Senior leaders have fueled Marple Newtown’s resurgence

NEWTOWN SQUARE — There were some growing pains, but Marple Newtown’s 2021 season is now beginning to take flight.

There wasn’t a true turning point that kicked everything into gear. For the Tigers, it was a matter of steady development, which required determination during the work week from every player on the roster.

Coach Chris Gicking can easily point to the senior leadership for helping the Tigers get on the right track. They enter Friday’s home contest against Springfield (3-4) riding a four-game winning streak.

Seniors Damien Bogsch and Jonny Small have bore witness to the gradual improvements by underclassmen and first-year varsity starters.

“Everyone on the team,” Small said, “is a lot better.”

Back in September, after the team lost back-to-back games to the Central League powers Garnet Valley and Strath Haven in lopsided fashion, the Tigers were at a crossroad. But never did they panic.

“We had an inexperienced, young offensive line early in the season. It took some time. After those first couple of games, we came out every day and knew what we had to do and we got better.,” said Bogsch, a 6-3, 215-pound two-way lineman. “Last year, there was chemistry, especially on the offensive line. Ryan Lain and those guys were like brothers, and that’s how we’re doing it. Our O-line has been clicking recently and we’re getting more comfortable together. … We know we have to work every week to get better and take nothing for granted.”

It starts with seniors including Bogsch and Small, the club’s leading tacklers after seven games. Bogsch has flourished at defensive end, recording team highs in tackles (44), TFLs (8.5) and sacks (four). Small, at 6-3, 200 pounds, has been outstanding at linebacker with 32 tackles, 4.5 TFLs and one sack.

On the offensive side, Small is a tall target in the receiving game for first-year starting quarterback and sophomore, David Bertoline, who has passed for 810 yards and four touchdowns.

“As a sophomore, he’s getting more comfortable. We’re taking him under our wing,” Small (10 catches for 123 yards and a touchdown) said of Bertolime. “He’s just got to get more comfortable throwing the ball and making his reads, and he’s been doing that for the past however many games and we’ve been winning.”

Last season the Tigers came close to an undefeated season, a pandemic-shortened one that lasted only six games. The Tigers for two quarters kept it close against Garnet Valley in the Central League final, but eventually the Jaguars grabbed control and pulled away. The loss marked a frustrating ending to an otherwise successful season, one that most Tigers would agree felt incomplete. In any other year, that particular Marple Newtown team could have competed for a District 1 Class 5A title. This season’s team is making slow but steady strides toward that goal.

“This year’s senior class has done a great job,” said Gicking, who lauded the efforts of captains Small, Charlie Box, Eric McKee, Michael Schumacher, Matthew Cantwell and Brian Foley. “Obviously, you have to try to follow in the footsteps of last year’s senior class, with so many kids playing college football and leaders on and off the field. You know, following that can be hard, but they’ve done a great job. They lead by example, they help out in the community, and they make good decisions.”

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PETE BANNAN - MEDIANEWS GROUP
Marple Newtown lineman Damien Bogsch (55) has enjoyed helping Charlie Box rack up the running yardage this season. The Tigers look to win their fifth consecutive game Friday when they host Springfield.