Delaware Valley has come a long way, but still has some work to do to reach next level

DOYLESTOWN — The seniors on the Delaware Valley football team won a school-record 43 games in their memorable collegiate careers.

The Aggies went 32-0 during four undefeated seasons in the Middle Atlantic Conference and won five NCAA Division III playoff games during their four trips to the playoffs.

Bolstered by senior four-year defensive line starters Michael Nobile and twin Anthony Nobile, as well as the DelVal's first four-time All-MAC selection in safety Blaine Netterman and senior defensive lineman Yusuf Aladinov, a William Tennent graduate who was voted the 2021 Region 1 Defensive Player of the Year, the Aggies limited opponents to an average of 9.2 points in their 13 games this season. They had an eye-popping seven first-team All-MAC selections on defense en route to tying a school record with 12 victories.

DelVal's Duke Greco earned his third MAC Coach of the Year award in five years. He is 82-13 as the Aggies coach during the most successful stretch in school history.

Delaware Valley even got to host 13-time national champion Mount Union in Saturday afternoon's NCAA playoff quarterfinals. Despite a solid performance by its defense, which limited the high-powered Purple Raiders to a season-low point total, DelVal dropped a 22-6 decision at James Work Stadium.

Delaware Valley has established itself as a top-10 D-III program, which is a terrific and enviable accomplishment. But after losing in the quarterfinals for the fifth time (also 2004-05, 2017 and '19), the Aggies are still looking for their first semifinal berth, which shows how difficult it is to get to the level of the Mount Unions and North Centrals and Mary Hardin-Baylors.

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"Tough day," said Greco afterward. "It's hard for me. These guys leaving here today don't realize what they've accomplished. They're just in the moment, which I understand. I hope that part comes soon."

The Aggies could use another big playmaker on offense to complement speedy junior receiver/return man Tahmir Barksdale, an Archbishop Wood grad, and make them more explosive. Barksdale had DelVal's touchdown Saturday on a 24-yard pass from sophomore quarterback Louie Barrios IV late in the third quarter.

It would've been interesting to see the impact if DelVal had been able to score when trailing 14-0 late in the second quarter. The Aggies drove from their own 1-yard line to the Purple Raiders' 5 before Barrios was sacked on fourth down.

While disappointed, the DelVal players were encouraged by how well they performed against second-ranked Mount Union.

"We all knew we were a talented group and we could go toe to toe with anyone," Michael Nobile said. "… I'm really happy to go out like this against a top team, a powerhouse. We showed the country who DelVal is."

Losing seniors like the Nobiles, Aladinov, Netterman, defensive back Cole Kitchen, who is an Upper Moreland graduate, offensive tackle Bam Bannavti and fullback Walt Truxell is significant.

But there is plenty of talent returning, as evidenced by the 14 starters with eligibility left, including eight on offense.

Sophomore quarterback Barrios, sophomore running back Jay White, who is a North Penn grad, Barksdale, guard Shane Newell and junior linebackers Anthony Puntotillo and Ahmad Jones all gained first-team All-MAC laurels. Sophomore guard Justin Roman and junior linebacker Nick Chapman, a Hatboro-Horsham graduate who had a game-high 11 tackles Saturday (three for loss), picked up second-team honors.

In other words, the cupboard is far from bare.

"(The program's) in great hands," Netterman said. "We've got a lot of young talent. The DB room is loaded. All over the defense, we've got good, young guys.

"This senior class brought it to a great level, but I know they can bring it even higher. I know we're going to be a perennial powerhouse. It's been that way for a while. We've got to keep the MAC streak (44 games, dating back to 2016) alive and keep making playoff runs."

"I feel like the guys under us, behind us, could really make a big step as well," agreed Nobile.

That certainly wouldn't hurt DelVal's chances of making it to the elusive Final Four.

Tom Moore: tmoore@couriertimes; @TomMoorePhilly