The Appoquinimink High football team has seniors for the first time, and the Jaguars are ready go. Here is a closer look at the Jaguars:
Coaching staff: Jeff Weiner is the head coach. His assistants are Brian Morris, Jamal Battle, Charles Word, Kyle Dimichele, Mike Potts, Brian Reph and Ian Baker.
Last season: 5-5 in first-ever varsity season.
Seniors: Justin Gerhart (FB-LB); John Gasparovic (QB); Brian Alexander (WR-LB); Stephen Brown (WR); Armando Estrada (HB-S); Justin Lockard (G-LB); Jason Hewett (T); Jonathan Burris (G-DT), Thomas Burris; Dan Glasstetter (WR); Peter DiSabatino; Billy Metcalfe; James Scully (WR-QB-CB), Dalton Church (LB); Michael Scully (TE-LB); Eli Oliveras (DT); Connor Whitehead (P); Kevin Savage (C-DE); Zach Lorenz (T-DE); Tyler Green (K); Sam Cherry (DT).
Juniors: Mike Marino (FB-LB); Ricky Jackson (HB-CB); Chris Buckley (LB); Ryan Duker (DE); Bevonn Bryan (DT); Erik Hansen (WR-DE); Andre Smith (DT); Snoop Smith (CB); Joe Laznik (TE-DE); Bobby Roth (G-DT).
Sophomores: Andre Connelly (HB-CB); Codi Elias (QB-P).
Outlook: A year older, wiser and stronger, the Jaguars have opportunity to compete with Delaware’s Division II upper echelon. The program will play against smaller schools this fall before moving up to Division I in 2011, and are blessed with a talented group of seniors who have stayed together for the past three years of freshman ball, junior varsity and last year’s varsity debut.
“We practiced at a pretty quick pace [in August],” Weiner said. “The kids were familiar with what we wanted to do, and it was a matter of fine-tuning and getting better at the execution part.”
Kicker Green was a first team all-Blue Hen Conference Flight B performer last fall, and is a tremendous weapon at the high school level. Making honorable mention were Marino, Jackson, Lorenz, Whitehead, Brown, Lockard and Laznik.
Quarterback Gasparovic knows the offense well, and has solid receiving options in wideouts Brown, Alexander and James Scully, plus tight ends Laznik and Michael Scully. It’s an experienced group that produced several big plays last season and will likely do more together this time.
The senior-laden offensive line has played together as a group since freshman year, and should clear openings for a fast backfield that includes Estrada, Jackson, Marino and the rest.
“I think there’s more of a sense of urgency on this team, especially with the seniors realizing it’s their last season to play football at the high school level,” Weiner said.
