By Jimmy Allinder
Rich Marchesi received a stern lesson when he was 6 years old about how special the high school football team was to the folks who call South River their home.
The youngster was with his parents in the stands at William Denny Stadium watching a cousin play for the Rams when he heard boos rain down on the field.
The jeering came from fans that were not enthralled then-coach Hugh Walsh ran the wishbone offense, which was in stark contrast to the wide-open attack in prior seasons.
With Joe Theismann and Drew Pearson calling signals, both of whom went on to play for Super Bowl-winning teams in the National Football League, they gained large chunks of yardage on the ground and through the air almost at will. Abandoning this aggressive attack was paramount to sacrilege, especially since it produced 15 state championships.
“I started booing because I didn’t know better,” Marchesi said. “That’s when my mom turned to me and said, ‘You never boo a South River coach.’ The moment sticks with me to this day.”
Now 54 years old, Marchesi has spent much of his life playing and coaching for the Rams. He became the winningest coach in school history with 194 victories Nov. 5 with the team’s 27-20 win against Dunellen High School, eclipsing the former record held by Denny.
After a 39-6 victory over Haddon Township High School Nov. 12 in an NJSIAA crossover game, Marchesi has added to that mark, completing his 30th year (he has no plans of stepping down). Along the way, he has coached four state champions (1991, 1995, 2001 and 2005).
The lifelong borough resident never chose to become the iconic figure he now is, but his legacy has evolved because so many of his teams won. Who better to ask than Marchesi what player(s) deserve to be considered among the best in program history under his watch?
“It’s hard to pick one guy,” he said. “Kyle Gardner (1989, running back and linebacker) practiced as hard as he played. Joel Barkalow (1995, center and linebacker) was not fun to play against. Mike Feaster (2001-02, current Rams girls basketball coach) made big plays and even bigger plays in bigger games. And Dan Litz (2007, guard and defensive tackle) was nasty — the kind of guy who would have your back in a foxhole.”
The first time Marchesi donned a maroon and gray uniform was in 1975 when the freshman was charged with learning to play center. It was the perfect position for the raw newcomer because he could rely on his toughness in the trenches.
The son of Joe and the late Connie Marchesi, he was raised by loving but strict parents who insisted he respect those older than him. He grew up to be an unassuming individual who easily blended in with crowds and still does today even though he’s the main man on the sidelines. All Marchesi ever desired was to be part of a winning team, and that he was.
In his senior year in 1978, the stars on the field aligned and Marchesi realized his dream. He centered a team that finished 10-0, captured the NJSIAA Central Jersey, Group II title and finished ranked third in the state. It remains one of the best in South River history.
Among the players on that storied team were Kenny Jackson (Penn State University and Philadelphia Eagles), Troy Hill (University of Pittsburgh), Rich Chergey, and the Susan brothers, Steve and Doug — each an all-time Rams great.
That season engraved in Marchesi’s mind what it takes to win, so that when he had the opportunity to return to his alma mater as an assistant coach, Marchesi jumped at the opportunity.
“Before that, I went to William Paterson [University] and played for two years,” he said. “College football, even though it’s Division III, is played at a different level. So after giving it my best shot, I decided enough was enough.”
Marchesi spent three years learning the ropes as a Rams assistant before being named head coach in 1987.
“I remember my first game,” he said. “We played Peddie [School] and won, 14-7. I was very nervous, but I somehow stayed calm.”
Marchesi said the four state championship teams he coached are the best ever on his watch.
“Each team was special, but you have to understand everything fell into place,” he said. “The players blended together at the right time, we were injury-free and we had a bit of luck.”
That final element is actually an incongruity. Marchesi always taught his players games are won with uncompromising work ethic that can compensate for when the ball bounces in unpredictable ways. His formula is the only way the man knows how to coach and is undoubtedly why he believes he has more to give to South River football.
“I will retire when I lose the desire or believe I’m not properly doing the job,” he said. “I feel great now and consider it an honor keeping alive the tradition of South River football and teaching young men the importance of discipline, accountability, teamwork and a never-give-up attitude.”