On Thursday, May 7, 2015, Upper Moreland seniors Josh Abrams, Kyle Bennis and Joey Colbridge were recognized at a special news conference for committing to play football at the collegiate level. To view photos of the event, please visit the Photo Gallery at the following link: http://photos.suburbanonesports.com/g/050715_signings_7_mjs#l_img_2333_59_20_7
Josh Abrams – Kenyon College (Football)
Major: Mathematics
Final list of colleges: Kenyon, Lebanon Valley, Muhlenberg
Reasons for choosing Kenyon: “The coach was active in recruiting me and showed a lot of interest in me. When I visited the campus, I couldn’t see myself going anywhere else.”
What was the progression that led you to playing football at the collegiate level? “I have played football every year since I was about six years old at the flag and township level. I really wasn’t considering playing in college until after this season when recruiters started coming in, and I gave the idea a chance. Over the years, football has become such a big part of my life, and I really couldn’t imagine not playing in college.”
Coach Adam Beach says: “After his senior year, I talk with each kid, and Josh didn’t show a lot of interest in playing college football. He had a plan in place with some schools he wanted to go to, and I just told him to keep an open mind. The recruiters came in, and they saw his grades, his academic prowess, and they wanted to talk to him. He was very happy that they were not only giving him academic money, but they were paying for most of his college.
“As a football player, first of all, he’s a competitor, he’s extremely intense, and he’s highly intelligent. My first year back was his junior year, and we really didn’t know what we had in him. We needed a quarterback. I would not consider Josh a true quarterback, but we put him there because it’s the most important position on the offensive side of the field. We knew he was going to work to make himself the best quarterback he could be and was smart enough to do everything we needed him to do. To be honest, it took away a little bit of his defense because we were afraid of him getting hurt, but he did it for he team. We’re very proud of him for that. He was a captain.
“Not only is Josh a good football player, but he’s an outstanding student and someone of high character, someone who worked for everything he’s gotten and continues to work to achieve his goals. As a football coach, he’s the kind of person that we need to promote and need to put out there because he’s an example of what education should be about and the kind of experience we want to provide kids at Upper Moreland High School.”
About Josh:
Favorite food: Steak or Pancakes
Favorite movie: Inception
Favorite music: Country & Hip Hop
Kyle Bennis – Stevenson University (Football)
Major: Undecided
Final list of colleges: Stevenson, Randolph Macon, Juniata, Muhlenberg
Reasons for choosing Stevenson: “Nice campus, the coaching staff, the size and the football program.
What was the progression that led you to playing football at the collegiate level? “I love the sport and played since I was four years old. I started thinking about playing in college my junior year. The recruiting began November of my senior year.”
Coach Adam Beach says: “Kyle played wide receiver and cornerback, and he’s similar to Josh in that he’s a strong academic student. His grades really helped his candidacy for college. He was a captain, and he was a very tough, intelligent football player. He worked really hard in the offseason to develop his body and get the most out of his playing potential, and he had a nice senior year for us.”
About Kyle:
Favorite food: Chicken
Favorite movie: That’s My Boy
Favorite music: Sean McGowen
Joey Colbridge – Delaware Valley University (Football/Lacrosse)
Major: Undecided
Final list of colleges: Delaware Valley, Albright, Juniata, Shippensburg
Reasons for choosing Delaware Valley: “I really liked the academics and the small class sizes they offer. Also, I really like both the football and lacrosse coaches.”
What was the progression that led you to playing football and lacrosse at the collegiate level? “I have thought about playing both sports in college ever since I started high school.”
Coach Adam Beach says: “Joey was a football-lacrosse kid, and he also wrestled. He was just an athlete. He’s a kid that could play all three sports in high school – he didn’t wrestle this year, but he did all the other years. He’s just a natural athlete. When Del Val came to see him play lacrosse and then came to our spring days, his athletic ability really appealed to them. I think they want to make him a safety. He’s just an overall athlete who also did the job in the classroom.”
About Joey:
Favorite food: Chicken
Favorite movie: Varsity Blues
Favorite music: Tom Lockard
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