JOE CENATIEMPO has always had above-average height for his age. In fact, Cenatiempo has been big since birth. At birth, he was 9 pounds and 21 inches. The girth kind of came later, within the last 3 years as he's bulked up through weight training. Being so large also came with a certain stigma - you become a target.

It still follows him. In the postgame handshakes, Cenatiempo always hears, "Oh-my-God, did you see that kid," from opposing players, as he did Friday night when he helped Garnet Valley beat Unionville, 15-14, vaulting the Jaguars to No. 1 in the Delco 7.

The left offensive guard understands the reaction. When you're 6-9, 300 pounds, it comes with the territory. He kept growing so much, it prompted him once to ask his father, Joseph, where all the size came from, since no one in his family was even close to his height.

"My father told me one of my ancient ancestors was an 8-foot Italian monk," Cenatiempo said, laughing. "But really, on my father's side, they're all tall. I have that stray height gene that makes me extra tall, I guess."

He also has a starting job for the first time at the varsity level, working his way up the last 2 years. Size has its benefits. But it also has its drawbacks. As he got taller, Cenatiempo kept working on his coordination and found it challenging getting the low leverage that an offensive lineman his size needs to succeed.

"Getting my technique right is the key, because there was a time when I didn't have the right footwork, and not having the right technique, it looked funny on film in past years," Cenatiempo said. "It would look funny, because sometimes I'd get beat by a guy 5-6, 120 pounds, going around me, because I didn't have the right footwork."

Garnet Valley opened its season by winning on a late touchdown by Marcellus Irving that finished a 94-yard scoring drive. Cenatiempo did well, with some little things to correct. The Jaguars offensive line didn't surrender a sack.

"I know now I always have to be on my 'A' game, because there is pressure that comes with being so big," said Cenatiempo, who scored a 2,100 on the SAT out of 2,400 and hopes to play college football. "It doesn't really bother me. But I do like being big, I definitely do. It's like your thing. In high school, everyone gets labeled. They don't know my name. I'm that 'Tall kid.' There are worse labels you can have."

Doing the little things well

Leone put some good pressure on Springfield Friday night in Interboro's 27-7 nonleague victory. One punt placed the Cougars deep inside their territory, and he averaged roughly 30 yards a punt.

"The punting game is a weapon that I think is underrated," Lennox said. "Some guys get enamored with offense and defense, but some nights, you're going to be off with one thing or another. But defense has to be a constant, and the punting game does, too. It's something we stress here and something I put in the first day of training camp."

It was a good start for Interboro, which began the last 3 years 0-1. The Bucs also received a fine performance by junior right guard Zack McMenamin, who did a quality job of opening holes in the Bucs' vaunted trap game.

"We have an unselfish team, and you have to have that to be successful," Lennox said. "I've been fortunate with that. It hasn't been a hard sell here. I like what we have this year. But we have to get better as the year goes on."

Great beginning

Alfio Grasso, a 5-9, 185-pound junior, stepped in for Clancy, whose younger brother, Mike, a sophomore, started his first varsity game at quarterback in the Fords' 36-6 victory over Chichester Friday.

Mike Clancy was 5-for-5 passing, including a 39-yard touchdown pass, and rushed for 165 yards and three touchdowns. Grasso opened holes and made sure Clancy went untouched.

"Mike did more than just manage the game for us," Fords coach Joe Gallagher said. "That was a pretty great day for a sophomore. We're in a lucky spot, in that Andre is a very talented quarterback, and we have high expectations for him. When Andre returns, you can expect Michael to be on the field somewhere too. Alfie played very well, and we'll find a place for him when Brian comes back."

It won't get any easier for the new pair. Haverford will face defending Central League champion Garnet Valley at home Friday, then the Fords visit Ridley the following week.

"They're going to be thrown into the fire, but I have a lot of faith in both of them," Gallagher said.

Haverford High has lost two main players to injury, senior center Brian Clancy and junior quarterback Andre Pergolese. Both were hurt in training camp and will be out for 3 to 4 weeks. Clancy suffered a knee injury that required surgery, and Pergolese broke a fibula.

Special teams sometimes get lost. Interboro coach Steve Lennox emphasizes special-teams play, and it's a leading reason why the Bucs are successful every year. This season, Lennox has a nice duo in senior team captain Rob Leone, the Bucs' punter, and sophomore long snapper Dave Kennedy.

Delco 7

1. Garnet Valley (Record: 1-0. Weeks rated: 1. Last week: No. 2)

2. Ridley (Record: 1-0. Weeks rated: 1. Last week: No. 3)

3. Penncrest (Record: 0-1. Weeks rated: 1. Last week: No. 1)

4. Strath Haven (Record: 1-0. Weeks rated: 1. Last week: No. 7)

5. Penn Wood (Record: 1-0. Weeks rated: 1. Last week: No. 4)

6. Interboro (Record: 1-0. Weeks rated: 1. Last week: No. 5)

7. Glen Mills (Record: 1-0. Weeks rated: 1. Last week: No. 6)