TEAM PREVIEW: Williamstown
2015 In Review: The Braves were 8-3, losing in the South Jersey Group 5 final to Toms River North, after beating Cherokee and Washington Township. They scored 351 points for a 29.25 average, while allowing 135 points for a 135 points for an 11.25 average, including four shutouts. Wins included Shawnee, Kingsway, and Hammonton, while their other losses were to Cherokee and Washington Township.
Departures: QB/DB Rich Stanzione - Stenson (Fl.), RB Joe Early - preferred walk-on Marshall, RB/DB Tyrik Glenn - Monroe JC (NY), DT Dondre Dodson - Monroe JC (NY), LB Brendan Paige - Dixon (Pa.)
Offense: Williamstown runs the spread with Wing-T packages, returning five starters. There is a competition at quarterback between sophomore JC Collins (6-foot-0, 165) and junior Devon Banks (5-foot-9, 170). Returning at quarterback is senior Eriq Mercado (5-foot-9, 205).
The two slotbacks will be sophomore Wade Inge (5-foot-9, 170) and junior Deuce Smith (5-foot-9, 195). At wide receiver, it will probably be seniors Victor Ruggiano (6-foot-1, 165) and Lamont Parker (6-foot-1, 195). A possibility here could be whoever does not win the quarterback job. When a tight end is used, it will be senior Nate Taylor (6-foot-1, 215), a defensive starter last year.
Four starters return to the line. Back are senior center Bill McGrath (6-foot-3, 235), senior guards are four year starter Jake Chamberlin (5-foot-10, 205) and Dylan Daisey (6-foot-2, 245), and senior tackle Marc Wolfe (6-foot-5, 260). The other tackle will be senior Josh Varghese (6-foot-3, 260). There are a couple of others pushing in junior Dylan Cope (5-foot-1, 190) and sophomore Sam Ray (6-foot-2, 290); they may play if one of the returnees plays defense.
Defense: The Braves run a 4-4 and return four starters and another who played often. Daisey returns at end, while junior Nick Andinolfi (6-foot-1, 225) saw heavy action at tackle. The other end will be Chamberlin or junior Damon Knox (6-foot-1, 205). The other tackle could be junior Nate Hoffman (6-foot-1, 230) or McGrath.
Three linebackers return: Taylor and senior OC Uhuegho (6-foot-3, 195), with senior Brian King (6-foot-1, 190) back on the outside. Playing opposite King will be Smith. Also in contention are junior Nick Wolfe (5-foot-10, 210) and junior Cam Goodwin (5-foot-9, 185).
The secondary will have Inge, who played often, at safety, with Collins and Banks on the corners.
Special Teams: Back at punter is senior Nick Bavigliano, while senior Jim Orr will be the kicker. The return men will be Inge, Smith, and sophomore Damate Campbell (5-foot-7, 150).
Schedule:
Friday, 9/9. Kingsway at home, 7PM
Friday, 9/16, St. Augustine at home, 7PM
Friday, 9/23, at Hammonton, 7PM
Friday, 9/30, at Millville, 6PM
Week of 10/7-8, Bye Week
Friday, 10/14, at Atlantic City, 7PM
Friday, 10/21, Shawnee at home, 7PM
Friday, 10/28, at Timber Creek, 7PM
Friday, 11/4, Cherokee at home, 7PM
Thursday, 11/24, at Washington Township, 7PM
Concerns: Tough schedule and inexperienced skill players.
Recruits: Wolfe committed to Monmouth. Daisey has interest from Colgate. McGrath has interest from Kutztown, while the others are D2/D3 types.
Most of the juniors are D2/D3 prospects, while the sophomore class has potential in Ray, Collins, and Inge.
Coach’s Comments: “It will be an exciting and challenging year with the schedule we have. There will be no weeks off and we will take it one game at a time.” - Head Coach Frank Fucetola