Edwards expecting progress from his Piner team
Lakewood to open at Pinelands tonight
BY MIKE WHITE Staff Writer

PHOTOS BY ERIC SUCAR staff Above, Lakewood's Mike Jones tries to shake off a defender during a recent scrimmage against Barnegat in Lakewood. Below, two players collide while making a play on the ball.

LAKEWOOD - The Lakewood High School football team has gone through a pair of tough seasons under third-year coach Skip Edwards.

The Piners have exactly two victories in the last 20 games. Some coaches might be discouraged. Others might be so frustrated that they begin to search for another gig.

Not Edwards.

Now starting his third season as leader of the Piners' football program, Edwards is beginning to see a turnaround in attitude and aptitude. He realized building a solid foundation to a program that had struggled for many years before his arrival would encompass a couple of seasons laced with growing pains. Still, he took on the challenge.

As Lakewood gets set to open its 2007 season Friday night at Pinelands, Edwards is hopeful his squad is poised for a noticeable improvement this year. Edwards cited experienced upperclassmen for the 180-degree turn the program is currently undergoing.

"We struggled in my first couple of years here," Edwards said. "Turning the way kids think about a football program takes time. They need to start to believe in the system we are trying to employ here.

"This year we have great senior leadership. These players have been working together for the past couple of years. They have experienced the hard times. They realize what is expected from them now. We have a bunch of very talented, athletic players on this squad."

Losing only a few marquee players to graduation, Lakewood returns a solid nucleus for the 2007 campaign. Leading the Piners are senior captains Jordan and Dean Seda. The brothers have been with the team since Edwards took over two years ago and are looked to for leadership. Dean Seda is a quarterback, while his brother, Jordan, is a flanker.

Other veterans include seniors Kelvin Morales (center), Anthony Burgos (right guard), Justin Rafferty (fullback), Pat Cunliffe (kicker), along with juniors Mike Jones, Justin Sims, Wilton Morgan and Wilson Figueora.

"Two years ago we didn't have any depth or experience," Edwards said. "We are a different team now. These guys understand what we are trying to accomplish here at Lakewood. They are beginning to really come together as a team."

LHS looked very good in a recent scrimmage against Barnegat, Edwards said. He was pleased with what he saw on both sides of the ball.

"The guys played very well," Edwards said. "We executed offensively and did a terrific job at times on defense. If we continue to play with intensity and avoid some mental errors, we're going to find ourselves to be competitive with a lot of teams."

Other key players for the Piners include Jeremy Clarkin, Durian Brown, Spencer Howard, Isiah Giles, Devonte Lewis-Jackson, Kevin McCutcheon, Ramone Carroll, Ezekiel Subdhan, Ashton Alexander, Amir Reid, Xavier Nelson, Brendan Densmore and Jose Torres.

"All these guys are going to have to make contributions in one form or another if we are going to rise to the level we are expecting," Edwards said. "This is as talented a team as we've had here in many years. We must stay focused on and off the field. If we remain committed to the program, we should have a good year."