Florence Flashes
July 26, 2024
2023:
- 8-1
- Lost to Penns Grove in the South Jersey sectional quarterfinals
- Wins included Riverside, Cherry Hill East, Holy Cross, and Princeton
- Scored 221 points for a 27.63 average
- Allowed 66 points for an 8.25 average, including two shutouts
Graduation:
- RB/DB Elijah Quinn – Widener (Pa.)
- RB/LB Justin Grover – Widener (Pa.)
- RB/LB Darien Woody – Rider for track
Offense:
- Formation: Wing T
- Returning Starters: 5
Quarterback:
- Bryce Ojeikere, Junior, 6-3, 175 – competing
- Leaire Williams, Junior, 6-4, 185 – competing
- Michael Menchaca, Junior, 5-8, 165 – competing
Running Back:
- Damian Ricketts, senior, 5-8, 180 – 3-year starter at halfback; rushed for 762 yards and 10 touchdowns per nj.com
- Julian Jean-Baptiste, Junior, 5-10, 180 – projected starter at fullback; started on defense
- Evan Saintz, Senior, 5-10, 185 – will spell Jean-Baptiste
- RJ Sobon, Senior, 5-9, 175 – projected starter at wingback; first year playing football
- Jose Villalongo, Sophomore, 5-8, 165 – provides depth at halfback
- Emmanuel Nagbe, Freshman, 5-7, 160 – provides depth at halfback
Split End:
- Leaire Williams, Junior, 6-4, 185 – competing here if he is not the quarterback
- Johnny Dodge, Senior, 5-10, 170 – competing
- Zach Sobon, Senior, 5-9, 175 – competing
- Brandon Rosario, Junior, 6-0, 180 – competing
Tight End:
- Matt Fink, Senior, 5-10, 180 – projected starter
Offensive Line:
- Nick Hiros, Senior, 6-4, 330 – returning starter at left tackle
- Anthony Hurley, Senior, 5-8, 210 – projected starter at guard; started in 2022 and did not play last year
- Evan Coble, Junior, 6-4, 285 – projected starter at center
- Brenden Boucher, Senior, 5-11, 265 – returning starter at right guard
- Conor Clevenger, Junior, 6-1, 250 – returning starter at right tackle
- Griffith Kyeremeh, Senior, 6-3, 215 – key reserve
Defense:
- Formation: 4-4
- Returning Starters: 4
Defensive Line:
- Conor Clevenger, Junior, 6-1, 250 – returning starter at end
- Evan Saintz, Senior, 5-10, 185 – projected starter at end
- Nick Hiros, Senior, 6-4, 330 – 3-year starter at tackle
- Brenden Boucher, Senior, 5-11, 265 – projected starter at tackle
- Evan Coble, Junior, 6-4, 285 – part of the tackle rotation
- Xavier Perez, Junior, 5-11, 180 – part of the tackle rotation
Linebacker:
- Damian Ricketts, senior, 5-8, 180 – 3-year starter on the inside
- Anthony Hurley, Senior, 5-8, 210 – frontrunner at other inside post
- Matt Fink, Senior, 5-10, 180 – competing at other inside post
- Julian Jean-Baptiste, Junior, 5-10, 180 – returning starter on the outside
- RJ Sobon, Senior, 5-9, 175 – projected starter on the outside
Secondary:
- Zach Sobon, Senior, 5-9, 175 – projected starter at cornerback
- Bryce Ojeikere, Junior, 6-3, 175 – projected starter at cornerback
- Leaire Williams, Junior, 6-4, 185 – projected starter at safety
- Emmanuel Nagbe, Freshman, 5-7, 160 – part of the cornerback rotation
Special Teams:
- Senior Johnny Dodge returns as the kicker and senior Damian Ricketts is the frontrunner as the punter
- The skill players will be competing for return men
Schedule:
- Thursday, 8/29, at Deptford
- Friday, 9/6, Riverside at home
- Friday, 9/13, at LAwrence
- Friday, 9/20, Overbrook at home
- Friday, 9/27, Burlington City at home
- Friday, 10/4, at Cinnaminson
- Saturday, 10/12, at Pemberton
- Friday, 10/18, at Bordentown
- Friday, 10/25, Maple Shade at home
Concerns:
- Never played on zero week before
- Replacing a good senior class
- Depth
Recruiting:
- Ricketts and Hiros are D3 or higher
- RJ and Zach Sobon may play baseball
- Others may play D3
- Underclassmen:
- Nagbe and Jackson are two possibilities
Coach’s Comments:
We are looking forward to getting started. It will be a younger group that graduated a good class of seniors. The line is experienced and Damian Ricketts is a tremendous, two-way player, but we are searching for a quarterback. It will be good to renew some long-time local rivalries, such as Burlington City and Bordentown.” – Head Coach Joe Frappoli, Jr.