Vineland Fighting Clan
2018 in Review:
- 5-6 record
- Lost to Williamstown in the semifinals of the South Jersey Group 5 playoffs
- Beat Toms River North in the first round
- Scored 198 points – 18.0 average
- Allowed 171 points – 15.5 average, including two shutouts
- Wins Included: Millville, Trenton, Washington Township
- Losses: Williamstown, St. Joe’s (Hammonton), Rancocas Valley, Timber Creek, Lenape
Departing Seniors:
- OL/DL Michael Bokma – Stevenson (Md.)
- OL Shane Ecker – Alvernia (Pa.)
- DB Otis Harold – Alvernia (Pa.)
- LB Isaiah Blakely – Fairleigh Dickinson (Madison)
- DB DeAndre Tull-Kennedy – Montclair State
- LB Phil Blackwell – enlisted in the military
*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: Shotgun Spread
Returning Starters: 6
Quarterback:
- Ryan Shelton, Senior, 6-2, 205 – returning starter
Running Back:
- Nahzir Broome, Senior, 5-10, 175 – returning starter who will split carries this year
- Anthony Arthur, Sophomore, 5-9, 175 – will split the carries
Wide Receiver:
- Tyreem Powell, Senior, 6-5, 205 – returning starter
- Jonathan Toney, Junior, 5-8, 160 – returning starter as the slot back/slot receiver
- Conrad Jackson, Senior, 6-0, 195 – returning starter
- Levi Manson, Junior, 6-2, 175 – projected starter
Offensive Line:
- Eli Anderson, Junior, 6-2, 240 – projected starter at left tackle
- David Dutra, Junior, 6-3, 250 – returning starter at left guard, moving from left tackle
- Jacob Repp, Senior, 5-11, 170 – projected starter at center
- Zach Tharp, Senior, 6-1, 280 – projected starter at right guard
- Josh Bennet, Junior, 6-2, 240 – projected starter at right tackle
- Demarcus Rivers, Junior, 6-1, 240 – sixth man on the line, started on defense
Defense:
- Formation: 3-3 stack
- Returning Starters: 6
Nose Guard:
- Demarcus Rivers, Junior – returning starter
- Dylan Mercano, Junior, 5-9, 225 – will see some action
End:
- Ryan Williams, Junior, 6-0, 225 – projected starter
- Kevon Williams, Junior, 5-10, 240 – projected starter
Inside Linebacker:
- Lathan Kent, Junior, 6-0, 210 – returning starter on the strong side, moving from the weak side
- Nazario Butler, Junior, 5-10, 205 – projected starter in the middle
- Conrad Jackson, Senior – projected starter on the weak side
Outside Linebacker:
- Barry Turner, Senior, 5-10, 180 – returning starter
- Antwan Rivera, Sophomore, 5-10, 170 – projected starter
Cornerback:
- Nyshawn Gregory, Senior, 5-10, 175 – returning starter
- Nahzir Broome, Senior – returning starter, moving from outside linebacker, will split time
- Jonathan Toney, Junior – will share the position with Broome
Safety:
- Tyreem Powell, Senior – returning starter
Special Teams:
- Senior Henry Garton is back at kicker and will add punting duties this year
- Toney, Broome, and Arthur are the return men
Schedule:
- Friday, 9/6, at Williamstown
- Friday, 9/13, Atlantic City at home
- Friday, 9/20, Lenape at home
- Friday, 9/27, at Timber Creek
- Saturday, 10/5, at Trenton
- Saturday, 10/12, St. Joe’s (Hammonton) at home
- Friday, 10/28, Rancocas Valley at home
- Saturday, 10/26, at Washington Township, 6:00
- Bye Week
- Thursday, 11/28, at Millville
Concerns:
- New linemen that have the ability, but need to come together
Recruiting:
- Powell verballed to Virginia Tech
- Shelton is a hard worker who is mastering the quarterback position and should be a 1-AA player after the season
- Broome is D2/D3 who may go track
- Jackson is D2/D3, while Turner is D3
- Underclassmen:
- Dutra and Andeson are Patriot League prospects
- Toney is a 1-AA prospect
- Rivers and Manson are interesting prospects
- Arthur is a sophomore with potential
Coach’s Comments:
“This is the best team chemistry we’ve had since I have been here. It’s a low-maintenance group and they get along very well. We look forward to winning some games.” – Head Coach Dan Russo