Sean Moylan Sports Writer
“The names have changed, but the results have remained the same,” said Joe Frappolli, reflecting back on his storied 34-year career as the head coach of the Florence High varsity football team a few days after his Flashes’ historic 42-0 win over the Blue Devils at Burlington City last Friday night.
Comcast, Channel 10 and a sellout crowd came out to see Frappolli break Delsea’s John Oberg’s South Jersey record for most career victories (230). With the win, Frappolli’s record now stands at 231-99-5.
But as he always does, Frappolli shared his great personal accomplishment with his family, his players and the entire Florence community.
“There were so many people who reached out — former players and alumni sending congratulatory notes. I got so many emails it was very humbling,” Frappolli, who was happy to have his son Joe, his brother John and his son-in-law Fred Dunphy on the sidelines coaching with him.
Frappolli was also able to share his special moment with long time assistant coaches Steve Ordog and Nick Lubrano. Even ex-Florence players Mikal Lundy, who is now a coach for Burlington City, and Najee Lundy offered Frappolli congratulations on his amazing record.
“My brother John, he played on that first 1974 team I coached. He said to me that he has been here the longest. I was also happy to have Ron Luyber in the stands. That made it special,” said Frappolli.
When Luyber retired as the Flashes’ defensive coordinator and athletic director several years ago, his reputation was so strong that some Florence fans worried that the Flashes would struggle on the defensive side of the ball for years to come. Instead, Lubrano stepped in and quickly developed into one of the finest defensive coordinators in New Jersey. Of course, Luyber still helps out and offers advice whenever possible. Because even when one retires or graduates from Florence, one never stops being a Flash. Even Florence’s athletic secretary, Mary Ellen Kessler, is the best in the business at her job.
“We have a system and a program in place that’s bigger than any one of us. It’s (the South Jersey wins record) a testament to our kids and our coaches,” said Frappolli, who received a Gatorade shower after the win over Burlington City. “Even if I left, you’d hope that the program would continue to do well.”
Florence Toughness will never die, regardless of who is coaching. But Frappolli has a natural way of bringing people together and making everyone feel needed which can’t be taught. In that respect, he’s the father of Florence football as we now know it.
And Florence senior running back Quentin Loftin has so much respect for Frappolli, he made sure his head coach wouldn’t have to sweat out win number 231. Loftin scored three touchdowns (on runs of 2, 9 and 6 yards) in the first quarter to put the game on ice early. Marcus Curry (5 rushes for 32 yards) scored a two-pointer after Loftin’s second score and quarterback Jimmy Martinson found Joe Price open for two more points to make the score 22-0 after a quarter. Loftin ran 16 times for 95 yards.
“Quentin had another big game. He plays so hard,” said Frappolli, whose star back already has nine touchdowns this year.
In the second quarter, Martinson (3-for-4 for 78 yards passing) connected on a 45-yard touchdown pass to Tyler Foehr (2 receptions for 57 yards). Martinson scored a touchdown himself on a 9-yard third quarter run and Marcus Rawls rushed for a 9-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter to complete the Flashes’ scoring.
Scott Meredith had a 21-yard reception. With 31 yards on the ground on just three carries, Josh Stillwell also had a solid rushing game for the Flashes, who finished the game with 208 yards rushing.
The Flashes’ defense was so dominating that the Blue Devils could have taken a knee on every offensive play and put up better offensive numbers. Florence held Burlington City to -13 yards rushing and zero yards passing (0-for-9). Chris Salaga intercepted two passes while the other Florence linebackers (Loftin, Anthony DiMaio and Drew Johnson) also had tremendous games. In the secondary, Kevin Linico and Joe Price (12 yards rushing) were both sensational.
“The defense is playing real well,” said Frappolli. “That’s a tribute to Nick Lubrano.”
But with a tough schedule ahead, Florence and Frappolli will not rest on their laurels.
“We’re glad that it’s over ( the record). Now we can get back to the business at hand,” said Frappolli, who has now turned all of his attention on figuring out how to stop the Warriors’ option offense at New Egypt on Friday night.
