St. Anthony Friars
NJTCC Division 6
Non-Public, Group I
2008: 3-7
Playoffs: None.
Head Coach:
Sean Fallon
1st year
Returning Starters
Offense: 5
Defense: 6
Offense: Wing-T
Defense: 4-3
2009 Schedule
9/12 vs Immaculate Conception 7 p.m.
9/17 at Newark Academy 4 p.m.
9/26 at Lincoln 7 p.m.
10/2 at Hoboken 7 p.m.
10/9 at Marist 7 p.m.
10/24 at Hudson Catholic 7 p.m.
10/31 vs Snyder 4 p.m.
11/7 at Sussex Tech 12 p.m.
Football Preview Guide
Team Previews
Bayonne
Dickinson
Ferris
Harrison
Hoboken
Hudson Catholic
Kearny
Lincoln
Marist
Memorial
North Bergen
St. Anthony
St. Peter’s Prep
Secaucus
Snyder
Union City
Weehawken
Renewed hope for Friars
Quarterback Slyvester Wright is one of many talented juniors on the Friars.
Click Here for more photos from Dickinson vs. St. Anthony scrimmage.
By Jason Bernstein
Editorial Director
JERSEY CITY – Last September, the Friars were the feel-good story in Hudson County, going 3-1 in their first varsity season and looking like a legit playoff contender. But those dreams and optimism came crashing down when the use of an illegal player resulted in the forfeit of those three games and firing of head coach Bill Sullivan.
St. Anthony never fully recovered from the controversy, as a promising season ended with a disappointing 3-7 record.
But there’s a renewed hope at St. Anthony with the hiring of former Hoboken defensive coordinator Sean Fallon. Despite last year’s tough finish and just two seniors on the roster, he believes the pieces are in place for a playoff run in the Non-Public, Group I bracket.
“We have kids here that can play,” Fallon said. “It’s not like taking over a team with a bare cupboard. There’s kids here who are just as good as you’re going to see around here.”
“Now we’re more of a family,” RB/LB Jidamon Sparkman said. “After last year we’ve grown together and we’re closer.”
Offensive Overview:
In addition to starting at receiver, Craig Davilla will punt, kick and start at safety.
The Friars have a full house in the backfield with the quartet of Sparkman, James, Kelly, Daryl Wilson and Dave Coleman. Sparkman will be the feature back and seemingly requires two or more defenders to be brought down. A true “slash” type of player, Coleman will also be lined up at receiver and occasionally at quarterback as well.
Junior Slyvester Wright takes over at quarterback for St. Anthony. Wright’s athleticism could produce some matchup problems for opposing defenses.
“He’s very athletic, he plays guard on the basketball team,” Fallon said. “He can run, he can throw. He’s not a great passer or a traditional drop back thrower, but he’s got a really live arm and he’s very athletic.”
Senior WR/TE Josh Ford will be the top target in the passing game and at 6-foot-4 is a legitimate threat in the red zone. Craig Davilla will also start at receiver.
Left tackle Justin Beaty is one of just two seniors in the lineup and will lead an offensive line that includes right tackle Byron Douglas, center Jarvis Riley and guards Robinson Beneche and Darius Roper.
Defensive Overview:
Junior CB Dave Coleman has already attracted attention from college programs.
Fallon brings his 4-3 defense with him from the Mile Square City. He also believes he has a pair of Division I caliber defenders with Sparkman at linebacker and Coleman at corner.
“Coleman’s just an unbelievable cover guy,” Fallon said. “He’s a prototypical sized corner. He’s 6-feet tall, 190 pounds, but he runs like a guy much smaller. He’s got really good cover skills, he’s really loose in the hips, he’s real fluid. Everyone I’ve sent his tape to so far loves him.”
The ability of Coleman and Wright at corner will allow safeties Kelly and Davilla to help out in run support.
Sparkman leads a linebacking corps that includes Wilson and Linnex Hines. At defensive end Ford will rotate with a pair of freshmen in Roper and Nyle Hardy.
Star Spotlight: Jidamon Sparkman, RB/LB
Jidamon Sparkman has the talent to be an impact player on both sides of the ball.
As the spread offense has continued to grow in high school and college football, teams continue to look for linebackers who combine toughness with the speed to defend against the pass. At 6-foot-1 and 195 pounds, junior Jidamon Sparkman appears to be new generation of linebackers teams are seeking.
“He’s just an unbelievable tackler,” Fallon said. “He’s got a nose for a ball. He sheds blocks well. He runs sideline to sideline. Now a days in college, they’re not looking for 230 pound linebackers now. Everybody runs the spread now, they need kids who can run.”
“I like hitting a lot, but I also like (playing the pass),” Sparkman said. “I like to pick off passes.”
Sparkman’s combination of power and speed is also put to good use as the feature running back on offense.
“He’s not going to run people over, but he’s not going to be taken down by one guy,” Fallon said. “He’s going to have to be gang-tackled.”