), Tucker Graham (Radnor), Milan Jernigan (Upper Darby)

Offensive Line: Max D’Antonio (Garnet Valley), Alex Klee (Haverford), Jason Bennett (Marple Newtown), Tristan Blair (Penncrest), Ben Kauffman (Penncrest), Kolby Poole (Penncrest), Billy Bair (Ridley), Alex Gaskill (Radnor), Carter Law (Strath Haven), Will Leuthold (Strath Haven), Gavin Pilson (Strath Haven), Tommy Wetling (Upper Darby)

Specialist: Josh McMenamin (Marple Newtown), Luke Moyer (Marple Newtown), Tommy Abdel-Latif (Ridley), Sean Williams (Springfield)

All-Purpose: Kai Lopez (Garnet Valley), Luke O’Donoghue (Garnet Valley), Brett Wolski (Marple Newtown),

Defensive Line: Aidan Bendo (Garnet Valley), Massimo Iavarone (Garnet Valley), Quinn McGloin (Haverford), John Daddario (Marple Newtown), Jacob Eck (Marple Newtown), John Belveal (Radnor), Ryan Johnston (Springfield), Jahi Curtis (Strath Haven), Vince Hales (Strath Haven)

Linebacker: Chase Britton (Garnet Valley), Nick Romaniello (Garnet Valley), Luke Vaughn (Garnet Valley), Buddy Coacher (Haverford), Nate Shoemaker (Haverford), Dom DiLuzio (Marple Newtown), Lionel Dunbar (Radnor), Mason Shieh (Radnor), John Tinney (Ridley), Ethan Marshall (Springfield), Sean Henry (Strath Haven), Zahir Burch (Upper Darby)

Defensive Back: Nolan Carroll (Garnet Valley), Luke Mingioni (Garnet Valley), Keith Heinerichs (Haverford), Ty Can (Marple Newtown), Bryce Cohen (Radnor), Dillon Varney (Ridley), William Velazquez (Ridley), Brian Delaney (Springfield)