O'Hara Will Have An Explosive Backfield

Dan Algeo likes to play that hide-in-the-weeds game. The coach will tell you he has some holes here and there, ambiguous comments that may make you believe that the Lions aren’t really as good as they seem.

O’Hara is very good. Possibly the best team in Delaware County, easily in the argument with Ridley, Garnet Valley, Strath Haven and Haverford high schools, as well as Haverford School.

The one big problem is that however good O’Hara is, they face one major, imposing force in Archbishop Wood—possibly the best team in the state in the Philadelphia Catholic League Class AAA Division.

In seniors Damiere Shaw, who’s headed to Temple on a football scholarship, and Jay Watkins, the Lions could have the best backfield in the area. The two rolled all over Philadelphia Public League power George Washington in a scrimmage on Saturday—each scoring an 80-yard touchdown the first time they touched the ball.

O’Hara’s defense, led by seniors Hunter Tierney and Shane Johnson, and junior Brandon Chatmon, is formidable and fast. In the Catholic League Class AAA, Archbishop Carroll nor Monsignor Bonner has the kind of speed and explosive defense O’Hara has.

Sophomore Steve Weyler could be the best kicker in southeastern Pennsylvania—he can nail a 40-yard field goal.

If there is an issue, however, it comes with a very young offensive line. It’s an area of the field where Wood is very strong and has in abundance on both sides of the ball.

“Everything concerns me; the bulk of our roster is sophomores,” Algeo said. “We have 40 sophomores, some really good young kids. So I’m hoping it’s a typical O’Hara team, a team full of tough, scrappy, hard-nosed kids. We know we have a tough road ahead, especially with Wood. Plus, Bonner and Carroll are very good programs, so we really have our work cut out for us.

“I really like the camaraderie and team chemistry though. These guys have bonded well over the summer. I don’t put a lot of stock in this, but we went 6-1 in a passing tournament at Rutgers. I like the way we competed so far and hopefully that will have a carry-over affect into the season. I don’t take a ton of stock in the 7-on-7 but our young kids did compete and did well.”

Here are a few things worth remembering: Shaw missed four games last year with a concussion—and two of the four games were both games O’Hara lost to Wood; also, O’Hara doesn’t not play Wood, a PIAA Class AAA semifinalists before losing to eventual state champion Allentown Central Catholic, until the final game of the regular season.

Algeo is hoping this team forms an identity by then, maybe a team personality capable of surprising a few people—even a powerhouse not many believe is capable of losing.

Cardinal O’Hara Facts

Coach: Dan Algeo (eighth season at O’Hara)

Last year: Finished 9-2 overall; reached the Catholic League Class AAA finals and lost to Archbishop Wood, 24-7.

Key players: Damiere Shaw (Sr. 5-foot-10, 170, RB/WR/DB), Jay Watkins (Sr. 5-foot-10, 185, DB/WR/RB), Hunter Tierney (Sr. 5-foot-10, 225, OT/DT), Shane Johnson (Sr. 6-foot-2, 215, TE/DE), DaShawn Darden (So. 5-foot-10, 165, QB), Pat Funchion (Sr. 5-foot-10, 175, LB), Brandon Chatmon (Jr. 6-foot-1, 215, LB), Carmen Cervella (Jr. 6-foot-1, 305, OT), Tyler Dinella (Jr. 6-foot, 235, OL), Steve Weyler (So. 5-9, 170, K).

Cardinal O’Hara Schedule

Sept. 3       Archbishop Ryan 11 a.m. (Ocean City, NJ)

Sept. 10     Haverford School 11 a.m.

Sept. 17     at Neumann-Goretti 11 a.m.

Sept. 24     Roman Catholic 2 p.m.

Oct. 1         Penn Wood 2 p.m.

Oct. 8         Jules E. Mastbaum 2 p.m.

Oct. 15        at Monsignor Bonner 7 p.m.

Oct. 23        Archbishop Carroll 1 p.m.

Oct. 29        at Archbishop Wood 1 p.m.