Last year was supposed to be a rebuilding year for Delsea.
The Crusaders went 10-2, won the WJFL Royal Division, and made the South Jersey Group 3 championship game.
This season, the rebuilding is over.
"We've been pointing toward this season for four years," Delsea senior running back/linebacker Marshall Brooks said of himself and his classmates.
Delsea should get a strong challenge in the division from a talented Timber Creek team as well as an experienced Triton team.
Timber Creek features linebacker Quanzell Lambert, who is perhaps South Jersey's most highly recruited player, as well as veteran quarterback/safety Calvin Lowe and junior defensive linemen Dajuan Drennon and Greg Webb, a pair of Division I prospects.
Triton has a corps of seniors who are three-year starters, led by quarterback/defensive end Brian Keller, two-way lineman Seth Tinsley, and fullback/linebacker Dan Bekier, among others. The Mustangs also have a home-run hitter in speedy junior back Josh Woods.
But Delsea is the team to beat in this division. The Crusaders won Group 2 titles in 2008 and 2009, moved up to Group 3 last year, and reached the title game. They rank among the favorites in what should be a loaded Group 3 field this season.
"These guys gained a lot of valuable experience last season," Delsea coach Sal Marchese said.
The key for the Crusaders could be junior quarterback/defensive back Josh Awotunde. The 6-2, 225-pound athlete started the final five games at quarterback as a sophomore and threw for eight touchdowns.
His physical presence and passing ability have Marchese tinkering a bit with his run-oriented offense.
"I'm not sure we've ever had a quarterback like him before," Marchese said.
Brooks is a top two-way player, as is center/defensive tackle Joe Moffa. The Crusaders return four starters along the offensive line, long a strength of the program.
"Our attitude is that we're going all the way," Brooks said.
Contact staff writer Phil Anastasia at 856-779-3223, panastasia@phillynews.com, or @PhilAnastasia on Twitter.
