September 3, 2018
2017 In Review: The Crusaders were 9-3, winning the South Jersey Group 3 championship by beating Woodrow Wilson after beating Timber Creek and Ocean City. They scored 471 points for a 42.81 average, while allowing 246 for a 22.36 average. **Numbers do not include a forfeit loss. Wins included Woodrow Wilson, Eastern, and Paul VI, while their losses were to Timber Creek, Holy Spirit, and a forfeit loss to Cedar Creek.
Graduation Losses: QB/DB Mason Maxwell – Goldey-Beacom for baseball, RB/DB Tymir Kizee – Georgian Court (NJ) for track, E/DE Bill Goldsborough – Georgian Court for track, OL Tom Maxwell – South Carolina for rugby, E/LB Khaliel Burnett – JUCO in California (set state record this past spring in the triple jump)
Offense: Delsea runs a multiple flexbone and returns three starters. The new quarterback is senior James Vargo (6-1, 195). Returning at fullback is senior Aidan Borguet (5-9, 190) and junior Shaikyi Hannah (5-10, 175) returns at slot back. The other slot back will be senior Keison Fowler (6-1, 200), a returning defensive starter and sophomore Rick Garron (5-9, 175) will also get some time.
The ends will be junior Khiyon Willis (6-2, 200), who started defensively, and senior Kishawn Fentress (5-9, 180), with junior Tyvon Dawkins (5-8, 165) rotating in.
The lone starter back on the line is senior Three-year starter Colin Poisker (6-2, 275). The right side will have senior Kevin Gilliano (6-0, 305) at guard and junior Jake Smith (6-1, 245) at tackle, while the left side has junior Rick Kurczeski (6-4, 340) at guard and sophomore Joe Metzger (6-3, 260) at tackle.
Defense: The Crusaders run a multiple four-man front and return five starters. Poisker is back for his third year and Gilliano also returns at tackle. They will be part of a four-man rotation with Kurczeski, and Metzger. The ends will have a rotation of Borguet, Smith, and junior Jake Nwosu (6-1, 200).
Fowler is a three-year starter at linebacker and he will be joined by junior Ron Singletary (6-1, 175), with the third spot having Fentress and Dawkins alternating.
Willis returns at cornerback and Hannah is back at safety. Junior Damir Lomax (6-0, 165) will start at cornerback and Garron will be at safety. Also seeing action will be Varso and freshman Trey Simmons (5-8, 145) at safety and sophomore Luca Gebhard (5-11, 170) as the nickel back.
Special Teams: The kicker will be sophomore Teddy Weaver and Garron will be the punter. The return men will be Hannah, Garron, and Simmons.
Schedule:
Friday, 9/7, at Willingboro, 7 PM
Friday, 9/14, at West Deptford, 7 PM
Friday, 9/21, Camden at home, 7 PM
Friday, 9/28, Burlington Township at home, 7 PM
Friday, 10/5, Camden Catholic at home, 7 PM
Saturday, 10/13, at Woodrow Wilson, 7 PM
Friday, 10/19, Cedar Creek at home, 7 PM
Friday, 10/26, at Bridegton, 7 PM
Recruits: Borguet verballed to Harvard and Poisker has 1-AA interest. Fowler has both 1-AA and D2 interest and Gilliano may go track as a top shot putter. Vargo could go track after being second in South Jersey in the 200.
The juniors have Hannah as a Power 5 possibility and Willis may also be 1-A. Nwosu may have a track future and was the Group 3 discus champion. Kurczeski has potential, but he needs a good year.
Concerns: Depth, breaking in new linemen, and a tough schedule.
Coach’s Comments: “We have a lot of skill back. Borguet, Hannah, Poisker, and Fowler are the ones we will ride.” – Assistant Coach Rob Briles