Football Notebook: Things starting to turn around for Radnor

By MATT SMITH- Delaware County Daily Times
Posted: 09/10/2013 06:32:29 PM EDT

Radnor’s Connor Wilson, center, is tackled by Archbishop Carroll’s Patrick Frohner, left, and Matt Desipio. The Raiders are experiencing a bit of a resurgence this season. (Julia Wilkinson)

Some Delco football teams, like Springfield, Penncrest, Academy Park, Chichester and Episcopal Academy, should feel fortunate to be 2-0, while others clearly have a lot work to do recovering from 0-2 starts.

One team happy to break even after two games is Radnor.

The Raiders secured their first September win since 2010 last week when they defeated Harriton, 14-7. The Raiders have endured a tough rebuilding phase, going nearly two full seasons without picking up a win.

But the past is the past. Though the season is still young, Radnor is certainly an improved team in 2013. The core of coach Tom Ryan’s team is more experienced than in years past, and he believes that attending Camp Green Lane this summer for three nights of team bonding is paying dividends.

“On the field, we were so junior-heavy last year, and these kids got a ton of playing time,’ Ryan said. “I have a really good O-line and a really good group of skill kids. I think we’re going to be really competitive and go out each week and do the best we can.’

Radnor’s offense is producing results. The team is pounding the ball with efficiency, averaging a cool 235.5 yards. Not surprisingly, Chris Galloway is a big reason for that output. The senior running back was two yards shy of the 200-yard mark in Week 2. Without him, it’s hard to imagine where the Raiders would end up this fall. However, there is a handful of players Ryan probably couldn’t coach without. For instance, senior athlete
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Dan Kurtyka does a little bit of everything, willing to try anything so long as it improves the club.

“He long-snaps, short-snaps, plays receiver, plays cornerback, plays power back …’ Ryan said. “He comes every day and just works … and is so valuable to our team because he does so many things well. He’s a great kid, too.’

Center Alex Andersen (6-2, 250), a junior center, has meshed well with sophomore quarterback Vinnie Kelly, who also has impressed Ryan by how well he manages the offense.

“Coach (Dave) Booth, who we got from Upper Darby (and is coaching the linemen), has been really impressed with Alex’s work ethic,’ Ryan said. “It’s early, but those guys have been a real surprise for us so far.’