Assistant Coaches:
Matthew McHugh – Assistant Head Coach/Offensive Coordinator
Mike Dillon – Running backs/Linebackers
Aaron Lynch – ‘O’Line/’D’Line & Special Teams Coordinator
Dan Heiland – Wide Receivers/Defensive Backs
Team Name: Upper Moreland HS “BEARs”
2014 Record: 8 – 4
Key Losses: QB – Josh Abrams, ATH – Tyler Whitmore, WR/DB – Kyle Bennis, TE/DE – Colton Hooker, OLB – Joey Colbridge
Offensive Starters Returning: (6) Sr. OC Christian Leighton, 5-10, 205, Sr. OT Connor Dolan, 6-5, 280, Sr. RB Nick Delucas, 5-9, 170, Sr. TE/WR Ryan Norton, 6-2, 215, Jr. RB/WR Nick Pagano, 6-1, 180, Jr. P/K Randy Meehl, 5-9, 160
Defensive Starters Returning: (8) Sr. LB Ryan Cavanaugh, 5-10, 190, Sr. CB Rodney Morgan, 5-9, 195, Sr. LB Tyler Smith, 5-7, 180, Sr. DL Kevin O’Donnell, 5-10, 225, Sr. DT Connor Dolan, 6-5, 280, Sr. DE Ryan Norton, 6-2, 215, Sr. OLB Christian Leighton, 5-10, 205, Jr. FS Nick Pagano, 6-1, 180
Key Newcomers: Sr. WR Sean McCandless, 5-10, 180, Sr. OLB Tim Duff, 6-1, 170, Jr. QB Casey Decker, 6-1, 170, Jr. FB/LB Bernardo Paranhos, 6-0, 190, Jr. OL John Searles, 6-4, 260, So. WR/OLB Bryan Mowery, 6-0, 180
D1 (FBS & FCS) Prospects: Sr. OT Connor Dolan, 6-5, 280
-University of Rhode Island
-Villanova University
-Lehigh University
-Lafayette University
Key Stats:
Nick Delucas had 5 TD Receptions from his RB position in 2014
Rodney Morgan had 3 INTs, 2 Forced Fumbles and 2 Fumble Recoveries as a CB in 2014
Kicker/Punter, Randy Meehl was third on the team in scoring in 2014 with 36 total points
2015 Outlook:
Offense: Our team has great senior leadership. They have lead us into a very successful off-season. As we prepare for the season, the senior leadership brings experience to our Offensive Line and the Running Back positions. OT, Connor Dolan and TE Ryan Norton are very big and very strong and look to open up the holes for our three running backs. The Running-Back position has a lot of depth in Nick Delucas, Rodney Morgan, and Nick Pagano and will open up a lot of what we want to do offensively. With the addition of first year quarterback Casey Decker we will be able to mix up the run and pass consistently. Although we may be undersized compared to league opponents our overall team speed has worked to our advantage and this year will be no different.
Defense: The senior leadership has instilled an attitude that creates an atmosphere in the weight room and on the practice field where everyone is expected to put forth “maximum effort.” This idea has everyone “doing their job.” Defensively if our players “do their job” we will find success throughout the year. We have returning starters at the LB and DL position and they will be the stable of our 4-4 Defense. Our three Linebackers, Ryan Cavanaugh, Tyler Smith, and Christian Leighton will be the leaders on our defense and we have a lot of confidence that they will put our defense in a position to be successful every play. Our team speed, experience, and fundamentally sound defenders again work to our advantage. The experience on Defense gives us as coaches the ability to check coverage’s and call blitzes because we have confidence in our players on the field to execute.
Special Team: As a team we pride ourselves on Special Teams. Our kickoff coverage and punt coverage teams have been very good keeping teams out of the end zone. We look to make some big plays this year on returns with the dangerous speed of Nick Delucas, Rodney Morgan, and Nick Pagano. Lastly, our sophomore class has great athletes/football players and they will certainly be the core to our special teams