South Jersey Football: Coach Cream Recruited Heavily in the Local Area; Results Good So Far... Wednesday, April 20, 2005 By Marty Cross Camden Lynx Football Club The 2005 Camden Lynx are preparing for their upcoming season with intensity. With a considerable amount of players to choose from, the Lynx feel positive how much the team can improve. That's a huge statement since the Lynx have compiled a 20 - 3 record since being established in 2003 under Head Coach Lester Cream Jr. Two of the three loses are in post-season play (1 - 2) including last years 1st round exit to the Philadelphia Scorpions 35 - 17. The Lynx beat the Scorpions in a mid season contest 8 - 6 but played a much more focused team in the playoffs. The Lynx return 33 players from the 2004 season. But the big surprise are the rookies. "We really improved with talent and age, said Coach Cream, "Hopefully we will get more of some of the young talent in our area. The Lynx currently have 18 rookies and are really impressed with Samuel Ruh, a 6'5 285 TE from Bellmawr (Triton) and Philip Hernandez, a 6' 240 LB from Camden (Camden). Sam is very athletic for a big guy, he will surprise a lot of teams this year, said Luis Cortes, the Lynx leading WR in 2004. Ruh and Hernandez will add to the pretty good core of returning players. Defensively, the Lynx return All-star SS Delvin Jones (Woodrow Wilson), a 2003 honorable mention All-American and CB Edward Dover (John Bartram, PA). Also key returning players, LB Gary Sunkett (Palmyra), DE Kendalle Gibson (Camden) and FS Sean Thompson (Camden), help the Lynx are establish solid defensive unit. The defensive lineman are the crucial to the success of the defense. Defensive Coordinator Howard Hollingsworth said, "All we need is 1 or 2 more lineman and we will be very tough on this side of the ball!" The Lynx offense is returning most of the skilled position players from the 2004 season with the addition of a few more lineman. "We had problems with the offensive line last year, there is no doubt about that, but we did improve in that area this year!", said Cream. The Lynx emphasized getting their talented running back Fidel Napier (Camden) more touches. "He's tough to stop as the game goes on", said Cortes. The Lynx are without the services of stand out wide receiver Jeffrey Love (Woodrow Wilson). "We don't have time to deal with players who can't commit to our program", said Cream, "We are trying to win a championship here!" The Lynx open their season with a pre-league game against the New Jersey Wolves, a member of the Garden State Football League (GSFL) on June 18th @ 7:00p in Plainfield, NJ. On June 25, the Lynx will host the MDFL's (Mason Dixon Football League) Arbutus Big Red, time and place is being negotiated. All proceeds for the game will be donated to the family of 13-year-old Nelson Tyler who passed away from injuries he suffered in a youth football game. For more information on the Camden Lynx, visit www.camdenlynx.com or email Coach Lester Cream Jr.