Cardinal O'Hara

By MATT SMITH

msmith@delcotimes.com

MARPLE — Cardinal O’Hara is set to embark on the most emotionally challenging season in its storied history.

Losing its head coach sent shock waves throughout the Delaware County football landscape when Danny Algeo died from complications of a heart attack in July. He was 49.

The pain and sadness has barely subsided in the two months since Algeo’s passing. But the Lions know they have to keep moving and ready themselves for the 2014 season. Algeo would expect nothing less.

“We realize that Coach Algeo was a big loss. We’re never going to forget him,” said Andrew Gallagher, a team captain and the lone returning starter on the lines. “He was a great friend and coach to us. He was there all four years for the seniors. He would want us to move on, play for the new coaches, respect the new coaches and go out and do what they’re coaching us. Play football and do your best to win games. Those are the things he would want us to do.”

After the season, the school administration will perform an exhaustive search to find the next coach. Paul Strus, the longest-tenured member of Algeo’s staff, is at the helm on an interim basis. Several of Algeo’s former players as well as older alumni returned to their alma mater to join Strus’ staff. Among them is former NFLer Gerry Feehery, who played center for the Eagles in the 1980s. Jim Algeo, Danny’s father who retired in 2011 following 44 seasons as the head coach at Lansdale Catholic, will assist in a part-time capacity.

“I believe that this is truly a process and each week is our measuring stick,” said Strus, who coached special teams at O’Hara since 2004. “I believe our kids have come a long way the last couple of weeks from what we expected. Danny was very good at doing a lot of things; he could coach any position. Danny worked tremendously hard with them from November until his passing. Right now, we’re just trying to get everybody on the team aspect of football. If they play as a team, which I think is our biggest asset, we can do some nice things.”

The roster is loaded with newcomers, as only seniors Brandon Laughlin (quarterback/defensive back), Andrew Gallagher (offensive/defensive line), Nick Mariotti (fullback/linebacker), Darell Jackson (wide receiver/defensive back) and Nick Fallows (offensive line/linebacker) have starting varsity experience. Many Lions will go both ways.

Laughlin replaces Dashawn Darden, who served as the Lions’ No. 1 quarterback for three seasons and compiled more than 3,700 passing yards. Laughlin’s brother, Ryan, was an All-Delco quarterback at O’Hara in 2010.

“I know I’ll have a bigger role this year,” Laughlin said. “As a captain, I know what has to get done. We’re all in this together.”

The Lions installed a new offensive system, which Laughlin said was “difficult at first.” Much of what is now being done is a product of the coaching staff, which emphasizes a balance of new-and old-school schemes.

“We’re starting to pick up a lot of the new stuff that we weren’t used to, with the offense and the defense,” said Laughlin, who started primarily in the secondary last fall. “Everything has been running smoothly. I really like the effort we’ve been seeing from all these guys. Everyone is really dedicated to learning the offense and defense.”

As for the defense, Strus said that “a lot of the terminology is new, some of the schemes are new, but the basic operation of that 4-3 defense is still intact.”

The Lions hope to replace the production of All-Delco wide receiver Thadd Smith, who took his game to Boston College. Jackson, who showed flashes of his potential last fall, could help to fill that void.

Senior Jack Horan is a first-year varsity starter. Horan is a two-way lineman who also serves as the Lions’ kicker, though the Lions likely will miss the long leg of two-time All-Delco kicker, Steve Weyler, who is at Villanova. Junior fullback/linebacker Ryan Taylor and senior lineman Tim Aikens transferred from Salesianum (Del.) and The Haverford School, respectively.

“We had a lot of seniors on last year’s team and these kids that are coming in played a lot of JV, so there’s a lot of change in that respect,” Strus said. “There’s a lot of things that we have to get in their heads about what we’re doing here. Everyone seems to be committed to the process.”

Because of their lack of depth, it is imperative for the Lions to stay healthy.

“Everyone has been working to the best of their ability and giving it their all. Everyone is a part of this team and will be asked to contribute,” Gallagher said. “We don’t have much depth this year, so we got young guys who are gonna have to step up. If someone goes down with an injury, they’re going to get thrown in there. They’re accepting the challenge.”