Trautz era begins with one of Woodstown's biggest wins in program history

WOODSTOWN – Frank Trautz’s debut was a rousing success for the Woodstown High School football team.

In fact, the Wolverines presented their rookie head coach with one of the biggest wins in program history.

With Bryce Belinfanti’s touchdown in overtime and Jake Ware’s decisive extra point, Woodstown knocked off defending state Group 3 champion Delsea with a thrilling 14-13 victory Friday night in both teams' season opener, on Clint Ware Field at Memorial Stadium.

“This means everything,” Belinfanti, a senior, said. “Defending state champion … Group 3 (Delsea) versus Group 1 (Woodstown). Nobody had us to win.

“It’s huge. It’s definitely a confidence booster. It brings our team together. We know what we can do and what we’re capable of doing now.”

Trautz, who was approved by the school’s BOE for the head coaching job in March, was ecstatic for the victory, but said there’s plenty of work ahead.

“Obviously, it’s a big win for us but at the end of the day, it’s Week 1,” said Trautz, who was the quarterbacks coach under John Adams last season. “We have a long way to go. We will enjoy it (Friday night), but we will be preparing for Schalick (starting on Saturday).”

Belinfanti gave Woodstown plenty of reason to celebrate after his 25-yard touchdown run on Woodstown’s first play of its overtime possession.

Delsea took its only lead of the game on its OT shot, when Daniel Russo ran 22 yards for the touchdown, but missed the extra point.

That’s when Woodstown’s bell cow answered the call.

The senior, who had missed some plays in the second half due to cramping, inflicted pain on Delsea when he got to the outside on the right sideline and scored his first touchdown of the season.

“I’m just ready to go,” said Belinfanti, who rushed for over 1,700 yards and 21 touchdowns, including an overtime score against Woodbury, last fall. “I know my team needs me (in that spot).”

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Trautz said he was trying to keep Belinfanti fresh in the second half, especially since he plays a key role on both sides of the ball, but he knew he would be ready in crunch time.

“When the time came, he would be ready to run the ball, he certainly delivered,” the coach said. “He’s a special kid and a special player.”

Belinfanti finished with 97 yards on 18 carries, seven of which came in the second half and overtime.

Downer for Delsea

Delsea also ushered in a new era, as Jason Volpe led the Crusaders onto the field for their 65 ^th season. Volpe is just the third head coach in the program’s history.

Ditching Delsea’s trademark Wing-T for a spread offense, Volpe’s Crusaders struggled to move the ball in the first half. The team started to get their footing in the second half when Russo moved to quarterback and ran the ball. Russo finished with 110 yards rushing.

“I thought we grabbed the momentum in the second half, just too little, too late,” Volpe said.

The rookie head coach said he told his players “to keep their heads up, the season’s not over.”

Delsea will be playing without standout defensive lineman Jonathan Harris. The senior recorded 12 sacks, including two in the state final last season.

Volpe confirmed that Harris has elected to concentrate on his track and field career. Harris won the shot put event at the 17-18-year-old AAU Junior Olympics over the summer.

Game notes

Woodstown grabbed a 7-0 lead over ninth-ranked Delsea in the second quarter when Jack Holladay connected with Gerrett Leyman for a 20-yard TD strike.

Delsea tied the game at 7-7 with 3:21 left in regulation when Jimmy Reardon returned to QB and hit  Luke Van Auken on 12-yard touchdown throw on a fourth-down call.

The Crusaders had a chance to win the game in regulation but missed a 23-yard field goal with under a minute to play.

Tom McGurk is a regional sports reporter for the Courier-Post, The Daily Journal and Burlington County Times, covering South Jersey sports for over 30 years. If you have a sports story that needs to be told, contact him at (856) 486-2420 or email tmcgurk@gannett.com . Follow him on Twitter at @McGurkSports. Help support local journalism with a digital subscription.

This article originally appeared on Cherry Hill Courier-Post: Trautz era begins with one of Woodstown's biggest wins in program history