2016 Team Preview – Upper Darby (1)

Written by: David Mika on Monday, August 1st, 2016. Follow David Mika on Twitter.

Head Coach: Rich Gentile

Assistant Coaches: Eric Ruffenach, Brad Gilbert, Dennis Keegan, Chris Root, JD Johannson, Tony Lerro, Skip Barnes, Chris Barnes, Shawn Quinn, Sean Pickett, Anthony Maggitti

Team Name: Upper Darby Royals

2015 Record: 10-3. The 2015 team won the school’s first state playoff game against Council Rock North.

2016 Schedule:

Key Starters Lost: Isaiah Bruce (West Chester), Shawn Page (Bloomsburg), Christoff Minott (Lycoming), Brandon Morton (Lock Haven), Dane Burke (Widener), Calvin Fielding (East Stroudsburg), Naijquan McKenzie (East Stroudsburg), Zeno Temple (Western New England), Tyler George (Lycoming), Scott Mellet (Wesley), Tyheim Dodson (Cheyney)

Key Starters Lost continuing their education: Mazan Malak, Justin Durbin

Offensive Starters Returning: (1) Sr. OT James King, 6-5, 267

Defensive Starters Returning: (3) Sr DT James King, 6-5 267 (50 tackles last year), Jr. DT Derrick Korboi, 5-11, 269 (8 sacks and 19 tackles for a loss last year as a sophomore) , Sr. SS Prosper Saydee, 5-11. 165 (109 tackles last year)

Key Newcomers: Sr. QB Nate Rimel,5-10, 175, Jr. CB/WR Nasir Greer,5-9 ,160 , Sr. DE/FB Jeremy Keita,5-11, 222 , , Sr. DE/WR Obadiah Asare,6-3, 195, Sr. DL/OL Evans Cabral III,5-11, 300, Sr. S Isaiah McClain,5-8, 155, Sr. WR Sean Burke, 6-0 155, Jr. RB/CB Quaran Davis,5-8, 170, Jr. SS Khalil Brown,6-0, 175 , ,Jr. Jalen Camille, OLB/WR, 5-10, 166, Jr. OL/MLB Richard Tougeekay,6-1, 217,
Jr. OL Dan Snyder,5-11 ,264 , Jr. RB/DB Ricky Dehdeh,5-8,165 , Jr. DB Jihaad McDonald, 6-0,170, Jr. OL Nick Kurko,6-0, 250

2016 Outlook:

Offense: The Royals are losing 10 of 11 starters on an offense that produced 32 points per game and had leading rusher Isaiah Bruce shatter county records. The 2016 Royals have great size and speed all over the field. The offensive line will average 6-2 250 lbs while the skill positions will rely on speed and explosiveness. Graduating talent will not be an excuse for the 2016 Royals. They hope to keep their success from last year and will depend on a host of underclassmen to do so. The Royals look to start 6 underclassmen on offense this year but will be led by Seniors Nate Rimel, James King, Sean Burke, Obadiah Asare, and Evans Cabrall III.

Defense: The Royals strength this year will be the Defensive Line. With 5 contributors (James King, Derrick Korboi, Jeremy Keita, Obadiah Asare, and Evans Cabral III) returning up front, and 14 sacks between them last year, the Royals hope to control the line of scrimmage and hurry the quarterback. Behind the stout Defensive Line is speed and aggressiveness at the linebacker and defensive back positions. Like the offensive side, the defense will depend on 6 underclassmen.

Special Team: Special Teams will be aggressive and will look to get big plays out of the return game.

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