By Chris Goldberg

Brendan Dawson led his Haverford School team to the Inter-Ac League championship, two wins over Top 5 teams in the national rankings, and a share of the top spot in the final Phillylacrosse.com Rankings. Dan Ellis didn’t win any championships at Coatesville or claim victories over big-name teams, but he did take a third-year varsity program to its first District 1 tournament and a winning league record.

For that, Dawson and Ellis have been named the 2023 Phillylacrosse Boys’ Team Coaches of the Year.

Brendan Dawson, Haverford School

 

Haverford School senior midfielder and co-captain Colin Zeller says Brendan Dawson’s greatest asset as a coach is his ability to build team camaraderie.

“One of the biggest things that separates Coach Dawson is that he’s a super personal guy and is very connected with every single player on the team,” said Zeller. “Coach did a great job of bringing people together and doing things off the field that benefited us as a team.”

It all paid off for the Fords in 2023. Haverford ended a long drought of league championships by claiming its first Inter-Ac League crown since 2017 with a 10-0 mark. The Fords also earned wins – vs. St. Anthony’s (N.Y.) and Georgetown Prep (MD) – over teams that finished among the top 5 in the national rankings. Overall, Haverford School finished 17-3, was ranked among the top 15 teams in the national rankings. The Fords shared the No. 1 spot in the final Phillylacrosse.com Rankings.

“One thing that brought us together was the idea of playing your role on the team throughout the season,” said Zeller. “He brought up (former NBA player) Bill Cartwright and talked about how he played his singular role, but how it affected the (Chicago) Bulls championship team as a whole. All of us took that to heart and played with that mentality. We worked so well together.”

“Coach Dawson helps us adapt to different situations on the field,” added senior co-captain and midfielder Brendan Leary. “There were a lot of key moments in games when we were down, but were able to come back. Coach knew when to call a very timely timeout and he knew how to motivate us.”

The 16-15 win over St. Anthony’s was a highlight of the season. The Friars were ranked No. 1 in the country entering play in a much-anticipated contest. The game went back and forth, but the Fords’ resilience showed.

“We didn’t have much time to prepare, but Coach was always finding ways to get us better and prepared,” said Leary. “He always helps us adapt to different situations on the field.”

Unfortunately for Haverford School, the 2023 season ended with a loss when the Fords fell to Malvern Prep, 9-6, in the Inter-Ac Tournament finale. Many fans remember the final game as a bit of a season/league championship. The Fords were hoping to complete a sweep of the Friars. But the players refused to allow the loss to diminish what was achieved.

“Going 10-0 in the Inter-Ac and getting those wins over top-ranked teams made the season special,” said Leary. “We had many tough games in the second half of the Inter-Ac, and we had to come from behind against Penn Charter and EA. The consistency we saw from the sophomores and juniors and the trust in the seniors paid off.

“The camaraderie we began to develop in the off season stayed all year. Even after the loss to Malvern Prep, Coach Dawson found a way to be optimistic. As emotional as that final game was, coach brought the team together. Yes, it stunk to lose that game, but coach talked about how proud he was of the senior class and what we had built to create a new path for the underclassmen.”

Read more at Phillylacrosse.com >

by Devin Jackson

Asim Richards, a three-year starter at left tackle for the University of North Carolina, was selected 169th overall in the fifth round by the Dallas Cowboys in the NFL draft Saturday.

Starring as a two-sport athlete (basketball, football) at the Haverford School, Richards, who played tight end earlier in his high school football career, switched to offensive line and has played the tackle position ever since.

Richards allowed just three sacks in 1,049 snaps as a North Carolina senior, earning him third-team All-ACC honors. After putting together a stellar final season, showcasing his ability to mirror pass rushers, handling both speed, and power in pass protection, Richards was invited to the Senior Bowl, practicing as both a tackle and guard.

At 6-foot-4, 309 pounds, with a 82 ¾-inch wingspan, Richards could be a candidate to be a swing tackle for the Cowboys, or slide in the interior. A big reason the Philly native chose to practice at multiple positions in Mobile, Ala., was to give teams a look at his positional versatility, Richards told The Inquirer prior to the NFL scouting combine.

“I can easily play another position and get comfortable,” Richards said. “So, I’m really not worried about where I’m going to play in the NFL. Just showing the teams that I can play wherever.”

Read more at The Philadelphia Inquirer >

by Bruce Adams

Haverford School senior defensive lineman Bill Brosko, the co-MVP of the InterAc football league this fall, left a big impression not only on the league champion Fords but on many local high school gridiron fans.

“Billy is one for the ages – he was the most disruptive player in the area and was in the backfield quicker than you could blink,” said Haverford School football head coach Brian Martin. “I had parents whose sons didn’t even play for Haverford School come up to me and say, ‘That No. 44 is a highlight film, that kid’s a monster player.’ Billy was a force on defense.”

This past fall, the Fords went undefeated for the first time since 2015, posting a 10-0 record. Haverford only allowed 101 points this season, and the 5-foot-10, 280-pound Brosko led the way with 72 tackles.

But it wasn’t only Brosko’s forceful line play that made a difference for the Fords, it also was his leadership – on and off the playing field.

“During games, having Billy was like having another coach on the team,” said Martin. “Billy would pick up little things that the other team’s offense was doing.

“The way Billy approached his role as a team leader was special. Billy would make sure that the team was focused and had the energy to practice. He would do that with music at practice or bring the team in to remind them of our goals.”

According to Martin, Brosko was the team’s unofficial DJ at practices.

“Billy would bring out the speaker, get out the playlist and tell all of his teammates, from seniors to freshmen, to ‘give me some songs to play at practice,’” said Martin. “He was a vocal guy at practice, and a leader by example. He would make sure the locker room was clean and everyone had a ride. He wanted everyone to be at their best and he gave it his all.

“He was the last one out of the locker room, he’d help clean it up and put away stuff. Same with the weight room. After a win, we’d all be celebrating in the locker room, and he’d be picking up cups and other stuff.”

While the Fords culminated their season with a victory against previously undefeated Episcopal Academy, Brosko’s favorite memory of the 2022 football season was the 35-11 win against Archbishop Wood in September.

“It probably was my favorite [memory] because of how our team clicked together and played as a unit,” said Brosko.

Asked how he viewed his role as a leader on the defensive line, Brosko responded, “The leadership role up front was huge and I learned it from our past seniors from the Class of 2019.”

Brosko transferred to Haverford School prior to his freshman year, and as a sophomore and junior he received second team All-Main Line football honors as a defensive lineman.

This season, Brosko’s younger brother Matt was a fine running back for the Fords, picking up 1,480 yards rushing in 258 carries, scoring 14 touchdowns and receiving first team All-InterAc honors. According to Martin, Bill Brosko serves as a kind of mentor for his younger brother.

“Billy’s always looking out for Matt,” said Martin. “They’re very close.”

Speaking of running backs, Bill’s favorite football player is former Chicago Bears’ great Walter Payton.

My dad always talked about him and I watched his old highlights and I thought he was the greatest,” said Brosko.

While Brosko continues to work on his football speed and strength, he also is a standout wrestler for the Fords. Last season, he lost only two matches, and finished second in the 285-pound class at the 86th Annual National Prep Wrestling Championships last February. His only two losses last winter were to Malvern Prep’s Nicholas Feldman, who won the 285-pound National Prep title and is now wrestling for Ohio State University.

“Billy is an all-around great guy who will be missed on and off the (football) field,” said Martin. “He will be tough to replace as leader but the younger players saw what it takes to lead a team and I hope they learned from Billy.”

Fun facts—Bill Brosko

Favorite TV show: Vikings.

Favorite movie: Ted.

Favorite athlete: Walter Payton.

Favorite team: Philadelphia Eagles.

Favorite place to visit: Canada.

(To be selected as Main Line Boys Athlete of the Week, a student-athlete must first be nominated by his or her coach.)

Read more at Mainline Media News >

By Bruce Adams

The senior pitcher/outfielder batted .339 with 20 hits, including four home runs, helping the Fords capture the PAISAA baseball championship. On the mound, he struck out 32 batters in 28 innings pitched with a 1.75 ERA. In the first round of the PAISAA tournament this spring, he pitched a three-hit shutout against Mercersburg. Last year, McNeely received second team All-Main Line baseball honors as a pitcher/infielder. Next spring, he will play baseball for Rider University, where he plans to major in finance.

Q: What has been the most important thing you have learned about hitting this spring?

A: The most important thing I would say is being quick and short to the ball and having loose hands. My struggles come when I am thinking too much during the at bat or when I overswing. I would also like to thank Coach Joe Martin, who has spent countless hours with me before and after practice working on my swing. 

Q: What was particularly working for you in your three-hit shutout against Mercersburg? What do you consider your best pitch?

A: I felt like my fastball was working really well for me, working east to west. My best pitch is probably my slider when it is on. It’s a hard pitch with good movement and tunnels my fastball pretty well. 

Q: As a pitcher, after facing a hitter a couple of times in a game, you probably have a better idea of what to throw him late in a game. Can you give us an example of how this has worked in your favor this season?

A: Just watching certain hitter’s approaches, I can get a good feel of their tendencies. During the game, I also feel like I get better as the game progresses. Our pitching coach, Mike Palumbo, does a great job of scouting opposing teams’ lineups to see where they like to hit the ball, any flaws in their swing, and how aggressive they are in certain counts. I would like to thank him for putting so much time and effort, so that I have a better chance of succeeding. One example of this would be when we were scouting we noticed this kid had a long swing, so we went right at him with inside fastballs and it led to many jam shots and pop ups to the infield. 

Q: You were an infielder as well as a pitcher last spring. What brought you to the outfield this season?

A: My dad was always big on “play every position possible” when I was younger, and although I was mainly an infielder my whole life, I still always knew how to play outfield. This is my first year playing outfield in games, but I wanted to do whatever I could do to help the team win and this is what Coach [Bob] Castell thought was the best decision.

Q: Tell us a little about your start in baseball. Who have been your most influential baseball mentors, and what was the most important thing you learned from each of them?

A: My dad has been my most influential baseball mentor. He has always been there for me and my brother since tee ball, and has provided us with anything that we possibly needed. He even built a batting cage in our backyard for both of us. I am very lucky to have him still coaching me at The Haverford School.

Q: Who is your favorite baseball player and why?

A: My favorite baseball player would have to be Bryce Harper because not only is he a Phillie, but he also plays the game with so much energy.

Q: What is your favorite ballpark and why? 

A: My favorite ballpark is Citizens Bank Park because there is nothing better than watching the bell swing after a home run. 

Fun facts – Colby McNeely

Favorite book: Great Gatsby.

Favorite TV show: Outer Banks.

Favorite movie: Rocky IV.

Favorite athlete: Michael Jordan.

Favorite pre-game pump-up song: Dreams and Nightmares by Meek Mill.

Favorite team: Philadelphia Eagles.

Favorite place to visit: New Port Richey, Fla.

Favorite pre-game meal: Grilled chicken wrap from Wawa.

Person I most admire, and why: “My parents because of all they do for me and all that they sacrifice.”

Family members: parents Tom McNeely and Beth Marra, brother TJ McNeely.

 

By Keith Groller

Part of the tradition of Lehigh’s spring game is the presentation of the Jim Gum Award given to a player who impressed with their work ethic and commitment throughout the course of the spring practice period.

This year’s award went to Ben Murphy, a junior defensive lineman from the Haverford School in Delaware County.

“Murphy has done a great job and has improved each year,” Gilmore said. “He has had an excellent spring. You know within the program the connotation of that award is improvement and he has improved since Day 1. He made a lot of plays this spring and has really been productive. He gave our offensive line a lot of headaches throughout the spring.”

The Jim Gum scholarship is given in honor of Gum, a Pen Argyl and Lehigh football standout who died in May 2006 at age 43 after a battle with ALS.

“It feels awesome,” Murphy said. “I’ve done a lot of hard work with my teammates and it feels nice to be rewarded. It’s nice to get this in honor of someone who meant so much in the community. I thought I made some strides this spring. I got my weight up and started to move better with that weight so it’s all about putting it all together for the fall. I think we made a lot of strides as a team this spring.”

Time will tell whether those strides will result in more victories this fall.

The season opens up on Sept. 2 at Villanova with the league opener Sept. 10 at Georgetown. The home opener is set for Sept. 17 against Richmond.

Read more at The Morning Call >