Penns Grove Red Devils 

August 12, 2023 

2022: 

• 3-8 
• Lost to Woodbury in the South Jersey Group 1 sectional quarterfinals 
• Wins were against Burlington City, Pennsville, and Gloucester Catholic 
• Losses were against Woodbury, Salem, Pleasantville, Paulsboro, Woodstown, Glassboro, and Hasson Heights
• Scored 155 points for a 14.09 average 
• Allowed 257 points for a 23.36 average 

Graduation: 

• OL/LB Janier Armstead – Sacred Heart 
• QB/DB Curtis Gould – Coppin State (Md.) 
• OL/LB Gio Parente – Virginia State 

Offense: 

• Formation: Multiple Spread 
• Returning Starters: 7   

Quarterback: 

• Ramello Erickson, Sophomore, 6-1, 185 – projected starter; started one game 

Running Back: 

• Bryce Wright, Junior, 6-0, 200 – returning starter; rushed for 668 yards per nj.com 
• Karon Ceasar, Freshman, 6-0, 165 – will spell Wright  
• Khiry Higgs, Senior, 5-7, 155 – returning starter at slot receiver who will also see time here 

Wide Receiver: 

• Khiry Higgs, Senior, 5-7, 155 – returning starter at slot receiver; will also see time at running back 
• Dameon Wilson, Senior, 6-2, 190 – returning starter 
• Knowledge Young, Junior, 5-9, 165 – returning starter; 27 receptions  
• Jaden Days, Freshman, 6-1, 200 – projected starter  

Tight End: 

• Willie Slocum, Senior, 6-2, 230 – returning starter; competing and will rotate  
• Justin Martin, Senior, 6-0, 200 – competing and will rotate 

Offensive Line: 

• Misael Nieves, Senior, 6-3, 285 – returning starter at right tackle 
• Devonte Davenport, Senior, 5-10, 260 – projected starter 
• Damani Brice, Junior, 5-11, 230 – returning starter at center 
• Tony Cooper, Sophomore, 6-0, 220 – projected starter at left guard 
• Khyree Robinson, Junior, 6-1, 205 – projected starter at left tackle 
• Wayne Scott, Junior, 6-2, 280 – provides depth at tackle; started five games 

Defense: 

• Formation: Multiple 3-4/4-3 
• Returning Starters: 7 

Defensive Line: 

• Willie Slocum, Senior, 6-2, 230 – returning starter at end 
• Justin Martin, Senior, 6-0, 200 – projected starter at end 
• Nasir Stewart, Senior, 5-9, 275 – returning starter at tackle 
• Nahjee Paynter, Junior, 6-0, 330 – projected starter at tackle; transfer from Delaware 
• Devonte Davenport, Senior, 5-10, 260 – part of rotation at tackle 
• Damani Brice, Junior, 5-11, 230 – part of rotation at tackle 
• Khyree Robinson, Junior, 6-1, 205 – part of rotation at tackle 

Linebacker: 

• Bryce Wright, Junior, 6-0, 200 – returning starter on outside 
• Dameon Wilson, Senior, 6-2, 190 – returning starter on outside 
• Isaiah Upshur, Sophomore, 6-0, 210 – returning starter on inside 

Secondary: 

• Knowledge Young, Junior, 5-9, 165 – returning starter at free safety 
• Kazai Carter, Senior, 5-9, 190 – returning starter at strong safety 
• Karon Ceasar, Freshman, 6-0, 165 – projected starter at cornerback 
• Kylee Gordon, Sophomore, 5-9, 165 – competing at opposite corner 
• Nazeer Paynter, Sophomore, 6-0, 175 – competing at opposite corner; Delaware transfer 
• Nasir Garris, Sophomore, 5-9, 160 – part of rotation 
• Khiry Higgs, Senior, 5-7, 155 – will be spotted here, but mostly play on offense 

Special Teams: 

• Junior Jason Derrick returns at kicker and sophomore Ramello Erickson will be the punter 
• Young, Higgs, and Ceasar will be the return men 

Schedule: 

• Friday, 8/25, Burlington City at home, 10 AM 
• Thursday, 8/31, Pleasantville at home 
• Saturday, 9/9, at Woodbury 
• Saturday, 9/16, Salem at home 
• Saturday, 9/23, at Haddon Heights 
• Saturday, 9/30, Paulsboro 
• Friday, 10/6, at Glassboro 
• Friday, 10/13, Pennsville 
• Saturday, 10/21, Woodstown at home 

Concerns: 

• Still young, but they have experience 
• Tough schedule 
• Staying healthy 

Recruiting: 

• Wilson is a 1-AA/D2 candidate 
• Slocum is 1-AA/D2 as a defensive lineman 
• Underclassmen:
• Wright is 1-AA at minimum 
• Brice is a 1-AA/1-A prospect 
• Upshur is a top sophomore 
• Erickson is another sophomore and has a good arm 
• Ceasar, a freshman, could develop into a Power-5 prospect in time 

Coach’s Comments: 

“The guys have been working hard. With a new weight room, we’ve had one of our best offseasons ever. It is a young team, but not in experience. It will be interesting to see how much we have improved.” – Head Coach John Emel