Maple Shade looking good in Burlco/Olympic Freedom

The Burlco/Olympic Freedom Division title had been the domain of Florence. That was until Palmyra won the division crown last year, snapping the Flashes' seven-year win streak.

Now Maple Shade hopes to become this year's version of Palmyra. Maple Shade is seeking its first Freedom Division title since sharing it with Florence in 1998.

Make no mistake, most observers think Florence could again be the team to beat. But this appears to be Maple Shade's best chance at winning the title in more than a decade.

"Maple Shade has a very talented team, but Florence will be very tough," said Palmyra coach Ty Belford, whose team was hit hard by graduation but could surface as an outside contender.

Whether Maple Shade wins the Freedom Division this season or not, there is another goal to shoot for - a winning record. Maple Shade has been 5-5 in each of the last three seasons.

"We're tired of finishing .500," said Maple Shade senior wide receiver-cornerback Myles Drummond.

Added senior tight end-linebacker Savon Small: "To us, 5-5 is just another season. We haven't been to the playoffs for a while, and that is what we want to do."

The Wildcats actually don't have that long a playoff drought. Their last time in the postseason was 2006, when Maple Shade lost a first-round Group 1 game to Woodbury.

Maple Shade, however, hasn't posted a winning record since going 6-4 in 1990. In the cochampionship season of 1998, Maple Shade's overall record was 5-5.

As a team that is carrying quite a bit of pressure entering the season, the Wildcats have taken a businesslike approach. It began with summer workouts. Head coach Tony Nicolino would often arrive at school at 6:30 a.m., and within a half hour he would have plenty of company in the weight room.

And Nicolino did more than observe. He actually did his own heavy lifting, partaking in the weight-lifting regimen with the players.

After those sessions, offensive coordinator George Masters Jr. would put the players though some hilly runs.

"It's probably the best summer workouts we ever had," Nicolino said.

Not to mention the hardest.

"I've never done anything so tough," Drummond said. "We entered camp in the best shape we've ever been in."

The only thing tougher than those workouts may be stopping the big-play ability of Drummond. Last season he had 36 receptions for 605 yards and three touchdowns. He also averaged 21.6 yards on kickoff returns and 13.9 on punt returns. Drummond also had eight interceptions, returning one for a touchdown. He is among seven returning two-way starters.

Drummond and senior two-way linemen Ryan Roberts (5-11, 210) are returning first-team all-conference choices. Roberts was selected on defense and Drummond on offense.

Another potential game-breaker is junior tailback Robert Marithe Harris, who rushed for 849 yards despite being limited to six games because of injury.

So the Wildcats are serious contenders, but with that comes the added pressure of heightened expectations.

"It's more pressure, but this is what you play for," Drummond said.

In terms of the Freedom Division, the Wildcats look to be in good shape, but Nicolino knows that nothing should be taken for granted.

He realizes that despite its heavy losses to graduation, defending champ Palmyra will provide plenty of resistance. And, of course, there is Florence, looking to prove that last year was just a hiccup.

One reason the Wildcats got into such great shape is that they realize there will be no easing into this season: Maple Shade opens tomorrow at Florence.

Last year Florence beat Maple Shade, 21-14.

It's not a stretch to suggest that the winner of that game will own a much-coveted place in the Freedom Division driver's seat.