Trenton Tornadoes

2018 In Review:

• 5-5 record
• Lost to North Brunswick in the first round of the Central Jersey Group 5 playoffs
• Scored 206 points – 20.6 average
• Scored 205 points – 20.5 average, including three shutouts
• Wins included: Nottingham, Jackson, Allentown, Steinert
• Losses included: Rancocas Valley, Vineland, Eastern, Notre Dame

Departing Seniors:

• RB/LB Messiah Cooke – Montclair State
• QB/LB Massiah McRae – Rowan for football and track
• OL Hollin Pearce – Fork Union Military Academy (Va. prep)
• LB Aaron Bennett – Ava Maria

Offense: 

Formation: Multiple Spread/ Wing-T hybrid
Returning Starters: 5

Quarterback:  

• James Hubbard, Senior, 6-1, 185 – returning starter moving from wide receiver
• Ricky Brown Jr., Junior, 5-10, 160 – will play here and at wide receiver

Running Back:

• Ari Jenkins, Junior, 5-10, 190 – competing and started on defense
• Jermaine Tillery, Sophomore, 5-8, 170 – competing

Wide Receiver:

• Jazzir Merricks, Senior, 6-1, 195 – returning starter in the slot; will be moved around
• Lavar Funderburg, Senior, 6-1, 180 – projected starter
• Kazir Brown, Junior, 6-2, 195 – projected starter, started on defense
• Greg King, Senior, 6-3, 220 – returning starter at tight end
• Paynn Robinson, Senior, 5-8, 165 – will rotate in the slot
• Tyquil Anderson, Senior, 5-8, 165 – will rotate in the slot, started on defense
• Deontae Rivers, Junior, 5-9, 175 – will be part of rotation

Offensive Line:

• Zamir Travers, Senior, 6-2, 290 – returning starter at left tackle
• Jerell McEwen, Sophomore, 6-1, 260 – projected starter at left guard
• Jazir Baker, Junior, 5-10, 260 – projected starter at center
• Shaun Balkcom, Senior, 6-3, 255 – 4-year starter at right guard
• Keyshaun Massey, Senior, 6-3, 240 – competing at right tackle; started on defense
• Jahkel Washington, Senior, 6-8, 280 – competing at right tackle

Defense:

Formation: 4-3/4-2-5
Returning Starters: 6

End: 

• Keyshaun Massey, Senior – returning starter
• Shaun Balkcom, Senior – returning starter

Tackle:

• Lemuel Winker, Senior, 6-0, 280 – will rotate, started on offense last year
• Aijon Baker, Senior, 6-1, 280 – will be part of rotation
• Zamir Travers, Senior – will be part of rotation
• Jerell McEwen, Sophomore – will be part of rotation
• Jazir Baker, Junior – will be part of rotation

Inside Linebacker:

• Ari Jenkins, Junior – returning starter who is competing
• Greg King, Senior – competing and played often at end
• Jaron Encarnacion, Senior, 5-8, 180 – competing and played often
• Kyle Anderson, Senior, 6-0, 185 – competing and played often late in the year

Hybrid Linebacker/Safety: 

• Ricky Brown Jr. Junior – competing
• Devin Hairston, Junior, 6-2, 180 – competing
• Jaleel Brown, Junior, 6-0, 180 – competing

Cornerback:

• Tyquil Anderson, Senior – returning starter
• Paynn Robinson, Senior – projected starter

Safety:

• Jazzir Merricks, Senior – returning starter
• Kazir Brown, Junior – returning starter
• James Hubbard, Senior – returning starter – will play sparingly on defense

Special Teams:

• Ricky Brown Jr. returns as the kicker and senior Jorge Ramos is back at punter
• Hubbard, Merricks, Tillery, Kazir Brown, and Jenkins will be the return men

Schedule: 

• Saturday, 9/7, Marlboro at home
• Saturday, 9/14, West Windsor-Plainsboro at home
• Friday, 9/20, at Rancocas Valley
• Saturday, 9/28, at Nottingham
• Saturday, 10/5, Vineland at home
• Friday, 10/11, at Allentown
• Saturday, 10/19, Eastern at home
• Saturday, 10/26, at Steinert
• Saturday, 11/2, Notre Dame at home

Concerns:

• Staying healthy

Recruiting: 

• Merricks, Hubbard, Balkcom, King, Travers, and Massey have heard from schools such as Fordham, Wagner, Bryant, and Central Connecticut

Coach’s Comments:

“We have a good group of veterans that I feel good about. We don’t expect to have as many growing pains as last year. This is a very disciplined group and we can see the leadership they have. We have seen them grow a lot and playing with confidence, and it’s a fun group to coach.” – Head Coach Greg Hyslop