Post 59 – HS Football – Preview: Pleasantville

August 26, 2018

2017 In Review:  The Greyhounds were 7-3, losing to West Deptford in the South Jersey Group 2 playoffs.  They scored 336 points for a 33.6 average, while allowing 190 for a 19.0 average, including three shutouts.  Wins included Buena, Gloucester Catholic, and Middle Township and their other losses were to Holy Spirit and Ocean City.

Graduation Losses:  WR/LB Le’quai Athill – Rowan, WR/CB Daniel Samuel – William Paterson, FB David Colbert – William Paterson, DL Sincere Worthy – William Paterson, OL/DL, OL Robert Jefferson – Willaim Paterson, Quanief Colbert – Valley Forge Military Academy (Pa.)

Offense:  Pleasantville runs a multiple spread and returns six starters.  The incumbent quarterback is senior Sahmir Jones (6-2, 175) and senior Mohamed Toure (6-2, 215) returns at running back.  Giving Toure a breather will be junior Josh Kotokpo (5-8, 175), junior Ernest Howard (6-0, 165), and senior Jalen Freeman (6-1, 180).

Returning at wide receiver are seniors Elijah Glover (6-2, 195) and Brian Stallworth (5-9, 165).  Also at wide receiver are senior Marcus Peeler (5-11, 170), junior Keon Henry (6-0, 170), and senior Akeem Walker (6-2, 170).  When a tight end is used, it will be senior Ali Berfet (6-3, 200) and Glover.

The two starters returning on the line are senior Edward “Junior” Sierra (6-2, 285) at guard or tackle and junior Equallie Bumpass (6-2, 255) at tackle.  Competing at center are sophomore Jesus Ruiz (5-10, 200) and junior Gimon Grant (5-8, 220).  Battling to start on the rest of the line are senior Carrey DeJean (5-10, 255) at guard, junior Jewel Banks (6-3, 200) at tackle, and senior Melvin Timberlake (5-11, 225) at tackle.

Defense:  The Greyhounds run a 3-3 stack and return six starters.  Sierra returns at nose guard, while the ends will have a rotation of Banks, Timberlake, Bumpass, and senior Khalil Greene (5-7, 170).

At linebacker, Toure returns on the strong side and Berfet in the middle.  The weak side will probably senior Bertie Moses (5-9, 175), while Howard may also figure here.

The secondary of five returns three starters.  Shakur is back at free safety, Peeler is back at cornerback, and Glover is back as one the hounds (strong safeties).  Henry will be the other corner and the other hound is Walker.  Stallworth, Freeman, and Kotokpo will also see time in the secondary.

Special Teams:  Toure return as the kicker and Stallworth is back at punter.  The return men have not been decided, but include Henry, Freeman, Jones, and Shakur.

Schedule:

Friday, 8/31, Haddonfield at home, 7 PM
Friday, 9/7, at Maple Shade, 7 PM
Friday, 9/14, Lower Cape May at home, 7 PM
Friday, 9/21, at Gloucester City, 7 PM
Saturday, 9/29, at Cedar Creek, 1 PM
Saturday, 10/6, at Gloucester Catholic, 11 AM
10/13-14, Bye Week
Friday, 10/19, Buena at home, 7 PM
Friday, 10/26, Middle Township at home, 7 PM
Thursday, 11/22, Ocean City at home, 10 AM

Recruits:  Toure has narrowed it to Rutgers, Temple, Boston College, and Maryland.  Shakur verballed to Monmouth; Jones getting 1-AA looks, including Fordham; and Glover getting looks from Army, Cornell, Villanova, Fordham, and Holy Cross.

Concerns:  Inexperienced offensive line.

Coach’s Comments:  “We’re looking forward to a positive season.  We bring back some talent that has been doing a lot of work and we’re looking forward to a great season.” – Head Coach Chris Sacco

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