"When it got colder, that surface was really hard to play on," said Faulkner, a senior fullback and middle linebacker. "And there wasn't too much grass on it by the end of the season."

Before this year's move, Episcopal's varsity had to share the field with its JV and freshman teams, plus two middle-school squads. "The big thing to me is that we practice so much better now," Churchmen coach Bill Gallagher said.

Episcopal is enjoying its new campus and a 5-0 start to the season. Tomorrow afternoon at 2, in an Inter-Academic League opener between unbeatens, the visiting Churchmen will take on 4-0 Malvern Prep.

"The seniors on the team have been looking forward to this year since we were freshmen," Faulkner said. "We expected to be good."

Episcopal, which last season went 5-4 overall and 2-3 in the Inter-Ac, has won its first five games by a combined score of 149-32. The biggest difference from a year ago? An improved defense.

"We couldn't stop anybody last year," Gallagher said. "Teams would have the ball a long time on us. We were never on offense."

In addition to the 6-foot, 200-pound Faulkner, the defense is spearheaded by junior linebacker Jake Butts, senior tackle Bob Reinhard (6-foot-3, 295 pounds), junior tackle/middle guard Dan McKelvey (6-0, 305), and senior strong safety Rich Rosati (5-10, 180).

"We're not the biggest defense in the world," said Faulkner, "but we fly to the ball and hit people."

Gallagher heaped praise on two of Episcopal's new defensive coaches, coordinator Jim Burner and line coach Kevin Maggs. "They've made things easier on me," Gallagher said. "I can focus on running the offense."

The Churchmen are averaging 29.8 points per game. Faulkner and senior halfback John Gormley have combined for 810 rushing yards. With athleticism and smarts, senior Ryan Klein has been solid at quarterback. Gormley and 6-1, 185-pound senior tight end Sean Toner are two of Klein's top targets.

For Episcopal, playing Malvern is a major step up in competition. With their explosive Delaware wing-T attack, the Friars, ranked No. 2 in Southeastern Pennsylvania by The Inquirer, average 41 points a game.

"In the public eye, it would be a huge upset," said Faulkner, a 17-year-old captain from Broomall. "But we know we can play with them if we bring our A game."

or robrien@phillynews.com.