LINWOOD — More than a dozen young athletes gathered Wednesday, Feb. 23, at City Hall for the cherry on top of their victory sundae.
City Council congratulated and honored the Linwood Panthers varsity football team for its “notable achievement,” stating in a proclamation that it “brought substantial recognition to the members … their coaches, families and the city of Linwood.”
State Sen. Vince Polistina, R-Atlantic, provided a proclamation as well.
The team won the Jersey Shore Youth Football League championship, completing their season with a record of 10-0 and becoming the first undefeated varsity team in Linwood Panthers history. It was the program’s first championship in 49 years.
Panthers President John Franchini said the program almost folded five years ago. At the time, he said, there were no junior varsity or varsity players and just 11 Taxi and 13 Peewee players.
He said the community came together and they rebuilt the program, crowning the achievement with a championship trophy and citywide recognition.
“I think it means a lot to them. They suffered through some lean years and they never gave up, they never quit. They just kept building the program, recruiting their friends and giving everything they had,” Franchini said. “It means a lot that the city and community are behind us.”
Franchini said the team averaged more than 30 points a game, topping the Hammonton Hawks 36-12 on Nov. 20 in the title game.
Linwood opened the scoring when quarterback Johnny Franchini hit receiver Joey Eyde for a 30-yard touchdown pass.
“The two have been playing together since Taxi and have grown to know exactly how to connect,” Franchini said.
Lucas DeBaiso made the extra point, putting Linwood up 8-0.
Hammonton answered with a touchdown by Ethan Peterson, but then Chase Hoag, another player who has been with Franchini and Eyde since Taxi, burst through the line and blocked Hammonton’s extra point.
Eyde then returned the ensuing kickoff for a touchdown, putting Linwood up 14-6. On the next two Hammonton possessions, the Panthers linebackers, Hoag and Dylan Grant, as well as defensive end Finn Fiore forced Hammonton fumbles that were recovered by Fiore and Dante Franchini.
The offense turned the turnovers into more points with a 10-yard run by Eyde and a 50-yard dash by Johnny Franchini, putting Linwood up 28-6.
“Those runs were made possible by the exceptional blocking of Will Hickman, Trevor Dill, Jasper Colville, Reese Gurwicz, TJ Santarpio, Nigel Hucey, Damon Herzchel and Joey Niceta,” Franchini said.
Hammonton answered with a long scoring drive, culminating in another Peterson touchdown on the last play of the first half, cutting the Linwood lead to 28-12.
Linwood stopped Hammonton on the opening possession of the second half. Franchini then connected with Mykai Campbell on a 35-yard touchdown pass to complete the scoring.
The team was led by head coach Jim Barrett, offensive coordinator Kevin LaMonaca, defensive coordinator Mike Brestle and assistants Mike Blee and Tony DeSalle.
Quarterback Franchini threw 23 touchdown passes to nine different receivers and the team had 11 players score touchdowns, two on special teams (Eyde and Campbell). The defense forced 15 turnovers, with Hoag responsible for seven.
Players are Mike Brestle, Mykai Campbell, Angelo Caucci, Vincent Caucci, Elizer Ceballos, Jasper Coville, Lucas DeBiaso, Ford DeSalle, Trevor Dill, Logan Dreaper, Joey Eyde, Finn Fiore, Dante Franchini, Johnny Franchini, Andrew Gebhard, Dylan Grant, Jack Gregory, Reese Gurwicz, Damon Herzchel, Will Hickman, Chase Hoag, Nigel Hucey, Justin Mazur, Joey Niceta, Jeremy Polanco, Dallas Rowell, TJ Santarpio, Sean Sharkey and David Simpson.
City Council President Ralph Paolone recalled honoring Belhaven Middle School’s eighth-grade basketball team years ago, noting they went on to contribute to the success at Mainland Regional High School.
“It’s been amazing to see those girls who were great in middle school became great in high school. We can only hope that the Linwood Panthers that are now undefeated and won a championship will have that kind of success as they move up through high school,” Paolone said.
Councilman Todd Michael noted he and Councilman Michael Levinson are veterans of the football program.
“It’s a goal we were never able to accomplish and I’m so happy to see that the boys were able to do that this year,” Michael said.
“I’m very proud of the Linwood Panthers football team. Just watching those kids play was great,” Levinson said.
By CRAIG D. SCHENCK/Sentinel staff