By Scott Stump - Managing Editor E-mail: stump@allshoremedia.com
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The word comes out of Lamar Davenport's mouth followed by a smile, and his Asbury Park teammates nod in agreement when they think of the opportunity that is before them this season.
"Dynasty,'' Davenport said. "That's what the seniors want.''
The Blue Bishops have won two straight NJSIAA Central Jersey Group I titles as well as two straight Patriot Division championships, so two more of those this season would really start to separate them from other great teams of recent years.
Senior halfback/linebacker George Stephens returns looking to cement himself as one of the best players in Asbury Park history by leading his team to a third straigth NJSIAA Central Jersey Group I title.
"That's an interesting word, isn't it?'' said Asbury Park coach Don Sofilkanich about the dynasty talk. "I don't know how much the kids think about it. They just want to win a state title, and it would just happen to be the third in a row. They don't want to be the team that doesn't win one.''
Despite the loss of big names like quarterback/safety Will Johnson and wide receiver/defensive back Derrell Bell, the arsenal has been restocked for another impressive run after finishing 11-1 last season. Known for their explosive offense under coordinator Matt Ardizzone, the Blue Bishops should once again have a unit with threats all over the field.
Leading the way is senior halfback/linebacker George Stephens, a four-year starter who has had two straight 1,000-yard rushing seasons and has attracted Division I-A interest from several Mid-American Conference schools. He looks to be one of the Shore Conference's top running backs this year.
"We've got players coming up who will be X-factors, we've got Davenport coming up strong, and the line is talented,'' Stephens said. "It's the same thing as last year.''
Stepping into the shoes of Johnson will be senior quarterback Jamar Smalls, who saw some time last year. He has a strong downfield arm, good running ability, and is well-versed in the offense.
"I believe Jamar will be fine,'' Davenport said. "He's got a good arm, and you'll see that when the season comes.''
Hoping to be the primary recipient of that strong arm is Davenport, a senior wide receiver who patiently waited his turn for this year while Bell got all of the home run balls deep down the field last year on his way to earning first-team All Shore Media honors last season. Davenport has been named a team captain and impressed early in the preseason. Senior Will Jones is another threat at wideout.
Senior wideout Lamar Davenport should be a primary downfield threat for Asbury Park this season.
"I think Davenport is going to surprise some people this year,'' Sofilkanich said.
"I'm just looking forward to capitalizing on my opportunity to show what I can do,'' Davenport said. "I sat behind Bell, but I know what I can do if I get the chance, and I've got it now.''
Stephens is not the only threat lurking in the running game in Asbury Park's run-heavy Wing-T offense, as junior Marquise Johnson is back at fullback after showing signs of explosiveness late last season. He is another threat to take it the distance on any play. Senior Dajan Mindingall is a newcomer to watch who also should get some carries at fullback.
"If they key on me, we have a
better fullback this year, a better receiver this year and the
quarterback can throw as well as the one last year, so we have guys who
are going to step up,'' Stephens said.
Up front, techically three starters return as four-year starter Kraig Johnson, Marquise Johnson's older brother, is back at left guard, center Harold Royster returns and senior Faruq Meizango, who started all 12 games in 2007 but was ineligible last season, is also back in the fold at left tackle. Addison Henderson, who started at linebacker and saw time on the offensive line last year, will be at right guard, and junior Daryl Johnson, Will Johnson's younger brother, will be at right tackle after seeing time on the defensive line last year. Stephens will be the punter, while freshman Shahiem Tillman could be the placekicker on a team that routinely went for the two-point conversion after touchdowns last year.
Defensively, the Blue Bishops are an aggressive 4-4 team that returns four starters. Kraig Johnson is back at defensive end, and the other defensive end will be Mindingall. At the tackle spots will be a rotation of Daryl Johnson, Meizongo and senior newcomer Tymir Ramseur. Much like the offensive line, this unit is on the smaller side but is very quick.
Senior Jamar Smalls steps into the starting quarterback spot in place of four-year starter Will Johnson, who is now at Monmouth University.
The linebackers should be a strength, led by Stephens, who specializes in tackles for a loss, as well as returning starters Marquise Johnson and Henderson at inside linebacker. Jeron Valentine is a new starter at outside linebacker, and junior Louis Sloan should also see time at linebacker. Senior Wigens Ganthier returns at safety but has battled injuries in the preseason. He is joined by Davenport and Jones at cornerback and Smalls at safety.
At this point, the Blue Bishops know they are circled on every opposing schedule as they try to finish 12-0 after consecutive 11-1 seasons.
"We're used to it now,'' Stephens said. "We just have to work harder because teams are going to be even more keyed in on us. Now it's our time, it's our senior year, and we want to end it with a ring.''
"From our point of view, we take one game at a time so that we don't get blind-sided by anyone,'' Kraig Johnson said.
Sofilkanich wants them to remember the hunger they had when they were coming off a 1-9 season in 2006 before ripping off two straight state titles. What helps the cause is that there is plenty of talent teeming up through the system at Asbury Park, so there are always more players looking to get their chance to make an impact.
"There are always people starving for opportunity here,'' Davenport said.
"I know it's a cliche, but we just have to keep getting better every week and good things will happen,'' Sofilkanich said.
Head coach: Don Sofilkanich, third season
Career record: 22-2
Assistant coaches: Matt Ardizzone (off.
coordinator/quarterbacks/defensive backs); Rob Ward
(off./def. line); Dominick Amoroso (running backs/special
teams); Keith Killea (wide receivers/linebackers); Leroy Hayes, Larry Hill
(freshmen); Nancy Abady (athletic trainer).
2008 Record: 11-1 (7-0)
RANDOM FACT: Asbury Park was one of the first Shore Conference schools to win an NJSIAA title along with Freehold when the NJSIAA awarded the Blue Bishops the Central Jersey Group IV title in 1920.
BIG SHOES TO FILL: Jamar Smalls, Sr., QB. Smalls replaces four-year starter Will Johnson, who is now at Monmouth University and led the Blue Bishops to two straight state championships. Smalls has the athletic ability and the grasp of the offense to pick up right where Johnson left off.
X-FACTOR: Complacency. If Asbury Park thinks it can just show up, roll the balls out and win, it could be in for a rude awakening in a Patriot Division that has threats like Keyport, Shore, Rumson and more.
IMPACT NEWCOMER: Jamar Smalls, Sr., QB. Smalls saw a little time last year, but now that he takes over the reins of the offense full time, he should be a player that every opponent has to worry a lot about because he can run and get the ball deep downfield with his arm.
PIVOTAL GAME: At
home against Keyport on Nov. 7. If the Blue Bishops can get by the likes of Shore and Rumson, this game could potentially be for the outright Patriot Division title. It also could be to lock up the top seed in the Central Jersey Group I playoffs.
