Heading into new season, Eagles see strength in numbers

By John E. Powers
   Players on the South Hunterdon High School football team made a point to help themselves during the offseason. The Eagles reached out to their friends and other students in the community in hopes of recruiting potential players to help improve the team’s numbers.
   All of their efforts led to 33 students showing up for the first day of practice. The Eagles finished last season with just 17 players, so you could say the team is already ahead of last year.
   The season opens Saturday afternoon at Sam Jefferis Field against Jonathan Dayton. Game time is 1:30.
   ”Usually they stick with it,” said Brian Snell, the team’s senior quarterback/safety. “This year we had a big turnout with kids.”
   Snell added that the lack of players became obvious late in games when the Eagles would be exhausted.
   ”It came down to us not finishing games,” Snell said. “We lost like five games by a touchdown. It just came to us not finishing games off when we had the opportunity.”
   South Hunterdon finished 2-8 last season in coach Jim Meert’s second year. Two years ago, the Eagles were 1-9 — the win coming against Dayton. South Hunterdon’s last winning season came in 1998 when it went 7-4. The team finished 5-5 in 2003.
   ”Everyone’ s had enough of always losing,” Snell said. “Now we’re saying enough is enough. Now we’re going to change it.”
   Snell overcame a preseason hamstring injury to help in scrimmages. He scored on a 60-yard keeper and returned an interception 30 yards for a score in one scrimmage.
   ”He has to stay healthy for us,” Meert said. “There is no question. He can do it all and we just have to throw the ball a little better. Our offensive line was up against some big kids in the preseason, but we did OK at times.”
   Junior tailback Brandon Scesney has done dwell along with sophomore fullback Ray Brown, who gained tough yards in the middle of the field.
   ”We’re a running team, but when it comes to situations when we need to pass, we pass,” Snell said.
   Snell and freshman Jevon Williams played very well on defense. Snell said the team’s improvement will ultimately rest with the defense.
   ”I think it’s going to be our defense,” Snell said. “Usually, like last year, we had a defensive mindset and defense was the heart of our team. It usually is because defense wins championships. I think our defense is going to be our power point.”
   With teams like North 2 Group I finalist and defending Skyland Conference Valley champ Belvidere and talented Bound Brook part of the schedule, the Eagles will have to be better. Snell is tired of being in the cellar. His teams have been 3-27 since he was a freshman.
   ”It gets frustrating a little, but you have to realize we’re developing a program,” Snell said. “Sometimes things take time, but I think we’re starting to get the hang of it.”
   Because of their efforts, the Eagles will have better depth. Sophomore quarterback Sam Franzini is an example. When Snell was out with his injury, Franzini stepped in and did an admirable job.
   ”I love the 30 or so kids that come to practice every day, and keep working and believing,” Meert said. “They are all great kids, and now we are working hard to make them football players.”