Neshaminy football profile Posted: Friday, August 31, 2012 12:45 am OFFENSE QUARTERBACK Tom Kreiling (5-10, 165, Sr.) Hugh Hart (5-9, 162, Sr.) The skinny: Schmidt would like to see one of the QB contenders distinguish himself. The Redskins need to replace the graduated Joe Bianchino (1,147 yards passing, 12 touchdowns last year). WIDE RECEIVER Justin Andrews (5-11, 143, Sr.) Dan Mattioli (5-8, 139, Sr.) The skinny: Andrews is coming off a nice season that saw him catch 26 balls for 316 yards and two touchdowns. RUNNING BACK Nate Hall (5-6, 165, Sr.) Devon Brown (5-11, 169, Jr.) The skinny: Somebody needs to replace the graduated Sean Ulmer (1,276 yards rushing, 13 TDs), who is at Kutztown. OFFENSIVE LINE Alex McKenzie (6-4, 211, Sr.) Ian Waterbury (6-2, 245, Sr.) Duncan Mullin (6-2, 225, Sr.) John Koch (6-0, 234, Jr.)
Dan Johnson (5-11, 227, Jr.) Brendan Byrne (6-2, 232, Jr.) The skinny: None of these linemen are over 250 pounds, but Schmidt likes them. "They're pretty strong. They did good things in the weight room and can all move pretty darn good." DEFENSE & SPECIAL TEAMS DEFENSIVE LINE Luke Carrezola (6-3, 224, Jr.) Alex Nicolas (5-6, 184, Jr.) Dom LaPalombara (5-9, 205, Sr.) Duncan Mullin (6-2, 225, Sr.) Daryl Kennedy (5-8, 250, Sr.) The skinny: Look out for Nicolas, who coaches describe as tough, strong, fast and hardworking. "He's going to be a nice player for us," said defensive line coach Tom Coates. LINEBACKERS Denny Lord (6-1, 209, Jr.) Madeh Cooper (5-11, 195, Sr.) Brian Toal (5-11, 192, Sr.) Steve Olenski (6-0, 190, Sr.) The skinny: Cooper is healthy after missing the last four games of 2011 with an ankle injury. Toal did a nice job filling in for him. DEFENSIVE BACKS Cole Creighton (5-9, 177, Jr.) Nate Hall (5-6, 165, Sr.) Devon Brown (5-11, 169, Jr.) Nick Zaino (5-8, 146, Jr.)
The skinny: Creighton and Brown are returning starters. The 'Skins will miss cornerback Bobby Marterella, who is at Delaware Valley. SPECIAL TEAMS Nick Tucci (5-10, 155, Jr.) The skinny: Tucci, a soccer player, will kick and might punt. "Tucci's good," Schmidt said. "I'm really excited about this kid. His leg has significantly improved." COACH'S PROFILE Head coach: Mark Schmidt Head coaching experience: 17 years Schmidt's record: 139-60 School's record in the last 10 years: 92-31 Last playoff appearance: 2011 Last conference title: 2010 (SOL National) Starters lost: Offense 5 Defense 2 2012 SCHEDULE FRIDAY AT NORTHEAST 6 SEPT. 7 AT HATBORO-HORSHAM 7 SEPT. 14 SOUDERTON 7 SEPT. 21 WILLIAM TENNENT 7 SEPT. 28 AT HARRY S. TRUMAN 7 OCT. 5 CR NORTH 7 OCT. 12 CR SOUTH 7
OCT. 19 AT BENSALEM 7 OCT. 26 ABINGTON 7 NOV. 2 PENNSBURY 7 2011 RESULTS (8-4) NESHAMINY 20, SOUDERTON 13 NESHAMINY 27, HATBORO-HORSHAM 0 NESHAMINY 35, CB EAST 12 ABINGTON 35, NESHAMINY 21 NESHAMINY 26, BENSALEM 0 CR NORTH 17, NESHAMINY 14 CR SOUTH 41, NESHAMINY 17 NESHAMINY 31, HARRY S. TRUMAN 0 NESHAMINY 39, WILLIAM TENNENT 15 NESHAMINY 24, PENNSBURY 7 NESHAMINY 28, UNIONVILLE 0 NORTH PENN 21, NESHAMINY 7 OPPONENT'S VIEW "Neshaminy, year in and year out, is one of the best teams in the area and the state. They've set the standard. They're a great test every year. It's a hard-fought, physical game. Mark and his staff do an excellent job." HITTING THE SLED Headline Grabber Devon Brown, a 5-foot-11, 169-pound junior, will see time at running back, defensive back and could play the wildcat back. He was hurt early last season, but is now playing with confidence. Up and Comer
Alex Nicolas, a 5-foot-6, 184-pound junior nose guard, was one of the players who saw increased playing time a year ago after Neshaminy's drubbing at the hands of Council Rock South. Schmidt said he plays a lot bigger than his size. "He's a really hard-working young man." Strengths & Weaknesses Schmidt likes the fact that many of his key players saw significant action in 2011. There's competition for a lot of spots. The Redskins have good speed. The coach describes the players as hungry to get the season going. Concerns include a somewhat inexperienced offensive line and an unsettled quarterback position. "Eight and four (in 2011) is something we're not happy with. It's not acceptable," Schmidt said. Season's Top Ticket Abington at Neshaminy Oct. 26, 7 p.m. Tom Waring: 215-949-4215; email, twaring@phillyburbs.com