Training camp 101: Haddonfield
After winning 31 games and two SJ 2 titles in the previous three seasons, the Bulldogs were 6-4 in 2016. They look to get back to the top of the mountain in 2017.
Coach: Frank DeLano (111-52 entering his 16th season).
Last season: 6-4, second in WJFL Colonial Division.
Last five seasons: 6-4, 9-2, 12-0, 10-2, 6-4.
Schedule: (Haddonfield will play home games this season at 1 p.m. on Saturday at Cherry Hill West)
9/8 at Collingswood
9/16 Holy Cross
9/23: Audubon
10/7: at Overbrook
10/14: Paulsboro
10/20: at West Deptford
10/28: at Cedar Creek
11/5: Sterling
11/23: at Haddon Heights
Outlook: After winning 31 games and two SJ 2 titles in the previous three seasons, Haddonfield was 6-4 in 2016. This team looks capable of returning to Rowan in December, but some key younger players will need to emerge over the course of the season. Haddonfield will be led by cousins Ben Klaus and Gabe Klaus. Ben Klaus (6-1, 195) is a top senior RB/LB/. Gabe Klaus (6-2, 220) is a standout junior TE/LB. Senior RB/LB Will Ciemny (5-10, 190) is another key veteran leader. Other seniors with experience include OL/DL Will Murray (6-1, 240) and Mark Troiani (5-10, 195) along with DB Jack Flanagan (6-0, 180). The team has a strong junior class that includes WR/DB Davis Smith (6-2, 175), RB/DB Chris Brown (5-10, 175) and OL/DL Mark Pinsky (6-2, 245), among others. The starting QB likely will be either Flanagan, senior Nick Patrizi (6-0, 175) or junior Jay Foley (5-8, 175).
Post-season prospects: The Bulldogs are regulars in the semifinals and finals of the SJ 2 tournament and this team looks capable of making a run all the way to Rowan, provided the Bulldogs are healthy and playing their best football in November. Last year, Haddonfield lost in the first round to Willingboro, which should be a contender again along with defending champion West Deptford, two-time sectional finalist Cedar Creek and darkhorses such as Collingswood, Cinnaminson and Camden.
Schedule analysis: Haddonfield's schedule is odd this season in that the Bulldogs won't play a "home" game because of construction at their historic stadium and school. Haddonfield will play its four "home" games — as well as any "home" playoff games — at Cherry Hill West on Saturdays at 1 p.m. "Coach DeLano says put the ball down in the parking lot and play people anywhere," Ciemny said. "It's nothing we can control. It is what it is." Haddonfield likely will battle WD again for the WJFL Colonial crown as well as a high seed in the SJ 2 tournament. The non-division slate is challenging, with likely playoff teams Holy Cross, Paulsboro and Cedar Creek along with traditional Thanksgiving Day rival Haddon Heights.
Player to watch: Gabe Klaus has a chance to emerge as one of South Jersey's top two-way players as a junior. He's strong, athletic, has a good feel for the game and likes to play a physical brand of football. He'll set the tone for the Bulldogs.
The last word: "We have the same goal every year and it's to go down to Rowan and try to win the championship," Ben Klaus said.