Kids looking to repeat last year’s victory
By:Sean Moylan
This fall, the defending championship Florence Flashes 145-pound Pop Warner football team can win by losing.
Weight, that is.
"If Joe Spahn, Abree Jones, Tim Moran and Gerald Walker can make weight, then we’ll have a real nice year," said Steve Muchowski, the head coach of the Florence 145-pounders.
The fantastic foursome (actually, the whole team is equally great) just needs to drop a few pounds each and the Flashes’ 145-pounders could dominate once again. They’ve already had a few terrific scrimmages. Spahn, already one of the league’s best players, is a linebacker and running back. Abree Jones (RB/DE), Tim Moran (QB/MLB), and Gerald Walker (RB/DL) are also established returning stars. However, everybody looks very good.
Lester Cliver (C/DL), Nick Moss (OL/DE), Dwayne Stoudt (TE/DE), Nick Schmidt (OL/DL), Greg Galowina (split end/safety), speedy Robert Leggett (RB/LB), Robert Lane (OL/DL), Mike Smith (OL/DL), Kevin Kattelhon (OL/DL), Shaq Wright (RB/S), Leo Glassmire (OL/DL), Mike Ace (OL/DL), Tony Ace (OL/DL), Josh White (WR/S), Bill White (WR/S), Kevin Roach (RB/DL), Anthony Cardone (RB/LB), Danny Nash (RB/S/LB), Kevin Reeder (RB/DL), Jacob Lacaus (RB/DL), Ryan McLaughlin (OL/DL), Mike Green (QB/S), Josh Fleming (DE/TE), Bill Moller (OL/DL) and Cody Vogel (split end/safety) are all sensational players.
This team is still searching for a slogan to put on its T-shirt’s. Coach Muchowski, who coaches the backs, receivers and quarterbacks, is partial to: "Offense wins championships." Steve Eells and Robert Hutchison, defensive coaches, probably would prefer "Defense wins championships."
Fred Dunphy coaches the offensive and defensive lines and Joe Fitzpatrick helps out with all the players.
With a 26-6 win over Burlington City, the Flashes won the Burlington County championship last year and finished 10-1. By the end of this season the team could be wearing T-shirts that read: "We are the champions – again."
65-POUNDERS
Although many of its players moved up to the next level, the Florence 65-pounders has a nucleus of talented individuals set to produce another great season.
"We had a great team last year," said assistant coach Heath Fillmyer. "But I think we’ll be very competitive."
Some of the kids may be small but many enjoy the contact – including running back Nick Avellino. "This kid is so tough for his age," noted Fillmyer.
Kevin Blackwell is an established offensive and defensive lineman. And Joseph Connelly is already a star middle linebacker.
Quarterback Heath Fillmyer throws the ball well, but Florence will be more of a running team. The only throws Fillmyer will make are to running backs Avellino, Brett Butler (a fantastic player) and Matt Fletcher (RB/WR/CB). "Matt Fletcher is one of our feature running backs," noted Coach Fillmyer.
Brock Yilmaza, a center and a linebacker, has looked great in practices. In fact, all of the players have looked good. The 65-pounders are working hard to establish a strong offensive and defensive line which includes Tim Markwood (OG/DG), Anthony Panaro (OL/LB), Ryan Pitman (OL/DE/RB), Samuel Toske (OG/DG), Marky Moller (OL/DL), Nevander Taylor (OL/DL), Anthony Perugini (OT/DT), Jonathan Sensi (OL/DL) and Billy Ashmore (OL/DL/LB).
Speedy Jason Wilkins is a cornerback and a safety. Zachary Foga is a tight end and defensive end.
Because the Flashes numbers are so low, each player will see plenty of action. Therefore, new standout players will emerge throughout the season.
"We’re a real young team with a lot of first-year players," added Coach Fillmyer, who loves coaching this squad.
However, Steven Toske is the head coach. Fillmyer is the offensive coordinator. he works hand-in-hand with Brett Butker. Brian Panaro runs the defense and Joe Foga is the offensive and defensive line coach.
Florence will start the season with a game against Palmyra on September 9.