Phil's Picks: It's Howard vs. Frappolli in legendary coaching matchup
It's been a long time since Paulsboro's Glenn Howard walked on the football field with fewer coaching victories than his counterpart on the other sideline.
It's been a long time since Paulsboro's Glenn Howard walked on the football field with fewer coaching victories than his counterpart on the other sideline.
But Howard's 269 wins will only be the second-best career total when Paulsboro hosts Florence in a West Jersey Football League crossover clash of coaching legends and perennial Group 1 powers on Saturday afternoon.
Florence coach Joe Frappolli enters the game with 296 career victories.
The combined total of 565 wins between the two coaches is far and away the most ever in a game between South Jersey teams.
Howard and Frappolli are big admirers of the other's program.
"You look at them, and you always see a hard-nosed, scrappy, well-coached football team," Howard said of Florence. "They get after you, and they play hard for four quarters. There is no quit in that team."
Frappolli marvels at the success of the Paulsboro program through the years.
"They are just so athletic and so well coached, year after year," Frappolli said. "Those [coaches] do such a great job with that program.
"We've got our work cut out for us."
Frappolli said Florence (3-3) has been "inconsistent" this season, especially on the defensive side.
Howard said Paulsboro (5-1) has been "making progress" since opening the season with a 14-13 loss to rival Woodbury.
"We're getting better, but we've still got a lot of things to clean up," Howard said.
The coaches have met five times, with Paulsboro winning all five in South Jersey Group 1 tournament play. The last game was for the 2002 sectional title.
Soon after that, Florence was moved to Central Jersey Group 1.
"It's really remarkable, the longevity and success that he's had," Howard said of Frappolli, whose first season was in 1974. "They've been so consistently good for so many years. It just tells you what a great job those guys do coaching that team."
Pick Six
1
No. 13 Holy Spirit (6-1) at No. 3 Camden Catholic (6-0), Friday, 7 p.m. These teams are natural rivals as they represent non-public schools with highly successful athletic programs. The teams last played in the Non-Public 2 state final in 2011, a 51-7 victory by Holy Spirit. Camden Catholic has seniors to watch in running back/defensive back Nazir Streater and all-purpose player Kyle Dupree. Senior running back Reggie Jean-Charles has scored 12 touchdowns for Holy Spirit.
Pick: Camden Catholic, 20-13.
2
No. 22 Cinnaminson (5-1) at No. 5 West Deptford (6-0), Friday, 7 p.m. The visiting Pirates are coming off a bye after a loss to Collingswood. Sophomore Rashad Raymond has scored nine touchdowns for Cinnaminson. West Deptford is riding high after a 48-14 victory over Haddonfield last Friday. The Eagles' underrated defense features heavy-hitting senior linebackers Kyle Garrison and Mike Oldt.
Pick: West Deptford, 31-14.
3
No. 21 Collingswood (5-1) at No. 24 Willingboro (5-2), Friday, 7 p.m. This is a clash of surging squads and South Jersey Group 2 playoff hopefuls. Collingswood has won five in a row. Senior quarterback Jovan Allie is a player to watch for the Panthers. Willingboro also has won five in a row, including an impressive victory over South Jersey Group 4 playoff contender Woodrow Wilson. Junior quarterback Trae Greene has thrown 11 touchdown passes for the Chimeras.
Pick: Collingswood, 14-13.
4
No. 23 Oakcrest (5-1) at No. 17 Highland (5-1), Friday, 7 p.m. Oakcrest is angling for a high seed in the South Jersey Group 3 tournament. Seniors Yaier Hinton and Kendall Elliott are top playmakers for the Falcons. Highland would clinch its first winning season since 1993 and strengthen its case for a South Jersey Group 4 playoff berth with a victory. Senior running back Orlando Council and senior two-way lineman Mike Lovenduski are key players for the Tartans.
Pick: Highland, 22-20.
5.
No. 14 St. Joseph (5-2) at No. 1 St. Augustine (7-0), Friday, 6 p.m. St. Joseph coach Paul Sacco says his team has to face "the big elephant" this week, a hat tip to St. Augustine's emergence as the top team in the South Jersey rankings. St. Joseph is coming off a 17-14 overtime loss to Cedar Creek. Senior lineman/linebacker Mike Mascioli is a player to watch for the Wildcats. St. Augustine has won 23 in a row against South Jersey teams. The Hermits' last loss: 36-6 to St. Joseph on Sept. 13, 2014.
Pick: St. Augustine, 27-10.
6
Schalick (6-0) at Woodstown (4-2), Friday, 7 p.m. The visiting Cougars have won nine in a row in a streak that began after they were 0-7 last season. Junior running back Tyreese Snipe and senior quarterback Jared Fox are players to watch for Schalick. Woodstown has a potent ground game led by junior quarterback Cody Wolf.
Pick: Woodstown, 19-14.
Last week: 5-2. Year to date: 38-11.