TEAM PREVIEW: South Brunswick

2013 In Review: The Vikings were 7-4, losing to Hunterdon Central in the Central Jersey Group 5 semi-finals, after beating Trenton. They scored 303 points for a 27.54 average, while allowing 221 points for a 20.09 average. Wins included Piscataway, Edison, and JP Stevens, while losses were to Sayreville, Monroe, and Old Bridge.

Departures: OL/DL Nick Mecca - Marist, MG Rashaan Baker - Delaware Valley, OL/DL Will Russell - Ithaca, WR/DB/K Dylan Olsson - Ursinus for football and baseball

Offense: South Brunswick runs the triple option and returns five starters. Returning at quarterback is senior Amir Johnson (5-foot-8, 160) and senior Dontae Strickland (6-foot-0, 180) is back for his third year at halfback. The other halfback will be junior Phil Campbell (6-foot-0, 195) and the fullback is junior Chris Jon Summers (6-foot-2, 230), with both starting on defense last year. Pushing for time at running back is junior Wendell Allen (6-foot-1, 170) and senior Matt Golden (5-foot-11, 195), with Golden starting on the defensive side of the ball.

One split end will be junior Mo Jabbie (6-foot-0, 165) and the other will have seniors Marcus Jackson (6-foot-1, 185) and Justus DaShield (6-foot-0, 175). Both Jabbie and Jackson started on defense.

Three starters are back on the line. They are senior tackle Aidan Rogers (6-foot-3, 210), junior tackle Richie Hoff (5-foot-11, 250), and senior guard Zaire Gibson (6-foot-0, 275). The leaders at the other two positions are senior guard Sam Bierstein (6-foot-1, 275) and senior center Austin Cooper (6-foot-0, 240). In the mix will be junior Dillon Donaldson (6-foot-3, 260), sophomore Andre Beldridge (6-foot-2, 280), sophomore Darius Tisdale (6-foot-1, 250), and sophomore Nate Rodriguez (6-foot-1, 260).

Defense: The Vikings run a multiple four and five man fronts, returning nine starters. Gibson returns at nose guard and the tackles will be Donaldson and junior Tom Leavy (6-foot-2, 235). The returning end/outside linebackers will be Golden and Jackson.

Back at linebacker are senior three year starter Skyler Sciandra (5-foot-11, 230) and Summers.

The whole secondary returns with Strickland and Campbell at safety, plus Johnson and Jabbie at the corners. Competing at cornerback is Allen and safety has senior DeAndre Farr (5-foot-9, 165) at safety.

Special Teams: Golden will be the kicker, while the punter will be either Golden or Sciandra. The return men will be Amir Johnson, Strickland, Campbell, and Allen.

Schedule:

Friday, 9/12, at Middletown South, 7PM

Friday, 9/19, at JP Stevens, 7PM

Saturday, 9/27, Old Bridge at home, 12PM

Thursday, 10/2, at Sayreville, 7PM

Friday, 10/10, East Brunswick at home, 7PM

Friday, 10/17, at Monroe, 7PM

Friday, 10/24, Edison at home, 7PM

Friday, 10/31, at Piscataway, 7PM

Bye week, 11/7-8

Thursday, 11/27, at North Brunswick, 10AM

Concerns: New guys on the lines, seeing how they jell. Going to camp has helped.

Recruits: Strickland committed to Syracuse. Gibson and Jackson have interest and will play somewhere. The others need a good year.

In the junior class, Jabbie has a Rutgers offer.

Coach's Comments: "We're always excited this time of year. We're having a good camp and the kids are working hard. Some kids have significant experience. We have a new turf field and it's an exciting time and right now we're undefeated." - Head Caoch Joe Goerge