Going into the season the High School South’s football team is hoping that 2011 brings better things than 2010, when they went 4-5 and missed the playoffs.
“It was our first losing season at South since I took over and hopefully it will be our last,” said Coach Todd Smith.
Before last year’s disappointing campaign, Smith — who took over prior to the 2005 season — had amassed a 42-12 record. The team had reached the playoffs for five straight seasons and won three playoff games.
The Pirates hope to start on the right track with their season-opener this Saturday at home against Rancocas Valley. The game is at 1 p.m. In 2010 the Pirates were defeated by Rancocas 17-0.
Coming off last year’s record, “I asked our kids to make a total commitment” to make the team more competitive, Smith said. “We had great weight room attendance last winter, spring, and fall. Many of our kids play other sports, which helped them prepare for this season.”
One of the bright spots from the 2010 season was the performance of star running back Brian Schoenauer, who will be a junior this year. Smith says that while he’ll still make prodigious use of Schoenaer’s talents, he’s looking to change the team’s character a bit.
“Last year we were a run-heavy team. Almost 70 percent,” Smith said. “Brian is a huge component of our offense, but last year if you stopped Brian you stopped our offense. This year we have many more weapons, which makes Brian even more dangerous.”
Adds the coach, “We have other options that can beat you. Teams just can’t focus on stopping the run, which means they might not spend as much time preparing for Brian. I would call us very balanced. We’re looking to throw the football more than we have in the past.”
That means the Pirates will have to depend on the arm of their returning starter at quarterback, senior Chris Evans. Last year, Evans was injured before the season started and didn’t play until several weeks into the season.
“This year our three-year starter at quarterback is healthy and ready to go,” said Smith. “I expect Chris to do great things with his feet and his arm.”
Smith said that Evans’ experience will make things easier for the rest of the team because he knows and understands the offense. “He can talk to the kids and he is a big reason things are going so well.”
Also added to the offensive mix is running back Chris Jones, who missed last season. Smith says the senior looks “better than ever.”
“It will lessen the load on Brian and we can keep him fresher,” he adds.
On the offensive line, four of the five starters from last year will be back to form a solid blocking core. Returning linemen are Robby Baxter, Frank DeMilt, Eric Davis, and Mitchell Ngai. Sophomore Diego Cuitino joins them at center and Marty Flatley will start at tight end.
The coach is also looking to the other side of the ball to make sure the team stays in games and to not put pressure on its offense to have to score.
“We always want to play strong defense,” Smith said. “Our defense is more downhill this year. We really want to get pressure on teams and force them into bad situations.”
Smith calls his guys “an iron man team,” adding that many will play both ways. A total of eight players rotate on the defensive line with both offensive linemen Baxter and DeMilt starting. Returning at end are Patrick Boyle and Thomas Efstathios, with sophomore Nick Benfer at tackle.
With the combination of a new coaching staff, the returning core of players, and an expanded playbook due to the level of experience of the team, Smith is optimistic.
“Things got a little stale around here (last year),” he said. “Every coach is brand new this season, and I have to say this was the most productive and fun preseason I have ever been a part of at South.
“We have been in the state finals before. We may not have the big names we had then but these kids can get there.”
