Eastside (Paterson) Ghosts
2021:
- 8-4
- Lost to Clifton in the North Jersey Section 2 Group 5 finals
- Beat Union by forfeit in the semifinals and Bridgewater-Raritan in the first round
- Scored 245 points: 22.27 average – not including forfeited game
- Allowed 100 points: 9.09 average, including three shutouts – not including forfeited game
- Wins included Old Tappan, Hackensack, and Passaic Valley
- Losses were to Clifton, Northern Highlands, and Passaic Tech
Graduation:
- WR/DB Ahsin Jacobs – American International
- DL/TE Jahsin Jacobs – American International
- RB/LB Amir Smith – American International
- OL Jahi Riley – Norfolk State
- TE/DL Jair Stewart – St. Mary’s (Missouri)
- OL/DL Arthur Edmonds – Eastern U
- DL Amier Steele – Post U
- DB Junor Butto – Post U
- DB Khyiene Colter – Post U
- DL Marquay Cobb – Lackawanna (Pa JUCO)
Offense:
- Formation: Multiple Spread
- Returning Starters: 3
Quarterback:
- Carnel Goodwin, Senior, 6-0, 180 – returning starter
Running Back:
- Frank Ventura, Senior, 5-10, 195 – projected starter; started on defense
- Elijah Carroll, Senior, 5-7, 160 – will see time here; returning starter as slot receiver
Wide Receiver:
- Elijah Carroll, Senior, 5-7, 160 – 3-year starter as the slot receiver and will also see time at running back
- Jamar Robinson, Sophomore, 5-11, 160 – projected starter at slot receiver
- Samar Harrison, Senior, 6-4-½, 215 – projected starter at h-back; saw time at wide receiver and started on defense
- Rodney Byrd, Senior, 6-3, 195 – projected starter; saw time and was injured in the fourth game
- Nyreek Clyburn, Junior, 6-3, 230 – part of three-man rotation; started on defense
- Messiah McCullom, Junior, 5-10, 175 – part of three-man rotation
- Jahiem Best, Senior, 5-10, 185 – part of three-man rotation; started on defense
- Kyron Gilbert, Senior, 5-7, 185 – part of rotation in the slot
Offensive Line:
- Malachi Bethea, Junior, 6-4, 285 – returning starter at left tackle
- Rayvon Jenkins, Junior, 5-9, 250 – projected starter at left guard
- Jared Edwards, Sophomore, 5-10, 245 – projected starter at center
- Taiwan Davis, Senior, 6-3, 270 – projected starter at right guard
- Sonny Vierra, Senior, 6-1, 255 – projected starter at right tackle
Defense:
- Formation: Multiple 4-3
- Returning Starters: 7
Defensive Line:
- Nyreek Clyburn, Junior, 6-3, 230 – 3-year starter at end
- Nehemiah Green, Junior, 6-2, 220 – projected starter at end
- Taiwan Davis, Senior, 6-3, 270 – projected starter at tackle
- Rayvon Jenkins, Junior, 5-9, 250 – projected starter at tackle
Linebacker:
- Frank Ventura, Senior, 5-10, 195 – returning starter in the middle
- Samar Harrison, Senior, 6-4-½, 215 – returning starter on the outside
- Jahon Shivers, Senior, 5-10, 220 – projected starter on the outside; part of last year’s rotation
- Zaire Williams, Junior, 5-10, 180 – part of rotation on outside
- Jordan Reams, Junior, 5-10, 190 – part of rotation on outside
- Frank Anwuah, Sophomore, 5-11, 220 – part of rotation in the middle and may see action up front
Secondary:
- Carnel Goodwin, Senior, 6-0, 180 – returning starter at cornerback
- Exavier Cuevas, Sophomore, 5-9, 170 – projected starter at cornerback
- Elijah Carroll, Senior, 5-7, 160 – returning starter who will be part of rotation
- Jahiem Best, Senior, 5-10, 185 – returning starter at safety
- Rodney Byrd, Senior, 6-3, 195 – returning starter at safety
- Kyron Gilbert, Senior, 5-7, 185 – part of rotation at safety
Special Teams:
- Senior Jahiem Best returns at punter while kicker is undecided
- Carroll and others will be the return men
Schedule:
- Friday, 9/2, at Rancocas Valley
- Saturday, 9/10, Columbia at home
- Friday, 9/16, Clifton at Kean University
- Friday, 9/23, at Passaic
- Saturday, 10/1, Ridgewood at home
- Friday, 10/7, at Old Tappan
- Friday, 10/14, Hackensack at home
- Friday, 10/21, at Passaic Tech
- Wednesday, 11/23, Kennedy at home
Concerns:
- New faces on the defensive line, especially when it comes to stopping the run
Recruiting:
- Goodwin has interest from Syracuse, along with 1-A and 1-AA; he is a National Honor Society student
- Harrison has interest from Temple and William & Mary; he is a player who is coming into his own
- Carroll is a 1-AA/D2 candidate
- Byrd and Best are anywhere from 1-AA to D3 \
- Ventura could go D2, D3, NAIA, or sprint football
- Others need a good year
- Underclassmen:
- Clyburn has offers from Rutgers and Monmouth and may be picking up some Power-5 offers
- Bethea can be 1-AA or 1-A
- Others will have the opportunity to prove it
Coach’s Comments:
“We lost a lot of talent, but we can be better because of improved depth. We’re very fast and may be faster as a team. Our quarterback has a year of experience and that is helpful.” – Head Coach James Magazine