Williamstown
2017 In Review: The Braves were 5-5, losing to Millville in overtime in the South Jersey Group 5 playoffs. They scored 202 points for a 20.2 average, while allowing 214 for a 21.4 average. Wins included Shawnee, Hammonton, and Atlantic City, while other losses were to Millville, Timber Creek, Cherokee, and St. Augustine.
Graduation Losses: OL Nick Wolfe – Albright, FB Kerwin Smith – Bridgewater State, WR/DB Devon Banks – East Stroudsburg, OL/DL Nick Andinolfi – Susquehanna, RB Caleb Alexander – St. Andrew’s (Ga.)
Offense: Williamstown runs a spread-Wing T and returns five starters. Returning at quarterback is senior Jonathan Collins (6-1, 175) and senior Wade Inge (5-10, 180) returns at fullback.
The slot backs are junior Quinn Hart (5-9, 175) and senior DaMonte Campbell (5-7, 140), with junior Chris Foreman (5-8, 160) pushing for time. The tight end will be junior Brandon Perkins (6-1, 215) and split end will come from sophomore Brodie Colbert (5-8, 145), junior Jonathon Wood (5-10, 150), and junior Tyler Cunningham (5-11, 170). Extra tight ends will be junior David Fuller-Williams (6-1, 180) and senior Ben Denbo (6-1, 185). Perkins, Wood, and Hart were defensive starters last year.
The line returns three starters in senior Trevor Brown (6-3, 260) and junior Aaron Lewis (6-5, 230) at the tackles, with senior Sam Ray (6-2, 280) at guard. The other guard, senior Jake Mitten (5-10, 180), saw some time last year and sophomore Nick Bruno (5-10, 255) will play center.
Defense: The Braves run a multiple 3-4 and return seven starters. Lewis is back as one end and sophomore Devon Cope (6-2, 205) will play the opposite side. At nose guard is junior Rashan Rucker (6-1, 215) and Ray will rotate in.
At linebacker, Perkins returns on the inside and Campbell is back on the outside. Partnering with Perkins is junior Juliam Gravener (5-10, 210), with a push from senior Justin Boateng (5-10, 165). Fuller-Williams will start at the other outside backer with Colbert getting time also.
The entire secondary returns, with Hart and Collins back on the corners and Wood and Inge returning at safety.
Special Teams: Senior Nick Pomerleau returns at kicker and punter will be a competition between senior Chris Palazzo and junior Sean Manion. The return men will be Inge, Colbert, and Campbell.
Schedule:
Friday, 8/31, Vineland at home, 7 PM
Friday, 9/7, at Rancocas Valley, 7 PM
Friday, 9/14, Millville at home, 7 PM
Friday, 9/21, at Lenape, 7 PM
Friday, 9/28, at Atlantic City, 6 PM
Saturday, 10/6, Cherokee, 6 PM
Friday, 10/12, at Washington Township, 7 PM
Friday, 10/19, Shawnee at home, 7 PM
Friday, 10/26, St. Augustine at home, 7 PM
Recruits: Collins verballed to U Mass and Inge to Delaware State. Ray has 1-AA/D2 looks and Brown and Palmerio are D3.
In the junior class, Lewis is a 1-A candidate and Perkins is 1-AA.
Concerns: Depth on both lines.
Coach’s Comments: “We have very good team speed with good leadership. If we stay healthy, we’ll be pretty good, but we have a very tough schedule.” – Head Coach Frank Fucetola