Great Valley

By PETER DiGIOVANNI

cpn11716@comcast.net

For a team that went 8-3 last season and returns 32 seniors, it may seem that change would not be the order of the day.

But, for Great Valley, change was definitely in the air following head coach Mike Choi’s departure to Pequea Valley early in the spring. Enter former West Chester East headman Dan Ellis to take over a team that is hopeful of finally knocking off West Chester Rustin and Unionville in the Ches-Mont American Division race.

“The kids really want to finally get ahead of the top two, Rustin and Unionville in the American,” Ellis said. “But you have to want to work in the summer. You have to think about beating them when you lift weights and when you work out in the offseason. These 32 seniors have worked very hard and they have played football together for a long time. They have grown up together and they have jelled together.

“They are a hard working bunch and we have shown them how to hopefully make their work more productive. As a coaching staff, we have shown them the way we want things done and they have been very receptive. They really want to win.”

The big player for the Pats is senior and Penn State recruit Ryan Buchholz, a defensive end and tight end in the offense. Ellis is well aware of how special of a player he has on his hands. Patriots package. “I personally have not seen a player like Buck since Derrick Morgan played at Coatesville,” Ellis said. “He is a combination of a guy that can really move and is very strong. He is very explosive off the ball. We are going to try to get the football in his hands as much as possible. Ryan is very excited about this season and we have an under the radar player in Nasir Adderley.

“Nasir is really put together and he can carry the football and we plan on using him a lot this season. He has great speed and is a guy you can use all over the field. We plan on using him on offense and defense, and we feel he is a good cover guy in the secondary.”

The quarterback position is critical in Ellis’ no-huddle offense and he feels the competition between senior Zach Ludwig and junior Nick Cianci will be key to the team’s success.

“Both guys will be given an opportunity to win the job,” Ellis said. “I mean, my style is a little overrated. We will be a no-huddle team, but it will be different than it was at West Chester East because we have different players. We will fit our offense to what our players can do. Defensively, we will be a 4-3 team and we are excited about our defense. The kids fit the 4-3 and we will use Buchholz all over the place.”

Great Valley’s nonleague schedule will include Phoenixville, Avon Grove, Penn Wood and a mandatory crossover game against Downingtown West.

“It’s hard on the kids, but they are very excited to get going and all I can say is that they’re a very hard working bunch.” Ellis said.