Scott Huff’s ‘Players to Watch’ in the American Conference will be posted on the site on Thursday.
By Scott Huff
Abington senior Julien Ireland has rushed for an impressive 2511 yards and 24 touchdowns as a tailback for the Ghosts during his career.
Ireland was selected as a first team offensive back as a junior in helping the Ghosts make the post-season District One playoffs.
However, Ireland will have to continue to add to his remarkable stats as the Abington quarterback this season.
“Moving Julien to quarterback was always in the back of my mind,” said Abington head coach Tim Sorber. “Sometimes frustration can lead to good things, and I believe that moving him to quarterback is going to be a good thing.
“We had to excellent quarterbacks recently in Kevin Morton and Sam Kind, and they were somewhat similar players,” added Sorber. “We have to create a system that takes advantage of Julien’s talent. We need to adjust to the personnel that we have on the field, not make the personnel fit our system.”
And the exceptional talent of Ireland is running the football.
“We will be in the shotgun about 90 percent of the time,” said Sorber. “Julien will still get his share of carries – sometimes 25 or 30 a game. He is a strong and durable player, and he will also get his playing time on the defensive end of the field as a free safety.
“Julien has also shown an ability to throw the football,” continued Sorber. “As the season goes along, he will continue to get better with the passing game.”
Ireland is more than ready for the challenge.
“Coach Sorber called me into the library about a month or so ago and asked me what I thought about playing quarterback,” said Ireland. “I told him fine – whatever I could do to help the team win football games.
“I really haven’t played quarterback since my Pop Warner days, but I love throwing the ball around in the backyard,” added Ireland. “It will take some getting used to, but so far it has been a lot of fun.”
Ireland’s fun will be another team’s frustration during the upcoming SOL National Conference season.
Council Rock North senior John Raymon already has an invitation to play collegiate football next season with the Iowa Hawkeyes in the Big Ten.
“It will be a lot less stressful knowing that I already have the opportunity to play football at Iowa next year,” said the 6-5 inch, 245 pound tight end/defensive end. “But the Iowa coaching staff will still be watching you, and you want to play well in your senior season.
“I am very excited to play another year here and be able to help the program become even more successful,” added Raymon. “As a captain, it is going to be up to Brandon (Cottom) and me to be vocal and make the big plays.”
Cottom has also committed to a Division One Big Ten school – Purdue University.
Raymon and Cottom will be instrumental in assisting first-year head coach Adam Collachi begin his tenure with the Indians.
“There has been an adjustment to the style of play we have this season,” said Raymon – who also is a key member of the Rock North basketball squad. “We need to give the same respect to (Collachi) as we gave to Coach (Tom) Coates last season.”
Raymon excels on both sides of the line of scrimmage. However, it is his talents at DE that have earned him a full ride to Iowa.
“John plays what we call our ‘Thunder’ defensive end position,” said Collachi. “We will play in our 3-3 stack. And with his athletic ability, he will be able to drop off the line and play some pass defense.
“John is also a big threat for us on offense,” continued Collachi of his tight end. “We run multiple offensive sets, and we can move him around on the field.
“He is going to be one tired football player on Friday nights,” added Collachi as Raymon will also be the Indian punter and will handle kick off duties. “The kids look up to him as a leader, and we want to keep him on the field.”
And that Iowa coaching staff will continue to smile.
Neshaminy senior fullback/linebacker Corey Majors will also bring a grin to the coaching staff of Villanova University as the talented Redskin captain committed to the Wildcats yesterday.
“I am really happy with the choice that I have made,” said Majors. “It will give me a chance to focus on the season.”
Majors had a focus on the season long before his verbal commitment to Villanova.
“Corey’s work in the weight room has been exceptional,” said Neshaminy head coach Mark Schmidt. “Pound for pound he is the strongest player we can put on the field.”
And at 6-foot 1-inch and 230 pounds – that is a lot of strong.
“I really like working in the weight room,” confessed Majors who has lifted four days a week since December of last year – never missing a session. “It really translates to what I do on the football field – like getting off blocks and making tackles.”
Majors is a superior middle linebacker and is the anchor to the Neshaminy defense.
“Corey is very physical and has the speed to get to the football,” said Schmidt. “And he never has to be told to get into position – he is a very smart player.”
Majors’ contribution on the offensive side of the line of scrimmage was as a lead blocking back for tailback Bryan Dean. This year should be different.
“Corey has the speed to get to the outside and also has the strength to run inside,” said Schmidt. “We actually might use him in a one-back offense a little bit this season, and he has shown the ability to catch the football.”
Majors will also lead the Skins as team captain.
“I feel that it is very important to play well if the other players on the team are going to follow you,” said Majors. “You have to have your ‘A’ game each and every day.”
And Majors should carry that ‘A’ game from Heartbreak Ridge this season to the Main Line next year.
Other Players to Watch in the Suburban One League National Conference …
Pennsbury – Brandon Pepper (running back)
Council Rock South – Bill Fleming (quarterback)
Harry S Truman – Quinton Bryant (lineman)
William Tennent – Hunter Wuensche (lineman)
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