Football

September 5, 2010

Great expectations

Brandon Napoleon, St. Peter's Prep

Junior Brandon Napoleon takes over as the Marauders' starting quarterback in 2010.

Click Here for more photos from St. Peter's Prep's football practice.

By Jason Bernstein
Editorial Director

JERSEY CITY –St. Peter’s Prep is aware of all the expectations being placed upon them before the season. Many preseason rankings are calling the Marauders the top team in New Jersey and one of the best in the country. They also have three of the top prospects in the country.

But despite all the hype and attention that has been directed towards Grand and Warren, Prep knows it will mean nothing if they don’t deliver the Non-Public, Group IV title which has eluded them since 2005.

“It’s a tribute to the program and all that stuff, but they got to perform,” head coach Rich Hansen said. “On paper it’s great, but on the field is what counts. If we’re as good as people say we’re going to be then I’ll be happy. If they’re as good as people say they are, then I’ll be happy. You don’t know anything until you get going.”

Led by running back Savon Huggins, safety Sheldon Royster and left tackle Keith Lumpkin, on paper, this year’s edition of the Marauders would appear to be their strongest in recent years and the one most likely to end Don Bosco Prep’s reign as the state’s best.

Regardless of what any August rankings may say, Hansen and the Marauders know that the only way to that top spot is a state championship and to defeat a Don Bosco team which has eliminated Prep each of the past four years..

“They’re number one until someone beats them as far as I’m concerned so it’s on us (to take it),” Hansen said. “Hopefully we’ll get an opportunity and when we get it, make the most of it.”

Offensive Overview:

J.R. Robinson, St. Peter's Prep

Junior J.R. Robinson enters the starting lineup at wide receiver for Prep.

The Marauders will have a bit of a different look on offense after the graduation of All-State QB Raphael Ortiz. Junior Brandon Napoleon takes over at the spot and while he is not the pure pocket passer that Ortiz was, he can run and throw in the mold of former Prep signal callers Will Hill and Justin Perez.

“Brandon has picked up very well on leading the offense, managing the offense,” Hansen said. “He holds himself accountable. He wants to get better and be a good quarterback. It’s going to be a little different as he brings different skills to the table.”

Napoleon will have a staggering collection of skill players at his disposal with Savon Huggins, Sheldon Royster and Jared Crayton at running back. Denzell Thomas is a returning starter at fullback.

Joe Vesey and J.R. Robinson will start at receiver with Royster seeing plenty of action out wide. Junior Mike Giaccone takes over at tight end.

Keith Lumpkin has added 30 pounds to his 6-foot-8 frame and moves from right tackle to left. He is the only returning start on what promises to be a smaller, but more athletic line.

“We love our line,” Hansen said. “We’re really excited about this line. They’re fast, they’re athletic, they’re physical and they’re going to need to be every bit of that for us to do what we think we’re able to do.”

Dane Longa and Keon Williams will start at the guards with Blake Shapshinsky at right tackle and Lucas Locasio at center.

The Marauders also bring back HCV All-County selection Kevin Cosgrove at kicker.

Defensive Overview:

Dane Longa, St. Peter's Prep

Senior defensive tackle Dane Longa was a HCV All-County selection last year.

You’d be hard-pressed to find a secondary in the state as deep as the one the Marauders have this season. Royster, one of the country’s best safeties is a returning starter as is fellow safety D.J. Singleton. Napoleon is a returning starter at cornerback and will be part of a rotation which includes Huggins, Khiry Hughes, Tre Bell and Trejan Dinkins. Tyrell Gibbs and Robinson are also in the mix at safety as Prep will use its depth to create multiple looks on defense.

The Marauders replace both their inside linebackers with seniors James Lancellotti and Dan Lesce taking over. Lesce in particular has impressed with his transition from outside linebacker to inside. James Fox returns at outside linebacker and is joined by Thomas. Tony Pafumi and Crayton will provide depth in the linebacker-friendly 3-4 defense.

“The defense is made for inside linebackers and this is the biggest group of linebackers we’ve had physically,” Hansen said.

Longa, a HCV All-County selection a season ago, returns at the nose tackle position. Michael Hetherington and sophomore Marquise Watson will start at the ends. Shapshinsky, Lumpkin and Giaccone should also see plenty of action on the defensive line.

Star Spotlight: Savon Huggins, RB/CB

Savon Huggins, St. Peter's Prep

RB Savon Huggins is considered by many to be the best player in the state.

How do you improve upon 1,400-plus yards and 21 touchdowns in your junior season? For the Marauders’ Savon Huggins, the answer was in the class room. This off-season he made reading opposing defenses one of his top priorities.

“That’s what I really focused on and (also) blocking more,” Huggins said. “I want to become more of a student of the game.

“It’s time for me to fine-tune my game and get better. I just want to keep working and working, fine-tuning my game and looking at film. Different schemes and what can I do to better my game in terms of reading things.”

From a pure physical standpoint, Huggins might have everything you could ever want from a running back. Blessed with exceptional speed and quickness, the 6-foot-0, 200-pound Huggins also has the power to run over would-be tacklers. This was most apparent when he rushed for a school record 307 yards in a victory over St. Joseph of Montvale last season.

“We think he’s fine-tuned himself to a point where I think we’re going to see the closest to a finished product as you’ll see for a high school back,” head coach Rich Hansen said.

Huggins, who is currently ranked as the 57th best player in the country and ninth among running backs according to Rivals.com, has received more than 50 scholarship offers. Most experts consider Rutgers, Pittsburgh, Notre Dame and North Carolina to be the team’s most likely to land the coveted running back.