David Brearley last team that can stop win streak in 2005

The Flashes surrender to David Brearley

By: Sean Moylan
   It could be argued that David Brearley gave the Florence Township Memorial High School its biggest challenge in a perfect 2004 championship season. And the 20 points, the Flashes surrendered to David Brearley in a 33-20 Group 1 Central Jersey semi-final win were the most points the Flashes gave up in any game last season.
   But a lot has changed since last season. The Flashes graduated all but three starters and many of David Brearley’s stars also graduated.
   "We graduated a handful of our top players," noted David Brearley head coach Scott Miller.
   Yet the bottom line has remained the same as both squads have continued to dominate their respective conferences. Florence is currently on a 35-game winning streak and when it plays David Brearley at Rutgers University on Friday evening at 5 p.m., it will be playing in its fourth Group I championship game in a row. David Brearley had a sensational 10-1 season, and its only loss of the year was by a point to Arthur L. Johnson (the final score was 14-13).
   "We’re treating it as bowl game. We never had a team play in that kind of environment before," said Florence head coach Joe Frappolli. "It’s like going the whole cycle. We’re very fortunate. This is a special group."
   In 2002 Florence lost a South Jersey Group I final to Paulsboro on the road. In 2003 it beat Keyport 21-14 in the Group I Central Jersey Final at a neutral high school field in Neptune. Then, last year, Florence creamed New Providence, 35-7, at the Pit to win its second state title in a row. But tomorrow’s game could be the most competitive one of them all. Both Frappolli and David Brearley head coach Scott Miller expect the contest to be close.
   "It will come down to turnovers and field position," added Frappolli.
   Florence’s big stars are senior linebacker-quarterback Joe Spahn and senior running back-linebacker Abree Jones. But its younger players have also stepped up this season. Don’t be surprised if Jeff Perro, Malcolm Jenkins, Shaquan Virgil, Chris Salaga, Quentin Loftin or Chris Foehr make big plays for the Flashes. Anthony Cardone, a senior linebacker, could also do something special. Florence has a great and deep coaching staff including Frappolli (217-98-5), Nick Lubrano, Steve Ordog, Don "Nemo" Nemeth, Ross O’Neill, Cesar Pereda, John Frappolli, Dan Hagerty, Joe J. Frappolli, Fred Dunphy and Tony Luyber.
   Miller also has a deep staff and some of his best skill players are senior running backs Jake Floyd and Rob Shippy and junior quarterback Anthony Evans. Defensively, Miller’s team hasn’t given up a point in its last three games. Florence, as always, also boasts a strong defense and it has three shutouts this season. It should be a great game between the top-seeded Flashes and a second -seeded David Brearley club.