Head coach Jon Craig Q&A
Q. What are the key things we should know about your offense?
A. We are a short-gun, flex-bone offense, with a focus on triple option. We have four out of the five offensive lineman as returning starters, led by our two senior tackles, Isaac Flowers & Rob Lancieri.
We also expect a big season out of junior guard, Connor McAdams, who was not a starter at the beginning of last year, but developed into a reliable force up front.
Most of our skill positions graduated last year, so there will be a new group of starters led by running back Trysten Hunt, who is expected to be the main threat at running back, where he had a very strong finish to the 2013 campaign.
Other players who should contribute to offensive production out of the backfield are seniors, Brandon Hill & Sampson Bloh, as well as juniors, Justin Fant & Corey McCloud.
At receiver, senior Terez Franklin and junior Darius Deleon, have had strong summers and will look to contribute in the passing game.
At quarterback, we have to fill a spot of a 3-year varsity starter, where junior Mark Lopez and sophomore Jorden Freeman will compete for the job.
Q. What are the key things we should know about your defense?
A. We run a 4-2-5 on defense. Most starters on the defensive line will be new this year, but lead by seniors, Isaac Flowers, Rob Lancieri, and Yventong Charles.
The strength of the defense will be the two returning starters at middle linebacker, senior Trysten Hunt and junior Tim Kenny-Schwarz.
In the secondary, senior Sampson Bloh and juniors Maurice Jackson and Mark Lopez will be competing for the strong safety positions.
Brandon Hill, a four-year starter, will be moving from strong to free safety to call our coverage.
At the corner positions, returning starter Terez Franklin will be joining juniors Corey McCloud and Darius Deleon.
Q. What are the key things we should know about your special teams? Who are your kick and punt returners? Who are your kicker and punter?
A. On special teams, our kicker and punter are gone to graduation, so this year’s starters will have to be determined in camp.
Head Coach: Jon Craig
2013 Record: 6-6
Key Starters Lost: SR QB – Jake Zolna, SR DBs Ty Walker & Dwayne Ellis, SR RB Bobby Hill, SR OL AJ Jenkins, SR DL Manny Fisher & Dudley Ulysse, SR SS/FB Jordan Livingston
Offensive Starters Returning: (6)
SR OL – Rob Lancieri & Isaac Flowers,
JR OL – Connor McAdams & Bailey Stone,
SR RB – Trysten Hunt,
SR RB – Brandon Hill
Defensive Starters Returning: (5)
JR DL – Connor McAdams,
SR LB – Trysten Hunt,
JR LB – Tim Kenny-Schwartz,
SR SS – Brandon Hill,
SR DB – Terez Franklin
Key Newcomers: JR RBs – Justin Fant & Corey McCloud, JR OL – Mike Beers
D1 (FBS & FCS) Prospects: Trysten Hunt (ILB/RB) (Villanova, Lafayette, Duquesne)
Key Stats: Six wins are the most wins for our program this century. Over 3000 team-rushing yards, 6.2 per carry. 3 consecutive wins over Conwell-Egan, in the annual Thanksgiving Day game (1st time in series that either team has done so).
2014 Outlook: Looking to build off 2013 as the program begins to build up in numbers and participation.
We have many holes to fill with 11 starting positions filled by new starters.
Excited to compete in new league, which has evened the playing field based upon high school size. We had a strong JV team last season.
