Whiz Kid

Patch Whiz Kid of the Week: Tyler Odell

Marple Newtown Patch highlights Episcopal Academy's squash and lacrosse star Tyler Odell.

Each week, Marple Newtown Patch will seek suggestions from readers for individual kids, youth groups, teens, and even sports teams that wow us with their accomplishments. This week we highlight Tyler Odell, a senior at Episcopal Academy, who recently received the 2012 Sportsmanship Award from the Philadelphia Squash Racquets Association. Patch Whiz Kid of the Week: Tyler Odell Whiz Kid's Age: 18 Whiz Kid's School: Episcopal Academy Whiz Kid's Accomplishment: The Philadelphia Squash Racquets Association (PSRA) recently named the Episcopal Academy senior Tyler as their 2012 pick for the PSRA Sportsmanship Award. The PSRA presents the award annually to one male and one female junior squash player who best represent and demonstrate the …

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Freshman Makes Big Leaps For Episcopal Academy

John Minicozzi is proving himself with the Churchmen as a fresh faced freshman.

NEWTOWN SQUARE–John Minicozzi was a little nervous at first. Who could blame the 5-foot-10, 225-pound Episcopal Academy freshman. He was making the huge, gaping jump from grade school football at Springton Lake Middle School, in Media, where he lives, to the larger, faster world of high school varsity football. But Minicozzi is doing very well. He had a sack and a safety in Episcopal’s 11-8 victory over Hill School two weeks ago, and he’s proven to be a viable player each time he’s been in the game. What makes Minicozzi that much more special is the switch in position he’s made from middle linebacker and fullback in eighth grade to offensive guard and defensive end in high school. “I was kind of nervous in the beginning playing with the …

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Churchmen's Super Soph Rises To The Surface

Sophomore Anthony Feliziani was a key factor in Episcopal Academy's win against Hill School last weekend.

NEWTOWN SQUARE–Anthony Feliziani has scored a varsity touchdown before, getting into the end zone against Hun School. But the Episcopal Academy sophomore tailback never had the kind of extended varsity play that he received in the Churchmen’s 11-8 victory over the Hill School on Saturday afternoon. He rushed for a career-high 65 yards on 20 carries and he scored the go-ahead touchdown in Episcopal Academy’s victory. His play may have earned him more playing time. “I think with what happened and the adversity we faced against Hill School, losing guys to injuries, we need some people to step up right now,” Feliziani said. Though he was told to be prepared to play, Feliziani said he was at the "right place at the right time." “We rearranged …

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Football Players of the Week: Sept. 26

Marple Newtown and Episcopal Academy shared the limelight in this week's top football players of the week.

Each week the Delaware County Coaches Association meets to select the top players of the last weekend’s games. These are those players from the respective Patch areas. Quarterback: Joe Viviano (Conestoga) Offensive Line: Connor Breslin (Marple Newtown) Defensive Line: Anthony Desiderio (Marple Newtown) Linebacker: Tyler Morrissey (Springfield) Defensive Back: Kenny Brown (Harriton) Specialist: Zack Gregory (Conestoga) MVP: Joe Viviano (Conestoga) Honorable Mention: Rob Murphy (Springfield), Dylan Hewitt (Haverford High), Dylan Cullen (Haverford High), Jerrell Clark (Conestoga), Cimirrow Moat (Marple Newtown), Austin Hennessey (Haverford High), Juwan Valentine (Harriton), Sean Letterman (Haverford High), Joey Pham (Marple Newtown), Tom Fior…

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Episcopal Academy Rebounds To Beat Hill School

The Churchmen relied on young players to step up and make plays at Saturday's game against Hill School for a victory.

NEWTOWN SQUARE–Todd Fairlie had been looking for this since he took the job as head coach at Episcopal Academy. Fairlie wanted to see an unbending attitude from his team, despite the situation, an iron resolve that in the end would rise above adversity to win. On Saturday, Fairlie received it. Despite his team losing three players to injuries—one before the game even began—the young Churchmen came back from an early deficit to beat Hill School, 11-8, in a non-league victory that could buoy Episcopal Academy the rest of the season. The Churchmen evened their record at 2-2, overcoming spells of fatigue when they had problems tackling, could barely move the ball and had young players being asked to perform at a varsity level sooner than …

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Episcopal Academy's Wide Receiver Steps Up

Ian Strain, the Churchmen's wide receiver, had to fill in for injured quarterback Adam Strouss in last week's game against the Hun School.

NEWTOWN SQUARE–Episcopal Academy’s Ian Strain was introduced to a new position last week in the Churchmen’s 20-13 setback to Hun School. Strain, Episcopal’s best weapon, usually plays wide receiver. But Strain was forced to replace starting quarterback Adam Strouss, who went down last week during practice with an injured ankle. “We thought we were okay if we ran the ball, and up front Hun School has some post-graduates and they were a big team,” Churchmen coach Todd Fairlie said. After halftime, the Churchmen remained their cool and moved forward. “We got the ball with a minute and something left, down seven and our kids didn’t quit. We hung around and tied the game in the second half. I think we learned to turn the page at halftime and …

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Episcopal Academy Falls to Hun 20-13

The Churchmen's third quarter rally fell short.

After falling behind 10-0 by halftime, the Episcopal Academy Churchmen scored 10 unanswered points Friday night at home against the Hun School. However, without starting quarterback Adam Strouss, they lacked the firepower to keep the rally going. Episcopal fell to 1-2 on the season after dropping the game to the New Jersey school, 20-13.   IN SHORT Ian Strain, the Churchmen backup quarterback, was thrust into action when Strouss learned Wednesday his sprained right ankle would keep him out of action. Usually playing wide receiver, Strain seemed like he missed his normal position. But despite an anemic offense, and a play-making defense that didn't make quite enough plays to offset it, Episcopal Academy stayed in the game until the end. …

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Episcopal Academy Football Revealing Toughness

Churchmen receiver Ian Strain talks about Friday's loss to Interboro.

PROSPECT PARK–Episcopal Academy lost a tough one, 14-7, in overtime last Friday, Sept. 9, to a tough team, Interboro. The Bucs are noted for their rugged, grinding play, and Episcopal Academy gave it right back. The Churchmen were led by junior receiver Ian Strain, who caught a career-best 80-yard touchdown on Episcopal’s first series of the second half. “I think what we learned after that game is our defensive line played really well, and I think that showed we could play with the top teams in the county,” Strain said. “Interboro is a team that likes to pound the ball, and they ran at us all night. The coaching staff made good adjustments. One problem we don’t have is toughness; we won’t back down, even if someone tries to come at us and …

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Churchmen Start New Season With New Coach

Episcopal Academy's new football Coach Todd Fairlie is looking to aim the Churchmen in a positive direction.

Expect a lot of energy. Expect a new attitude. Expect a gradual learning curve. Todd Fairlie, a 2002 Maple Newtown graduate and former Widener football player, is experiencing his first head-coaching job, at Episcopal Academy, after being an assistant coach for the Churchmen the last two years. It helps Fairlie to know what’s ahead in the tough Inter-Academic League, with two-time defending champion Haverford School and Malvern Prep up on the schedule late in the season. It’s the one major advantage Fairlie has, as he learns about his team and his team learns about him and his coaching staff. “I think I want my players to give back what I put into it; effort won’t ever be the reason why we lose,” Fairlie said. “I know what’s in this league…

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