NEW WILMINGTON, Pa. – While Westminster College's football team returns several prime components from last season's prolific offense, Saturday's season-opening opponent – Delaware Valley University – could provide a formidable challenge.
Two-time Presidents' Athletic Conference champion Westminster will travel across the commonwealth to Doylestown, Pa. to face 4-time Middle Atlantic Conference kingpin Del-Val, beginning at noon at Robert A. Lipinski Field at James Work Memorial Stadium.
En route to 8 wins and an Eastern College Athletic Conference berth in 2021, Westminster went for 330.8 yards per game (5.1 per play), outscoring opponents by a composite 341-211 margin.
The Titans' troika of senior quarterback Cole Konieczka (Coraopolis, Pa./Moon Area High), senior running back Ryan Gomes (Tampa, Fla./Walter L. Sickles High), and junior wide receiver Tylon Eilam (Sharon, Pa./Sharon High) return.
Konieczka connected on 58.7% of his pass attempts for 2,280 yards and 21 TDs a year ago, much of which was hauled in by Eilam (60 receptions, 835 yards, 8 TDs), while Gomes garnered 594 yards rushing and a trio of TDs.
However Del-Val's defense is led by a quartet of recent D3football.com preseason All-America picks, including down linemen Michael and Anthony Nobile and Yusuf Aladinov and safety Blaine Netterman. The Nobiles are identical 6-foot, 250-pounders and Aladinov adds 225 pounds on a 5-11 frame. They were accorded respective 1st-, 2nd- and 3rd-Team D3.football.com preseason All-America laurels. Netterman, a 2nd-Teamer, is listed at linebacker size – 6-2, 220 pounds.
Last season Del-Val vanquished 11 opponents, yielding just 361 rushing yards in 12 games and 126.8 total yards/game (2.4/play). The Aggies outscored opponents 443-81, permitting 10 total TDs.
Prior to sustaining injury, Michael Nobile notched 11 tackles-for-loss (8.5 quarterback sacks) in only 5 games.
Del-Val is led by 9th-year Head Coach Duke Greco (70-12). His Aggies have annexed 5 NCAA Division III playoff berths during his tenure, including a pair of quarterfinal-round finishes. Last season Del-Val victimized all 8 of its MAC opponents, and the Aggies are on a 36-game circuit win skein, including 4 consecutive conference crowns (2017, 2018, 2019, 2021).
A year ago Del-Val ended 11-1, defeating Anna Maria (62-10) in the NCAA's opening round, before bowing at home to Muhlenberg (14-0).
Defensively, Westminster will be led by its own All-American accolade-winners in linebacker Ian Barr (State College, Pa./State College High), end Brayden Thimons (Natrona Heights, Pa./Highlands High), and safety Bryce Thomas (Saint Marys, Ga./Camden County High), all of whom are seniors. Sophomore safety Brice Butler (Farrell, Pa./Farrell High) also returns after tallying a team-leading 5 pass interceptions – including a 100-yard Pick-Six – a year ago.
Earlier this week, 9th-year Titans' taskmaster Scott Benzel (56-24, 70%) said, "Del Valley is a 'gorilla,' to be honest. Big, strong and fast. We will have to play a whale of a game to beat them.
"Our players have learned what these games have looked like. We played Wesley, Wittenberg, Mount Union and Hobart in the past few years here. It's what makes our place special. We want to be the best, and these are great measuring sticks. I'm excited for Saturday to hit the road and go East."
