The Cherry Hill High School East Football team is working hard to prepare for the 2025 season. At practice, players are running, practicing plays, and doing drills specific for numerous game situations.The message from Head Coach Tyler Drob and the rest of the coaching staff is that preparation is what wins football games.
Last fall, the East went 9-1. For the first time in over 20 years they were undefeated in the regular season before losing in the second round of playoffs. The new East Stadium, along with the success of last year’s team brought a lot of school spirit and attention back to East football. This year, the team has the challenge of filling in the gaps of graduated players, such as quarterback Zach Salsbery (‘25), running back Denzel Lee (‘25), and wide receiver Isaiah Donaldson (‘25).
The offense will be led by quarterback Josh Greenberg (‘27), who spent last season backing up Salsbery, but is ready to step up this year.
“Physically, [I’ve been] lifting all throughout the offseason trying to get stronger and get my body right…[I want to] be the best leader I can, and help put points on the board,” says Greenberg.
Tight end, Trevor Levin (‘27), is also excited to play a bigger role this year.
“It was a very fun and memorable season. Even though I didn’t play in every single game as much as I wanted to, it was still an amazing experience,” says Levin, reflecting on last year.
In addition, returning junior, Dillon Haddock, is expected to be a great contributor to the team this season, playing as a linebacker and running back.
Ona Pela (‘26) and Dominic Canzano (‘26) will lead both the offensive and defensive lines. Their strength, leadership, and experience make them valuable pieces on the roster.
At a recent practice, the team worked with discipline and intensity. Offense and defense were split and ran plays against each other, focusing on specific pieces of the game. Coaches corrected mistakes quickly, holding players accountable for their errors. If a pass was dropped or a ball was fumbled, the entire offense would run. The team also focused on situational football, switching between the left and right hashes, practicing third downs, and preparing for high pressure game time moments.
Their intended goal is for their vigorous preparation to translate into consistent positive results in the upcoming season. The Cougars will open their season on Thursday, August 28 against Eastern Regional High School. They are ready to prove that this year’s team has what it takes to build off of last year’s success. With many talented and experienced returners, great young players, high energy practices, and fans excited for what’s to come, Cherry Hill East football is aiming for another strong season, hopefully to extend through November.
