2019 Team Previews: New Hope-Solebury Lions (1)

Written by: David Mika on Saturday, August 10th, 2019. Follow David Mika on Twitter.

Head Coach: Jim Ditulio

Assistant Coaches:

Joe Goodman- Def. Coordinator
Dale Smith- OL/DL
Allen Carson- RB/DL
Gary Basford- WR/DB
Jake Zolna- WR/DB, Strength &Conditioning

Team Name: New Hope-Solebury Lions

2018 Record: 9-3

Twitter: @nhs_lionsfb

Hudl Highlights:

Key Starters Lost:

John Mangan- OL/LB
Topher Taylor- OL/DL
Pat Cooney- TE/LB
Pat Tangradi – WR/DB
Charles Bray- OL/DL
John Flavin- WR/DB
Dan Khouri- LB

Offensive Starters Returning: (5)

Jr. QB Phil Weinseimer, 6’2″, 190
Sr. FB Tom Raupp, 5’8″, 190
Sr. HB Mike Borys, 5’10”, 155
Sr. OT Connor Fitzgerald, 6’1″, 225
Sr. OG Zach Griffiths, 6’1″, 245

Defensive Starters Returning: (4)

Sr. LB Tom Raupp, 5’8″, 190
Sr. FS Mike Borys, 5’10”, 155
Sr. DE Connor Fitzgerald, 6’1″, 225
Sr. DT Zach Griffiths, 6’1″, 245

Special Team Starters Returning: (1)

Jr. P Chris Kolen 6’2″, 190

Key Newcomers: (11)

Jr. OG/DE Dan Flavin, 5’11”, 220
Jr. OT/DT Charlie Honer, 6’2″ 265
Sr. C/DE Mike Les, 6’2″, 200
Jr. TE/DE Chris Kolen, 6’2″, 190
Jr. LB/OG Tanner Richmond, 6’0″, 175
So. OL/LB Jude Hutkin, 5’10”, 175
Jr. RB/LB Joey Capriotti, 5’10”, 165
So. WR/DB Dylan Hildbrandt, 5’8″, 140
Jr. WR/DE Evan Davidson, 6’2″, 180
So. WR/DB Sean Cooney, 5’11”, 160
So. WR/DB Santino Waschbusch, 5’11”, 160

Key Stats:

2018 BAL Champions (3 year in row)
4,929 Total yards of Offense
2,862 Rushing yards
1,667 Passing yards
Pat Cooney named 3A Coaches All-State TE
Topher Taylor Mini-Maxwell Aware Recipient

2019 Offensive Outlook: Phil Weinseimer had an incredible year in 2018. He set the school season passing record last year. This year he will have new targets to throw to. In order for him to have the same consistency as last year our young guys will have to step up. Dylan Hildebrandt, Evan Davidson, Chris Kolen and Mike Borys will look make big contributions in the passing game. In the run game, Both Mike Borys and Tom Raupp both return. They both combine for over 1000 yards rushing last season. Joey Capriotti who got his first career start in the playoffs will look to contribute significantly in 2019. Up front we have Connor Fitzgerald and Zach Griffiths returning. Both are All-League Players. Connor will be moving outside to tackle this season. Dan Flavin and Charlie Honer, who have started 10 games over the last two seasons between the two of them will become full time starters this season. Mike Les and Jude Hutkin will also play significantly on the line this season.

2019 Defensive Outlook: Defensively, we will be really young this season. We were hit hard with graduation. Up front we have the most experience. Connor Fitzgerald and Zach Griffiths both return. Charlie Honer who started 2 games at DT last season returns. Dan Flavin, Mike Les and Chris Kolen will also look to contribute significantly as well. At Linebacker, Tanner Richmond, Jude Hutkin, Joey Capriotti and Tom Raupp. In the secondary, Mike Borys will lead a talented group of sophmores in Dylan Hildebrandt, Sean Cooney, Santino Washbusch. We will also be using Phil Weinseimer’s athleticism this season on defense. He will start at one of our corner positions.

2019 Special Teams Outlook: Chris Kolen will do punting duties once again. We need to find a Kicker.