Presenting the 2023 All-Main Line football teams

One of the most interesting stories during the 2023 Main Line high school football season was Lower Merion (6-5) posting its first winning season since 1992, when Kobe Bryant was beginning his freshman season with the basketball Aces.

Malvern Prep (9-1 overall, 5-0 Inter-Ac) won another Inter-Ac football title, while Conestoga (5-5), Haverford School (5-5) and Episcopal Academy (5-5) had solid seasons.

The All-Main Line high school football teams are selected by the coaches. Because Main Line Media News covers 19 high schools, the Main Line Media News sports staff limits the number of athletes on first team, second team and honorable mention – but follows the priority of the coaches’ selections. What follows are the 2023 All-Main Line high school football teams:

FIRST TEAM

Too Jemahwuo, Archbishop Carroll – Senior defensive back was considered a shutdown corner against the top receivers in the league, tallying three interceptions and 45 tackles. Was considered the Patriots’ best all-around player and impacted the game in all three phases.

Matt O’Brien, Conestoga – Senior center, a first team All-Central League selection for the second time, O’Brien used excellent technique and positioning to leverage oversized opponents and made all the checks to help stabilize the Conestoga run game.

Charlie Newhall, Conestoga – Senior linebacker/defensive end, a two-time first team All-Central League selection at LB, was a 6-foot-2, 230 pound punishing finsher who led the Pioneers in tackles this season.  He will be playing football for the U.S. Naval Academy.

Tommy Costigan, Conestoga – Senior linebacker, a three-time All-Central League selection at LB, finished his Pioneer career with 160 tackles. Was noted for his excellence at reading keys and being in position to fill the run and defend the pass.

AJ Koukou, Episcopal Academy – Senior defensive lineman, a first team All-InterAc selection, was called by EA head coach Todd Fairlie, “the best d-lineman we have had at EA in my time.” Will play football for Villanova next fall.

Michael Cadden, Episcopal Academy – Senior athlete, a first team All-Inter-Ac selection, set school record for pass receptions in a season, grabbing 45 for 560 yards, while also rushing for 255 yards, tallying 409 return yards and scoring 10 touchdowns.

Na’Rome Rayborn, Episcopal Academy – Senior quarterback, a repeat first team All-Main Line selection, set a school record for career passing touchdowns (39). Threw for 14 touchdowns and only two interceptions this fall and nearly 1,000 yards, while rushing for 549 yards and five touchdowns.

Nate Shoemaker, Haverford High – Senior inside linebacker/fullback and team captain was a two-way threat for the Fords, rushing for 938 yards on 174 carries and making 88 tackles (seven for losses). Received All-Central League second team honors both at linebacker and running back.

Matt Brosko, Haverford School – Senior running back, a first team All-InterAc selection and a repeat first team All-Main Line football pick, ran for 885 yards on 166 carries, scoring 11 touchdowns in only eight games.

Kellen Gardner, Haverford School – Junior linebacker, a first team All-InterAc selection, was a productive and prominent force for the Fords defense this fall, making 81 tackles.

Noah Andrewson, Haverford School – Senior 6-foot-6, 330 pound offensive lineman, a first team All-Inter-Ac selection, led the way for the Fords’ productive offense (2,365 yards) this fall.

Mekhai Smith, Lower Merion – Senior quarterback/defensive back was a first team All-Central League selection at both positions. Threw for 1,386 yards and 12 touchdowns, while rushing for 352 yards and three scores. Made 96 tackles (six for losses) and seven pass breakups. Will play football for Lehigh University next fall.

Andrew Cook, Lower Merion – Senior linebacker, an All-Central League selection, was a key force on defense for Lower Merion, making 120 tackles (a dozen of them for losses) and forced eight fumbles.

Ben Booker, Lower Merion – Senior linebacker, a first team All-Central League football selection, was a key factor in LM’s success, making 136 tackles (including 10 tackles for loss), three fumble recoveries and three sacks, and blocking two punts.

Andrew Pellicciotta, Malvern Prep – Junior free safety/athlete, the Inter-Ac’s Most Valuable Player, was a powerful two-way force for the Friars’ attack, rushing for 656 yards in 63 carries (averaging more than 10 yards per carry), grabbing 20 pass receptions for 261 yards and scoring XX touchdowns.

Ennis Udo, Malvern Prep – Senior defensive end/tight end, an All-Inter-Ac football selection, was a dominant force on defense, making 8.5 sacks and a dozen tackles for loss. The 6-foot-3, 215-pound senior is an all-around athlete who also is a standout lacrosse player for the Friars.

Jake Bauer, Malvern Prep – Junior 6-foot-1, 225-pound middle linebacker, a first team All-Inter-Ac selection, was in the middle of the defensive action for the Inter-Ac champion Friars, making 90 tackles in 10 games, including seven tackles for loss.

Peter Jones, Malvern Prep – Senior 6-foot-5, 300 pound right tackle, a first team All-Inter-Ac selection, was a dominant force on the offensive line and was key to the Friars’ powerful and consistently productive offense.

Logan Demchyk, Malvern Prep – Senior 6-foot-2, 275 pound right guard, a first team All-InterAc selection, was a strong blocker and another key to the Friars’ powerful offense this fall.

Mikey Enright, Radnor – Sophomore wide receiver, a first team All-Central League selection, made 41 receptions for 782 yards and seven touchdowns.

SECOND TEAM

Archbishop Carroll – James Wright, senior linebacker; Gavin Wray, senior kicker.

Conestoga – Benner Miller, senior offensive lineman; Landon Ross, senior tight end; Jude Cook, senior defensive back.

Episcopal Academy –  I’Jaaz Abdul-Malik, senior linebacker; Calvin Szoradi, senior offensive lineman; Zeke Kane, senior offensive lineman.

Haverford High – Alex Klee, junior offensive guard/defensive tackle.

Haverford School – Josh Williams, junior offensive lineman; Michael Barnes-Pace, senior defensive lineman; Ben McCarthy, senior safety.

Lower Merion – Declan Mack, senior wide receiver; Zion Gray, senior defensive back; Jack Diamondstein, senior offensive lineman.

Malvern Prep – Chris Lake, senior outside linebacker; Owen Mears, junior outside linebacker; Dylan Kraiza, senior center; Zeke Bates, sophomore running back; Liam Horan, senior tackle/defensive end.

Radnor – Tucker Graham, senior wide receiver; Bryce Cohen, senior defensive back.

HONORABLE MENTION

Archbishop Carroll – Cleveland Woodson, senior defensive lineman; Hassan Poulson Bailey, senior defensive back.

Conestoga – Andrew Arbes, senior punter.

Episcopal Academy – Conor Gaul, senior offensive lineman; Dylan Jaczsz, senior defensive back; Chris Purnell, senior defensive back; Paul Bruder, junior linebacker; Raheem Orr, junior defensive lineman.

Harriton – Colin Sullivan, junior tight end/linebacker; Jay Cahow, senior receiver/defensive back; Marquis Kubish, senior receiver/linebacker.

Haverford High – Liam Taylor, sophomore quarterback/strong safety; Keith Heinerichs, senior running back/wide receiver/defensive back; Buddy Coacher, senior outside linebacker/wide receiver.

Haverford School – Adon Gross, senior offensive lineman; Sean Brodnik, senior tight end; Walt Frazier, sophomore defensive lineman.

Radnor – Mason Shieh, junior linebacker; Matt Szychulski, junior quarterback; Alex Gaskill, junior offensive lineman.