Football Preview: Delbarton

Recent history has been against St. Anthony’s when it plays a non-league football game. From Poly Prep (Brooklyn) to Don Bosco (N.J.), the Friars historically open the season against a quality foe — and lose.

The result was no different this season. St. Anthony’s lost a 7-6 road slugfest with St. Joseph’s Prep (Penn.) last Saturday. But an unprecedented ninth game, thanks to the early Labor Day, has given the Friars a chance to play one more non-league opponent.

Consider it a do-over. The home opener in South Huntington Saturday at 7 p.m. features a New Jersey power.

Delbarton, the favorite in New Jersey’s Suburban Division with a 27-1 league record since 2004, featured a potent offense a year ago. Wideout Jason Seifert is a threat to score. E.J. Schneider steps in at quarterback. The Green Wave will try to build on lat season’s 8-2 record, which included a first-round playoff loss to St. Joseph (Montvale, N.J.).

Give the Friars an edge here. Not only because st. Anthony’s will play at home. But because it is coming off a physical 7-6 loss to a nationally-ranked team. So the Friars have a game under their collective belts and have been tested by a quality foe.

The priority will be getting the running game established after a poor showing — albeit in a downpour — in Phiadelphia. The three-headed monster of Atiq Lucas, Chris Carberry and Nick Mercurio need to make something happen.

If the running game can gain traction, the Friars move into the CHSFL schedule with a W.

– Jason Molinet