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