{"id":45614,"date":"2013-05-03T12:00:56","date_gmt":"2013-05-03T16:00:56","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/madisoncountycourier.com\/?p=45614"},"modified":"2013-05-02T16:38:24","modified_gmt":"2013-05-02T20:38:24","slug":"raiders-offense-answers-questions-in-spring","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/madisoncountycourier.com\/?p=45614","title":{"rendered":"Raiders\u2019 Offense Answers Questions in Spring"},"content":{"rendered":"

McCarney, Deep Receiving Corps Are Plusses; Offensive Line Showed Toughness\"COLGATE<\/a><\/p>\n

By John Painter<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

(Hamilton, NY \u2013 April 26, 2013) Spring football practice is in the books.<\/p>\n

Colgate made the most of its 15 allowable dates with a combination of regular practice sessions and intra-squad scrimmages. Head coach Dick Biddle and staff had many questions to answer coming off their Patriot League Championship season, but the coaches are encouraged going into the summer offseason.<\/p>\n

Associate head coach and offensive coordinator Dan Hunt took a few moments with GoColgateRaiders.com to break down spring practice on his side of the ball.<\/p>\n

On the offensive goals during spring practice<\/strong><\/p>\n

Hunt:\u00a0\u201cThe No. 1 goal was to not get anybody hurt, and we did that. There were no serious injuries and no real loss of playing time that way.”<\/p>\n

\u201cFor me, personally, with the quarterbacks, Gavin (McCarney) didn\u2019t do much and we needed to find out what we had behind him. So we were able to get the young kids a lot of reps, a lot of live experience under fire there. That was a goal.”<\/p>\n

\u201cThe other goal was to find out who our leading candidate is at tailback, and we found that we have good depth there. We have a lot of kids who could do it, and the leader should emerge probably by the end of (fall) camp. But we\u2019re getting an idea of where that\u2019s starting to fall into place.”<\/p>\n

On the quarterbacks<\/strong><\/p>\n

Hunt:\u00a0\u201cOf the young kids behind Gavin \u2013 they are all freshmen \u2013 it was a challenge for them because they were seeing a lot defensively.”<\/p>\n

\u201cDylan Finelli of the three freshmen probably came out as the guy who will be the No. 2 next year going into camp. Chase Bender and Ty Edmond both improved greatly during spring to where that battle\u2019s not over because we still have August. They both have improved their game enough to where they could potentially be someone we could put in the game.\u201d<\/p>\n

QUARTERBACKS<\/p>\n

7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Gavin McCarney **\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 QB\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 6-2\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 205\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Sr.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Jefferson Township, N.J. (Jefferson Twp.)<\/p>\n

12\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Dylan Finelli\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 QB\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 6-2\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 196\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 So.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Easthampton, N.J. (Rancocas Valley)<\/p>\n

14\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Chase Bender\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 QB\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 6-3\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 189\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 So.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. (Cardinal Gibbons)<\/p>\n

19\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Ty Edmond\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 QB\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 5-11\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 196\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 So.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Coopersburg, Pa. (Southern Lehigh)<\/p>\n

On the tailbacks<\/strong><\/p>\n

Hunt:\u00a0\u201cGoing into the spring, we had a bunch of them, and they were all kids we knew could help us and they were all good football players. Actually two of them, Eddy Sihavong and Bobby Stup, moved over to defense and look like they have a chance to start.”<\/p>\n

\u201cReally, the tailback competition came down to Demetrius Russell, Matt Shimshock, John Wilkins and James Travellin.\u00a0 Right now, coming out of the spring, I feel good about any of those kids having to play, but John stepped up as our next bigger back. We did, however, do a lot this spring with two tailbacks in the game at once because Demetrius, James and Matt had shown they warranted some touches.”<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m excited about that position. We\u2019re deep and we\u2019re going to find ways to get multiple guys on the field at once.”<\/p>\n

\u201cAs far as the Jordan McCord-type back, John has shown he\u2019s progressing toward that.”<\/p>\n

\u201cJordan was in a unique situation in that he came in with Nate (Eachus), so Jordan really bided his time and played sporadically and played defense. His first real time being THE guy was his senior year. That just shows the type of kid he was.”<\/p>\n

\u201cJohn is physically closer to what Jordan was. In our offense, that back has to be a powerful kid. He\u2019s certainly powerful, and he\u2019s big and he\u2019s durable. And then when he gets in the open field, he\u2019s a loose-hipped kid \u2013 probably a little more than Jordan. So he\u2019s progressing along that same track.”<\/p>\n

\u201cBut I was impressed with all four of those kids this spring as far as being someone who could bring something to the fight if they had to play. Like I said, we might get around to having multiple guys on the field at the same time.”<\/p>\n

\u201cI feel good about that position. The one thing it doesn\u2019t have is a lot of experience.”<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course, Gavin\u2019s back there to take the pressure off not having an experienced tailback. We call Gavin the eraser. He\u2019s going to make what\u2019s going on around him right.”<\/p>\n

\u201cI was pleased with the progress that position made. You\u2019re going to see a couple of guys on that list getting a lot of action next year.\u201d<\/p>\n

TAILBACKS<\/p>\n

20\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Demetrius Russell *\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 TB\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 5-10\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 180\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 So.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Tampa, Fla. (Taft)<\/p>\n

26\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Matthew Shimshock **\u00a0 TB\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 6-0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 193\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Sr.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Plains, Pa. (James M. Coughlin)<\/p>\n

30\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 John Wilkins *\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 TB\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 5-11\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 220\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 So.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Mahwah, N.J. (Don Bosco Prep)<\/p>\n

32\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 James Travellin *\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 TB\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 5-11\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 190\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 So.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Rutherford, N.J. (Rutherford)<\/p>\n

On the offensive line<\/strong><\/p>\n

Hunt:\u00a0\u201cThe first thing they were was tough, because at times there were only six or seven of them out there. I give them credit in that we did not really change the amount of reps we took both in team and in scrimmage situations.”<\/p>\n

\u201cThey just went \u2013 particularly our two tackles, Zac Sawin and Scott Haraczy. They basically played almost every play this spring and never complained. And obviously when you\u2019re dealing with young guys, it\u2019s a plus that they saw a lot of football in those 15 practices.”<\/p>\n

\u201cAndrew Scarmardo played at a really high level last year and would have been an All-League kid; he\u2019s still rehabbing his knee so he didn\u2019t take a single snap. So Brendon Walsh was the only kid playing offensive line this spring who saw any action for us last year.”<\/p>\n

\u201cThere are some growing pains there, but through the 15 practices a lot of kids came along to show that they\u2019re going to be kids we can certainly play with next year and be excited about. We have a ways to go there still to develop consistency at that position, but enough kids have shown they will be able to do it.”<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s going to be the group everyone\u2019s going to look to as having to replace the most. But by the time camp\u2019s over and we get going, then we\u2019ll be fine. Obviously, it\u2019s going to be good to get those incoming guys in to have some depth and increase our numbers.\u201d<\/p>\n

OFFENSIVE LINE<\/p>\n

51\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Patrick Ligons *\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 OL\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 5-11\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 292\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Sr.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Cincinnati, Ohio (Princeton)<\/p>\n

52\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Spencer Wallach **\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 OL\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 6-2\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 279\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Jr.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Binghamton, N.Y. (Chenango Valley)<\/p>\n

54\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Jeff Koch *\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 OL\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 6-0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 283\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Jr.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. (Nease)<\/p>\n

56\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Scott Haraczy\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 OL\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 6-1\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 273\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 So.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Mars, Pa. (Pittsburgh Central)<\/p>\n

68\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Zac Sawin *\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 OL\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 6-2\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 264\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 So.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Longwood, Fla. (Lake Mary)<\/p>\n

70\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Owen Houser\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 OL\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 6-1\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 296\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Jr.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Factoryville, Pa. (Tunkhannock)<\/p>\n

71\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Andrew Scarmardo **\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 OL\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 6-3\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 285\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Sr.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Plainfield, Ill. (Plainfield North)<\/p>\n

76\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Brandan Walsh *\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 OL\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 6-1\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 282\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Jr.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Waldwick, N.J. (Paramus Catholic)<\/p>\n

79\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 John Weber *\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 OL\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 6-2\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 257\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 So.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Parkersburg, W.Va. (Parkersburg)<\/p>\n

On the tight ends<\/strong><\/p>\n

Hunt:\u00a0\u201cThere are only three true tight ends right now and they\u2019re all kids who will play and play a lot.”<\/p>\n

\u201cJohn Quazza is a freshman in spring who didn\u2019t play like a freshman. He improved his knowledge of the run game between the end of the season and the start of spring ball, and became a real solid blocker for us. He has the ability to make big plays in the pass game.”<\/p>\n

\u201cC.J. Stempeck will be going into his third year starting. He\u2019s played as much football as anyone on the offense. He also in the blocking end of things really took strides to becoming a dominant blocker. He\u2019s put on some good size and he\u2019s going to be a kid who can really help our offensive line. That\u2019s probably where he needed the most work, the run game, and he really improved mechanically.”<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s always been a kid who knew what he was doing, but at times he probably became our most dominant blocker.”<\/p>\n

\u201cKevin O\u2019Connell has the ability to be one of the most dynamic players in the league. He creates matchup problems because he\u2019s basically got the speed and ball skills of a wide receiver playing the tight end position.”<\/p>\n

\u201cIn the pass game, he was fantastic last year. But you could tell at times he was fighting it in the run game a little bit. He took some strides there as far as becoming a kid who\u2019s not only going to become a dominant receiving tight end but as a kid we can put in and he\u2019ll get in the fight in the run game.”<\/p>\n

\u201cThat position is another one where we\u2019re going to have to find ways to get two if not three of those guys on the field at once. It\u2019s our deepest quality position. It\u2019s a good group, and they\u2019re all very coachable, eager kids who compete.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe one thing with Gavin, any eligible receiver knows that if the read is supposed to take the ball to me then it\u2019s going to come to me. They appreciate that. And being a run team, they know the play-action potential is there for some big plays \u2013 particularly in the red zone.”<\/p>\n

\u201cAll three kids, you can count of them. They are where they should be; and if you put the ball near them, they are going to catch it. It\u2019s a group that\u2019s going to be one of the strengths of this offense.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

TIGHT ENDS<\/p>\n

8\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Kevin O’Connell *\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 TE\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 6-2\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 220\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Jr.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Getzville, N.Y. (Williamsville South)<\/p>\n

80\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 John Quazza *\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 TE\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 6-5\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 219\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 So.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 West Milford, N.J. (West Milford)<\/p>\n

96\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 C.J. Stempeck **\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 TE\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 6-5\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 235\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Jr.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Grayslake, Ill. (Grayslake)<\/p>\n

On the fullbacks<\/strong><\/p>\n

Hunt:\u00a0\u201cEd Pavalko is another kid like C.J. Those two have played the most football of anyone on our offense.”<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s someone who we expanded his role this spring, putting him truly in the backfield a little bit more. He got a couple of carries last year, and we\u2019ll probably increase that next year. As far as a blocking fullback, if you close your eyes and picture a fullback, he\u2019s what you should have. He loves to hit, he can move in the hole and he can get to who he\u2019s got to block.”<\/p>\n

\u201cThe thing he really showed this spring is he\u2019s got great hands. And he blocks like a fullback, at times he runs like a tailback and at times he catches like a wideout. He showed he\u2019s got some good hands. He\u2019s a dependable kid. I would take 22 of him if that was possible.”<\/p>\n

\u201cBehind him, Brandon Cope is a kid who enjoys the physical play of the position. If something were to happen to Ed, we could certainly put Brandon in and be OK.”<\/p>\n

\u201cHe shows he\u2019s willing to do it. He\u2019s not as fluid as Eddie, but if we use him correctly he could be a kid who would step in there. He had a nice spring and is a team guy.”<\/p>\n

\u201cAndrew Romeo was battling an injury so he didn\u2019t get a lot of live situation stuff, but certainly looks like he\u2019s got the tools to join these two at that position. I\u2019m excited about him.”<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

TIGHT ENDS\/FULLBACKS<\/p>\n

34\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Andrew Romeo\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 FB\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 5-11\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 208\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 So.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Berkeley Heights, N.J. (Gov. Livingston)<\/p>\n

40\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Ed Pavalko **\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 FB\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 6-0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 254\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Jr.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Girardsville, Pa. (North Schuylkill)<\/p>\n

95\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Brandon Cope *\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 FB\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 5-11\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 215\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Jr.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Sellersville, Pa. (Pennridge)<\/p>\n

On the wide receivers<\/strong><\/p>\n

Hunt:\u00a0\u201cThat\u2019s another deep position filled with kids who have been on the field for us, who have made plays for us. Obviously, losing Chris (Looney) definitely is going to be a big loss.”<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd we didn\u2019t have Dan Cason this spring; he was rehabbing his ankle. He was the next-most experienced guy with the next-most amount of catches. So while we had a lot of guys who had played, our top two guys from last year weren\u2019t out there.”<\/p>\n

\u201cStill, that\u2019s how deep the position is.”<\/p>\n

\u201cRyne Morrison is a kid you can count on every play, another guy who would be in the right place and help make sure everyone else is in the right place. He had a really nice spring. He\u2019s consistent and we know he\u2019s going to be a quality player for us. Certainly at the end of last year, he stepped up and really made some big plays for us down the stretch \u2013 huge catch at Lehigh, big catch at Fordham.”<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ll remember we lost Cason in the Lehigh game actually making the play that saved the championship. People don\u2019t realize that \u2013 they look at touchdowns and yards \u2013 but breaking up that interception saved the game and saved the title. The play he got hurt on should have been an easy interception.”<\/p>\n

\u201cJimmy DeCicco is a kid we used last year at a bunch of different positions, and we will use him like that again next year. But we didn\u2019t do it this spring. We wanted him to focus on just the skills and techniques of wide receiver.”<\/p>\n

\u201cWe know that the package where he plays running back, he\u2019s a great runner with the ball in his hands. He\u2019s hard to tackle. But receiver\u2019s not his natural position, so we said, \u2018Play nothing but wideout.\u2019<\/p>\n

\u201cHe came here actually as a quarterback. He could play quarterback, he could play tailback and he could play wide receiver. But where he helps us the most is having that flexibility to do multiple positions, and we will continue to do that with him.”<\/p>\n

\u201cHe didn\u2019t need to take a lot of strides at tailback; he\u2019s a natural runner. I\u2019d like to race him against Gavin. He\u2019s a guy who can take a small throw and make it a long gain.”<\/p>\n

\u201cNat Bellamy\u2019s kind of the same way. He\u2019s more of an every-down receiver, but certainly we hand him the ball on occasion too just to get it in his hands. Those are two kids who we\u2019ve got to get multiple touches a game. If it\u2019s through throwing to them, great; but the easiest thing is you can just hand it to them.”<\/p>\n

\u201cThat way they\u2019re guaranteed to have the ball in their hands.”<\/p>\n

\u201cNat is a kid who came over from defense and he\u2019s really taken strides. Last year he was still kind of fighting the position a little bit. It\u2019s not that he didn\u2019t want to do it; just that receiver wasn\u2019t his natural position.”<\/p>\n

\u201cNow through the spring and having fall camp, by the time we start next year he will be a much more natural wide receiver. Certainly he\u2019s a kid who will make some big plays for us.”<\/p>\n

\u201cThose four right there \u2013 Ryne, Jimmy, Nat and Cason \u2013 we are deep again at that position, which is a good feeling.”<\/p>\n

\u201cOf the current freshmen, Adam Bridgeforth is a kid who in the spring showed flashes of being in that DeCicco\/Bellamy mode of taking the ball, getting a step and going big with it. He\u2019s got to become more consistent catching the ball, but certainly athletically he\u2019s a kid I\u2019m excited to see on our depth chart.”<\/p>\n

“P.J. Franciotti has been around and is a good-sized target. He just needs to keep improving on his consistency.\u00a0And we\u2019ve got a good group coming in.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

WIDE RECEIVERS<\/p>\n

5\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Jimmy DeCicco **\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 WR\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 6-0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 203\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Jr.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Hurley, N.Y. (Kingston)<\/p>\n

9\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 P.J. Franciotti\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 WR\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 6-3\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 182\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Jr.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Clark, N.J. (Johnson Regional)<\/p>\n

11\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Ryne Morrison **\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 WR\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 5-10\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 184\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Sr.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Damien, Calif. (Damien)<\/p>\n

22\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Nat Bellamy ***\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 WR\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 5-11\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 178\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Sr.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Los Angeles, Calif. (Loyola)<\/p>\n

81\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Brian Lalli\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 WR\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 6-1\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 181\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 So.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Jessup, Pa. (Valley View)<\/p>\n

82\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Adam Bridgeforth *\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 WR\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 6-0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 178\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 So.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Nazareth, Pa. (Nazareth Area)<\/p>\n

83\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Cameron Kline\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 WR\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 5-9\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 169\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 So.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Dallas, Texas (St. Mark’s)<\/p>\n

84\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Daniel Cason ***\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 WR\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 6-2\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 200\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Sr.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Somerville, N.J. (East Stroudsburg)<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

McCarney, Deep Receiving Corps Are Plusses; Offensive Line Showed Toughness By John Painter (Hamilton, NY \u2013 April 26, 2013) Spring football practice is in the books. Colgate made the most of its 15 allowable dates with a combination of regular practice sessions and intra-squad scrimmages. Head coach Dick Biddle and staff had many questions to […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[94],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-45614","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-sports"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[],"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p43meu-bRI","jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/madisoncountycourier.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/45614","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/madisoncountycourier.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/madisoncountycourier.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/madisoncountycourier.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/madisoncountycourier.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=45614"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/madisoncountycourier.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/45614\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/madisoncountycourier.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=45614"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/madisoncountycourier.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=45614"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/madisoncountycourier.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=45614"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}