Rahway Indians  

July 11, 2024

2023:

• 3-7 
• Lost to Ramapo in the North Jersey Section 1 Group 4 quarterfinals 
• Wins were against Lincoln, Scotch Plains-Fanwood, and Perth Amboy 
• Losses were against St. Thomas Aquinas, Summit, Carteret, Colonia, Linden, and Cranford 
• Scored 130 points for a 13.0 average 
• Allowed 252 points for a 25.2 average 

Graduation: 

• OL Ray Giaccobe – Rutgers as a walk-on 
• WR/DB Marquis Diggs – Wagner (NY) 
• WR Isaiah Gurley – Montclair State 
• DL Mikal Stephenson – Kean 

Offense: 

• Formation: Multiple Spread 
• Returning Starters: 5 

Quarterback: 

• Jaquan Robinson, Sophomore, 5-11, 180 – returning starter 

Running Back: 

• Andrew Avent, Junior, 6-0, 200 – 3-year starter; rushed for 733 yards and 11 touchdowns per nj.com 
• Jyvon Cooper, Sophomore, 5-9, 180 – will spell Avent 
• Brandon Ross, Junior, 5-9, 175 – will spell Avent   

Wide Receiver: 

• Ziare Fields, Junior, 5-9, 150 – projected starter in the slot; has experience 
• Synceir Toussaint, Junior, 6-3, 175 – projected starter; saw action 
• Darion Wiggins, Senior, 5-9, 160 – competing 
• Donovan Doster, Senior, 5-11, 170 – competing 
• Triston Driscal, Sophomore, 6-0, 140 – competing 
• Jabril Johnson, Senior, 5-9, 135 – competing 

Tight End/H-Back: 

• Jalen Eastman, Sophomore, 6-1, 200 – returning starter 
• Jair Jordan, Sophomore, 5-10, 210 – competing, could move to center 

Offensive Line: 

• Donea Fish, Senior, 5-10, 265 – 3-year starter at center, moving from h-back 
• Daniel Davidson, Senior, 6-3, 290 – returning starter at tackle; injured in spring 
• Kevin Taylor, Senior, 6-2, 225 – projected starter at tackle 
• Ryan Gourdet, Junior, 6-3, 280 – competing at tackle 
• Malachi Lowe, Senior, 6-5-½, 260 – competing at tackle 
• Jona Martinez, Senior, 5-11, 270 – competing at guard 
• Imir Bearfield, Senior, 5-9, 225 – competing at guard 
• Luis Cardona, Senior, 6-1, 250 – competing at center 

Defense: 

• Formation: 4-2-5 
• Returning Starters: 2 

Defensive Line: 

• Kevin Taylor, Senior, 6-2, 225 – projected starter at end 
• Jalen Eastman, Sophomore, 6-1, 200 – competing at end 
• Andrew Bowers, Sophomore, 6-1, 200 – competing at end 
• Malachi Lowe, Senior, 6-5-½, 260 – competing at end 
• Donea Fish, Senior, 5-10, 265 – 4-year starter at tackle 
• Imir Bearfield, Senior, 5-9, 225 – projected starter at tackle 
• Zaire Barron, Sophomore, 5-9, 275 – competing at tackle 

Linebacker: 

• Andrew Avent, Junior, 6-0, 200 – 3-year starter 
• Jyvon Cooper, Sophomore, 5-9, 180 – competing 
• Brandon Ross, Junior, 5-9, 175 – competing 
• Jaylyn Cooper, Senior, 5-9, 220 – part of the rotation 

Secondary: 

• Duvet Sheppard, Junior, 5-8, 160 – frontrunner at safety 
• Chris Collins, Senior, 6-1, 165 – competing at the rover 
• Jaquan Robinson, Sophomore, 5-11, 180 – competing at the rover 
• Daniel Gonzalez, Junior, 5-10, 160 – competing at the rover 
• Allan Daverson, Sophomore, 5-8, 160 – competing at free safety 
• Ziare Fields, Junior, 5-9, 150 – projected starter at cornerback; saw action 
• Mo’zion McGatt, Senior, 5-9, 155 – competing at cornerback 
• Darion Wiggins, Senior, 5-9, 160 – competing cornerback 
• Jaylen Staton, Sophomore, 6-0, 170 – competing cornerback 

Special Teams:  

• Senior Tony Lopez is a 3-year starter as the kicker and will add punting duties 
• Fields, Jyvon Cooper, and Avent are the return men 

Schedule: 

• Thursday, 8/29, Voorhees at home 
• Friday, 9/6, Scotch Plains-Fanwood at home 
• Friday, 9/13, at Perth Amboy 
• Friday, 9/20, at Somerville 
• Friday, 9/27, North Hunterdon at home 
• Friday, 10/4, Cranford at home 
• Friday, 10/11, at Watchung Hills 
• Friday, 10/18, New Brunswick at home 
• Friday, 10/25, at Montgomery 

Concerns: 

• Depth – there are good football players who will have to go both ways and be ready and the kids are willing with a good attitude 
• Stay healthy 

Recruiting: 

• Taylor is a tweener, but a good football player 
• Davidson is recuperating from an injury, but he was the team’s best lineman last year 
• Fish has a size question, but he is a top football player 
• Lowe is a sleeper 
• Others may go D3 
• Underclassmen: 
• Avent has an LIU offer and interest from Sacred Heart 
• Toussaint has good size and has done well in camp, but needs more film 
• The sophomore class is talented, but has to prove it on the field 

Coach’s Comments: 

“We played eleven freshmen at times last year. We expect them to be mentally tougher and they will be a big part of our team. We also have twelve seniors to lead the way.” – Head Coach Brian Russo