WEST CHESTER, Pa. – West Chester University football head coach Bill Zwaan announced his 2013 recruiting class this week as the Golden Rams continue to build upon the school’s strong tradition on the gridiron. This year’s signees consist of 29 players, including 15 offensive players and 14 defensive players.
West Chester is coming off a 7-4 season and is looking to return to the postseason after a four-year hiatus. The Golden Rams’ gridders finished in a tie for third place in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Eastern Division last fall with a 4-3 mark.
West Chester’s annual Purple-Gold Spring Game will be held tomorrow afternoon, April 27 at 12 p.m. inside John A. Farrell Stadium. Spring drills began on April 1.
West Chester opens its regular-season at home on Saturday, Sept. 7 when it hosts University of New Haven at 12 p.m.
Below is a brief description of each of West Chester’s football recruits followed by a roster sheet.
Jordan Banks (Harrisburg, Pa./Susquehanna Twp.)
WR l 6-1 l 170 lbs.
Played for Joe Headen’s 10-3 playoff squad … selected first team all-conference and first team all-area at wide receiver … named second team all-conference at defensive back … grabbed 31 catches for 686 yards and seven touchdowns his senior year … averaged 22.1 yards per reception … also played basketball and ran track in high school.
Matthew Brockman (Boiling Springs, Pa./Trinity)
OL l 6-5 l 250 lbs.
Played for Bill Ragani’s 9-2 Trinity squad … named second team all-conference at offensive line … honorable mention all-conference on the defensive line … also named a Mid-Penn Capitol all-star … started at offensive tackle and defensive end … slated to be a guard at West Chester University … father Ethan Brockman played football at West Chester.
Anthony Brown (Ephrata, Pa./Conestoga Valley)
RB/DB l 5-9 l 180 lbs.
Played for Tom Nichols’ Conestoga Valley squad … first team all-section … first team all-league … also named honorable mention all-state in both his junior and senior seasons … winner of the Franz-Rider Yohe “player of the year award” … rushed for 1,444 and 15 touchdowns his junior season and 1,349 yards and 18 TDs his senior season … also played basketball and ran track in high school … qualified for the districts in both the 100m dash and the 4x100m relay … honor roll student.
Ryan Corkery (Garnet Valley, Pa./Garnet Valley)
QB l 6-1 l 175 lbs.
Played for Mike Ricci’s 8-3 playoff squad at Garnet Valley … engineered Garnet Valley to a 20-6 record as starting quarterback in his high school career … named first team All-DELCO and all-central as a junior … named honorable mention All-DELCO and all-central as a senior … named captain and team MVP as a senior … threw for 1,407 yards and 14 touchdowns while rushing for 845 yards and six TDs as a junior … returned from knee surgery his senior season and threw for 839 yards and nine TDs while rushing for 931 yards and 13 TDs … also played baseball, basketball and lacrosse at Garnet Valley … honor roll student.
Brandon Dalberto (Berwick, Pa./Berwick)
TE l 6-3 l 250 lbs.
Played for George Curry’s 10-2 playoff squad at Berwick … named honorable mention all-conference … named second team Northeast PA all-star … team captain … a three-year, two-way starter … selected to the UNICO all-star classic.
Joe DeMaio (Springfield, Pa./Cardinal O’Hara)
DB l 6-0 l 180 lbs.
Played for Dan Algeo’s squad at Cardinal O’Hara … selected first team All-Catholic at defensive back in both 2011 and 2012 … first team All-Catholic WR in 2012 … Catholic League AAA “defensive player of the year” … named first team all-state by
PA Football News … Mini-Maxwell Award winner and team captain in 2012 … selected to All-Academic Gold team in 2011 and 2012 … named second team All-Catholic in track & field in 2011 … selected to play in the Hero Bowl.
Tyler Drob (Cherry Hill, N.J./Cherry Hill East)
OL l 6-3 l 280 lbs.
Played for Tom Coen’s Cherry Hill East squad in New Jersey … named first team all-conference and first team American Division West Jersey … three-year starter on varsity … part of offensive line that helped set the school record for rushing yardage in consecutive seasons … recorded 40 pancakes as a senior … starter on the defensive line … registered 35 tackles, 6 tackles for a loss and three sacks … named top defensive player on his team … nominated for North-South All-Star Game … also played baseball, basketball and threw the javelin in track … honor roll student.
Jon Dubyk (Sellersville, Pa./Pennridge)
DE l 6-1 l 230 lbs.
Played for Randy Cuthbert’s 11-2 Pennridge squad … selected first team All-Suburban One Continental as a tight end and defensive end … named second team as a punter … named first team
All-Intelligencer all-area at defensive end … named second team All-Southeastern PA as a punter … Mini-Maxwell Award winner … captained his team his senior year … won the 2012 Young Citizen’s Award given out by Central Bucks Chamber of Commerce … registered 48 solo tackles and five sacks his senior year … averaged 36 yards per punt as well … selected to play in Bucks County All-Star Classic … earned third team all-conference honors throwing the javelin his junior year … distinguished honor roll student.
Kevin Duggan (Chalfont, Pa./Central Bucks West)
LB l 6-0 l 205 lbs.
Played for Brian Hensel’s Central Bucks West squad … three-year starter at the varsity level at linebacker and fullback … named first team all-league, first team all-area, and honorable mention All-Southeastern PA at linebacker his senior year … named team’s defensive MVP … registered 51 tackles and had one interception … rushed for three touchdowns his senior year … also played baseball in high school … selected as the top player in Bucks County Lions All-Star Game … honor roll student.
Jarel Elder (Allentown, Pa./Parkland)
RB l 5-7 l 160 lbs.
Played for Jim Morgan’s 11-3 Parkland squad … selected first team all-conference at running back, defensive back and specialist … honorable mention all-state … named first team
Allentown Morning Call as a defensive back … selected as the team MVP … rushed for 1,504 yards and 18 touchdowns … posted 240 receiving yards and two TDs … also registered 96 tackles and four interceptions, scoring four TDs on defense … chosen to play in East-West All-Star Game … also ran track at Parkland … member of both Principal’s list honor roll and National Honor Society.
Bill Ford (Parkside, Pa./Malvern Prep)
TE l 6-4 l 235 lbs.
Played quarterback for Kevin Peligrini’s 6-5 squad at Malvern Prep … will play tight end at West Chester University … selected as team captain his senior year … named honorable mention All-Main Line … also named first team all-league on baseball diamond … honor roll student.
Josh Ganzelli (Downingtown, Pa./Downingtown East)
DL l 6-1 l 265 lbs.
Played for Mike Matta’s 10-1 playoff squad at Downingtown East … named second team All-Ches-Mont … three-year letterwinner and team co-captain his senior year … selected to play in Valor Bowl all-star game … honor roll student.
Pete Kirlin (Havertown, Pa./Haverford)
DL l 6-0 l 215 lbs.
Played for Joe Gallagher’s 9-3 playoff squad at Haverford … named second team All-DELCO on the offensive line … named second team all-central at both offensive and defensive line … also threw the shot put in high school … honor roll student … selected to play in Hero Bowl.
Devan Labau (Wilmington, Del./St. Mark’s)
OL l 6-3 l 285 lbs.
Played for Jon Wilson’s 9-3 playoff squad at St. Mark’s … selected first team all-conference at defensive tackle … named second team all-conference on offensive line … named first team all-state at defensive line … registered 43 tackles and 3.5 sacks his senior year … selected to play in Blue-Gold all-star game … named captain his senior year … part of leadership council his junior and senior years.
Vince Lostracco (Bensalem, Pa./Father Judge)
OL l 6-4 l 280 lbs.
Played for Tom Coyle’s Father Judge squad that opened last season in Ireland … selected first team All-Catholic … named team co-captain … 2012 “Play Like A Champion” award winner … selected to play in the Global Bowl all-star game in Italy.
Pat McCabe (Malvern, Pa./St. Joseph’s Prep)
DB l 6-2 l 190 lbs.
Played for Gabe Infante’s St. Joseph’s Prep playoff squad … selected first team All-Catholic and honorable mention all-city at defensive back … allowed just one touchdown pass all season long his senior year … posted three interceptions and recovered a pair of fumbles … named “most improved player”.
Conner McGrath (King of Prussia, Pa./Upper Merion)
TE l 6-4 l 235 lbs.
Played for Coach Hal Smith’s Upper Merion squad … All-Suburban One and All-Montgomery County his junior and senior seasons … caught 51 passes for 1,034 yards and 11 touchdowns his junior and senior seasons combined … also named All-Suburban One in basketball after his junior and senior seasons … also played baseball … nominated for the Montgomery County all-star game.
Pat Moriarty (Gladwyne, Pa./Harriton)
QB l 6-2 l 185 lbs.
Played for Matt Barr at Harriton … three-time All-Central League honors … three-time first team All-Main Line selection … Mini-Maxwell Award winner his senior season … three-time student-athlete of the year … three-year starter … team captain his senior season … set the all-time Central League passing record with 6,154 passing yards and 54 touchdowns … honor roll student … member of National Honor Society selection.
Ryan Pannella (Phoenixville, Pa./Phoenixville)
DB l 6-0 l 185 lbs.
Played for Bill Furlong’s Phoenixville squad … named first team all-league at both tight end and linebacker … named first team all-area at linebacker … named second team all-area at tight end … two-way “player of the year” … All-PAC 10 “defensive player of the year” … led the Commonwealth of PA in tackles both his junior and senior seasons (196 as a junior; 187 as a senior) … his 196 tackles in 2011 is the singles-season record in Pennsylvania … posted 487 career tackles in high school … 2012 Mini-Maxwell Award winner … 2012 PIAA Norristown Chapter of Officials Sportsmanship Award winner … nominated for Big 33 all-star game … selected to play in Valor Bowl … honor roll student.
Ian Nanni (Glenmoore, Pa./Downingtown West)
DL l 6-4 l 260 lbs.
Played for Mike Milano’s Downingtown West squad … selected first team All-Ches-Mont at defensive line … posted 10.5 sacks and 65 tackles his senior year … forced five fumbles … selected to Valor Bowl … father Paul Nanni also played football at West Chester University.
Aramon Piedra (Philadelphia, Pa./Imhotep)
DB l 5-11 l 150 lbs.
Played for Al Crosby’s 14-1 Philadelphia City championship and District 12 PIAA championship squad … posted 40 tackles … broke up eight passes and intercepted a pair of passes … honor roll student.
Daniel Sherry (Havertown, Pa./St. Joseph’s Prep)
DB l 6-2 l 210 lbs.
Played for Gabe Infante’s 9-1 squad at St. Joseph’s Prep … named second team All-Catholic League at defensive back … named second team all-city … won the St. Joseph’s Prep John Spahr Award … was also named first team All-Catholic League as a punter his junior season … also played basketball at St. Joseph’s Prep.
George Ship (Harleysville, Pa./North Penn)
DE l 6-2 l 210 lbs.
Played for Dick Beck’s playoff squad at North Penn … selected first team all-league at defensive end and second team all-league at tight end … state qualifier on the wrestling mats during the winter … selected an Academic PA State “youth of the year”.
Justice Smith (Collegeville, Pa./Pope John Paul)
LB l 6-0 l 210 lbs.
Played for Mike Santillo’s squad at Pope John Paul … named honorable mention all-league … posted 146 tackles his senior year … registered 344 tackles in his high school career … also forced four fumbles and intercepted one pass … honor roll student all four years of high school … received Tall Cedars of Lebanon Award … served as team captain … selected to play in PAC 10 all-star game … both parents are West Chester University alums … father, Harold, played football at West Chester.
Brandon Spatz (Philadelphia, Pa./Father Judge)
DB l 6-1 l 215 lbs.
Played for Tom Coyle’s Father Judge squad … selected first team All-Catholic League and second team all-city his senior year … rushed for 247 yards and three touchdowns … recorded 534 yards receiving and 10 TDs … registered 41 tackles on defense with seven sacks, three forced fumbles and one interception return for a TD … also blocked two field goals … named team captain his senior year … won the Good Citizenship Award from the Union League of Philadelphia.
Evyn Stadulis (Willow Grove, Pa./Upper Moreland)
DL l 6-3 l 295 lbs.
Played offensive tackle and defensive tackle for Dave Heying’s Upper Moreland team … named first team All-Suburban One and second team all-area … honorable mention all-state.
Marcus Sydnor (Havertown, Pa./Haverford)
WR l 5-10 l 160 lbs.
Played for Joe Gallagher’s 9-3 playoff squad at Haverford … selected first team All-DELCO and first team All-Central League … named defensive player of the year on his team … posted six interceptions … recorded three defensive touchdowns … caught four TD passes … four-year member of Haverford’s track & field team … honor roll student … selected to play in Hero Bowl.
Dylan Thomas (Dillsburg, Pa./Northern York)
FB l 6-0 l 220 lbs.
Played for West Chester University alum Rick Mauck at Northern York … named first team all-conference at both tight end and defensive end, as well as punter … named Dillsburg Banner Unsung Hero … served as team captain in 2012 … had three interceptions, 10 sacks and 15 tackles for a loss … caught 15 passes for 252 yards … averaged 41 yards per punt … wrestled his senior season … honor roll student.
Mike Unger (Slatington, Pa./Parkland)
OL l 6-3 l 285 lbs.
Played for Jim Morgan’s 12-2 District 11 champions at Parkland … anchored an offensive line that gained over 5,500 yards of total offense … selected first team all-conference, first team all-area and first team all-state … honor roll student.
|
Name |
Pos. |
Ht. |
Wt. |
Hometown/High School |
|
Jordan Banks |
WR |
6-1 |
170 |
Harrisburg, Pa./Susquehanna Twp. |
|
Matt Brockman |
OL |
6-5 |
250 |
Boiling Springs, Pa./Trinity |
|
Anthony Brown |
RB/DB |
5-9 |
180 |
Ephrata, Pa./Conestoga Valley |
|
Ryan Corkery |
QB |
6-1 |
175 |
Garnet Valley, Pa./Garnet Valley |
|
Brandon Dalberto |
TE |
6-3 |
250 |
Berwick, Pa./Berwick |
|
Joe DeMaio |
DB |
6-0 |
180 |
Springfield, Pa./Cardinal O'Hara |
|
Tyler Drob |
OL |
6-3 |
280 |
Cherry Hill, N.J./Cherry Hill East |
|
Jon Dubyk |
DE |
6-1 |
230 |
Sellersville, Pa./Pennridge |
|
Kevin Duggan |
LB |
6-0 |
205 |
Chalfont, Pa./Central Bucks West |
|
Jarel Elder |
RB |
5-7 |
160 |
Allentown, Pa./Parkland |
|
Bill Ford |
TE |
6-4 |
235 |
Parkside, Pa./Malvern Prep |
|
Josh Ganzelli |
DL |
6-1 |
265 |
Downingtown, Pa./Downingtown East |
|
Pete Kirlin |
DL |
6-0 |
215 |
Havertown, Pa./Haverford |
|
Devan Labau |
OL |
6-3 |
285 |
Wilmington, Del./St. Mark's |
|
Vince Lastracco |
OL |
6-4 |
280 |
Bensalem, Pa./Father Judge |
|
Pat McCabe |
DB |
6-2 |
190 |
Malvern, Pa./St. Joseph's Prep |
|
Conner McGrath |
TE |
6-4 |
235 |
King of Prussia, Pa./Upper Merion |
|
Pat Moriarty |
QB |
6-2 |
185 |
Gladwyne, Pa./Harriton |
|
Ryan Pannella |
DB |
6-0 |
185 |
Phoenixville, Pa./Phoenixville |
|
Ian Nanni |
DL |
6-4 |
260 |
Glenmoore, Pa./Downingtown West |
|
Aramon Piedra |
DB |
5-11 |
150 |
Philadelphia, Pa./Imhotep |
|
Daniel Sherry |
DB |
6-2 |
210 |
Havertown, Pa./St. Joseph's Prep |
|
George Ship |
DE |
6-2 |
210 |
Harleysville, Pa./North Penn |
|
Justice Smith |
LB |
6-0 |
210 |
Collegeville, Pa./Pope John Paul |
|
Brandon Spatz |
DB |
6-1 |
215 |
Philadelphia, Pa./Father Judge |
|
Evyn Stadulis |
DL |
6-3 |
295 |
Willow Grove, Pa./Upper Moreland |
|
Marcus Sydnor |
WR |
5-10 |
160 |
Havertown, Pa./Haverford |
|
Dylan Thomas |
FB |
6-0 |
220 |
Dillsburg, Pa./Northern York |
|
Mike Unger |
OL |
6-3 |
285 |
Slatington, Pa./Parkland |
