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Schools

Triton Looks for Breakout Season in Tough Division

The Mustangs return a talented and experienced roster, but will it be enough to win a stacked West Jersey Football League Royal Division title?

Last Thanksgiving, a young Triton football team limped into the final game of a forgettable season against sister school Timber Creek with a 2-7 record.

The Chargers had reached the South Jersey Group III quarterfinal game and featured a roster full of talented Division I prospects.

But on the way to an outcome that appeared to be all but a forgone conclusion, something funny happened. Triton won. And it won in convincing fashion—exploding on Timber Creek in a 36-14 romp.  

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For the Mustangs, there's reason to believe that game served as a sign of things to come, as it appears the team is on the verge of a breakout season, even as it flies under the radar in the stacked West Jersey Football League Royal Division.

Head coach Pete Goetz, a former three-year starting linebacker at Rowan University, believes his team's experience will help key its success.

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"A lot of these guys have really grown together over the last three years, many of which lettered for us as freshmen," Goetz said. "It’s helped us get in more reps at practice because everyone is on the same page and they will be more ready to handle different situations in game.”

Triton returns an astonishing 10 of 11 starters on defense, but it has been the offense that has Goetz, now in his 10th year at the helm at Triton, excited for what lies ahead for his team.

“We are really developing an identity as a darn good offensive team—we have a lot of weapons and guys who can make plays for us,” he said.

Among those weapons is highly regarded junior running back Josh Woods, who accounted for 978 total yards and 10 touchdowns a season ago. Despite those numbers, Goetz believes Woods has only scratched the surface of his potential.

"Josh had a great season last year, but he really became committed in the weight room," Goetz said. "He’s always had speed, but he seems like he's picked up a step or two and has gotten much stronger—he's going to be one of the better running backs in South Jersey."

Behind center for Triton will be Brian Keller. The Somerdale resident, who was named first-team All-Group IV as a defensive end a season ago, has had an impressive preseason.

"There's a lot that can be said about Brian. He has good speed, good arm strength, and he's a good decision maker, but what I'm most impressed with is how he's matured into a leader on this team," Goetz said.

And while Woods and Keller are the marquee names, they aren’t the only ones opening eyes this summer.

Keller should have plenty of options when he drops back to throw. Receivers Alan Richards, Dean Cowley and John Bowers make a formidable trio, along with tight end Artie Flemming.

And in addition to Woods, Goetz plans to rely on a backfield featuring experienced players such as Dan Bekier, Ryan Casillas and Jim Burns.

"It’s not just the big names this year. Defenses won’t be able to just key in on Keller and Woods, which is really going to help us,” he said.

Despite fielding an experienced and talented team, Triton will have its work cut out for them if they plan to win a conference championship. Standing in their way will be South Jersey powerhouse Delsea and a reloaded Timber Creek team that figures to be in the mix to win the WJFL Royal Division.

"We need to win right away—the Highland game will be a big one for us to open up with," Goetz said. "But I think that Delsea game will serve as a real barometer of how far we’ve come. One way or another, we’re going to find out that night.”

Triton kicks off their season Sept. 10 when they travel to Black Horse Pike Regional School District rival Highland. The Mustangs won last year’s matchup, 39-6.

Read GT Patch's Timber Creek and Highland football previews.

Editor's note: Bob Wankel is a teacher at Triton.

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