Snyder Tigers |
| HCIAA American |
| North 2, Group II |
| 2009: 1-9 |
| Playoffs: None. |
Head Coach |
 |
Chris Grant |
1st Year |
| Returning Starters |
| Offense: 10 |
| Defense: 8 |
| Offense: Spread |
| Defense: 3-5-3 |
| 2010 Schedule |
| 9/11 vs Barringer 1 p.m. |
| 9/18 at Immaculate Con 1pm |
| 9/24 at Hoboken 7 p.m. |
| 10/1 at St. Anthony 7 p.m. |
| 10/9 vs Kearny 4 p.m. |
| 10/16 at Marist 1 p.m. |
| 10/22 at Hudson Cath 7 p.m. |
| 10/30 vs Lincoln 1 p.m. |
| 11/6 at Sussex Tech 1 p.m. |
Team Previews |
HCV Power Poll |
September 9, 2010
Back to basics
Running back Maurice Johnson and Snyder look to reverse recent history.
Click Here for more photos from Snyder's football scrimmage.
By Jason Bernstein
Editorial Director
JERSEY CITY –Chris Grant knows about the challenges that come with Snyder football. As an assistant for the previous seven seasons, he has seen the Tigers endure through winless seasons, often times struggling to maintain enough of a roster to keep a program alive.
For Grant, who was formally appointed as Snyder’s new head coach just a month ago, the road to respectability starts with the basics and accountability.
“Just install discipline from top to bottom,” said Grant about the biggest change he’s made in his brief tenure. “I think that was a major problem the previous coaching regimes, just a lack of discipline. So that’s what I tried to put in, discipline and organization.”
Despite winning just one game over the past three seasons, Grant sees reason for hope. While the roster may not be as large as he’d want, Grant has 10 returning starters on the offensive side of the ball and eight on defense. That added experience along with the self-motivation of these players during a summer of coaching uncertainty gives Grant confidence heading into the year.
“The kids have been here,” he said. “Before I really even came down and took over, the kids had been practicing by themselves, led by the senior captains.”
Offensive Overview:
Senior wide receiver Willie Martin is a returning starter and a red zone threat.
Snyder may return 10 starters on offense, but the one change was a big one. After losing last year’s quarterback Malik Winchester to graduation, the Tigers moved standout running back/receiver Michael Morrison in his place.
Maurice Johnson, a senior, and Dennell Johnson, a junior, will be the primary running backs, giving Snyder a trio of speedsters in the backfield.
“They’re both speed backs,” Grant said. “Dennell is more of a fullback type. Maurice is cat quick so he’s more the halfback type.”
Willie Martin and Michael Collado will start at receiver with Vernon Jackson as the tight end.
Right Tamarick Mays anchors an offensive line which features Sergio Turcio at the other tackle, Tyrone Ramirez and Rashawn Ramirez at the guard spots and Tony Ballon at center.
Defensive Overview:
Junior Dennell Johnson is an aggressive hitter at outside linebacker.
Snyder’s 3-5-3 defense features an aggressive linebacking corps headline by Dennell Johnson on the outside. Harold Salce, one of three new starters, is at the other outside spot. Senior Bernard Gardner, Jackson and Rashawn Ramirez man the inside.
Junior Marquise Lewis takes over at the nose tackle with Ballon and Tyrone Ramirez at defensive end.
All three members of the secondary are returning starters with Morrison and Kason Hickson on the corners and Martin at safety. All three are seniors.
Star Spotlight: Michael Morrison, QB/CB
A late-season toe injury didn't stop Tyron Stevens from scoring 14 touchdowns.
On a Snyder team lacking in play-making threats, the on offense last year was simple – get the ball in the hands of Michael Morrison. One way to ensure the ball is in Morrison’s hands is shifting him to quarterback, which is exactly what new head coach Chris Grant decided to do when he took over this summer.
“To me he’s (one of) the best athletes in the county with the ball and he has to have the ball in his hands,” Grant said. “The best way to keep the ball in his hands is to put him at quarterback.”
“It’s been difficult,” said Morrison about the change. “I’ve barely played the position, but I’ll take a shot (at it) for my team.”
Morrison showed just how dangerous he can be as he racked up 334 total yards and four touchdowns in Snyder’s win over Sussex Tech last year.
While the spread offense should create plenty of opportunities for Morrison to make plays with his legs, Grant believes he can make a difference as a thrower as well.
In addition to quarterback, Morrison will be the Tigers’ safety, top returner and punter this upcoming season.