Pleasantville Greyhounds
2018 in Review:
- 8-3 record
- Lost to Haddonfield in the South Jersey Group 2 semifinals
- Beat Cedar Creek in the first round
- Scored 402 points – 35.54 average
- Allowed 112 points – 10.18 average, including four shutouts
- Wins Included: Ocean City, Middle Township, Cedar Creek
- Losses: Haddonfield, Buena
Departing Seniors:
- RB/LB Mohamed Toure – Rutgers
- WR/DB Jabril Shakur – Monmouth
- WR/LB Elijah Glover – Villanova
- OL/DL Edward Sierra – Kean
- WR/LB Akeem Walker – Susquehanna
- WR/DB Brian Stallworth – Bloomfield College (NJ) for track
- QB Sahmir Jones – Boston University for track
*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:
- Adonis Diaz, Sophomore, 5-11, 160 – competing
- Marlon Leslie, Freshman, 6-0, 180 – competing
Running Back:
- Joshua Kotokpo, Senior, 5-8, 180 – split duties last year
- Ernest Howard, Senior, 6-0, 205 – will share duties
- Jaquan Howard, Sophomore, 5-10, 195 – will share duties
Wide Receiver:
- Keon Henry, Senior, 5-11, 175 – returning starter
- Daniel Akpan, Junior, 5-9, 170 – projected starter
- George Caba, Sophomore, 5-11, 165 – projected starter
- Amin Bailey, Junior, 5-10, 165 – projected starter
- Ibn Ragsdale, Senior, 6-1, 200 – will see action
- Ka’shawn Jamison, Junior, 5-9, 196 – will see action in the slot
- Sencere Brinson, Senior, 5-8, 155 – will see actin in the slot
Tight End (when used):
- Zahir Washington, Junior, 5-9, 210
Offensive Line:
- Jewel Banks, Senior, 6-3, 200 – competing at left tackle – started five games
- George Smith, Junior, 6-2, 220 – competing at left tackle
- Jesus Ruiz, Junior, 5-11, 225 – returning starter at left guard, moving from left tackle
- Steven Yarleque, Junior, 5-9, 225 – competing at center and right guard
- Luigi Garcia, Junior, 6-0, 270 – competing at center and right guard
- Jonathan Valentin, Junior, 5-9, 270 – will likely play right guard after sitting 30 days for Holy Spirit transfer
- Equallie Bumpus, Senior, 6-3, 265 – 3-year starter
Defense:
- Formation: 3-3 Stack
- Returning Starters: 3
End:
- Jesus Ruiz, Junior – competing with good chance to start
- Jewel Banks, Senior – competing – saw quality time
- George Smith, Junior – competing
- Jahmir Smith, Senior, 6-2, 205 – competing
Nose Guard:
- Samar Harris, Junior, 6-0, 335 – competing with good chance to start
- Fernando Flores, Senior, 5-10, 195 – competing
- Jonathan Valentin, Junior – competing after sitting 30 days
- Equallie Bumpus, Senior – competing
- Luigi Garcia, Junior – competing
Inside Linebacker:
- Ernest Howard, Senior – returning starter at strong side, moving from the middle
- Zahir Washington, Junior – projected starter in the middle
- Jaquan Howard, Sophomore – projected starter on the weak side
- Javon Boyd, Junior, 5-9, 170 – provides depth
- Christian Mezquita, Junior, 5-10, 205 – provides depth
Outside Linebacker:
- Amin Bailey, Junior – saw action – will play here or at cornerback
- George Caba, Sophomore – competing
- Daniel Akpan, Junior – will play here or safety
Cornerback:
- Keon Henry, Senior – returning starter
- Amin Bailey, Junior – competing at other corner if he does not play outside linebacker
- Ka’shawn Jamison, Junior – competing at other corner
- Sencere Brinson, Senior – competing at other corner
Safety:
- Daniel Akpan, Junior – competing here if he does not play outside linebacker
- Ibn Ragsdale, Senior – competing
Special Teams:
- Zahir Washington is the kicker and punter
- Henry returns kicks and punts, while Bailey and Jamison return kicks
Schedule:
- Friday, 8/30, Salem at home
- Friday, 9/6, at Haddonfield
- Bye Week
- Friday, 9/20, at Lower Cape May
- Friday, 9/27, Gloucester City at home
- Friday, 10/4, Cedar Creek at home
- Friday, 10/11, Gloucester Catholic at home
- Bye Week
- Friday, 10/25, at Buena
- Friday, 11/1, at Middle Township
- Thursday, 11/28, at Ocean City
Concerns:
- Lack of experience out of the gate with two tough teams right away
Recruiting:
- Ernest Howard has offers from Sacred Heart, Morehead State, and Howard
- Kotokpo and Henry has interest from 1-AA schools
- The rest of the seniors may go D3
- Underclassmen:
- Bailey can go D3 or higher, depending on his junior year
- Washington is a D3 prospect
- Jaquan Howard should be on the radar after this season
- Toure is a freshman with talent, but has a long way to go
Coach’s Comments:
“This team has good chemistry. There are not as many high-profile players and I think we’ll improve as the season progresses. Hopefully, we can get to the playoffs and make a run. This is a fun group to be around and we look forward to the season.” – Head Coach Chris Sacco