New Egypt team hoping to turn the corner
Warriors return most of last year’s team

BY MIKE WHITE
Staff Writer

FARRAH MAFFAI staff Mike Wendel is back to lead the New Egypt football team this fall as the Warriors look to win some close games and top last year’s 2-6 mark.

PLUMSTED — With a team loaded with inexperienced underclassmen, the New Egypt High School football team set its sight on just being competitive last year.

Coach Tom Farrell realized his squad of overachievers would still need time to learn how to win.

The Warriors battled valiantly and managed to earn a pair of victories in 10 games. Despite a 2-8 mark, New Egypt lost five games by a total of 17 points. They hung around longer than most teams figured they would.

“We understood that we were still in a building stage last year,” said Farrell, whose team notched wins over Maple Shade and Bordentown. “We were still a very young football team with not a lot of depth. But the kids worked hard and fought to stay competitive. This season we need to push a little more. We need to win a few more of those close games.”

The Warriors lose just two players to graduation. Gone are two-way lineman Martin Morfin and linebacker Mike Schuster.

Everybody else is coming back.

“That is the plus side to this season,” Farrell said. “We have virtually everybody returning. They have another year of experience and should be acquainted with what is expected at the varsity level.”

Leading New Egypt into the 2004 campaign, which starts at Riverside Friday night, is senior running back Lee Hopkins. A four-year starter, Hopkins rushed for 1,560 yards and scored 12 touchdowns in just eight games in 2003. A severe ankle injury left Hopkins sidelined for two games.

“He had a great season,” Farrell said. “Even with being injured, he put fantastic numbers. He is a key ingredient to our team’s success this season. He is going to be a big part of the offense. He is the kind of player who can have a huge impact on a game. We need him in the lineup every week.”

So far, Hopkins has remained injury-free. He has looked particularly good in preseason scrimmages, Farrell said.

“He’s done a great job running the ball,” Farrell said. “He is going to get a large portion of the carries this season. Other teams will be keying on him. If he stays healthy, there is no telling how solid a year he could have.”

Other senior returnees include quarterback Mike Wendel, fullback Joel Bunce, lineman Marcus Heredia and tight end Dan Henninger.

“All these guys have at least a full year of varsity experience,” Farrell said. “They’ve gone through the growing pains. They’ve matured and are tougher mentally. The little mistakes that we’ve made in the past should fade away.”

Junior returnees include Donny Bunce, a wideout/defensive back, lineman Justin Conklin and wideout Greg Sonday. All saw significant minutes during 2003.

Newcomers senior Matt Ackerman (WR), junior Andrew Weingart (CB), and sophomores Josh Howard (OL/DL) and Dominic Valdner (C) are all competing for starting positions.

“We’re going to be able to run the ball this year,” Farrell said. “We have a number of kids who can carry for us. A question mark might be our depth.

But the kids have been working extremely hard. We expect to give 100 percent.

If we stay away from injuries and mental mistakes, I feel we’re going to be a better team than we were last year.”