Ed Stinson returned to coaching high school football last year, taking over the program at St. Anthony and guiding the Friars to a postseason berth, going to the NJSIAA Non-Public Group 1 playoffs before losing to Queen of Peace, his prior head coaching stop before St. Anthony.
But Stinson doesn’t want to even think about what took place last year, except one fact.
“We got better as the year went on,” said Stinson, who became a coaching legend because of his days at Hoboken High School, when he led the Red Wings to six state championships, five of which came in a seven-year span of the 1990s.
“It was programmatic in the fact that we got better,” Stinson said of his first year. “The kids were willing to work.”
Stinson was quick to point out that the Friars lost two huge players from last year, including running back Herb Johnson, who collected an astounding 369 yards rushing in one game last year against Memorial, and two-way lineman Rashad Brandon, who played in the annual New Jersey Coaches’ Association’s North-South All-Star Classic.
“Clearly, we can’t replace Herb Johnson,” Stinson said. “Losing him and Rashad Brandon is very big.”
However, Stinson believes that the Friars are on the rise.
“I do feel we have a better team this year,” Stinson said. “We have a good skill set.”
The Friars also have a huge offensive line, easily the biggest front that Stinson ever produced.
“They are massive,” Stinson says without missing a beat.
But Stinson also took a step back into reality.
“I can’t say they’re good yet,” Stinson said. “But they are big. This line should knock people around.”
On paper, the Friars’ front is bigger than any other line around, even bigger than the state’s preseason No. 1 team, the Marauders of St. Peter’s Prep.
The tackles are Jermaine Speaks, Jr. (6-3, 270) and Eugene Johnson, Jr. (6-4, 270). Both are juniors.
The guards are Devin Terry (6-2, 265) and Rahquan Small (6-3, 310). Both are seniors. Terry is already receiving college looks and has an offer from Delaware after a solid effort at the Rutgers’ Big Man camp. Small is currently listed among the top 100 prospects in the state.
Stinson loves Terry.
“He’s a beast,” Stinson said. “He does so much for us.”
The center is junior Tahjee McBride (6-2, 255).
It means that the Friars average 6-2 and 274 pounds across the front. Some college squads can’t boast that much size.
Senior Alex Vidal (5-11, 185) returns for his second season as the Friars’ starting quarterback.
“He’s clearly more comfortable with the offense,” Stinson said of Vidal. “He’s comfortable with the terminology and the nuances. We are clearly a four-back attack, because he can run with the football.”
Senior Eli Terry (6-1, 200) is the fullback. The brother of guard Devin, Eli Terry has bulked up a little in the offseason while rehabilitating after shoulder surgery.
“It slowed him a little during the winter and spring,” Stinson said of the shoulder. “But he’s a good football player, a big time player. We’re going to pound inside with him.”
The halfbacks are sophomore Ibrahima Toure (5-10, 200) and junior Torrance Williams (5-9, 175), a transfer from Marist.
Senior C.J. Wood (5-9, 180) will also see time in a crowded Friar backfield.
The wide receivers are a pair of juniors in Isaiah Williams (6-0, 180) and James Harris (6-4, 175).
The tight end is senior DeVonte McLaurin (6-1, 200), who was a split end last year.
Defensively, the Friars will put some of their bulk along the line, with Johnson and Small playing defensive end and defensive tackle respectively. Eli Terry will put some of that increased strength at defensive end and will certainly be quick enough to get to the edge. The other defensive tackle is junior Fuiton Fuller (5-10, 200).
Devin Terry returns to the linebacker slot that earned him Hudson Reporter All-Area honors last season. Promising Toure is the Friars’ rover linebacker.
Senior Raquhan Everett (5-11, 190) is another linebacker in the mix.
Junior James Heron (5-9, 170) is at one cornerback, with Isaiah Williams at the other. McLaurin is a monster at safety, along with Torrance Williams and Harris.
Vidal is a weapon at punter. He was the Hudson Reporter All-Area punter a year ago.
The Friars open their season against St. Luke’s of Connecticut Sept. 12.
Stinson likes the makeup of his team, as long as the line develops. He is quick to point out that size doesn’t necessarily mean might when it comes to line play, as he had a 145-pound center on some of his state championship teams at Hoboken.
But if this line comes of age, it could take on Rutgers. It’s that big.
“And they’re also athletic,” Stinson said. “It’s not just the size. They certainly have the potential to get better. But it’s, ‘Are you tough enough to break down the opponent?’ A line with that size should be good. The backs can play. There’s no worry there.”
Just like anyone who knows the game of football will tell you – it all comes down to play at the line of scrimmage. Well, if the Friars play up to their size up front, they’re going to be very tough to beat, especially with a coach like Ed Stinson.
Jim Hague can be reached at OGSMAR@aol.com.
You can also read Jim’s blog at www.jimhaguesports.blogspot.com.