Post 290 – HS Football Preview 2019: Highland Regional

Highland Regional Tartans  

2018 in Review:  

  • 9-2 record
  • Lost to Clearview in South Jersey Group 4 semi-finals
  • Beat Ocean City in first round
  • Scored 251 points – 22.82 average
  • Allowed 108 points – 9.82 average, three shutouts
  • Wins Included: Clearview, Timber Creek, Kingsway, and Triton
  • Losses: Burlington Township

Departing Seniors: 

  • QB/K-P Brian Cooey – Maine
  • FB/DL Javon Randle – FDU 
  • WR Dave Green – FDU
  • DE Dahmir Barefield – Susquehanna 
  • CB Jailen Waters – McDaniel (Md.)
  • CB Brandon Williams – Delaware State 
  • DL Divine Young – Delaware State

*The bold print below is a returning starter. This includes one who had playing time and one who started on the other side of the ball only in 2018, with explanation included after their name.

Offense: 

Formation: Multiple
Returning Starters: 6

Quarterback:  

  • Javon Holley, Senior, 6-2, 185 – started on defense, competing at quarterback
  • Sean McClellan, Junior, 6-0, 175 – competing 

Running Back:  

  • Johnny Martin, Junior, 5-9, 205 – 3-year starter; rushed over 1,000 yards in 2017 and over 2,000 in 2018 
  • Kasim Randall-Dale, Senior, 5-11, 170 – started on defense, will spell Martin, play in two-back sets with him, and also play in slot

Fullback: 

  • Mike D’Amico, 5-10, 225 – started on defense 

Wide Receiver:  

  • Oyame Odoga, Senior, 6-1, 180 – started on defense and will start on offense
  • Jaheim Armstrong, Senior, 5-9, 180 – competing and also plays running back  
  • Holley or McClellan – whoever is not playing quarterback
  • Randall-Dale will play in slot packages

Tight End: 

  • Brad Small, Senior, 6-1, 190 – started on defense

Tackle:  

  • LT – Winston Jordan, Junior, 6-3, 260 – returning starter 
  • RT – Xavion “Zay” Butler, Senior, 6-5, 290 – returning starter  

Guard:

  • LG – Ian Collins, Junior, 5-11, 250 – returning starter
  • RG – Eli Wilson, Senior, 5-11, 260 – returning starter
  • Reserve:
  • Naiem McNeil, Senior, 6-1, 270 – sixth man on the line     

Center:

  • Josh Ortiz, Senior, 5-8, 220 – returning starter

Defense:  

Formation: 3-4/4-3
Returning Starters: 8 

End:  

  • Charles Thomas, Junior, 6-0, 230 – will start at one end
  • Other end open for competition

Tackle Rotation: 

  • Josh Ortiz, Senior – played in regular rotation 
  • Winston Jordan, Junior – played in regular rotation 
  • Xavion “Zay” Butler, Senior – played in regular rotation

Outside Linebacker:

  • Oyame Odoga, Senior – returning starter
  • Johnny Martin, Junior – returning starter

Inside Linebacker:  

  • Brad Small, Senior – returning starter
  • Mike D’Amico, Junior – returning starter

Cornerback:  

  • Javon Holley, Senior – returning starter
  • Sincere Johnson, Senior – played as third corner in 2018
  • Reserve: 
  • Hamin Anderson, Freshman, 5-9, 175 – has promise

Safety:  

  • Kasim Randall-Dale, Senior – returning starter at free safety
  • Jurius Clark, Sophomore, 5-9, 180 – will start at strong safety and may also fill in at outside linebacker; as a freshman, he placed in the states this past spring in wrestling  

Special Teams: 

  • Kicker and punter are open
  • Martin and Randall-Dale are the return men

Schedule: 

  • Saturday, 8/31, St. Joe’s (Hammonton) at Rutgers, 1:00 
  • Bye Week
  • Friday, 9/13, Clearview at home  
  • Friday, 9/20, at Oakcrest 
  • Friday, 9/27, at Winslow
  • Friday, 10/4, Timber Creek at home 
  • Friday, 10/11, Moorestown at home
  • Bye Week
  • Friday, 10/25, Burlington Township at home 
  • Friday, 11/1, at Paul VI
  • Thursday, 11/28, at Triton

Concerns:  

  • Keeping their focus and working hard after a good year 

Recruiting:   

  • Small has offers from Temple and Sacred Heart 
  • Holley and Odega are drawing 1-AA interest 
  • Butler is a 1-AA/D2 prospect
  • Kasim Randall-Dale will play somewhere 
  • Underclassmen:
  • Martin’s offers include Rutgers, Temple, Syracuse, West Virginia, and Baylor  
  • Jordan has Ivy/Patriot interest and ranked #1 in his class, academically  
  • D’Amico ran a 4.6 at the Temple camp

Coach’s Comments: 

“We have been to the semi-finals in each of the last three years and this team has the capability of going over the top. We have to beat some good teams along the way, but we have a chance to be involved.” – Head Coach Brian Leary 

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