TEAM PREVIEW: Lenape
2016 In Review: The Indians were 11-1, losing to Timber Creek, after beating Highland Regional and Woodrow Wilson. They scored 302 points for a 25.17 average, while allowing 108 for a 9.0 average, including two shutouts. Wins included Shawnee, Rancocas Valley, Cherokee, and Burlington Township.
Departures: Noah Carroll - Marist, OL Julian Singh - LIU, TE Ryan Cassidy - Rutgers as a preferred walk-on (long snapper), LB Sam Ballard - Widener, DB Mike Doulong - U Penn for sprint football, DB Tim Montgomery - Towson for lacrosse, K/P Ben Harris - Morehead State for baseball
Offense: Lenape runs a power spread and returns five starters. The backfield has experience with senior Matt Lajoie (5-foot-8, 165) returning at quarterback and senior Jojo Kellum (5-foot-10, 187) back as a three-year starter at running back. Kellum will be spelled by senior Jake Topolski (6-foot-2, 185), a returning starter at wide receiver. Senior Mike Galaida (5-foot-10, 195), a defensive starter, will play a combination fullback/h-back.
Topolski is back at wide receiver, where he will be joined by junior Brandon Marshall (6-foot-2, 175), senior AJ Pena (5-foot-9, 165), and junior Paul VI transfer Amir Byrd (5-foot-6, 160). The tight end will be senior Uthman Bruce (6-foot-1, 235).
The two returning starters on the line are Anthony Ruttler (5-foot-8, 215) at center and Aaron Acosta (6-foot-1, 265) at guard: both seniors. Senior Eli Billings (6-foot-2, 225) will be the other guard and senior Jared Davenport (6-foot-2, 235) will be one tackle and he started on defense. The other tackle is probably senior Durrell Jenkins (6-foot-2, 235).
Defense: The Indians run a multiple 4-3 and return six starters. Davenport is back at end, while Acosta returns as one tackle and senior tackle Thomas Kaikai (6-foot-0, 280) is back as the other tackle. The opposite end has Billings, Jenkins, and Bruce in the running.
At linebacker, Galaida returns in the middle, while senior Zach Cole (6-foot-0, 190) is back on the outside. The other linebacker has senior Shane Scott (6-foot-0, 205) and junior Mike Meagher (5-foot-10, 180) in the mix; Scott missed last year with an injury.
Topolski returns at one safety and Pena will play next to him, with junior Ryan Erlanger (5-foot-10, 165) and sophomore Connor Kennedy (6-foot-1, 165) pushing for time. Cornerback is unsettled, with Kellum and Lajoie in the lead, plus senior Jemir Bruce (5-foot-9, 165) and senior Isjian Koonce (5-foot-11, 165), and Byrd.
Special Teams: The kicker will be senior Stephen Melville, while Pena will be the punter. The return men will feature Kellum and others.
Schedule:
Saturday, 9/9, at Trenton, 1 PM
Friday, 9/15, Egg Harbor at home, 7 PM
Friday, 9/22, at Burlington Township, 7 PM
9/29-30, Bye Week
Friday, 10/6, Rancocas Valley at home, 7 PM
Saturday, 10/14, Seneca at home, 7 PM
Friday, 10/20, at Hopewell Valley, 7 PM
Friday, 10/27, at Cherokee, 7 PM
Friday, 11/3, Notre Dame at home, 7 PM
Thursday, 11/23, Shawnee at home, 10 AM
Concerns: Developing depth and getting the cornerback position settled.
Recruiting: Topolski committed to Duke for baseball. Kellum has interest from Bucknell, Marist, Towson, and Fordham. Acosta has 1-AA interest, while Lajoie and Galaida are D3 prospects. Others can step forward with a good year.
Coach’s Comments: “It’s a new season and we’re excited. We have a good group of seniors who have played together their whole life and they realize they have to blaze their own trail.” - Head Coach Tim McAneney
