HS football preview: East Orange Campus striving for higher goals

EAST ORANGE, NJ – In each of Rae Oliver’s first two years as the East Orange Campus head coach, the Jaguars have been able to accomplish their goals.

In 2017, the Jaguars wanted to make the North 1, Group 5 sectional playoffs. They did.

Last season, they wanted to make the sectional playoffs and win the Super Football Conference-Liberty Blue Division title. They did, as the team shared the divisional title with Montclair, each going 4-1 in the division. The Jaguars finished 7-3 overall.

This season, the goals are higher. Not only do the Jaguars want to repeat as conference champions, they are determined to make the playoffs again, but this time, win it all.

Reaching those goals in the last two years proved daunting. But the Jaguars rose to the occasion.

“Every year, we have had hurdles to overcome,” Oliver said. “The first year was youth. The second year was inexperience. Now it’s all about putting it together.”

To that end, Oliver is emphasizing the importance of focusing on doing things the right way, not worrying about the outcome.

This year’s team is senior-heavy with experience.

The offense once again will be directed by senior quarterback Nasir Montgomery, a “quiet leader” who works hard on and

off the field, especially in the classroom, Coach Oliver praised.

The Jaguars run a spread offense, but will look to be balanced, particularly with a good group of running backs led by junior Al-shadee Salaam and senior Bryant Manuel. The Jaguars’ backfield also features big and fast fullbacks in juniors Locksley Burke and Matt Ziao. Senior Ian Brown also will get touches.

The receiving corps is dangerous. Montgomery’s targets are seniors Quadir Scott, Matt Parchment, Jasim Brown and Mahjid Terrell.

Senior Keshawn Munford will anchor both lines, especially on defense as the coaching staff expects him to fill the void of graduated defensive lineman Chris Stultz, who was the North All-Star Defensive M.V.P. in the Phil Simms New Jersey North-South All-Star Game in June.

Also leading the O-line is senior tackle Kameron Cuffie.

The defense has playmakers. Ian Brown and Salaam form a strong cornerback tandem. Brown, who will act as a rover, has been getting Football Championship Subdivision and Division 2 collegiate offers, while Salaam, a track standout, is one of the top cornerbacks in North Jersey, if not the state, said Oliver.

Burke and Ziao are dominant linebackers. Burke posted more than 120 tackles last year. Senior linebackers Javante Brown and Gerald Adams are other impactful players.

Oliver wanted to get his team ready for the season with the help of a competitive scrimmage schedule that included Hackensack, Paterson Eastside, Irvington, Woodrow Wilson and Union City.

With such talent and experience, the Jaguars are confident they can continue the trend of reaching their yearly goals.

“I think we have an opportunity to win it. That’s out goal,” Oliver said.

Schedule

Sept. 6, at Newark East Side, 7 p.m.

Sept. 14, Passaic, 1 p.m.

Sept. 28, Montclair, 1 p.m.

Oct. 5, at Seton Hall Prep, 2 p.m.

Oct. 11, at West Orange, 7 p.m.

Oct. 19, Livingston, 2:30 p.m.

Oct. 25, Columbia, 7 p.m.

Nov. 1, at Bloomfield, 7 p.m.

Nov. 28, Barringer, 10:30 a.m.