2020 PFN Team Preview: The Marple Newtown Tigers

Tagged under: Conference Previews, District 1, News

Charlie DiPasqua | July 3, 2020

Marple Newtown Tigers

Head Coach: Chris Gicking

Assistant Coaches:

Chris Boggs

Josh Crooks

Matt DeStefano

Martin Dorsey

Jack Fallows

Harry Gicking

Bob Knapp

Dave Lerro

Tony Lerro

Mike Paci

Anthony Paoletti

Joe Small

Alex Silverstein

Pete Rodden

Scott Williams

Zach Young

2019 Record: 8-4

Lost to Unionville in the District One, Class 5A First Round

Tigers’ Strength Lies In the Trenches

Marple Newtown is looking forward to having a large group of upperclassmen back, who helped lead the team to a 8-4 record in 2019. The Tigers are led by Chris Gicking who is entering his seventh season as head coach. The strength of Gicking’s team lies in the trenches this season. Returning captain, Ryan Lain, is the anchor of the line. His cast includes two-way linemen John Ebert, Joey Goodman, Scott Novak, and Chris Meiklejohn. The line will pay dividends on both the offensive and defensive side of the ball. Offensively, they are paving the way for the junior running back Charlie Box. Running behind Lain and company last season, Box had over 1,000 all-purpose yards on his way to a selection onto the “PA Football Writers Class 5A All-State Team.” However, Box is not the only player that will be running behind the line. Fellow junior Eric McKee and senior Brian Joslin will both receive snaps in the backfield and at receiver. Senior quarterback Joe Paoletti will look to improve on his 1,400 yard and 16 touchdown season. The dual threat quarterback will look forward to the defense collapsing on Box and taking it himself on the read option. Joe Small leads the receiving core that returns many of it’s key pass catchers from last year. The hope is that the Tigers build on their 23.8 points per game from a season ago with returning upperclassmen that have playing experience.

On the defensive side of the ball, the two-way linemen previously mentioned will look to get after the quarterback both early and often. It all starts in the trenches with Johnnie Ebert but the squad has plenty of experience on the backend as well. Returning linebacker CJ Lane led the team last season with 70 tackles. Brain Joslin is a versatile player that plays seven different positions. In addition to his role on offense, Charlie Box is the leader of the secondary. Last season, Box came down with eight of the defense’s 13 interceptions. This group will look to capitalize by creating turnovers when opposing teams get into obvious passing situations. The Tigers are looking to make a deep run in the District One, Class 5A postseason.

(Stats courtesy of @MNTigers. You can visit their website for more details: http://www.marplenewtownfootball.com/wp/)

Key Starters Lost

Christian Aquilla, DB
Shane Benedict, DB/WR
Jelani Estes, DE
Tyler Lynch, WR/DB
Robbie Reilly, LB/H
Cain Tarquini, LB
Cole Thiruselvam, DL
Ricky Wysocki, OL

Offensive Starters Returning

Jr. RB Charlie Box: 5’8”, 180
Sr. H Steve DeCecco: 6’1”, 195
SR OL Johnnie Ebert 6’3″, 250
Sr. OL Joey Goodman: 6’1”, 235
Sr. RB Brian Joslin: 5’10”, 180
Sr. OL Ryan Lain: 6’3”, 280
Jr. WR Eric McKee: 6’2”, 190
Sr. OL Chris Meiklejohn: 6’1”, 200
Sr. QB Joe Paoletti: 6’2”, 185
Sr. WR Joey Small: 6’1”, 185

Defensive Starters Returning

Jr. DB Charlie Box: 5’8”, 180
SR DL Johnnie Ebert 6’3″, 250
Sr. DL Joey Goodman: 6’1”, 235
Sr. LB Brian Joslin: 5’10”, 180
Sr. DL Ryan Lain: 6’3”, 280
Jr. LB Eric McKee: 6’2”, 190
Sr. DL Scott Novak: 6’2”, 285
Sr. LB CJ Lane: 5’11”, 195
Sr. LB Ryan Simpson: 5’10”, 185

Key Newcomers

Sr. OL/DL Anthony Armento: 6’1″, 210
Jr. OL/DL Damien Bogsch: 6’3″, 210
Jr. WR/LB Matt Cantwell: 6’4″, 215
Sr. WR/DB John Cappello: 5’11”, 175
Jr. WR/DB Cooper Conroy: 5’9″, 165
Sr. WR/DB Dan Donofrio: 6’1″, 185
Jr. RB/DB DJ Eaddy: 5’9″, 165
Jr. OL/DL Tyler Fields: 6’1″, 220
Jr. OL/DL Brian Foley: 5’9″, 200
Jr. OL/DL Gavin Garbutt: 6’2″, 220
Jr. TE/LB Jack Hagerty: 6’0″, 185
Jr. OL/DL Tasi Kosmatos: 5’11”, 220
Jr. RB/LB Angelo Luster: 5’11”, 185
Jr. TE/DL Owen Mathes: 6’2″, 215
Jr. OL/DL Nate Nguyen: 6’2″, 260
Jr. WR/DB Jason Peterson: 5’10”, 165
Jr. OL/LB Luca Rizzi: 5’10”, 185
Jr. WR/LB Mike Schumacher: 6’2″, 195
Jr. WR/DB Johnny Small: 6’2″, 190
Jr. OL/LB Luke Tarr: 6’0″, 200
Sr. OL/DL Ed Umoh: 6’2″, 200
Jr. TE/LB Jack Welsh: 5’10”, 200

Special Teams

Our senior kicker and punter, Jimmy O’Brien, returns this season. In 2019, his longest field goal was 37 yards. Additionally, our senior long snapper, John Cappello, and junior holder, Cooper Conroy both return.

What does your offense need to improve on from last year?

The offense needs to be balanced and take care of the ball while limiting penalties.

What does your defense need to improve on from last year?

The defense needs to create turnovers while playing fast and aggressive.

We need kids to continue to step up! The coaches and kids have worked hard. The administration and community support is great!

DATE	OPPONENT	LOCATION	TIME/SCORE
08-22	Kennett (SCR)	KHS Stadium	10:00 AM
08-28	School of the Future (0-0)	Primo Hoagies Stadium	7:00 PM
09-03	Harriton (0-0) *	Rams Stadium	7:00 PM
09-11	Ridley (0-0) *	Phil Marion Field	7:00 PM
09-17	Strath Haven (0-0) *	Primo Hoagies Stadium	7:00 PM
09-25	Haverford (0-0) *	Primo Hoagies Stadium	7:00 PM
10-02	Penncrest (0-0) *	Louis Scott Field	7:00 PM
10-09	Garnet Valley (0-0) *	Moe DeFrank Stadium	7:00 PM
10-16	Radnor (0-0) *	Primo Hoagies Stadium	7:00 PM
10-23	Springfield-Delco (0-0) *	Primo Hoagies Stadium	7:00 PM
10-31	Lower Merion (0-0) *	Arnold Field	11:00 AM
11-25	Penncrest (0-0) *	Primo Hoagies Stadium	7:00 PM