Gloucester City Lions
League: WJFL United Division
Coach: Rob Bryan (8-13 entering third season; 16-25 overall)
Last year: 5-6; fifth place in WJFL United Division; Did not qualify for playoffs
Key players: Steve Burkhardt, Jr., RB/S; Gavin Donatis, Sr., G/LB; Jaden Harris, Jr., WR/DB; Adrian Delgado, Jr. QB/LB; Chris Dolson, Sr., WR/CB; Kyrin Nelson, Jr., RB/S; Brandyn Shepherd, Jr., OL/DL; Kevin Mateo, Jr., OL/DL; Mason Jankowski, Soph.; OL/FB/LB.
Outlook: Gloucester returns four starters on offensive, but one of them is 1,000-yard rusher Steven Burkhardt. As a sophomore, Burkhardt scored eight touchdowns on the ground and one as a receiver while gobbling up 1,117 yards rushing. Jaden Harris, who rushed for 344 yards and four touchdowns last year, is moving to wide receiver. They will be counting on first-year starter, junior Adrian Delgado, at quarterback to run the offense.
Bryan will be looking for interior linemen to help create holes for Burkhardt and give Delgado enough time to find the likes of Harris after graduated five contributors. Brayden Shepherd will be moving from tight end to the offensive and defensive line to help lead that crew. Kevin Mateo will also compete for one of the tackle spots. Senior linebacker Gavin Donatis will be looked to for defensive leadership after making 49 tackles, including two sacks and eight tackles for losses last year. Bryan will also be looking for big things out of Mason Jankowski after he started both ways as a freshman in 2019. Gloucester is looking to make continued progression under Bryan after going 3-7 and 5-6 in their first two years.
2002 Schedule
Oct. 3: at Lindlewold, 10
Oct 8: at Wildwood, 6
Oct. 16: Maple Shade, 6:30
Oct. 23: Pitman, 6:30
Oct. 30: at Sterling, 7
Nov. 19: Gloucester Catholic, 3:45