Countdown to kickoff: Collingswood

By Phil Anastasia

Inquirer Staff Writer

Countdown to kickoff: Collingswood

Last season: 7-4 (fourth place in Colonial Liberty; beat Camden and lost to West Deptford in S.J. 2 tournament).

Coach: Jack McConnell (20-21 in four seasons).

Outlook: Collingswood took a big step forward last season by going into Camden and upsetting the top-seeded and undefeated Panthers by 18-7 in the first round of the S.J. 2 tournament and following that by pushing West Deptford to the brink in a 7-0 loss in the sectional semifinals.

"That did so much for our confidence," Collingswood senior RB/LB Dashon Burdett said. "We weren't sure we could do that before. Now we know we can do it."

Although Collingswood sustained some significant losses to graduation, especially veteran QB/DB Jordan Wallace, the Panthers should be a formidible foe in the Colonial Liberty and could make some noise in S.J. 2 again, too.

Burdett (6-0, 210) and senior Donny Barr (6-1, 215) along with junior Zach Irwin (5-7, 180) are veteran linebackers who should form the backbone of the team's defense.

Senior Jahmir King (5-11, 170) is top two-way player and should combine with junior Jovon Allie (5-10, 160) to form a sensational cornerback tandem.

The lines have some experience in seniors Ryan Harper (5-11, 275), Mike Meloni (5-10, 215) and Marcus Bradshaw (6-2, 240) and promising newcomer Xavier Brown (6-0, 240).

Other players to watch include junior C Nicky Barnes (6-0, 210), junior RB/DB Bryant Kevelier (5-10, 175), junior RB/LB Mike Taulane (5-10, 180), junior TE/LB Kingsley Ayeni (6-1, 190), senior TE/LB Micah Roth (5-11, 170), senior WR/DB Matt Procida (6-1, 160) and senior two-way back Kevin Walters (5-8, 155), among others.

One key for the Panthers will be developing a quarterback to replace Wallace, a three-year starter. Allie has been in the mix at the position in the preseason and King could get some snaps there as well.

Spotlight: King (pictured) is a big-play man on both sides of the football. He averaged 11.5 yards per carry last season and scored five TDs and also was an impact player on the defensive side.

King likely will play multiple positions, seeing time at quarterback, running back, wing back and wide receiver on offense and moving around on the defensive side as well.

"I prefer defense to offense," King said. "But I'll do whatever the team needs me to do. If I have block 40 times, I'm happy as long as we win the game."

King is one of several Collingswood athletes with the ability to make his mark on both sides of the football and on special teams, too.

"We have a lot of inter-changable guys," King said. "We're versatile and we're hungry."

By the numbers: In the last two seasons, Collingswood is 0-7 against West Deptford, Haddonfield and Sterling and 12-0 against the rest of the Colonial Conference.

Schedule:

9/11: Paulsboro
9/18: at Overbrook
9/25: Audubon
10/2: at Haddonfield
10/9: Gateway
10/17: at Woodbury
10/23: West Deptford
10/30: Haddon Twp.
11/25: at Sterling

The last word: "Collingswood never got the respect that teams like Haddonfield and West Deptford and Paulsboro got but after we beat Camden people starting giving us some respect," senior RB/LB Donnie Barr said.

-- Contact Phil Anastasia at panastasia@phillynews.com

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