High School Football 2023: Millville's bounce is back as it begins championship defense
MILLVILLE – “How?”
Kyon Conyers repeatedly shouted the question over and over.
“How? How? How?” he screamed.
The Millville High School senior defensive back couldn’t believe the one-handed catch his teammate Lotzeir Brooks made while Conyers had his own paw on the ball during the first day of football practice for the 2023 season Monday morning.
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Looking back at the 2022 campaign, it’s fair to wonder how the Thunderbolts captured the first-ever Group 4 state championship and earned Courier-Post South Jersey Team of the Year honors.
Yes, they were loaded with talent, but they lacked cohesion. Humberto Ayala was hired as the team’s new coach less than two months before training camp after the surprise resignation of Dennis Thomas, and the team struggled to gel all fall.
Yet, they still managed to bring home a golden trophy. They got the job done. That’s not good enough this year.
“We dominating,” Conyers said. “Straight dominating.”
The team had a noticeable bounce during its first official practice Monday.
“We know the mindset,” senior quarterback Jacob Zamot said. “We know what type of team we are. We’re amped up to get this thing rolling.”
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They were lacking that positivity last year. There was a lot more pressure. Ayala was trying to prove himself. So was Zamot. There were players that weren’t sure about the coaching change or the roster choices. Trust wasn’t established.
“Everybody wasn’t really clicking,” Conyers said. “Some people had arguments, secret animosity. Everybody ain’t want to respect coach Ayala. … This year is different.”
Leadership vital for Millville High School
Part of that is because of leadership. Ayala is much more connected to this year’s group of seniors, and they’re making their voices heard.
“We’re taking control of this team,” Zamot said.
Ayala has also changed.
The second-year coach learned a lot from his first season. Last fall, he did his best to make everyone happy with touches and playing time.
“I think I kind of went past that now,” he said. “We have to win football games.”
It was clear Brooks, who’s been a First Team All-South Jersey selection each of his first two seasons, is going to have an even bigger role this year as the team expands its playbook.
Ayala wanted to keep the changes to a minimum in his first season to help everyone adjust, but that limited the team’s potential. He’s ready to unlock it in 2023.
“There’s a comfort level now,” he said.
Add that to what might be an even more talented group than last year, and Millville believes this season will exceed 2022.
“We’re better this year than last year, which is crazy to say because we won a state championship last year,” Ayala said, “but we’re in a better position.”
Added Conyers, “Everybody on the same page and everybody is having good bonds. We clicking, one unit.”
Josh Friedman has produced award-winning South Jersey sports coverage for the Courier Post, The Daily Journal and the Burlington County Times for more than a decade. If you have or know of an interesting story to tell, reach out on Twitter at @JFriedman57 or via email at jfriedman2@gannettnj.com. You can also contact him at 856-486-2431. Help support local journalism with a subscription.
This article originally appeared on Cherry Hill Courier-Post: High school football season officially underway as practices begin
