Malvern Prep enters the 2024 football season with a strong team that included last year’s Inter-Ac champions.

Leading the way among the key returnees is the 2023 Inter-Ac Most Valuable Player, senior Andrew Pellicciotta, who ran for 656 yards on 63 carries last fall, caught 20 passes for 261 yards, scored nine touchdowns and provided a tight defense as a free safety.

“Andrew is a quality playmaker on both sides of the ball,” said Malvern head coach Dave Gueriera, who led the Friars to a 9-1 record last fall, with their only loss coming to PIAA 5A state champion Imhotep Charter. Malvern posted a 5-0 record in the Inter-Ac and its 36th league title (26th overall).

The 6-foot-3, 195-pound Pellicciotta, who has committed to play football for the U.S. Naval Academy next fall, said, “Last year we were chasing an Inter-Ac title that we hadn’t won the year before. … We worked hard all preseason to stay on top, and we’re still hungry for more. We’re ready for the challenge (of a repeat).”

On offense, the Friars have good depth at running back with junior Zeke Bates (5-11, 195). He carried the ball 83 times for 461 yards last fall, caught seven passes for 78 yards and scored eight touchdowns.

“Zeke has a great combination of power and speed and has great vision,” Gueriera said.

Malvern also has Chris Smith (5-9, 185), who ran 66 times for 274 yards last year.

The Friars have two players at quarterback – senior Skyler Smith (6-1, 190), who completed 55 of 107 passes for 647 yards and six touchdowns last year, and junior Jackson Melconian (5-10, 170), who completed 10 of 21 passes for 140 yards.

“Skyler was the most used (at quarterback) last year, and when he got hurt in league play, Jackson came in against Haverford School and Episcopal Academy and played really well,” Gueriera said. “We’re lucky — we have two really good quarterbacks that I think can play in a lot of different programs here. We’re not afraid to let them both play — I think they both bring unique talents and unique skills, but right now (Aug. 19) they’re about evenly matched, so we’ll see how it goes (in the future).”

“Skyler is a phenomenal athlete, he can do a lot in the run game, and he also has a strong arm, an accurate arm, so he brings a combination of things to our team. Jackson has a lot of confidence and grit, and he can run as well, but I think his strengths are in the pocket, being able to distribute the ball and develop quickly. Both quarterbacks bring us great things, and when we go on the field, I think you’ll see both of them play.”

Key wide receivers returning to the team include senior Luke Hardy (6’1″, 195 pounds), who caught 14 passes for 181 yards last fall, and senior PJ Holmes (6’2″, 195 pounds), who caught nine passes for 107 yards and two touchdowns.

“We have all of our talent back from last fall, but last spring we released four of five (key) offensive players, and our returning player (6’1″, 275-pound senior) Orazio Nastase is moving from guard to center,” Gueriera said. “Our success will depend on how quickly our new offensive line coalesces and communicates. We need to avoid self-inflicted mistakes, and I think our offensive line has risen to that challenge — they worked hard last winter.”

In defense, the Friars rely on most of their regular players from last fall.

“We’ve brought in some very good defenders,” Gueriera noted. “Our success will depend on how good we are in one-on-one combat.”

The Friars’ defense is led by veteran middle linebacker Jake Bauer (6’1″, 220 pounds), who was selected to the All-Inter-Ac first team last fall and recorded 90 tackles (including seven for loss), three interceptions and six touchdowns.

“Jake plays linebacker like he was shot out of a cannon,” Gueriera said.

Bauer, who like Pelliiotta will play football for Navy next year, said, “I think we need to take the (championship) energy from last year and carry it forward this year.”

A key outside linebacker returning is senior Owen Mears (6’2″, 195 lbs.), who recorded 35 tackles and three interceptions last year.

“Owen is one of our most versatile defenders,” Gueriera said. “He has a very high football IQ and is also a great athlete.”

Another key defender returning is veteran linebacker/tight end Ben Kumpon (6’1″, 220 lbs.), who made 53 tackles last fall.

The foundation of the Friars’ defensive backfield is formed by Pelliiotta and senior Zade Johnson (5-10, 180), who caught four interceptions last fall and was selected to the All-Area first team by the Daily Local News.

Two key newcomers that could strengthen the Friars’ defensive line are junior Cameron Brickle (6’4″, 285 lbs), who also plays on the offensive line, and junior Jackson Ford (6’5″, 230 lbs), who also plays tight end.

The Friars suffered a major graduation on special teams last spring when standout kicker/punter Jack Ploszay graduated and is now playing at Wake Forest.

“The loss of Jack leaves a big void, but we are confident our new kickers and punters are ready to step into that role,” Gueriera said.

Junior punter/kicker Ian Gopez (5-8, 150) leads the Friars’ promising kicking brigade.