Penns Grove Red Devils   

2020: 

• 6-3 record 
• Scored 270 points for a 30.0 average 
• Allowed 153 points for a 17.0 average 
• Wins included West Deptford, Woodstown, Pennsville, and Buena
• Losses were to Paulsboro, Salem, and Delsea 

Graduation: 

• RB/LB Nasir Robinson – East Coast Prep (Mass.)  
• WR/DB Jayon Carter – Marist 
• OL/DL Aaron Frazier – Kean 
• WR/DB Jymir Gilliam – Delaware Valley 
• WR/DB Tyree Brice – prep school in Alabama 

2021 Captains: Zion Cheeks, Jimmy Emel, Anthony Thomas, Malik Lewis, Jashon Knight, Darryl Rappa  

*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 explanations included after their name.  

Offense: 

Formation: Multiple Spread
Returning Starters: 7 

Quarterback: 

• Curt Gould, Junior, 5-10-1/2, 185 – projected starter and started last three games 

Running Back: 

• Anthony Thomas, Senior, 5-9, 195 – competing 
• Asante Johnson, Junior, 5-10, 180 – competing 
• Khiry Higgs, Sophomore, 5-7, 155 – competing 

Wide Receiver: 

• Zion Cheeks, Junior, 6-2, 210 – 3-year starter 
• Jaleel Patrick, Junior, 5-11, 170 – projected starter who started six games at quarterback and will play there in wildcat situations 
• Jashon Knight, Senior, 5-11, 165 – projected starter; started on defense 
• Darryl Rappa, Senior, 5-10, 195 – projected starter in rotation; started on defense 
• David Boulware, Senior, 5-11, 170 – will play in rotation; Smyrna, Delaware transfer 
• Ziare Reeder, Junior, 5-9, 185 – in the mix  

Offensive Line: 

• Kam Bailey, Senior, 6-1, 250 – returning starter at left tackle 
• Gio Parente, Junior, 6-0, 205 – returning starter at left guard 
• Malik Lewis, Senior, 5-10, 280 – 3-year starter at center 
• Jimmy Emel, Senior, 5-10, 195 – returning starter at right guard 
• Janier Armstead, Junior, 6-2, 235 – frontrunner at right tackle 
• Juan Real, Junior, 5-9, 200 – competing at center; started two games 
• Josue Jason, Junior, 5-10, 215 – providing depth at guard and center  

Defense: 

Formation: Multiple 3-and-4-man fronts
Returning Starters: 5 

Defensive Line:  

• Malik Lewis, Junior, 5-10, 265 – returning starter at tackle and nose guard 
• Kam Bailey, Senior, 6-0, 250 – returning starter at tackle
• Justin Martin, Sophomore, 6-1, 210 – competing at tackle and end 
• Nasir Stewart, Sophomore, 5-9, 270 – competing on interior; saw playing time 
• Josue Jason, Junior, 5-10, 215 – will be in the mix 

Linebacker: 

• Zion Cheeks, Junior, 6-2, 200 – 4-year starter on inside, moving from the outside  
• Anthony Thomas, Senior, 5-9, 195 – projected starter on inside; started some games 
• Darryl Rappa, Senior, 5-10, 195 – returning starter on inside; will play here or at strong safety  
• Jimmy Emel, Junior, 5-10, 195 – competing on outside 
• Gio Parente, Junior, 6-0, 205 – competing on outside 
• Janier Armstead, Junior, 6-2, 235 – competing on outside 

Secondary: 

• Jashon Knight, Senior, 5-11, 165 – returning starter at cornerback 
• Asante Johnson, Junior, 5-10, 180 – projected starter at cornerback; started some games at free safety 
• Jaleel Patrick, Sophomore, 5-11, 170 – projected starter at safety 
• David Boulware, Senior, 5-11, 170 – competing at safety 
• Khiry Higgs, Sophomore, 5-7, 155 – competing at safety 
• Eli Hendricks, Junior, 5-11, 155 – competing at safety   

Special Teams: 

• Kicker is undecided at this point 
• Cheeks returns at punter 
• The return men will be Patrick, Higgs, Asante Johnson, and Boulware 

Schedule: 

• Saturday, 8/28, Bernards at Ocean City, 11 AM 
• Thursday, 9/2, at Pennsville 
• Saturday, 9/11, Paulsboro at home 
• Friday, 9/17, at Willingboro 
• Friday, 9/24, at Buena 
• Friday, 10/1, at Woodstown 
• Friday, 10/8, Woodbury at home 
• Saturday, 10/16, Gateway at home 
• Saturday, 10/23, Salem at home 
• Saturday, 10/30, West Deptford at home 

* Penns Grove will play 10 regular season games – the maximum allowed 

Concerns: 

• Finding a kicker is their top priority 
• Losing great running back production for three years with the graduation of Nasir Robinson 
• Replacing players who played in big games 

Recruiting: 

• • Cheeks verballed to Cincinnati 
  • Lewis and Rappa are D2/D3 
  • Anthony Thomas is D3 
  • Boulware has intriguing ability 
  • Underclassmen: 
  • Patrick has interest from Rutgers and UConn and more will come 
  • Others need to prove themselves 

Coach’s Comments: 

“We have a veteran line and seven starters back on offense. Our quarterback gained experience late in the year. We have good team chemistry with a veteran group and believe we will be better in close games.” – Head Coach John Emel