August 12, 2018
2017 In Review: The Paladins were 5-6, losing to St. Peter’s Prep in the Non-Public Group 4 semi-finals after beating St. Joe’s (Metuchen). They scored 216 points for a 19.64 average and allowed 276 for a 25.09 average. Wins included Don Bosco, Archbishop Wood (Pa.), Seton Hall Prep, and Delbarton, while losses included Bergen Catholic, DePaul, St. Peter’s Prep, St. Joe’s (Montvale), and Pope John.
Graduation Losses: CB Jarrett Paul – Rutgers, TE/LB Henry Pearson – LB Ali Brightwell – Wagner, DL Bartek Rybka – Lehigh, OL Jan Majciejewski – Lehigh, DB Cameron Forziati – New Mexico Highlands, QB Shelton Applewhite – Northwestern Iowa JC, DL Colton Celentano – LIU Post, RB Christian Matthews-Byrd – St. Anselm, OL Zion Hughes – St. Anselm, DB Ray Minneci – Southern Connecticut, RB Xavier Briggs-Devore – Susquehanna, OL Adrian Owusu – Susquehanna
Offense: Paramus Catholic runs a multiple spread and returns three starters. The new quarterback is sophomore Dorian Nowell (6-2, 190) and the running back will be senior Tashawn Brinson (5-10, 195).
The slot receivers will be sophomores Christian Abraham (6-0, 200) and Jahsim Brooks (5-8, 175), while the wide receivers will have sophomore Walter Quick (5-10, 160), senior Andy Ambroise (6-0, 170), senior Jevaighn Thomas (5-10, 180), sophomore Gemel Carter (5-8, 175), junior Ivaniur Brito (5-10, 170), and junior Robert Morel (5-8, 180) in the mix.
Three starters return to the line: senior Christian Mahogany (6-5, 320) at left tackle, senior Zack Hartman (6-1, 250) at right guard, and junior Jose Diaz (6-3, 295) at center. Sophomore Michael Entwistle 6-6, 275) is at left guard and junior Devin Willock (6-6, 320) will play right tackle.
Defense: The Paladins run a 4-3 and return one starter. The ends will be junior Miles Morales (6-2, 220) and sophomore Miles Mitchell (6-4, 220), with junior Cameron Poe (6-2, 220) and sophomore Justin Gonzalez (5-10, 220) in reserve. The tackles will have a rotation of Mahogany, Diaz, and Willock.
Returning at linebacker is senior Wyatt Hammond (6-1, 210). Battling for time at the other two spots are senior John Lyons (5-11, 230), sophomore Jarred George (6-0, 200), junior Jamari Thomas (6-3, 210), junior Jayson Colorado (6-1, 195), and Brinson.
At cornerback will be juniors Za-Ki Lindo (6-0, 180) and Kennyth Kennedy (5-10, 151) with senior David Stevens (5-10, 180) backing them up. Abraham and Brooks will be the safeties, with Morel and junior Jalen Rutherford (5-10, 180) in reserve.
Special Teams: Junior Josh Zamora is the kicker and George will be the punter. Abraham and Brooks will return kickoffs and Brito will return punts.
Schedule:
Friday, 8/31, at West Catholic (Philadelphia), 4 PM
Friday, 9/7, Pope John at home, 7 PM
Friday, 9/14, Hackensack at home, 7 PM
Saturday, 9/22, at Seton Hall Prep, 2 PM
Friday, 9/28, St. Joe’s (Montvale) at home, 7 PM
Friday, 10/5, DePaul at home, 7 PM
Friday, 10/12, at St. Peter’s Prep, 7 PM
Saturday, 10/20, at Bergen Catholic, 1 PM
Friday, 10/26, Don Bosco at home, 7 PM
Recruits: Mahogany has offers from Rutgers, Vanderbilt, Virginia, and Pitt. Brinson has interest from the Ivy League, Hammond has interest from Penn, and Hartman is a 1-AA/D2 prospect. Lyons is a D2/D3 prospect.
Diaz is a junior who is a borderline 1-A/1-AA candidate. Among sophomores, Abraham has offers from Rutgers and Michigan. Brooks, Carter, and Quick have 1-A potential on speed alone. Nowell is a 1-AA/1-A prospect.
Concerns: Youthful, talented players, but inexperienced.
Coach’s Comments: “We’re very athletic, with good kids, good students. Our weekly schedule will be a challenge and we look to get better every week. We’re not going to rush things and we have an eye to the future.” – Head Coach John Whitehead