Tom Maxwell at center of Delsea's football success

Tom Maxwell is far from the biggest and strongest in a lengthy list of outstanding Delsea offensive linemen.

But he's surely among the smartest.

"He's so smart, it's ridiculous," said Delsea's senior quarterback Mason Maxwell, Tom's uncle.

The Maxwells regard each other as cousins and are "basically brothers," according to Mason Maxwell.

But with Mason Maxwell out for the next couple of weeks with an ankle sprain, and lots of inexperience in Delsea's offensive backfield, Tom Maxwell and his cohorts along the Crusaders' front line know they need to take charge of the situation.

Tom Maxwell, a soft-spoken senior who literally and figuratively is at the center of the Crusaders' plan to return the South Jersey Group 3 championship trophy to Franklinville, wouldn't have it any other way.

"I like the responsibility," Tom Maxwell said. "It's different that last year. Last year, we were young along the line and experienced in the backfield. This year, it's the opposite."

Given his choice, veteran Delsea coach Sal Marchese Jr. always will lean toward building his team around his offensive line.

It's the Delsea way. The Crusaders have won 13 South Jersey titles since 1976, and six since 2008, with a succession of red-clad teams designed to win behind a sturdy defense and dominant ground game.

Tom Maxwell, who also is an outstanding wrestler, fits the mold of the typical standout Delsea lineman in one important respect: He takes no shortcuts.

"It's his work ethic," Marchese said. "He's a throwback kid. He does everything the right way. He works extremely hard. He pays attention to detail.

"He doesn't say two words, but he leads by example. When he talks, the other kids listen."

Marchese calls Tom Maxwell "a grinder," which is along the highest praise they offer in a proud program where hard work and commitment to off-season weight training are coins of the realm.

Tom Maxwell is 6-foot-1, around 210 pounds. He wrestled at 195 pounds last winter, taking eighth place in the state.

Maxwell said he's always been a center, "since I was around 10, when my dad and [Delsea line] coach [Ronn] Flaim put me there" in youth football.

"I love it," Tom Maxwell said. "You're right in the middle of everything."

Despite his cerebral side — he's a straight-A student who scored 1380 on his SATs and hopes to study engineering in college — Tom Maxwell also embraces the brawler aspect of being a Delsea upper-weight wrestler and offensive lineman.

"Physical football," Maxwell said of Delsea's calling card.

For the Crusaders, it always start up front with Flaim's crew. With Mason Maxwell on the shelf for the start of the season, Delsea likely will use talented sophomore Damir Lomax at quarterback with another sophomore, Jake Nwosu, seeing a lot of action at fullback.

That puts even more of an onus on a veteran offensive line led by Tom Maxwell along with seniors such as Nick Caudill, Will Sneathen and Joe Travers and junior Colin Poisker.

"The pressure's on us to get the team going again," Tom Maxwell said. "We like it that way."

(Listed alphabetically)

Brian Beck, Holy Cross, senior: He's a 300-pounder who was a first-team, all-conference selection as a junior.

Dominic Brunozzi, Buena, senior: He was an all-conference choice as a junior.

Cheston Bulgin, Eastern, senior: He's a three-year starter who was an all-conference selection as a junior.

Alex Desire, Burlington Township, senior: He's a top student who is being recruited by colleges in the Patriot and Ivy leagues.

Zack Donovan, Mainland, senior: He's a top two-way linemen for the Mustangs.

Malik Dunbar, Collingswood, senior: He is a top two-way lineman who was an all-conference selection as a junior.

Dave Gies, Clearview, junior: He was an all-conference selection as a sophomore.

Robert Glocker, Paulsboro, junior: He was a first-team, all-conference selection as a sophomore for the South Jersey Group 1 champions.

Tom Kane, Shawnee, senior: He's another in a long line of top Renegade linemen.

Andrew Klitchko, Bishop Eustace, senior: He's a top two-way lineman for the Crusaders.

Brad Lomax, St. Joseph, junior: He's an athletic guard who can pull and lead running backs around the corner.

Tom Maxwell, Delsea, center: The cerebral, physical center leads the Crusaders' powerful front line.

Patrick McKenna, Cherokee, senior: He was an all-conference choice as a junior.

Dustin Moore, Woodbury, senior: He was an all-conference selection as a junior.

Dimitris Pali, Holy Spirit, senior: He's a leader of the Spartans' sturdy front line.

Derryk Sellers, Timber Creek, senior: He started last season as the Chargers went 12-0 and won the South Jersey Group 4 title.

Dayvohn Washington, Camden, senior: He's a top student and physical player who leads the Panthers' offensive line.

Dan Woelfel, Hammonton, senior: He is a typically physical Blue Devils' lineman.

Jermaine Young, Pennsauken, junior: He was an all-conference pick as a junior.