Post 307 – HS Football Preview 2019: Hillside

Hillside Comets  

2018 in Review:  

  • 11-1 record
  • Lost to Haddonfield in the South/Central Jersey Group 2 bowl game 
  • Beat Manasquan in the Central Jersey Group 2 finals 
  • Beat Bernards in the semifinals and South River in the first round 
  • Scored 439 points – 36.58 average 
  • Allowed 99 points – 8.25 average, including three shutouts 
  • Wins Included: Bernards, Cranford, Delaware Valley, Johnson
  • Losses: Undefeated regular season  

Departing Seniors: 

  • RB/LB Brian Ugwu – Rutgers 
  • WR/DB Boris Nicolas-Paul – Army 
  • WR/DB Shadon Willis – Assumption 
  • LB Najee Peele – Western Connecticut State 
  • OL Jason Wheeler – William Paterson 
  • OL/DL Aboubakar Diaby – Dodge City CC (Kansas)
  • OL Amad Jean-Charles – Dodge City CC (Kansas) 
  • OL/DL Kwame Frimpong – ASA JC (Brooklyn) 

*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 Spread
Returning Starters: 4 

Quarterback:  

  • Gavin Melendez, Senior, 6-3, 220 – returning starter

Running Back:  

  • James Louis, Senior, 5-8, 180 – 3-year starter: was co-starter last two years  
  • Jahon Moore, Senior, 5-8, 212 – will be co-starter   

Wide Receiver:  

  • Nahree Biggins, Senior, 6-0, 190 – 3-year starter
  • James Westry, Senior, 5-8, 160 – DePaul transfer who started, catching 36 passes
  • Fatir Bell, Junior, 5-10, 180 – will start 
  • Jonathan Delva, Senior, 5-9, 150 – will start 

Tight End (when used):  

  • Isaiah McFadden, Senior, 6-1, 190 
  • Akugbe Omokaro, Senior, 6-1, 230 – started on defense 

Center:  

  • Jayden Shaw, Senior, 5-11, 230 – 3-year starter  

Guard:  

  • Hakim Allen Jr., Senior, 5-11, 210 – frontrunner 
  • Godley Pierre, Senior, 5-10, 210 – frontrunner 

Tackle:  

  • Nazareth Henry, Junior, 6-5, 270 – frontrunner 
  • Khalid Hogan, Senior, 6-1, 210 – frontrunner 

Pushing for time along the line:  

  • Mathew Ihemesie, Sophomore, 6-0, 258 
  • Nyal Belgrove, Junior, 6-1, 260 

Defense:  

  • Formation: 3-3 stack
  • Returning Starters: 3

End:  

  • Tyler Gardner, Senior, 5-11, 205 – will start  
  • Kevin Igiehon, Junior, 6-2, 205 – will start   

Nose Guard: 

  • Kozi Holston, Senior, 5-10, 225 – will start

Middle Linebacker:  

  • Godley Pierre, Senior – will start   

Outside Linebacker:  

  • Akugbe Omokaro, Senior – returning starter 
  • Anu Okugbowa, Senior, 5-11, 200 – will start and saw action 

Dog (rover):  

  • Jaylean Neals, Senior, 5-9, 160 – 3-year starter 
  • Tawayne Cook, Junior, 5-8, 190 – started twice   

Cornerback:  

  • James Westry, Senior – DePaul transfer who will start and saw action last year
  • Isaiah Johnson, Senior, 6-0, 165 – will start 
  • Dallas Guions, Senior, 6-0, 160 – reserve 

Free Safety:  

  • Nahree Biggins, Senior – 3-year starter
  • Marcus Jerome, Senior, 5-7, 160 – reserve 

Special Teams: 

  • Biggins will punt and kicker will be determined in camp 
  • Westry and Biggins will be the return men 

Schedule: 

  • Saturday, 9/7, at Spotswood 
  • Saturday, 9/14, Bernards at home 
  • Saturday, 9/21, Johnson at home 
  • Saturday, 9/28, Roselle at home 
  • Saturday, 10/5, South River at home 
  • Friday, 10/11, at St. Thomas Aquinas (formerly Bishop Ahr)
  • Friday, 10/18, at Delaware Valley 
  • Saturday, 10/26, Bound Brook at home 

Concerns:  

  • Youth up front
  • This is not the same team that won back-to-back state championships
  • Finding an identity and improving one game at a time   

Recruiting:   

  • Biggins recently decommitted from Temple and has numerous offers, with Buffalo, Cincinnati, and Central Michigan in the running 
  • Omokaro has a Toledo offer and other interest 
  • Louis has a Bryant offer with 1-AA interest, including the Ivy League, being #6 in class
  • Westry has offers from Robert Morris and New Mexico Highlands 
  • Gardner has an offer from American International 
  • Melendez has D2 interest 
  • Shaw is receiving D3 interest 
  • Juniors: 
  • Henry has the size to play at the next level, but has no varsity experience 
  • Neals is receiving D2 interest 
  • Igiehon is receiving college interest   

Coach’s Comments:   

“We bring back three 3-year starters on offense and it is the first time we return a quarterback since I have been here. This will enable us to open up our offense now that he has a year of experience and has been through the battles, now knowing the expectations, and getting the offense moving. Defensively, our strong point is our defensive line and our linebackers have some experience, plus our secondary will be strong.” – Head Coach Barris Grant

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