September 5, 2018
2017 In Review: The Marauders were 10-2, losing to Old Tappan in the North Jersey Section 1 Group 4 finals after beating West Morris and Morris Knolls. They scored 424 points for a 35.33 average, while allowing 164 for a 13.67 average, including two shutouts. Wins included Roxbury, Hackettstown, High Point, and Morris Knolls, while their other loss was to West Morris.
Graduation Losses: QB/DB Liam Anderson – Holy Cross, LB Ryan Hodgins – New haven, TE Lance Johnson – Montclair State
Offense: Mount Olive runs a multiple spread and returns four starters. Playing quarterback will be senior Tamar Albritton (5-10, 175) and the running back will be senior Flynn Brown (5-11, 195).
Returning at wide receiver is junior Yanni Kalas (5-10, 175) and he will be joined by senior Ryan Huisa (5-11, 170), junior Jack Scheuten (6-2, 185) and senior tight end
Chris Carpini (6-0, 220). Rotating in at wide receiver will be junior Caden Kramer (5-9, 160).
Three starters return to the lien with junior Essex DeBerry (6-4, 240) at left tackle, senior Patrick Olson (6-5, 320) at left guard, and senior Chris Cherry (5-10, 240) in his third year at right guard. In addition, senior Giovanni Santos (6-0, 230) started several games at center. Playing right tackle will be junior Nico Negron (6-4, 280). In reserve are juniors Tim Marro (5-10, 200) and Stan Puzio (6-4, 230).
Defense: The Marauders play a 3-4 and return seven starters and two others who played. Senior Paul Moore (5-9, 195) returns at nose guard and Cherry and DeBerry are back at tackle. Carpini will rotate at tackle and nose guard, with Puzio also getting time.
Outside linebacker has senior Steven Pizza (5-11, 190) returning and senior Trevon Reid (6-0, 185) seeing action last year playing the opposite side. Senior Dylan Mayer (5-10, 200) returns on the inside and senior Nolan Clark (6-3, 200) will play next to him.
Brown returns at cornerback and Kramer at safety. Kalas also played at safety, with senior Mike Liccone (5-10, 185) in reserve. The opposite corner will be between juniors Anthony Spera (5-11, 175) and John Pignataro (5-10, 165).
Special Teams: The kicking game is experienced with —- Tom Jordan kicking extra points and field goals, senior Christian Holmes kicking off, and Scheuten back at punter. Kalas and Huisa will return punts, while Kalas and Brown will return kicks.
Schedule:
Friday, 9/7, Chatham at home, 7 PM
Friday, 9/14, at Jefferson, 7 PM
Friday, 9/21, Morris Knolls at home, 7 PM
Friday, 9/28, at Randolph, 7 PM
Friday, 10/5, West Morris at home, 7 PM
Friday, 10/12, at Montville, 7 PM
Friday, 10/19, Roxbury at home, 7 PM
Saturday, 10/27, at Morristown, 1 PM
Recruits: Olson has interest from Rutgers, Maryland, U Conn, Towson, and Monmouth. Others are D3 with a good year.
DeBerry is a solid 1-A candidate, who is big, athletic, and strong.
Concerns: Staying healthy. Their linemen have been dinged in pre-season and that is the strength of the team. If it persists, they will find out how deep they really are.
Coach’s Comments: “We are relying on our seniors to re-establish themselves. We want to prove last year was not a fluke.” – Head Coach Brian O’Connor