July 19, 2018
2017 in Review: The Thunderbolts were 9-2, losing to Rancocas Valley in the South Jersey Group 5 semi-finals after beating Williamstown. They scored 352 points for a 32.0 average, while allowing 166 for a 15.09 average. Wins included St. Augustine, Atlantic City, Williamstown, and Hammonton, while their other loss was to Vineland.
Graduation Losses: OL/DL Dylan Washington – Rhode Island, RB/OLB Clayton Scott – Sacred Heart, NG Jimmy Hadden – Air Force, WR/DB Marcial Ramos – Foothill JC (Cal.), WR/LB Bruce Williams – Foothill JC (Cal.), WR/DB Carlton Lawrence – Hutchinson JC (Kansas), QB EJ Nichols – prep school in Maine, QB Tristan Harris – Misericordia, LB Jermer Downing – currently open
Offense: Millville runs a multiple spread offense and returns four starters. Quarterback is a position that is wide open and the winner will be determined in the pre-season. Running back will have senior Tex Thompson (6-0, 210) and Aahznier Hayes (5-9, 205).
The lone returnee at wide receiver is senior Cartier Gray (5-11, 175). The other receivers will be junior Solomon DeShields (6-2, 220), senior Kyle Yancey (5-10, 190), with the fourth receiver spot being undecided. When a tight end is used, it will be junior Shamore Collins (6-0, 195).
The line has three starters returning in left tackle Sammy File (6-3, 320), center Jamar Holbrook (6-0, 240), and right guard Shamiek Sapp (5-11, 245) – all seniors. Right tackle is in the hands of senior Brandon Hanby (6-2, 265), who started on defense, and left guard is undecided.
Defense: The Thunderbolts run a 3-3 stack and return six starters. Hanby is back at nose guard and Sapp returns at one end. Collins will man the other end.
At inside linebacker, Holbrook and Thompson are back, with Thompson being a 4-year starter. The third position has not been determined. The outside linebackers will be DeShields and Hayes.
Returning at the corners are Gray and Yancey, with Gray being the defense’s second 4-year starter. Free safety is up for grabs.
Special Teams: Kicker, punter, and the return men will be decided in camp.
Schedule:
Friday, 8/31, St. Peter’s Prep at home, 7 PM
Saturday, 9/8, at St. Joe’s (Hammonton) – tentatively scheduled for Rutgers at 10 AM. If not at Rutgers, the game will be at St. Joe’s (Hammonton) at 12 PM
Friday, 9/14, at Williamstown, 7 PM
Friday, 9/21, Kingsway at home, 6 PM
Friday, 9/28, Cherokee at home, 6 PM
Friday, 10/5, Timber Creek, 6 PM
Friday, 10/12, at Bridgeton, 7 PM
Friday, 10/19, Atlantic City, 7 PM
Thursday, 11/22, at Vineland, 10:30 AM
Recruits: Gray, File, Holbrook, and Thompson are 1-AA prospects and other seniors can play somewhere with a good year. Among underclassmen, DeShields, a junior, has offers from Mississippi State, Kentucky, Michigan State, and Tennessee.
Concerns: Finding a quarterback, a running back to emerge, and depth.
Comments: “We have a solid group of kids. If we jell right away, we will make some noise.” – Head Coach Dennis Thomas