The Pirates started the season 7-0 but suffered a tough loss to Seneca in week 8. After graduating 20 seniors last year, the team has defied many expectations this year – including starting with an undefeated streak. The team’s captains, seniors Brian Finerghty and Michael Beers, have led this team through the pressure as the Pirates have clinched a playoff game against New Providence.
Coach Mario Patrizi broke some of his personal records when he earned his 100th win at home against Palmyra in the team’s 42-0 win over the Panthers.
“It was great to be a part of such a moment,” captain Brian Finerghty said.
The Pirates started off 5-0 last year bouncing back from a tough 2021-2022 season in which they went 2-8. But after a tough loss to Maple Shade in Week 6, the Pirates struggled for the remainder of the season, ending 1-3, including the game against the Maple Shade Wildcats. The team had been outscored by their opponents 97-18 in four games.
Pirates running out of the tunnel before their game.
Despite a tough loss against Maple Shade last year, the Pirates rolled past the Wildcats in a 46-0 win in their matchup this season. Last year’s loss was one that the team remembered as the Pirates went into the game as heavy favorites but were upset at home. The victory this season improved the record to 7-0 and satisfied the team after the difficult loss last season.
“We should’ve beaten them last year and this year we took care of business from the jump,” senior Tony Udotong said.
The Pirates’ ability to shut down their opponents has been a repeating occurrence this year. The Pirates outscored their opponents 291-43 throughout the regular season, including four shutouts. Senior Manny Brown led the team with six sacks and three tackles for loss, junior Masoud Gantt earned the team four interceptions throughout the season, and junior Gavin Prendergast racked up 57 total tackles to lead the team.
“The defense is a lot of dogs,” Udotong said.
The Pirates proved this by letting up the least amount of points throughout the entire WJFL (West Jersey Football League), which includes over 90 teams throughout New Jersey.
As quarterback, Finerghty has had a successful season with over 1,000 yards of total offense. He has passed for seven touchdowns and ran for 11 leading the team in both. Finerghty transitioned to quarterback this season after last year’s quarterback, Jack Zarnawski, graduated, leaving an empty spot. After playing his whole high school career as a running back, he started as quarterback for his final year.
Assistant Coach Robert Murray described Finerghty’s transition.
“It gave Brian an opportunity to step in and play quarterback, I think where he’s a pretty natural fit,” Murray said. “We used him at running back the last few years, but I think when he has the ball in his hands he is a really dynamic player.”
This year’s high-powered offense has been able to show up consistently week after week for the first seven games. The Pirates averaged over 30 points per game and only allowed around four points per game to their opponents. Tight end Gavin Prendergast has had a breakout season this year, leading the team in reception yards with 319 yards on 13 receptions. The rushing duo of senior Kyle Willis and sophomore Domenic Del Grippo have rushed for 12 total touchdowns. Willis leads the team in rushing yards with 633 yards and is averaging around eight yards a carry. Del Grippo has 409 yards and averages over six yards a carry.
The Pirates ended the regular season with a promising win over Pemberton in which they defeated the Hornets 44-0. An away playoff game tonight against New Providence determines whether the season continues or not.
The football team hopes to continue the streak of wins Cinnaminson has started as each fall sport that made the playoffs has made it into the second round.
