[tps_title]Conwell-Egan Eagles [/tps_title]
Eagles planning encore of historic 13-win season
FAIRLESS HILLS >> When you smash the school record for wins with 13, post three victories in the playoffs and average around 40 points a game, the logical question is what can you possibly do for an encore.
While topping or even duplicating all it accomplished last year will be difficult, the Conwell-Egan football team seems fully capable of putting together another monster season despite major losses to graduation.
“We feel we have the ability to fill some positions lost to graduation with some players that have worked hard while waiting to take over the starting roles,” said coach Jack Techtmann. “If these player gain the experience necessary we will be competitive with every team on our schedule.”
The biggest name who no longer is with the team is Boston College running back recruit Pat Garwo. You simply don’t replace a player like him, but the Eagles do have weapons to pick up the slack and 10 returning starters.
Running backs this year include senior fullback Chris Majors, who was all-league last year at linebacker, as well as juniors Sincere Thomas, Sam Schurr, Andre Harris and Andrew Garwo. The last three will also line up in the defensive backfield.
Sam Schurr, a senior who will play fullback, tight end and linebacker, has also returned along with senior lineman Sean Kleinfelder (6-1, 252) and Mason Goodwin (6-0, 290), junior lineman Brendan Walker (6-12, 250), kicker Luke Jackson and senior quarterback/defensive back Sean Reilly.
“We feel our defensive back seven are the strength of our team with all players either starting or getting substantial playing time,” said Techtmann. “Our offensive backfield will be young and replacing some quality graduates, but the players have varsity experience and should mature quickly and be a strong part of our team.”
Among the top newcomers are junior quarterback/corner back Tyler Barry, junior tight end/defensive end Connor Dougherty and junior lineman Jon Bordecki (6-2, 325).
In short, there’s both size and speed to go along with the talent. Andrew Garwo already has offers from a number of D-1 schools as a junior, Majors is being looked at by the likes of Stonybrook University, Towson and St. Francis, and Schurr has drawn interest from Ivy League schools.
“Our senior leadership has surfaced over the winter and summer workout programs,” said Techtmann. “We need to have a few young offensive linemen step up and get into the mix. If that happens we feel we can have another successful year.”
By Rick Fortenbaugh, rfortenbaugh@21st-centurymedia.com
