Much of that confidence and 3-0 start starts with Neshaminy’s senior-driven offensive line
NESHAMINY: Everyone who follows football – from pro, college and high school coaches, to the fans in the stands – know that success starts with the offensive line.
Look at all the latest Super Bowl winning teams…every one needed a great offensive line in order to hang a banner.
Neshaminy High School football has a long, proud history. But the Skins have had just one winning season since the 2018 team carved out an 8-4 campaign.
The one winning season Neshaminy has recorded since then was in 2020, during the pandemic, when the Skins went 5-1 with no playoffs.
Since 2020, Neshaminy has posted a 10-20 record.
These interviews took place on the Neshaminy practice field before the season started.
Now that the Skins are 3-0, one win from matching all of 2023, it is interesting to see the impact an offensive line that starts four seniors who have played together since 2021, can have on a team.
The four senior O-linemen are Kyler Nelson (6-1, 285), Richard Esher (6-2, 276), Kieron Durnin (6-1, 278) and William Dunkley (6-1, 275).
Milmot was asked a week before their opener against Emmaus (a 20-17 OT win) what would be the key to getting back to the program’s winning ways.
Of course, it started with the “hog mollies”- as former Giants GM David Gettleman once nicknamed his O-linemen.
“If you play Neshaminy football, you’re expected to work really hard,” Wilmot said. “That’s almost a given. Working hard is a given. [The players] have to decide every day when they show up, that they want to be really, really good.
“It’s a decision they have to make every single day. They can’t take any days off or they’re not going to be naturals. Every day with the competition we play week-in and week-out, they have to decide that they want to be good and they want to excel and they want to do it for the team.
“That’s the thing about playing offensive line, it’ kind of a selfless position…you’re blocking for other people…It’s delayed gratification. A lot of times…no one in the stands can see the great blocks until we watch the film, whether it be Saturday morning or Monday afternoon; it’s delayed gratification.
“They’re busting their ass for the running back, who runs for 100 yards, or the quarterback that throws for 200 yards, or the fullback that runs for 50 yards with four first downs…whatever.
“They’re doing it for other people. They have to make up their mind every day if they want to be good.”
WILMOT SAYS HE’S KNOWN THIS GROUP FOR A LONG TIME
According to the school's website, Wilmot entered the Neshaminy School District’s teaching staff while securing a position with the football team in 1995. He was named head coach in 2015.
Wilmot played offensive line at Springfield High School (Erdenheim, PA) and at the college level at Lock Haven University.
That means Wilmot was an assistant coach when Neshaminy won the PA State Title in 2001.
So he has accumulated a lifetime of memories seeing boys enter the program, and leave as young men. Wilmot said this group is as special as any and especially since his son Jason is a running back on the team.
“They're a great group of kids that I've been working with,” Wilmot said. “I've known Will Dunkley, I've known Kieron, I've known RJ (Esher) probably since they were ten years old when they were all playing baseball with my son.
"So there are three personalities that I've got to know, I've got to watch them grow up. Kyle (Nelson), I've known because he's my son's age. My son was friends with him. He didn't play on that same baseball team.
“But I've to watch all these kids grow up. They all knew they wanted to be Neshaminy football players. This is the last year that they have to live out their dream. So, it's kind of exciting to watch.”
The football club team scene is not as practical as it is in sports like baseball, basketball, soccer and hockey. You can play on club and recreational teams for decades after high school. Football is a collision sport.
There is just not the same interest for guys, who aren’t going to play in college, to invest their time to training, pay for equipment and deal with injuries that come with playing a collision sport.
So, that last high school season is an emotional one. “Without a doubt,” Wilmot agreed.
NESHAMINY PLAYERS CHIMED IN ON THEIR OWN EXPECTATIONS
In an interview session with six Neshaminy players a week before their opener, each talked about their teammates, their expectations for the upcoming season and how to get back to having winning seasons at Neshaminy.
They seemed to have great vision for their goals.
Junior quarterback Michael Eckhart was asked about having four seniors on his offensive line.
“It gives me a lot of confidence,” Eckhart said after practice in August. “I've known these guys since I was playing Little League baseball and youth football. I trust them and know they will get the job done.”
Neshaminy went 4-6 in 2023. Obviously not the place a program with this background will accept. Eckhart said the key to getting the winning culture back is to stay in the moment.
“Take it game by game,” said Eckhart, who listed Jalen Hurts as his favorite NFL player “Through the whole offseason [the battle cry] was '10-0.' But at the same time we have to think of going 1-0 every week.”
Junior running back Carter Clee said the same thing about the Skins O-line,
“I've been playing with these guys since eighth grade,” Clee said. “It's been about three years now and they've been blocking for me the whole time.
Nelson (center) talked about how the line developed.
“Last year we had a lot of depth including most of our O-Lineman this year,” said Nelson, who lists Miles Sanders, Zach Martin and Jason Kelce as the NFL players he most admires. “Pretty much all our O-lineman got experience in varsity games so we had a lot of confidence that once game one came around, they would be prepared to perform at the best of our ability.”
Nelson’s prediction?
“I think 10-0 is easily the goal,” he said. “I think it's a very attainable goal. We have to work week-by-week and prepare for each game. Once the playoffs come around and we're definitely aiming for it…we just need to keep performing.”
Esher (RJ) talked about the history behind Neshaminy football that had bloodlines for him.
“I've had a lot of family members go to Neshaminy,” said Esher, who revealed Justin Jefferson and Jason Kelce are his favorite NFL players. “Most of the time when they were here, they had winning records. I know this is a winning program with winning records.
“Coach Wilmot has been here for a while. He told us how Neshaminy teams are always tough and strong.”
“RJ” said when he refers to being strong, he is also referring to the weight room where the culture Wilmot has created over the years is legendary.
“We always try to look up to the winning teams to get our maxes on the bench and squat up to them, try to match them...I think we're better than them this year.”
How does he transfer the weight room vibe to the field?
“We always cheer for each other,” Esher said. “We try to make each other better every day. When we do best-on-best against each other, we're always trying to push each other to get better -on the field and in the weight room.
“Whenever we're lifting and someone is struggling, everybody groups up and cheers for that player.”
Durnin talked about the fraternal nature of O-linemen.
“I think it can be really special,” Durnin said. “Especially since we have four senior offensive linemen that we've blocked together for the last three years now. I think we've really bonded with each other. We trust each other to do good.
“I love football,” continued Durnin, who lists Brian Dawkins and Jalen Hurts as his favorite Eagles. “I've been watching football since I was little with my dad. I've loved every year watching it and love it even more since I've been playing it.”
Dunkley was asked about the Neshaminy legacy.
“At Neshaminy, we have a winning tradition,” Dunkley said. “We've had a rough couple of years, but we hope to bring that back. I've had lots of family that's played here that have been on great teams.
“I just want to hold up to that standard and bring honor and pride back to Neshaminy.”
What does Dunkley think has to happen for the Skins to get to where they want to go?
“It relies on trust,” he said. “I trust all my brothers out here I've been playing with since we were 10 year's old and playing baseball together. We have to pick each other up, keep it going and never stop.”
WILMOT SAYS THE LOVE OF FOOTBALL CAN CARRY A TEAM A LONG WAY
The Neshaminy football team has a tough schedule in front of them, starting with a tough North Penn team. It is unlikely the Skins will go undefeated, but the love of the game can make them want to try for perfection.
The coach said love of the game and the love to compete is an attribute he looks for in every player he coaches.
“Without a doubt,” Wilmot said. “You can tell right away who loves it and who doesn’t. It’s a grind. And the people who love the grind are going to excel in those really, really hard practices.
"In those really hard practices, if you don’t really embrace and love it, you’re not going to have the best practice. Yeah, you’ve got to love the game and love what you do. You’ve got to love the hard work or you’re not going to excel.” *
Some stats from neshaminyfootball.com
Email Al Thompson at al.thompson@footballstories.com
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