Preseason All-Montgomery Media Football team

By Andrew Marcus

Sportswriter for Montgomery Media

amarcus@montgomerynews.com

There are some players that are irreplaceable. They may not be the most talented on the field, but their leadership helps teammates bring the intensity to another level. The players I have chosen to be on the All-Montgomery Media Preseason Football Team will be key parts of their teams’ success this fall.

OFFENSE

QB - Matt Hollenbeck (Hatboro-Horsham, SR) – The Hatters’ senior signal caller can also sling a baseball, as he accepted a scholarship to pitch at Georgetown. His leadership and strong arm will help the Hatters attack. Check out Tom McGlinchey’s preview of Hatter’s football at FOOTBALL: Pagliaro returns to Hatboro-Horsham - Sports - Montgomery News

QB - Andrew Derr (Upper Dublin, JR) – With a full season as starting quarterback under his belt and third-team all-league honors, Derr comes back this fall with extra confidence and knowledge of coach Bret Stover’s playbook like the back of his hand.

RB - Craig Needhammer (North Penn, SR) – The first team all-leaguer was unstoppable last year for the Knights and 2010 should be no different. Needhammer had 1,800 total yards and 29 total touchdowns and no one would be shocked if he topped those already gigantean numbers in his senior season. Check out McGlinchey’s preview of North Penn football at FOOTBALL: FOOTBALL: North Penn has plenty of motivation in 2010 - Sports - Montgomery News

RB - Jamal Abdur-Rahman (LaSalle, SR) – The Villanova signee may have the best raw skills in the area. His speed makes hard to catch in open space and his strength makes him hard to bring down on the first attempt. The Explorers most dangerous weapon of many could easily have made this list on the defensive side also. The fact that Abington’s Julien Ireland barely missed this list with his dynamic running abilities speaks of how valuable Needhammer and Abdur-Rahman are to their team. Check out McGlinchey’s LaSalle preview at FOOTBALL: Abdur-Rahman intends to keep La Salle at the top - Sports - Montgomery News

RB Jamal Abdur-Rahman - LaSalle College High School

FB - Devon Barrett (Lansdale Catholic, SR) – The senior Crusader is not afraid to stick his helmet into the gut of oncoming traffic. He may not get all the glory, but if coach Jim Algeo’s offense is going to succeed, Barrett is going to have a big part in it.

OL - Willy Kye (North Penn, SR) – At 5-11, 245 pounds Kye is a wall on the Knights offensive line. He is a big reason the Knight had so much success running the ball last year. Check out my preview of the Crusaders at FOOTBALL: Lansdale Catholic's offense has a new look - Sports - Montgomery News

OL - Ryan Geiger (LaSalle, SR) – The first person Philadelphia Catholic League MVP Drew Loughery thanked was Ryan Geiger. The Explorers lineman gave his quarterback all the time he needed to drop back and lead them to a state championship a year ago. Geiger should be just as dominant this year.

OL - Frank Taylor (Archbishop Wood, JR) – The key to a championship team is up front and junior Frank Taylor brings the skills on both sides of the ball. It will be his work on offense that will allow quarterback Joe Monaghan some time to operate this season.

TE - Colin Thompson (Archbishop Wood, JR) – He’s big, smart, and out to show the world what he can do. With offers pouring in from schools like Rutgers and Boston College, Thompson is a mismatch headache for any opponent. Read my preview of the Vikings season at FOOTBALL: New faces, same results expected at Wood - Sports - Montgomery News

TE - Ralph Reeves (North Penn, JR) – He caught everyone’s eye during his sophomore season as he quickly became of the Knights favorite targets. He has solid speed for a guy that can block with the best of them and hands usually belonging to wide receivers. He's just as dominant on defense from his middle linebacker position.

TE/LB Ralph Reeves - North Penn

WR - Kyle Lockard (Upper Moreland, SR) – With the loss of Chris Smallwood in the backfield and Ronye Denis on the other side out wide, Lockard remains the most experienced skill position player back for the Golden Bears. His strong route running and leadership will be crucial this season. Check out Mike Prince’s preview of the Golden Bears ‘season at FOOTBALL: Smallwood's departure leaves opportunities - Sports - Montgomery News

WR - Chris Stephens (Cheltenham, SR) – When the Panthers score this year no one will be shocked to see it Stephens. He is a game changer and has only matured since first stepping onto the field or coach Joe Gro. Check out the Panthers’ preview by Prince at FOOTBALL: Gro looking to get Cheltenham back on track - Sports - Montgomery News

DEFENSE

DL - John Konway (Abington, SR) – The offense has got a lot of attention over the past years but its defense has been just as crucial. Konway has been a silent staple for the Galloping Ghosts and with the loss of some big names Konway finds himself in a leadership roll he is more than capable of handling. Check out Prince’s preview of the Ghosts at FOOTBALL: Ireland ready to step up for Abington - Sports - Montgomery News

DL - Joe Stolfi (Souderton, SR) – The quick feet from the wrestling mats tranfers over to the football nicely for the Indians newest and scariest sack master. Stolfi should be able to reek havoc on opposing quarterbacks all year long for the big read machine. Check out McGlinchey’s preview of Indians’ football at FOOTBALL: Souderton's experienced, talented up front - Sports - Montgomery News

DL - David Castnor (Jenkintown, SR) – The new head coach for the Drakes C.J. Sydlik loves his defense and Castnor is the man to supply it. He brings the right attitude and will be counted on to stabilize the opposing lineman all year long. Check out Prince’s preview of the Drake’s season at FOOTBALL: Szydlik’s look to bring success to Jenkintown - Sports - Montgomery News

LB - Brandon Cope (Pennridge, SR) – When a player gets tackled for a loss of seven yards on a play against the Rams you know who made the play. Cope has been able to plow his way into backfields for the Rams for the past two years and his senior season has a chance to be his best yet.

LB - John Staudenmayer (Plymouth-Whitemarsh, JR) – A new coach for the Colonials won’t stop Staudenmayer from earning all-league honors again this season. The linebacker has a nose for the ball and runs laterally better than most. Coach Dan Chang is excited to have players like Staudenmayer returning. Check out Prince’s take on the upcoming season at FOOTBALL: Chang looking to get Plymouth Whitemarsh back on track - Sports - Montgomery News

DB - Anthony Delegall (Wissahickon, SR) – He’s dangerous with the ball in hands and savvy on defense. He jumps routes well and if he does intercept it consider it a pick-six because no one is catching him. Check out Prince’s preview of Wissahickon football at FOOTBALL: Defense will be the key for Wissahickon - Sports - Montgomery News

DB - Lamont Jackson (Germantown Academy, SR) – Jackson will do a little bit of everything for the Patriots because with the ball in hands the senior can make things happen. Jackson can stay with any receiver on his schedule and make the big hit if they are lucky enough to catch it. Check out my preview of the Patriots’ season at FOOTBALL: Germantown Academy waiting for new facility - Sports - Montgomery News

S - Matt Conroy (Bishop McDevitt, SR) – Conroy will kick, punt, run, block, throw and dance if coach Pat Manzi asks him to. Conroy is the Royal Lancers leader on and off the field, but he is most valuable in the Lancer’s secondary. Check out my season preview at FOOTBALL: Conroy looks to lead a team effort - Sports - Montgomery News

S - Tom Parisse (Lower Moreland, SR) – With a roster overload in Huntingdon Valley the Lions will rely heavily on Parisse on defense. His ability to communicate well with his front seven will be crucial for these Lion Cubs. Check out my preview of the Lions’ season at FOOTBALL: Lower Moreland begins a new era - Sports - Montgomery News

K - Dan Caya (Pennridge, SR) - If it wasn’t for his strong leg the Rams would not have beat Quakertown last November. The soccer player was clutch in more than one game and he returns with a stronger leg, more confidence than ever, and a chance to connect from 35 yard deep everytime. Check out my preview of the Rams’ season at FOOTBALL: Pennridge is building on a strong finish - Sports - Montgomery News

K Dan Caya - Pennridge

P - David Giannini (Souderton, JR) - If the Indians’ soccer goalie was not stellar last fall for Tom Quintois’ bunch, he switch ball shapes and turned into one strong punter for coach Ed Gallagher’s football team. Giannini should help the Indians have strong field position all season long.