Can the ‘Skins duplicate 2008 success?

By Steve Sherman
Sports Editor

A varsity football season, heck any football season for that matter, is usually filled with ups and downs. A win in any given week many times is tempered by a loss in the following battle.
Neshaminy’s football season was nothing like that last year, however. The Redskins’ 2008 campaign was more like a tidal wave than a roller coaster ride. From the time the team took to the practice field in August to its last game in late November, Neshaminy built a full head of steam, fueled mostly by a 12-game win streak that included victories over Suburban One League (SOL) rivals Abington, Bensalem and Pennsbury.
After getting by the Falcons, 16-13, on the strength of 16 second-quarter points including three field goals (20, 21, 31) by now departed kicker Seth Jeffries, the ‘Skins reeled off three postseason wins in a row, disposing of Downingtown East, Ridley and Garnet Valley, which had beaten Pennsbury to get there.
Unfortunately, it all came crashing down in the District One Class AAAA championship when Neshaminy was smoked, 28-0, by North Penn.
Despite the blowout in the district title game, the ‘Skins surrendered an average of less than 10 points-per-game last year. In one stretch, Neshaminy posted four consecutive shutout wins over Germantown, Abington, Truman and William Tennent. The ‘skins also gave up a touchdown or less to Council Rock North, Downingtown East and Ridley.
If Neshaminy is to have the same success this year however, it will have to do it without the likes of TE/DL Paul Carrezola, OL/DL Dan Shirey and DL/RB Jay Colbert.
All three were All-SOL National Conference first teamers on defense in ‘08. Carrezola, who has taken his game to the other side of the river at Rutgers, was SOL Player of the Year, mostly for his play at tight end, a role he will take on for the Scarlet Knights.
Shirey was All-SOL first team at center, a position he hopes to play at Villanova. In addition to his play at defensive end, Colbert, who has gone on to New Hampshire, was named second team All-SOL at running back for his ability to reach the end zone.
“It’s one of those years where I can’t wait for tomorrow to happen but at the same time, I’m scared to death,” said Neshaminy head coach Mark Schmidt. “It’s going to be either hit or miss.”
While Neshaminy has returned senior quarterback Brian Titus, running back Bryan Dean and wideouts Ricky Williams and Rick Brebner, the departures have left the squad with some huge holes to fill in the meantime.
“You lose your linemen in high school, that’s where it’s all centered,” said Schmidt.
“But we have some candidates that are doing a nice job; we’ve got five guys coming back that played last year.
“It’s one of those things; they’re young kids and they’ve just got to get that confidence and get that experience and feel good about themselves.”
The ‘skins will look to seniors Kevin Magee (6-0, 204 lbs.), John Rizzo (6-2, 280 lbs.) and Issac Bailey (6-3, 240 lbs.) to shore up the lines on both sides of the ball. Titus, Dean and the two Rickys were part of an offense that averaged 26 points-per-game last year.
According to Schmidt, Titus is getting some stiff competition under center from Charlie Martarella, a junior who goes 6-1, 160 lbs. and also plays basketball for the high school.
“He’s a tall, lanky kid who runs well,” stated Schmidt of Martarella. “He’s a terrific kid and he’s really amping things up in our offensive practices.”
For protection of the QBs, coaches are looking to junior offensive linemen Ryan Katona (5-10, 297 lbs.) and Nick DiDonato (5-10, 260 lbs.) to step well into the starter’s role. If the offensive line gels in time for the SOL opener with Abington on Sept. 25, Neshaminy may just be able to duplicate last year’s performance.
Defensively, the ‘skins return only one starter, junior Corey Majors, a 6-1, 225 lb. linebacker who was named All-SOL first team last year at that position. Coaches are looking to Magee, Katona and Stephen Stemme, a 5-11, 190-pound senior linebacker whom the coaching staff hopes can put the brakes on opposing running backs before they get into open space.
“We’re not as pretty as we were last year on defense; last year’s crew was pretty nice looking,” said Schmidt. “But all of these players saw significant action last season and must set the tone for an inexperienced defensive unit in the early going.”
Like last year, Neshaminy opens against non-league foes Souderton and Hatboro-Horsham. The ‘skins stumbled in their 2008 opener, losing to the Indians, 14-13, before reeling off 12 straight wins including a 24-14 victory over the Hatters.
“This is a great group of kids but they’ve GOT to keep moving in the right direction.
“We can’t stall or step back.
“If we get off to a decent start, I think we’ll be OK. But, we have Souderton and Hatboro to start and those two games are not going to be easy.”
“The one thing I really need to see is how things are going to go when the sparks start flying.”
Are you ready for some high school football?
The sparks start flying on Heartbreak Ridge at 7 p.m. Friday night at Harry Franks Stadium.

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NESHAMINY/ Redskins
(Home Field: Harry Franks Stadium)

Fri. Sept. 4 Souderton H.S. 7 p.m.
Fri. Sept. 11 Hatboro-Horsham H.S. 7 p.m.
Thu. Sept. 17 at Germantown High School 7 p.m.
Fri. Sept. 25 at Abington 7 p.m.
Fri. Oct. 2 Harry S. Truman H.S. 7 p.m.
Fri. Oct. 9 at William Tennent 7 p.m.
Fri. Oct. 16 at Council Rock South 7 p.m.
Sat. Oct. 24 Council Rock North 1:30 p.m.
Fri. Oct. 30 Bensalem 7 p.m.