September 6, 2018
2017 In Review: The Northstars were 8-2, losing to Freehold Boro in the Central Jersey Group 4 playoffs. They scored 249 points for a 24.9 average, while allowing 145 for a 14.5 average, including two shutouts. Wins included Steinert, Ewing, and Notre Dame, while their other loss was to Allentown.
Graduation Losses: DL Ridge Pierre – Morgan State, LB Kier Jenkins – Delaware Valley, OL/DL Sylvester Freeman – Susquehanna, DB Prosper Nwankwo – Kean, DE Nkemi Eke – prep school in Connecticut, WR/DB Cliff Harris – prep school in Connecticut, RB Eric D’Herron – NJ Warriors JC, OL/DL Bryce Fremgen – Widener for baseball
Offense: Nottingham will be running the veer option and return three starters and a couple of others who played. The incumbent quarterback is junior Logan Barber (6-0-1/2, 175) and fellow junior Dionte Nicholson (5-8, 185) is back playing fullback. He will share some time with sophomore Marc Kaufman (6-1, 175) to be kept fresh because he is playing defense this year. The slot backs will be junior Louis Akpadago (5-7, 165) and senior Alix Oge (6-1, 185), with Nicholson and junior Jaier Nelson (6-1, 175) also playing here.
The ends bring back senior Christian Angelucci (6-2, 180) and junior Judeson Mirac (5-10, 165) will play opposite from him.
The entire line graduated, but three players have some experience. Senior guards Jake Doolittle (6-5, 290) and Anthony Hreiz (6-1, 210) both saw time, Hreiz as a tight end. Junior tackle Jason Ceria (6-2, 185) also saw action and junior Naeem Rashid (5-10, 180) will be the opposite tackle. The center will be sophomore Elijah Baldwin (5-10, 200) and junior Geordany Alexis (6-3, 215) will rotate at both tackles.
Defense: The Northstars run a 3-4 and return seven starters. Senior Mario Medina (5-10, 220) returns and will play nose guard this year. One tackle will be senior Na’zair Rickerson (6-4, 245), with Hreiz and Alexis sharing the other tackle.
The returning linebackers are seniors Jerry Andaluz (5-10, 185) on the inside and Qua’Nell Santiago (5-10, 185) on the outside. Senior Ryan Toro (5-9, 210) will start inside after seeing action and junior Emilio Selesnick (6-3, 180) will start outside. The fifth man at linebacker is senior Dan Cortez (5-9, 180), with Nicholson and Kaufman also getting reps.
Returning to the secondary are Nelson at safety, senior Robbie Bennett (5-11, 170) at cornerback, and senior Derek Williams (5-11, 170) at either corner or safety. Senior Ki’shawn Williams (5-8, 175) will fill out the quartet at either corner or safety. The top reserve is senior Jordan Lawrey (6-0, 170).
Special Teams: Oge returns as both the kicker and punter, with Kaufman the reserve at both positions, while Nelson will be the main return guy.
Schedule:
Saturday, 9/8, at Steinert, 12 PM
Saturday, 9/15, Moorestown at home, 12 PM
Saturday, 9/22, at Trenton, 12 PM
Friday, 9/28, at Hopewell Valley, 7 PM
Saturday, 10/6, West Windsor-Plainsboro co-op at home, 2 PM
Saturday, 10/13, at Hamilton, 12 PM
Saturday, 10/20, Notre Dame at home, 12 PM
Saturday, 10/27, Allentown at home, 12 PM
Recruits: Rickerson is a 1-AA/D2 prospect with good grades, while Andaluz is a good player who will go D3 because of size and a captain on the wrestling team. Oge is an excellent kicker and punter, a former soccer player, and a top hurdler in track. Doolittle is a raw prospect only in his third year playing football and will probably play D3.
The junior class has Nicholson, Barber, and Akpadago. Nicholson has a height issue, but is rock solid with good football speed, hearing from Rutgers and Temple. Barber is a good student with D2 size and also a good baseball player. Akpadago has speed and is a top sprinter in New Jersey. In addition, Mirac and Selesnick may go the track route.
The top sophomore is Kaufman, who will be a big time recruit and is special, according to head coach Jon Adams.
Concerns: How quickly they gel, patience with a new offensive system, and depth.
Coach’s Comments: “We have scary potential, offensively and are experienced on defense. We used to be ground-and-pound on offense and now we have to trick people. If we execute and stay healthy, we’ll be fine.” – Head Coach Jon Adams