Team stronger than a year ago.
By:Sean Moylan
Last year was supposed to mark the return of the grind-it-out, control-the-clock and the ball-on-the-ground offense that made the Florence Township Memorial High School Varsity football team famous in the first place.
Unfortunately, turnovers and mistakes all too often made the Flashes alter their initial game plan. This year, however, most of the Florence players have at least a year of varsity experience under their belts and things should be much different.
"We are stronger (physically) than we were a year ago," said longtime Florence head coach Joe Frappolli, whose club spent much of the summer bulking up with weight training.
"Our line is pretty solid." The bigger, stronger and more experienced offensive line should enable Florence to move the ball more effectively.
"We’re working hard on keeping things simple," said Coach Frappolli, now coaching in his 28th season. "We’re going to try to avoid some mental mistakes and run the football. That’s what we do best."
Seniors Steve Ordog (center), Nick Czepiel (guard), Rich Bergeron (guard), Ross Ingham (tackle) and junior Bryan Miller (tackle) will anchor the veteran line.
In the backfield, Florence has Matt Deliso, a junior, playing quarterback. While Deliso will be asked to mainly control the ball on the ground, he’s more than capable of throwing the ball if that is what the defense gives him.
Bryan Maus, a junior, is a hard-nosed, versatile running back who can even throw the football.
Junior Jorron Jenkins is equally adept at catching the ball or running with it out of the backfield.
Murjari Rowls (a junior), John Oros (a senior), Allen Otto (a senior) and Darius Diggs (a junior) are also slated to see some varsity time at the running back position.
Senior Steve Campbell gives the Flashes a fine veteran tight end.
Senior Dave Woolston has good hands and will be a receiver and kicker on offense. Juniors Loron Thomas, Matt Rein and steady Dave Tardiff will be the Flashes’ other receivers.
On the defensive line Florence will feature Andrew Davis (nose guard), Ryan Lovejoy and Nick Czepiel, all of whom are seniors. Sophomore Andrew Semphimphetter is a defensive end too.
Ross Ingham and Kevin Caprett (a senior) are the Flashes’ outside linebackers.
Steve Ordog and Rich Bergeron are veteran inside linebackers. Bergeron, in particular, is as "tough as nails" on defense. Sophomores Ryan Shafer and Chad Kessler will also fight for the playing time as inside linebackers.
In the secondary Florence will play Dave Woolston, Dave Tardiff, Jorron Jenkins, Murjani Rowls, Allen Otto and Loron Thomas.
Jenkins and Woolston should do all of the punting. While Tardiff, Jenkins Rowls and Otto will take turns as punt and kickoff returners.
Nick Lubrano (defensive coordinator and line coach), Steve Ordog (special teams coach, DB coach), Ross O’Neill (receiver, tight end and offensive backfield coach), Sean Greig (freshmen coach), Rodney Roberson (freshmen coach) and Don Nemeth are all helping out with the coaching. Frappolli, himself, works with the offense.
Coach Frappolli wants his defense to drastically reduce the number of big plays it gives up. It can do that by playing physical and playing smart.
Florence should have a much better season this year. Smash mouth football is back in Florence.
Florence is scheduled to open at Pennsville on Friday night.

