40 Teams in 40 Days – Day 4 – Downingtown West (1)

Written by: David Mika on Thursday, July 25th, 2013. Follow David Mika on Twitter.

Downingtown West (1) 

Conference: Ches-Mont League, National Division

Class: AAAA

Nickname: Whippets

Coach: Mike Milano

2012 Record: 7-4

Returning Players – Offense: Sr. OT Brendan Brady (6-2, 240); Sr. C Jim McNeil (6-0, 235); Jr. OG Sam Drill (6-2, 195); Sr. OG Paul Siever (6-0, 190); Sr. QB Nick Pagel (6-3, 185); Sr. RB Mitch Meleski (5-8, 180); Sr. FB John Reyes (5-8, 175)

Returning Players – Defense: Sr. DL Pat Coyne (6-0, 230); Jr. DL Tom O’Brien (5-11, 235); Sr. MLB Matt Bokovitz (5-10, 185); Jr. MLB Lucas McMahon (5-11, 190); Sr. FS Kyle Goodrich (6-2, 190); Sr. CB Elijah Tinson (5-8, 170); Jr. FS Ryan Schmitt (5-8, 170); Sr. DL Gabe Hale (6-0, 200)

Special Teams: “We lost our all-league kicker Nick Caruso from last year. We have a junior that has been his protege for a couple of years. His name is Brandon Bowler. He has a strong leg. Nick Pagel is our punter. We have a battle at kick/punt returner.”

Top Newcomers: So. OT/DT John West (6-3, 220); Jr. QB Tyler McNulty (5-11, 170); Sr. TE Dion Lattanzi (6-1, 205); Sr. WB Derrick Boyer (5-11, 185); Sr. DL Hunter Wilson (6-0, 200); Jr CB Alex Harlow (5-10,170); Jr. CB Jason Borosky (6-0, 175); Jr. K Brandon Bowler (6-1, 155); So. RB Braden Harper (5-11, 190)

 

Coaches comments:

How’s your offensive line look?

“We have two returning starters on the offensive line. They are OT Brendan Brady and C Jim McNeil. We have three positions open on the line. Our guards are going to be Sam Drill and Paul Siever. The other tackle will be a sophomore, John West.”

 

Is there a battle at your quarterback spot?

“We have our quarterback back. His name is Nick Pagel. But he is being challenged. We have a rising Junior. His name is Tyler McNulty. Nick is more of a option quarterback and McNulty is a natural thrower. It’s a good competition this summer. Nick is the incumbent, but Tyler has really worked hard.”

 

How’s your running game look this year?

“We have returning at running back, Mitch Meleski. The fullback is back, John Reyes. My wingback will be a senior, Derrick Boyer. He is a fast kid. Another kid that will get some looks is Braden Harper.”

 

How do your receivers look?

“We are moving Dion Lattanzi from linebacker to tight end. The split end position is wide-open.”

 

How’s your defensive line?

“We have two returning starters coming back on the line. They are Pat Coyne and Tommy O’Brien. Gabe Hale is back. He started two games last season before getting hurt. Hunter Wilson will get some playing time.”

 

How are your linebackers this year?

“We have two returning players at linebacker with Matt Bokovitz and Lucas McMahon. The other linebacker that would have been back is Lattanzi. But we moved him to tight end. The third linebacker spot is up for grabs. We have four kids battling for that spot.”

 

How’s your secondary look?

“At secondary is free safety Kyle Goodrich and cornerback Elijah Tinson. At the other safety spot is Ryan Schmitt. He started three of four games for us last year. Alex Harlow will be competing for a spot and Jason Borosky.”

 

“On offense we are certainly not big. Having an experienced quarterback is a huge plus. We have speed. On defense we have a lot of returning starters and we were real solid last year. I think the strength of our defense is experience at the front seven.”

 

“We play a tough non-league schedule and it’s important to get off to a good start. Last year we were 7-3 and got into the playoffs as the 15 seed and lost to a undefeated 2 seed on the road by 3. We felt like we played our best game at the end of the year. It was a real confidence builder for our kids.”

2013 Schedule

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