Post 902 – Team Preview 2022: Vineland Fighting Clan

Vineland Fighting Clan 

2021: 

  • 2-10
  • Beat Atlantic City and lost to Bridgeton in the consolation series 
  • Scored 105 points: 8.75 average 
  • Allowed 337 points: 28.08 average 
  • Their other win came against Lenape 
  • Losses included Millville, Ocean City, St. Augustine, Shawnee, and Clearview 

Graduation: 

  • RB Anthony Arthur – Wagner 
  • WR/DB Byron Blakely – College of New Jersey (TCNJ) 
  • WR/LB Antwain Rivera – Seton Hill 
  • LB Nazhi Tatem – Alvernia 
  • LB Jahmer Bryson – Florida Central Tech 

Offense: 

  • Formation: Multiple Spread 
  • Returning Starters: 5 

Quarterback: 

  • Daniel Russo, Sophomore, 6-0, 200 – returning starter 

Running Back: 

  • Prince Bortey, Junior, 5-9, 180 – competing: East Orange transfer 
  • Josean Serrano, Senior, 5-10, 200 – competing 
  • Charles Clark, Sophomore, 5-9, 175 – competing 

Wide Receiver: 

  • James Hitchens, Senior, 6-2, 175 – returning starter 
  • Tyrell Powell, Junior, 6-0, 165 – projected starter; started on defense 
  • Zha’Vian Diaz, Sophomore, 5-9, 140 – competing and will see action; saw time
  • Joshua Cephas, Junior, 5-8, 160 – competing and will play  
  • DJ Clark, Senior, 5-11, 175 – in the rotation; started on defense 

Tight End: 

  • Charles Burt, Junior, 6-1, 210 – returning starter 

Offensive Line: 

  • Emmanuel Doivilus, Senior, 6-5, 250 – projected starter at left tackle; started on defense 
  • Patrick Gilbert, Junior, 6-2, 315 – returning starter at center 
  • Sabyan Chandler, Junior, 6-3, 275 – projected starter at right guard; started on defense 
  • Jameson Blanding, Junior, 6-7, 310 – returning starter at right tackle; competing 
  • Jordan Bennett, Senior, 6-2, 290 – competing at right tackle 
  • Gavin Gallo, Junior, 6-1, 195 – competing at left guard 
  • Julio Garcia, Senior, 6-1, 200 – competing at left guard 
  • Derek Ockimey, Senior, 6-1, 230 – competing at left guard 

Defense: 

  • Formation: Multiple 4-2-5/4-3    
  • Returning Starters: 5 

Defensive Line: 

  • Emmanuel Doivilus, Senior, 6-5, 250 – returning starter at end 
  • Sabyan Chandler, Junior, 6-3, 275 – returning starter at tackle 
  • Julio Garcia, Senior, 6-1, 200 – will see actin at end and tackle 
  • Derek Ockimey, Senior, 6-1, 230 – competing at tackle and nose guard 
  • Charles Burt, Junior, 6-1, 210 – competing at end 

Linebacker: 

  • Tayshun Newman, Junior, 6-2, 215 – returning starter 
  • Daniel Russo, Sophomore, 6-0, 200 – projected starter 
  • Gavin Gallo, Junior, 6-1, 195 – competing 
  • Ryan Carter, Junior, 5-10, 225 – competing 
  • Noah Cruz, Sophomore, 6-0, 200 – competing 

Secondary: 

  • Tyrell Powell, Junior, 6-0, 165 – returning starter at cornerback 
  • DJ Clark, Senior, 5-11, 175 – returning starter at cornerback 
  • James Hitchens, Senior, 6-2, 175 – projected starter at free safety 
  • Zha’Vian Diaz, Sophomore, 5-9, 140 – competing at strong safety 
  • Bryce Wilson, Sophomore, 5-11, 200 – competing at strong safety 
  • Mark Mutcherson, Sophomore, 6-1, 165 – competing at strong safety 

Special Teams: 

  • Junior Colin Graiff returns at kicker and Mutcherson will be the punter 
  • DJ Clark and Diaz will be the return men 

Schedule: 

  • Friday, 8/26, Oakcrest at home 
  • Friday, 9/2, at Bridgeton 
  • Friday, 9/9, at Clearview 
  • Friday, 9/16, Kingsway at home 
  • 9/23-24, Bye Week 
  • Friday, 9/30, at Washington Township 
  • Friday, 10/7, Holy Spirit at home 
  • Friday, 10/14, at Egg Harbor 
  • Saturday, 10/22, Pennsauken at home 
  • Thursday, 11/24, Millville at home 

Concerns: 

  • Getting started on the right foot, have early success, and build on that  
  • Varsity experience 

Recruiting: 

  • Doivilus has offers from William & Mary and Howard 
  • Hitchens is a 1-AA prospect 
  • Others may play D3 
  • Underclassmen
  • Powell is likely a Patriot/Ivy League candidate 
  • Blanding and Gilbert have 1-AA potential 
  • Russo,a  sophomore, has a chance to be 1-A as a linebacker or quarterback 

Coach’s Comments: 

“We’ve been working hard this offseason with a good culture. The kids have been great and have done what is required to be successful. The seniors have stepped up.” – Head Coach Dan Russo

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