By BRIAN TORTELLA
Correspondent
On X @tortreports
WOOLWICH TOWNSHIP — There’s a new dynamic duo in western Gloucester County.
Kingsway Regional High quarterback David Oravetz accounted for three touchdowns — two through the air and one on the ground — while Cole DeNick was on the receiving end of one and ran in another score as the Dragons, ranked No. 10 in the latest South Jersey Football Frenzy Show Best 11 Rankings, rolled to a 36-0 home-opening shutout victory over Delsea Regional on Friday night.
“I think we owe it all to the preparation we did before this game,” said an always humble Oravetz. “I’ve been working with my guys on the perimeter since the end of last year, so seeing it translate on the field is just super rewarding.”
It was the second consecutive triumph for Kingsway, which improved to 3-1 after defeating Timber Creek last Friday and opening the season with a victory over Donovan Catholic. The Dragons’ only setback came in a thriller against Camden on Sept. 5.
“I think we played pretty well,” DeNick, a versatile junior said. “We played physically throughout the game. I’m proud of our team. I’d like to thank my O-line. My O-line is great up front, and they’ve really put in the work during the week and they block for me whenever they can. I really appreciate them.”
Kingsway (3-1, 2-0 West Jersey Football League Classic) opened the night with a 7-yard touchdown run from Oravetz, and he found DeNick for a 41-yard reception in the second quarter. Fueled by two Delsea turnovers, the Dragons were able to take a 22-0 lead at halftime with a 16-yard touchdown run from Amari Terrell late in the first half.
Oravetz found one of his favorite targets — J.D. Johnson — in the end zone late in the third quarter and DeNick capped the night off with a touchdown run early in the fourth quarter to start a running clock.
“When I know I can get the ball to Cole DeNick in space, I’m going to get it to him,” Oravetz said. “That kid is a player, he makes people miss, and he doesn’t get tackled. I love getting him the football.”
Added DeNick: “David and I practice all the time. We make that connection through practice and all the reps. David is a great quarterback, and I couldn’t really ask for anyone else. He’s probably the most hardworking kid I’ve ever known. Nice kid, great in school. He’s a great kid overall.
“I think everyone should be more like David.”
A full-time starter for the better part of the last three seasons, Oravetz has made major developments in his play, especially in this offseason, Dragons coach Mark Hendricks said. DeNick’s presence has only helped.
“I just love his progression; his IQ has improved so much over a three-year time span,” Hendricks said. “We had to play him early as a soph, and then really this offseason I’ve seen a ton of growth and a ton of progress. Fully committed to playing quarterback, fully committed to improving his IQ and reading defenses. His arm is stronger. His accuracy is better.”
“Cole is a true three-sport athlete. He’s a heck of a competitor,” Hendricks added. “He really makes our team go. He can do so many different things. David knows that if he doesn’t have what he needs down the field, he can check it down the field and (Cole) can make a play for him.”
When asked what the biggest difference is between his star senior quarterback now compared to a year ago, Hendricks replied, “his confidence. He’s playing with a lot of confidence. He’s playing in attack mode and taking what the defense gives him. He keeps attacking.”
Defensively, the Dragons played a stellar game with several takeaways and consistent pressure. Delsea (2-2, 0-2 WJFL Classic) was without its starting quarterback, Milo Gebhard, who has been playing running back the last couple of weeks because of a hand injury.
“I think for us, and I was very happy about this, we lined up right, we played sound defensively,” Hendricks said. “Not a lot of play calls, but a lot of hustle and run-to-the-ball. From an execution standpoint, that’s our defensive coordinator Bob Barbieri’s first shutout here. It’s his first year as defensive coordinator.”
Kingsway is looking to compete alongside Rancocas Valley and Washington Township come playoff time in the South Jersey Group 5 bracket.
And if there’s any time to start preparing for that kind of competition, it’s now.
“I’m hoping we can roll with this momentum and take it into the next game,” Oravetz said. “Obviously, we have a lot of games circled on our calendar this year. We have unfinished business from last year so we’re going to keep the ball rolling.”
Added DeNick, a Rutgers commit for lacrosse: “I feel pretty good about the rest of the season. We play a pretty tough schedule, so I’m looking forward to the competition. I think we’re looking pretty good for the rest of the season.”
WHAT’S NEXT: Kingsway hosts Camden Eastside on Thursday at 6 p.m. Delsea hosts Timber Creek on Thursday at 7 p.m.
NOTE: Terrell, a sophomore running back for Kingsway, collapsed on the sideline at the start of the fourth quarter due to a seizure. He was taken by medical staff on site to a nearby hospital where he is currently being evaluated.
“It is something that we’ve had an eye on. I’m glad, I’m super glad that we had the doctors and the personnel here to be able to assist us with that situation. He’s at the hospital being evaluated, and I’m happy that we were here when that happened,” coach Hendricks said. “I know all of our guys are sending prayers to Amari and his family.
“I’m glad that his family was here and that we were able to get him over to a good hospital to figure out what is going on.”
Added DeNick, “I would like to put a prayer out to Amari Terrell and his family. What happened on the sideline probably shouldn’t happen to any of us, but I want to put out a prayer for him.”
