August 22, 2012
2012 Team Preview: |
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RB/DB Nile Trent and St. Anthony look to bounce back from a 4-6 season. (Photo: Jason Bernstein) |
| St. Anthony Football Practice Photo Gallery |
By Jason Bernstein Editorial Director |
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JERSEY CITY – This time a year ago, the expectations were tremendous, but young St. Anthony squad. The Jersey City school quickly saw the sky-high optimism of the preseason come crashing down in September as injuries and inexperience were the catalysts in what would turn out to be a disastrous 4-6 campaign.
"If you would have told me that we would have a losing season, I would have told you that you were crazy," Fallon said. "But it was a perfect storm of bad things. Injuries, bad coaching, mistakes by some younger kids that we didn't want to throw out there because they weren't ready."
The hype may not be as great in 2012, but there's still plenty of talent on the Friars, led by a potentially dominant defensive line and a veteran secondary.
Offensive Overview:
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Senior Derek Sims returns at quarterback for St. Anthony. (Photo: Jason Bernstein) |
| St. Anthony Football Practice Photo Gallery |
Derek Sims had an up-and-down 2011 at quarterback after taking over for an injured Amad Patterson in pre-season. This year, Sims (6'0", 190) has been much more comfortable under center and might be the Friars' most improved player, displaying a big arm to go with the ability to run. Highly-regarded freshman Dwayne Hopkins and sophomore Alex Vidal add insurance at the position.
Senior James Bates moves over from halfback to fullback in the Wing-T and headlines a backfield which will see contributions from Daryl Hicks, Nile Trent, Herb Johnson and Paris Crawford.
"(Bates is) a typical Wing-T fullback," Fallon said. "He's not a kid, who will break off 90-yard touchdown runs, but he knows the offense really well, he sets up blocks really well. He's a very smart runner."
Caesar Outlaw (5'11", 200) shifts to tight end after starting at receiver a year ago. Patterson (5'7", 160), an explosive athlete is a running back/wide receiver hybrid and starts at receiver opposite 6'2" sophomore Damon Small.
St. Anthony returns three starters on an offensive line which is one the biggest in the county. Darius Roper (6'3", 240) is a four-year starter at right guard with Courtel Jenkins (6'3.5", 315) back at right tackle and Rashad Brandon (6'3" 280) back at center. Sophomore Eric Carter (6'3.5", 318) starts at left tackle after missing 2011 to a broken wrist. Senior Nile Hardy (6'0", 215) rounds out the unit at left guard.
Junior Julio Mazariego will be the kicker.
Defensive Overview:
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Junior defensive tackle Courtel Jenkins has the potential to be one of the state's top linemen. (Photo: Jason Bernstein) |
| St. Anthony Football Practice Photo Gallery |
With three returning starters and solid depth, the Friars' defensive line has the potential to be dominant in 2012. Roper, one of the county's top pass rushers returns at one defensive end with Travon Waller and Hardy competing for the other spot. Brandon and Jenkins return at defensive tackle. Jenkins has already received interest from multiple Division 1 schools and could be one of the state's top interior linemen.
"This year the weight is down and he looks really good," said Fallon about Jenkins. "If he doesn't dominate this year and have a dozen Division 1 offers by this time next year I will be completely shocked. He's going to be a scholarship defensive lineman without a doubt."
Senior Kevin Taylor (6'3", 200) has starting experience on the defensive line and will be part of a rotation with Carter and freshman Isiah Brandon (6'1", 270).
Fallon has high hopes for sophomore starting middle linebacker Devin Terry (6'2", 245), who saw his 2011 season end with a broken ankle in the preseason.
" He looks the part and he can run and he's bright," Fallon said. "I think if we just put him out on defense and let him go, he's going to have a huge year."
Outlaw returns at strong linebacker with Bates and Wan-ye Shirden battling it out on the weak side. Deamone Smith adds depth.
All four starters in the secondary are back for 2012 with Sims a three-year starter at strong safety with Hicks and Johnson at the corners. Trent is a returner at safety and is currently locked in a heated competition with sophomore Davonte Mclarin. Vidal will also see time at defensive back.
Star Spotlight: Darius Roper, DE/G
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Senior Darius Roper has interest from Temple, UConn, Delaware and others. (Photo: Jason Bernstein) |
| St. Anthony Football Practice Photo Gallery |
For Darius Roper, last year served as a huge wakeup call. After a brilliant sophomore season with 12 sacks, turf toe and a knee injury wrecked his junior campaign, leading Roper to drastically change his off-season regiment.
"It made me see that I have to work harder in order to be better and produce more on the field," said Roper, who dropped around 20 pounds this offseason.
The end result has been a trimmer, yet stronger defensive end, who looks to be a catalyst on defense again with his ability to rush the quarterback.
"We modified his condition and his weight training," coach Sean Fallon said. "He looks so much better, he's coming off the ball faster and he's going to be really good this year."
"When I get to the quarterback, everybody else is like 'if he can do it, I can do it,'" Roper said. "Everyone is pumped up and they want to get to the quarterback too and we just have a rush zone and the quarterback gets nervous."
2012 St Anthony Overview |
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| HCIAL American, Non-Public, Group I |
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