Massaro is two years removed from his second of two torn ACL injuries.  The All-Delco lineman has worked his way all the way back and impressed during his pro day workout last month.

Of course we’ll be monitoring Massaro’s progress this weekend.

Sounds nice, doesn’t it?

With the Delco Hero Bowl 29 days off into the distance, you can wet your appetite by watching some of the top graduating seniors in the state this Sunday afternoon at Kottmeyer Stadium in Downingtown. Opening kickoff is scheduled for 2 p.m.

Only two Delco will participated. But, you know, two is better than zero.

Cardinal O’Hara all-purpose athlete Tarron Dunbar will join All-Delco lineman Jack Florio.

For more information, go here 

Smith, 19, was arrested, along with a second suspect, Kali Smith, also 19. Both are

Shahaid Smith was an All-Delco running back at Ridley in 2010.

considered “former KU football players,” according to the report.

Robbery, criminal conspiracy, burglary, simple assault, criminal trespass, and simple assault attempt charges were filed against Shahaid in relation to the March 8 incident.

Smith committed to Kutztown following a stellar senior season at Ridley. He played one season with the Golden Bears as a redshirt freshman in 2012.

Fords teammates Marcus Sydnor and Pete Kirlin are going to West Chester University.

Sydnor was an All-Delco DB in 2012 and Kirlin was selected second-team All-Delco at defensive line.

Mellor takes over a Harriton program that made great strides in recent years under

Photo Credit:  Haverford High School.

Marple Newtown product Matt Barr,

Mellor, who is a math teacher at Haverford, also coached JV baseball at the school.

Harriton is coming off a 5-5 season in the Central League.

A post on Haverford High’s Facebook page, congratulating Mellor on his new position, said:

“For the past 15 years or so we were fortunate to have a dedicated teacher, person, friend and coach at Haverford by the name of Justin Mellor. Today our friend was named head Football Coach at Harriton High School for the fall of 2013. We will miss Justin’s dedication to Haverford in so many ways. He helped so many students and coaches. Now it is time to wish Coach Mellor the very best at Harriton. He deserved this opportunity. Although we lost a good one we are all happy for him and wish him the very best. Thanks for the memories coach on the football field, baseball field, classroom and as an fine person!”

1. Thaddius Smith, ATH, Cardinal O’Hara:  A multi-dimensional standout in the mold of

Cardinal O’Hara’s Thadd Smith is pictured doing what he does best – outrunning defenders.

former O’Hara teammate Damiere Shaw (Temple), Smith will have a target on his back next season. He’s coming off a so-so junior season, but he is being recruited heavily, and you can expect him to be one of the premier two-way threats in the area next fall. Quick, explosive and elusive, Smith possess great hands and on-field awareness. He has offers from Boston College, Temple and Rutgers.

2. Jerry Lanier, RB, Academy Park: He was hands-down the best, pure running back in the county in 2012. Lanier hits the hole and is strong from the waist downl. It’s hard to believe Lanier had to earn his starting spot on varsity last summer and learn the RB position on the go. His ability to accelerate and find that “second

There’s no question that Academy Park’s Jerry Lanier is the best returning RB for 2013.

gear”is what separates Lanier from others. He is patient in terms of waiting for his lanes to open and has a real sense for the position. In 2012, Lanier led the county in rushing with 1,566 yards (6.3 ypc) and 16 touchdowns. He can top those numbers next season.

3. Evan Butts, DL, Episcopal Academy: Size, speed, athleticism … a total package. Looks like a D-1 player. Butts could be the top returning TE in the county, too. Butts is a defensive terror and often overlooked because Episcopal was so stacked last fall. He’s an All-Delco for a reason. I think he could be one of the most dominating defensive players in Southeastern Pa. next fall.

4. Kevin Leyden, HB, Haverford High: Leyden had a monstrous junior season. A touchdown threat every time he touched the ball, Leyden has a rare combination of size and quickness and the “it” factor that makes a great high school player. He has the potential to rush for 1,800 and 20 next season. I’ve been told that Leyden in the most dangerous player in the Central League. I agree. Leyden is a three-sport standout in football, hockey and lacrosse. Simply put, he’s good at everything he does.

5. Nick Apostolu, OL, Springfield: Apostolu is a mountainous O-lineman with good feet and

Springfield’s Nick Apostolu is arguably the top offensive lineman returning next season.

hands to go with tremendous size and strength. With more refinements, I see him as the top returning player at his position. He was listed at 6-5, 290 as a junior. That says enough.

6. Sonny Armstrong, LB/FB, Interboro:  I love him as a linebacker, but Armstrong has untapped potential out of the backfield. He’s a bull. A typical tough, blue-collared Interboro grinder, Armstrong is the heart and soul of that team. Not the quickest nor the most athletic, but he’s a special football talent and is as strong as an ox. He’ll play football at the next level, for sure. I don’t think we’ve seen Armstrong reach his max potential at the H.S. level.

7. Dashawn Darden, QB, Cardinal O’Hara: A human-highlight reel. Darden makes the most of his size (5-10, allegedly) and is not a prototype QB, even for the H.S. level. He has two full years of starting under his belt. I think he’s the best returning QB when you factor in the whole package. A lot to like about Darden’s game. I would like to see him develop more into a pocket passer, but thrives when throwing on the run.

8. Juwan Chandler, ATH, Sun Valley: He earned second team All-Delco honors as a sophomore and All-Ches-Mont League honors, but I get the sense not many football fans know a lot about Chandler. That’ll change next season. As a sophomore he had a phenomenal season for the vastly improved Vanguards. With Chandler back in the fold, Sun Valley is on the rise, and could win seven games next season.

9. Mark Everton, WR, Interboro: The sophomore led Delco in receiving with 763 yards on 40 catches (which ranked second). If the Bucs have someone who can get him the ball, expect another huge 2013 for Everton, who showed there is no catch he couldn’t make. He also has that “clutch” factor. The kid was tall for his age, which is scary. He should fill out even more.

10. Cyrus Barlee, RB/DB, Upper Darby: Some might think No. 10 is a little too high on the list, but the kid showed he can play for a UD team that was maddeningly inconsistent and flat-out awful at times in 2012. Injuries kept him away from the offensive side of the ball late in the year, but Barlee was dangerous when he had a chance to run. He also thrived as a shutdown cornerback who was rarely contested as the season progressed. UD has a knack for developing very good athletes who excel at those skill positions. Barlee is another example.

11. Lamont Veal, RB, Cardinal O’Hara

12.Chris Galloway, WR/DB, Radnor

13. Matt Gould, OL/DL, Interboro

14. Jeff Devaughn, WR/DB/KR/PR, Academy Park

15. Nolan Cummings, LB, Cardinal O’Hara

16. Kev Campell, OL/DL, Cardinal O’Hara

17. Adam Krauter, LB,Springfield

18.John Minicozzi,OL, Episcopal Academy

19. Jai Thornton, DB/RB/WR, Haverford High

20. Lou Harrison, LB, Ridley

21. Terrell Smith, DB, Episcopal Academy

22.Collin Wright ,QB, Ridley

23. Jake Irving, RB, Garnet Valley

24. Chris Rossiter, WR/DB, Upper Darby

25.Philip Poquie, RB, Haverford School

1. An illegal personal contact foul was added so that “no player or nonplayer shall initiate contact with an opposing player whose helmet has come completely off.”

Moreover,  illegal participation is constituted “for a player whose helmet comes completely off during a down to continue to participate beyond the immediate action in which the player is engaged.”

“With its continued focus on risk minimization, the committee determined that a helmet-less player shall not block, tackle or otherwise participate beyond the immediate action in which the player is engaged when the helmet came completely off,” said Bob Colgate, NFHS director of sports and sports medicine. “The penalty would be a live-ball, basic-spot foul.”

2. The committee also added language in the rulebook that states if the helmet comes off during the down or subsequent dead-ball action related to the down, and is not directly attributable to a foul by the opponent, the player is required to exit the game for at least one down.  This is be followed by an official’s timeout.

“Player safety has been and will continue to be the top priority for members of the NFHS Football Rules Committee,” said Brad Garrett, chair of the NFHS Football Rules Committee and assistant executive director of the Oregon School Activities Association. “These rules changes regarding helmet-less players are more examples of the group’s commitment to minimize risk within the game.”

3. Finally, there will be noticeable reduction in the yardage rewarded for pass interference. While the 15-yard penalty will remain on offense and defense, the loss of down has been removed for offensive pass interference and the automatic first down has been eliminated for defensive pass interference.

“Offensive and defensive pass interference and the penalty structure related to these fouls has been debated many times in recent years,” Garrett said. “Proposals that either deleted the loss of down or the automatic first down – but not both – failed to gain support among committee members. The proposal to eliminate both components, thus not upsetting the balance between offense and defense, was the key factor in the adoption of the new rule.”

OTHER CHANGES..

• Expanded use of communication devices in specific situations for coaches, players and nonplayers during “authorized” conferences outside the nine-yard marks, on the sidelines and during halftime intermission. Oh darn, I  was hoping quarterbacks would be allowed to carry smartphones onto the field and receive play calls via text….

• The committee clarified the rule approved last year regarding the definition of a catch, which stated that a receiver is required to establish possession of the ball and contact the ground inbounds while maintaining possession – regardless of the opponent’s action. 

“The committee clarified the definition of a catch such that an airborne player who has forward progress stopped inbounds and is carried out of bounds by an opponent before contacting the ground is awarded a catch at the spot of forward progress,” Colgate said.

• The committee added another provision to the rule enacted last year regarding contact by the kicking team against members of the receiving team. The new provision stipulates that the kicking team may initiate contact once the receiving team has initiated a block within the neutral zone. …

• The committee also approved the addition of a 15-yard penalty to the existing option of accepting an awarded fair catch for kick-catch interference. 

• Finally,the committee clarified that the touchdown scoring team is the only team that can score on a try and the committee modified the rule regarding the wearing of towels

If you’ve been invited to play and intend on playing, please email me at msmith@delcotimes.com or tweet me @DTMattSmith

The 37th Delaware County Hero Bowl is scheduled to be played in May.

BONNER-PRENDERGAST

Devin Young

CHICHESTER

Corbyn Nyemah

GARNET VALLEY  

Steve Elf

HAVERFORD

Ricky Dempsey

INTERBORO

Nick Rentos

MARPLE NEWTOWN

Ed Graham

Craig Hamilton

Corey Power

Joe Vegso

PENN WOOD

All-Delco Tevon Howie

Richard Ringgold

Corey Broach

Geanmon Gonwoe

RADNOR

Mike Staples

John King

STRATH HAVEN

Tevon Howie

Kevin Sherry

If I’m missing anyone, please let me know. Send an email to msmith@delcotimes.com.

UPDATED: Feb. 16

ARCHBISHOP CARROLL

Sal Bello, QB, Ursinus

CARDINAL O’HARA

Carmen Cervella, OL/DL, Pace University (N.Y.)

Tarron Dunbar, ATH, Shippensburg

Joe DeMaio, WR/DB, West Chester

EPISCOPAL ACADEMY

Adam Strouss, QB, Penn

Jack Florio, OL, Franklin & Marshall

Teddy Ibarguen, LB, Trinity

Matt Rushton, DB, Villanova (preferred walk-on)

Matt McLaughlin, LB, Franklin & Marshall

GARNET VALLEY

Matt Donoghue, OL, Villanova

Steve Elf, OLB, Franklin & Marshall

Jordyn Bennett, RB, Slippery Rock

Ryan Corkery, QB, West Chester

HAVERFORD HIGH

Brandon Waller, DL, Richmond*

*Did Not Play in 2012 due to injury

HAVERFORD SCHOOL

Aron Morgan, K, Penn

Matt Galambos, LB, Pittsburgh

Chris Morgan, WR/DB, Colgate

Sema’j Reed, OL, Temple

*Decommitted from Buffalo on Feb. 4

Stu Denouis, TE/DE, Middleburry (Vt.)

INTERBORO

Rashon Fentress, TE, Shippensburg

MARPLE NEWTOWN

Corey Power, DL, Penn

Joe Vego, TE/LB, Gettysburg

RADNOR

Mike Staples, OL/DL, Cornell

RIDLEY

Shane Dougherty, LB, Kutztown

Matt Sinex, OL/DL, Kutztown

SPRINGFIELD

Mike Dougherty, LB/RB, Stetson

Rob Murphy, RB, Widener

Joe Vegso, center, will be doing more tackling at Gettysburg.

Vegso had 21 catches for 330 yards and two touchdowns. According to his stats on MarpleNewtownFootball.com, Vegso racked up 63 tackles on defense.

Vegso took home the 2012 Woody Peoples Memorial Scholarship at the MN football banquet last month.

In addition, Vegso has been asked to participate in this year’s Delaware County Hero Bowl, along with teammates Corey Power (Penn), Craig Hamilton and Ed Graham.