August 10, 2018
2017 In Review: The Falcons were 7-2 and play in the Mid-Atlantic Prep League. They scored 352 points for a 39.11 average, while allowing 141 for a 15.67 average. Wins included Hun School, Blair Academy, and Malvern Prep (Pa.), while they lost to Lawrenceville School and Gonzaga (DC).
Graduation Losses: C Dan Dawkins – Vanderbilt, QB Allan Walters – Vanderbilt, LB/ATH Javar Garrett – Virginia, LB Adam Conyers – U Penn, RB Chris Chukweneke – James Madison, OL Larry Ross – Stony Brook, OL Evan Lovell – Rhode Island, OL/DL Thomas Wardle – Wagner, DL Alex Schmidt – Dartmouth, LB Tyler Tedeschi – William & Mary, DB Terrell Prince – Holy Cross, DB Tessama Haskins – Lafayette, RB Julian Leslie – Sacred Heart, DE Jose Morales – Ursinus
Offense: Peddie runs a multiple spread and return three starters. Quarterback is a competition between seniors Maurice Bellan (5-10, 178) and Sirvocea Dennis (6-1, 215). Bellan started at wide receiver last year and both candidates are dynamic athletes who can run and throw. The running back will be reclassified-freshman Patrick Smith (5-10, 170) and sophomore Khalil Majeed (5-11, 185) will also have carries.
Senior Marlyn Johnson (6-4, 210) is the lone returnee at wide receiver and he will be joined by post-grad John Menchie (6-1, 195), sophomore Mason Shipp (6-1, 175), Majeed, Bellan, Dennis, and sophomore Aidan Nash (6-2, 200).
The line has junior left guard Chris Mayo (6-5, 315) back and junior left tackle Alex Gilbertson (6-7, 295) missed much of last year injured, breaking his foot in the first game. The center will be post-grad Mike Tyle (6-3, 295), junior Luke Johnson (6-5, 300) is the right guard, and junior Sam Todd (6-5, 290) the right tackle. Also in the mix could be post-grad Calvin Presley (6-4-1/2, 265) and Cameron Barteau (6-1, 300).
Defense: The Falcons play a multiple four-man front and return two starters. Presley, junior Lenox Lamar (6-5, 225), and sophomore Jack Barnes (6-3, 235) will all play at end, with Lamar starting four games. The tackles are Barteau and Tyle, with Mayo spotting them.
Returning at inside linebacker is junior Korey Smith (6-1, 228) and Dennis will start next to him. The outside linebacker will be sophomore David Sherwood (6-4, 210). Barnes will also play some linebacker and Marlyn Johnson will get some snaps here.
Menchie will be one corner and Bellan is a returning starter who will be sharing the other corner with Marlyn Johnson and Shipp. Majeed will play strong safety and Nash free safety.
Special Teams: Kicker and punter is undecided, while the return men are Menchie, Patrick Smith, Bellan, Dennis and Majeed.
Schedule:
Saturday, 9/8, Bishop Sullivan (Va.) at home, 2 PM
Saturday, 9/15, Wyoming Seminary (Pa.) at home, 3 PM
Saturday, 9/22, at Gonzaga (DC), 1 PM (tentative)
Friday, 9/28, at Malvern Prep, 7 PM
Saturday, 10/6, Hill School (Pa.) at home, 3 PM
Saturday, 10/13, at Lawrenceville School, 3 PM
Saturday, 10/20, Mercersburg Academy (Pa.) at home, 3 PM
Saturday, 10/27, Hun School at home, TBA
Saturday, 11/3, at Blair Academy, 2 PM
Recruits: Menchie verballed to Alabama, Marlyn Johnson to Rutgers, Bellan to Army, and Presley to William & Mary. Dennis has offers from U Mass, Western Michigan, Lafayette, Dartmouth, Holy Cross, and others.
In the junior class, Mayo has fifteen offers, including Rutgers. Smith will be a Power-5 recruit, and Luke Johnson and Todd could be 1-A.
Concerns: Playing together.
Coach’s Comments: “The expectations rise each year and we expect to win – that’s where we’re at. I’m very confident in this team and it’s been the most exciting summer since I have been here. It’s not only the talent, but the attitude and effort.” – Head Coach Chris Malleo