Post 360 – HS Football Preview 2019: Vineland

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   

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