The Philadelphia Inquirer from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania • Page G12

G12 A Sectiont THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER Wednesday September 8, 2004 TRI-COUNTY ROYAL DIVISION Deptford seeks a repeat The Spartans must replace 16 starters, but they have a lot of talent back. 3 DAVID WARREN Inquirer Suburban Staff Delsea quarterback George Dawson threw for 497 yards and seven touchdowns, and ran for 238 yards and five TDs last season. The Crusaders hope to unseat Deptford as Royal Division champion. 2003 Standings League Overall Deptford 8 0 12 0 Delsea 7 1 9 2 Overbrook 5 3 8 4 Gloucester Catholic 5 3 6 4 Kingsway 5 3 6 4 Clearview 3 5 4 6 Williamstown 2 6 3 7 Cumberland 1 7 2 8 Highland 0 8 1 9 2004 Schedules Clearview Sept. 18 at Highland, 11 Sept.

24 Delsea, 7 Oct. 1 Deptford, 7 Oct. 9 at Overbrook, 2 Oct. 15 Williamstown, 7 Oct. 23 at Cumberland, 11 Oct.

29 Woodstown, 7 Nov. 6 at Gloucester Catholic, 2 Nov. 25 at Kingsway, 10:30 Cumberland Friday at Kingsway, 5:30 Sept. 18 Delsea, 11 Sept. 25 Gloucester Catholic, 1 1 Oct.

2 at Highland, 11 Oct. 16 at Deptford, 2 Oct. 23 Clearview, 1 1 Oct. 30 Williamstown, 11 Nov. 6 at Overbrook, 2 Nov.

24 at Schalick, 6 Delsea Sept. 18 at Cumberland, 11 Sept. 24 at Clearview, 7 Oct. 1 Overbrook, 7 Oct. 9 at Deptford, 2 Oct.

15 Highland, 7 Oct. 22 at Millville, 7 Oct. 29 Gloucester Catholic, 7 Nov. 5 at Kingsway, 7 Nov. 25 Williamstown, 10:30 Deptford Sept.

18 Kingsway, 2 Sept. 25 at Overbrook, 10:30 Oct. 1 at Clearview, 7 Oct. 9 Delsea, 2 Oct. 16 Cumberland, 2 Oct.

23 at Gloucester Catholic, 2 Oct. 30 Highland, 1 Nov. 5 at Williamstown, 7 Nov. 25 at Glassboro, 11 Gloucester Catholic Saturday Highland, 10 Sept. 17 at Williamstown, 7 Sept.

25 at Cumberland, 11 Oct. 8 at Kingsway, 7 Oct. 16 at Overbrook, 10:30 Oct. 23 Deptford, 2 Oct. 29 at Delsea, 7 Nov.

6 Clearview, 2 Nov. 25 Gloucester, 10:30 Highland Saturday at Gloucester Catholic, 1 1 Sept. 18 Clearview, 11 Oct. 2 Cumberland, 11 Oct. 8 at Williamstown, 7 Oct.

15 at Delsea, 7 Oct. 23 Kingsway, 1 1 Oct. 30 at Deptford, 1 Nov. 6 at Penns Grove, 2 Nov. 25 Overbrook, 10:30 Kingsway Friday Cumberland, 5:30 Sept.

18 at Deptford, 2 Sept. 24 Vineland, 7 Oct. 1 at Williamstown, 7 Oct. 8 Gloucester Catholic, 7 Oct. 23 at Highland, 11 Oct.

30 at Overbrook, 10 Nov. 5 Delsea, 7 Nov. 25 Clearview, 10:30 Overbrook Sept. 18 at Salem, 11 Sept. 25 Deptford, 10:30 Oct.

1 at Delsea, 7 Oct. 9 Clearview, 2 Oct. 16 Gloucester Catholic, 10:30 Oct. 22 at Williamstown, 7 Oct. 30 Kingsway, 10 Nov.

6 Cumberland, 2 Nov. 25 at Highland, 10:30 Williamstown Sept. 17 Gloucester Catholic, 7 Sept. 24 at Oakcrest, 7 Oct. 1 Kingsway, 7 Oct.

8 Highland, 7 Oct. 15 at Clearview, 7 Oct. 22 Overbrook, 7 Oct. 30 at Cumberland, 11 Nov. 5 Deptford, 7 Nov.

25 at Delsea, 10:30 wide receiver and fullback. Kingsway. If the Dragons (6-4, 5-3) want to make a run at the Royal Division title, their size is going to be a factor. Kingsway is big on both lines. Senior Leonard Hernandez (6-3, 230) is a three-year starter and senior Mike Toomey (6-1, 220) is also a returning starter.

Sophomore Cody Berry (6-1, 230) was one of the team's best linemen in 2003 when he became the first freshman to start for coach Tony Barchuck. The line will boast juniors Al Yerkes (6-6, 280) and Beau Lilley (6-5, 265). Kingsway's backfield has some rebuilding to do. Senior running back Nick Owens (5-11, 170) is the lone starter back; Kevin Coleman, Brian Terrell and Jay Muralle could help fill holes. Sophomore quarterback Tom Graf takes over the starting role.

Overbrook. The Rams (8-4, 5-3) will undergo a major overhaul; last year's squad reached the sectional final. Overbrook returns just three starters, including senior center Shawn Sacks (5-9, 195). Senior Mark Peiffer (5-11, 195) brings ruggedness to the linebacker and running back position and senior Sean Mauz (5-9, 165) adds speed at strong safety and wingback. Junior Chris Young (6-1, 220) will be a key component at defensive end and tackletight end.

Senior Joe Bupp (5-9, 170) takes over at quarterback. Junior Chris Linjham (5-8, 165), who ran back kicks last season, will see more action at running back along with junior Anthony Thompson (5-10, 200), who will also play at linebacker. Williamstown. Could the Braves (3-7, 2-6) be this year's version of Overbrook the surprise team of the Royal in 2003? With just two starters lost to graduation, Williamstown has the potential to produce just that. Senior split endstrong safety Keith Holt (6-2, 190) is a blue-chip prospect and senior running back Walt Sampson (5-8, 185) is back after rushing for 1,245 yards last year.

Senior Pat Sumek (5-10, 175) is a three-year starter at quarterback and is fully healthy after two injury-plagued seasons. Senior Aaron Jones (6-0, 205) is a two-way starter at halfback and inside linebacker and Steve Roane (5-9, 170) doubles at halfback and cornerback. Senior De-rick Bullock (5-11, 255) is a two-year starter and bolsters both inside lines. Senior Bob Marzi (5-10, 190) and juniors Kyle Gesswein (6-2, 190), Mark Masterson (6-2, 190) and Paul Bennett (6-1, 270) will also play key roles along the line. Senior Amir Wanzer (5-11, 190) and junior Devon Jackson (6-2, 205) will battle for the tight-end position.

Predicted Order of Finish 1 Deptford 2. Delsea 3. Kingsway 4. Clearview 5. Gloucester Catholic 6.

Williamstown 7. Highland By Tom McGurk INQUIRER SUBURBAN STAFF Coach Al Orio can't tell you if Deptford can duplicate last year's perfect season. "I really don't know," he said. To repeat a performance like last year would be a monumental task for the Spartans. How dominant were they? In 48 quarters of football, the team never trailed.

Deptford finished a dream season with a 12-0 record and a South Jersey Group 3 championship. This fall, Deptford will have a new look the team must replace 16 starters. But the Spartans do return a solid nucleus, which includes four blue-chip college prospects. Heading that list is standout running back Da-Juane Collins (5-foot-ll, 190), who rushed for 1,071 yards last season. He will anchor the running game.

Senior fullback Calvin Corsey (6-2, 230) and lightning-quick newcomers Ryan Leafey (5-11, 190) and Niccos Curry (5-10, 160) will complement Collins. The offensive and defensive lines may be short on experience, but not size. Juniors Chris Wood (6-0, 285) and Mike Small (6-2, 250) are two keys. Senior Jeff Green (6-3, 175), another speedster, will line up at split end and safety. The secondary has plenty of quickness with senior Bruce Owens (5-10, 150), who might be the fastest player on the team, and senior Angelo Graham.

Orio said his young players will be key factors if Deptford is to remain on top in the Tri-Coun-ty Conference Royal Division. He also knows that the Deptford junior varsity team hasn't lost a game in three years. Clearview. The Pioneers (4-6 overall, 3-5 division) hope that last year's growing pains will pay dividends this fall. Clear-view lost just six seniors and the experienced returning talent makes the Pioneers one of the most interesting teams in the Royal interesting enough that Clearview could be in the best position to make a run at the title since it won in 1991.

Senior Rocky Aliberti (6-2, 190) anchors the running game and is a top-notch safety. He also makes a difference on special teams, where he is a two-time all-conference punter. Senior linebacker Kyle Reuter (5-11, 220) runs the defense. His leadership qualities landed him a role of cocaptain last season just the third time in 30 years an underclassman has earned that honor for coach Dan Pid-cock. Clearview's backfield returns with junior quarterback Jared Eisenhart (6-0, 190), and junior running backs Clint Lawyer (5-6, 165) and D.J.

Nelson (6-0, 165). Clearview has depth, experience and size along both lines. Seniors Matt Bellocchio (6-4, 225), Josh Stone (6-1, 215) and Ron Butler (6-1, 215), along with junior Greg Clendining (6-2, 215), are all returning starters. Promising newcomers include juniors Scott Curry (6-4, 220), 8. Cumberland 9.

Overbrook Tom McGurk Donald Hart (6-2, 210) and Nick Muzzillo (6-2, 240). The linebacker corps is led by senior Mike Jacovelli (5-10, 170) and junior Mike Schappell (6-2, 210). Cumberland. The Colts (2-8, 1-7) will look to continue an upward trend that has seen their win total increase each of the last two seasons. Cumberland boasts an experienced backfield and wide-receiver corps.

The ground attack is bolstered by sophomores Anthony Brown (5-11, 210) and Freddy Lavan (5-9, 175). Juniors Carl Martin (5-11, 180) and David Gould (6-2, 200) are productive receivers. Sophomore quarterback Carmen Daddario (5-10, 175) was strong in his debut last season. Seniors Sean Randazza (6-1, 230), Elwood Sickler (6-2, 225) and Brian Wrangstrom (6-2, 270) provide protection along the line. Senior Kyle Beattie will join Brown to anchor the defense at linebacker and two-way lineman Brendan Shaw (6-4, 280) is one of the team's promising newcomers.

Delsea. The Crusaders (9-2, 7-1) are looking to regain the top spot in the Royal Division. Deptford took over that spot after a three-year stay. Delsea returns a solid nucleus, including fullbacklinebacker Bill Peifer. The senior set a single-season school record with 133 tackles; he also rushed for 478 yards and four touchdowns.

The trenches are packed with size and experience with seniors Al Jubb (6-0, 235), Russell Streater (6-2, 215). Juniors Greg Gannon (6-1, 240) and Mike Karaba (6-1, 225) are promising newcomers. The receiving corps will also get a boost from senior Matt Siniscalchi, who returns to the team after playing soccer in 2003. Juniors Vince Santangelo and Joe Recupero will help in the backfield and junior Marty Knell (6-2, 200) showed impressive pass-catching ability during a summer passing league. Gloucester Catholic's line is young.

Only one starter senior Carmen Maglio (6-2, 235) returns. Highland. The Tartans (1-9, 0-8) have struggled to find their niche in the Royal Division after moving over from the Olympic Conference in 2002. After recording just one win in its first 15 divisional games, Highland appears ready to turn the corner. The team has 14 seniors, including eight with three years of varsity experience.

Junior running back James Scott (5-7, 155) established himself as one of the Royal's most explosive young backs. He rushed for over 700 yards and scored seven touchdowns last year. Senior Chris Vidas (6-4, 220) is one of the team most athletic players at tight enddefensive end while senior linebacker Devon English (6-2, 240) is a three-year starter on defense. English and senior Steve Pal-ladino (5-11, 205) will bolster the offensive line, which also includes junior Anthony Cusumano (6-4, 220). Senior quarterback John Gar-cynski (6-0, 170) and senior safetytailback Nick Giles (5-7, 160) adds experience to the offense.

Senior Anthony Dominick (6-0, 185) made the switch from soccer to football last season and quickly developed into a versatile player, contributing at cornerback, outside linebacker, The secondary has seniors Kevin Jackson (5-9, 175) and Brandon Crenshaw (6-1, 185), and junior Mike Hartman (5-8, 155). They combined for 127 tackles and eight interceptions last season. Junior George Dawson (6-2, 185) returns at quarterback; last season, he threw for 497 yards and seven touchdowns, and ran for 238 yards and five TDs. Junior punt returner Eric Money (5-6, 130) is a player to watch on special teams. Gloucester Catholic.

The Rams (5-3, 6-4) have strength in numbers at the skill positions. Senior Merf Trout (6-0, 185) scored three touchdowns in his first week with the Rams after sitting out because of a transfer rule. The tailbackstrong safety placekicker can make a huge impact on almost every play, including special teams, where he is one of the area's premier kickers. Junior quarterback Brett Conway (5-9, 145) brings a no-nonsense personality and take-charge attitude to the position. He scored 15 TDs last year.

Like Trout, senior wideout safety Chris Plum (6-2, 195) can deliver on both side of the field. Contact suburban staff writer Tom McGurk at 215-854-5721 or tmcgurkphillynews.com. Notebook Recovering Robinson is eager to get back on field for Salem to give opponents a hard time. The Royal shouldn't be compared to the American Division because it is mainly a Group 3-sized conference and the American consists of Group 4 teams. But there is no denying that the Royal is emerging.

Deptford is the defending champion, with Delsea expected to challenge. Yet Gloucester Catholic also has designs of contending, and Kingsway has earned seven consecutive playoff appearances and appears better than last season. In addition, Clearview and Williamstown are expected to field two of their stronger recent teams. That is six schools capable of playing winning football. "A lot of people don't think much of this division," said Deptford linebacker Jeff Clement, who has made an oral commitment to Maryland.

"Last year, we showed that teams from the Royal are getting stronger each year." By Marc Narducci INQUIRER STAFF WRITER Lamont Robinson says has a lot to be thankful for. He looks at every day in his life as a blessing. Robinson, a senior fullbacklinebacker at Salem, was a second-team all-South Jersey selection on defense last year. On May 19, he survived a harrowing one-car accident and is recovering, he said, better than expected. Driving home from his grandparents' home in Salem County, Robinson said he saw a dog on the road.

He said he swerved at the last second in an attempt to avoid the animal, lost control and ended up in a ditch after being thrown from the car. Robinson fractured two vertebrae in his neck; those vertebrae had to be fused. At that time, football seemed so far away. There were no charges, and Robinson wasn't issued a ticket. Robinson received plenty of support from his family and friends, who visited him while he was homebound for the first few weeks after his neck operation June 1.

He wore a neck brace until July 26. "Since July 26, I've been building up my strength and my neck feels great," Robinson said. "I will not be as good as I was; I will be better." In late August, the 6-foot-2, 215-pound Robinson was cleared for all football activity. Salem coach Dave Lindenmuth has taken a conservative approach and didn't have Robinson compete in hitting drills throughout much of the preseason. Robinson still hopes to return for Salem's opener, Sept.

18 at Overbrook. But no matter what happens, he realizes that his situation could have been much worse. "Having an experience like this opened my eyes," he said. "I wasn't taking things for granted, but I wasn't looking at things the way I do now," Then pausing, he added, "I am happy to still be alive, let alone to be able to play football." Robinson has made an oral commitment to Virginia on a football scholarship, but he will still go through the recruiting process. "Virginia is still my No.

1 school, but I am going to see if anybody can outdo Virginia," he said. Robinson said he plans to take his five official college recruiting visits that are allowed by the NCAA. He lists Oklahoma, Miami, Ohio State, Maryland and Iowa as some of the schools he could possibly visit. Robinson said the idle summer was difficult, but he kept busy, especially going to the movies. "If anybody can come back, Lamont can," Lindenmuth said.

"He is a very determined individual." College homework. Haddon Township senior Zac Dayton has taken the college recruiting process seriously. The 6-2, 210-pounder has certainly done his homework. He attended two football camps this summer and fared well at both Ohio State and Villanova. At Ohio State, where his sister Danielle was a field hockey standout, Dayton was clocked at 4.65 seconds in the 40-yard dash.

At Villanova, he was named the top tight end in his group. He has played tight end and defensive end, but can also be used at wide receiver and linebacker. Dayton said he and his family visited upward of 15 colleges this summer. One weekend, he would be in the Boston area and another, he would travel to Virginia. "Choosing a college is not as easy as it sounds and we're not sitting around waiting for things to happen," he said.

"I like to see the campus and see what the school offers." Dayton is a B-plus student who has scored 1,040 on the SAT. He said he has been recruited by many I-AA schools, along with some Division I-A football programs. Tough division. The BurlcoOlympic American Division is annually regarded as the best in South Jersey, and this year should be no different. Yet a division that has risen over the years in stature is the Tri-County Royal.

This year, the Royal may be the deepest in South Jersey, meaning that the seventh-best team may still be able Contact staff writer Marc Narducci at 856-779-3225 or mnarducciphillynews.com..