Football: Training camp confidential: Delran

By Phil Anastasia

Training camp confidential: Delran

Coach: Pete Miles

Last year: 7-3, second in WJFL Liberty, lost to Lakewood in first round of CJ 2 tournament

Schedule: at Holy Cross, Lawrence, at Robbinsville, Ewing, Pemberton, at Hopewell Valley, bye, Bordentown, at Cinnaminson (Thanksgiving)

Player to watch: Senior two-way lineman Kevin Zataveski (pictured). The 6-foot-3, 280-pound Zataveski is a three-year starter. He will be a veteran leader for an inexperienced team that could take its lumps, especially early in the season. Zataveski has committed to attend Lafeyette on a football scholarship. His older brother Nick is a red-shirt freshman at Lafayette. "He's a three-sport athlete," Miles said of Zataveski. "He plays basketball and is involved in track. He's worked hard to develop himself into a good player."

Outlook: Delran looks like a spoiler in the WJFL Liberty, with Holy Cross and Cinnaminson looming as favorites with Bordentown in the mix as well. The program is heavily skewed toward the younger players. Miles said there are 34 freshmen in the program, and just 39 total on the varsity and junior varsity. With just 10 seniors and limited experience, Delran could struggle for victories with such a formidible schedule but the Bears have a rich tradition and cannot be discounted. Zataveski and fellow senior lineman Brendan Ryan will lead the way. Other players to watch include juniors such as WR/SS Rob Wachter (5-9, 165), QB Brendan Pell (5-11, 195), TE Pat Atkinson (6-0, 190) and RBs Dante Retzko (5-10, 180) and Sharrod Sanders (5-9, 165). Seniors in the mix include QB Max Langer (6-1, 180), RB Mike Boyd (5-11, 180) and WR/DB Nick Bishop (5-10, 165).

Fast fact: Delran went 16-5 in the last two seasons.

Quote: "A lot of people are doubting us, overlooking us. I think we can surprise some people," Zataveski said.

-- Contact Phil Anastasia at panastasia@phillynews.com

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