Conwell-Egan looking to Kendall Jones to lead Eagles to the promised land

Conwell-Egan Catholic (CEC) is back this season, trying to improve on a 4-8 record it registered in 2014. The Eagles kick off 4 p.m. Sept. 4 against Archbishop Carroll in the War at the Shore at Maxwell Field in Wildwood and end with Truman Thanksgiving Day (Nov. 26) at Henry Morgan Stadium in Levittown.

Egan defeated Carroll 46-21 in the opener last year and was blanked by the Tigers 24-0 in the Mayor’s Bowl. If the Eagles want to beat both teams this season, they’ll have to do it without some key players from last year’s roster.

Gone are running back Joe Ruggiero and fullback Andrew Linder. Ruggiero rushed for 1,086 yards on 177 carries for an impressive 6.13 yards-per-carry. He also doubled as one of Egan’s top linebackers and broke the school record for single game receiving yardage with 178. The previous mark, 177 held by Jerry Riley, had stood since 1974 (www.tedsilary.com).

In addition to blocking for Ruggiero, Linder led the team in interceptions from his position at defensive back.

The Eagles are also missing some big bodies up front including 6-3 captain Sam Cooper and 6-foot-7 Dylan Loveless. Both were 260-pound behemoths who played on the O-line while Cooper also played along the D-line.

Wideout Jordan Burney and tight end Wyett McLeod have also graduated. Burney accounted for over 200 yards receiving while McLeod registered 52 yards on six passes.

Another big switch at CEC this season is a new man calling the signals on offense. Junior Kendall Jones will take the snaps instead of senior Jarrett Patman, who threw for 575 and six touchdowns under center last season.

So what’s new in 2015?

OFFENSE

QUARTERBACKS:

• Kendall Jones 5’10” 170 JR.

• Jarrett Patman 5’11” 175 SR.

• Tom Reilly 5’9” 170 JR.

• Alex Goldsby 5’9” 160 FR.

THE SKINNY:

Kendall Jones has the speed and the arm to be able to run the spread option offense at CEC. He quarterbacked the Eagles JV team to an undefeated league season last year. Patman will move to running back from quarterback , but will remain at back up at the Quarterback position. Tom Reilly and Alex Goldsby have shown great promise during the summer.

RUNNING BACKS:

• Kyree Bronson 5’8” 170-lb. JR.

• Jarrett Pattman 5’11” 175-lb. SR.

• Vince Dubzak 5’7” 160-lb. SR.

• Eric Kiewlak 5’8” 140-lb. SR.

• Patrick Garwa 5’10” 160-lb. FR.

THE SKINNY:

Kyree and Jarrett possess great speed and natural running ability. They will provide the opportunity to stretch the field as receivers as well as rush the football. Vince and Eric are strong runners who saw a great deal of varsity action last year. Patrick is a formidable Freshman who will see varsity action.

FULLBACKS:

• Danny Bentley 5’9” 195-lb. JR.

• Tom Reilly 5’9” 170-lb. JR.

• Dwayne Majors 6’0” 210-lb. FR.

THE SKINNY:

Bentley and Reilly saw action last year at fullback and linebacker. With varsity experience and knowledge, the coaching staff expects good things from each. Majors is mature beyond his years and the staff expects him to see a lot of varsity action.

WIDE RECEIVERS:

• Danny Green 6’1” 175-lb. JR.

• Nick Henry 5’10” 160-lb. SR.

• James Thompson 6’2” 175-lb. SR.

• Gehijleh Mowenn 5’6” 155-lb. SR.

THE SKINNY:

The coaching staff feels all four receivers provide the team with different skills. Green and Thompson saw a lot of action on the Eagles’ State Championship Basketball team. They both have great vertical jumping ability and really go after the ball. Henry has a full understanding of the offense and runs very precise routes. Mowenn has great speed and was a member of the CEC track team. He is the fastest player on the team.

TIGHT ENDS:

• Brandon Cohen 5’9” 190-lb. JR.

• Sydney Abolo 6’3” 185-lb. SR.

THE SKINNY:

Both Cohen and Abolo played this position at the varsity level last year. Cohen has great hands and catches the ball well. Sydney has good size and attacks the football.

OFFENSIVE LINE:

• Eric Musser 6’3” 220-lb. SR.

• Keenan Baines 6’2” 285-lb. JR.

• Quameeer Francis 6’2” 225-lb. SO.

• Hunter Joseph 5’9” 230-lb. SR.

• Ben Mowenn 5’8” 205-lb. SR.

• Vince Rossini 5’10” 250-lb. SR.

THE SKINNY:

Musser and Baines, along with center Julian Albero, will anchor the offensive line. All three have multiple years as starting varsity players. Francis, Joseph and Rossini all have some varsity experience and have shown promise at the JV level.

CENTERS:

• Julian Albero 6’2” 220-lb. SR.

• Gino Turchi 6”1” 210-lb. SO.

THE SKINNY:

Albero has two years varsity experience at center and guard. Turchi will be competing for varsity time at all the line positions.

CEC VARSITY FOOTBALL SCHEDULE 2015

Sept. 04, 4 p.m.: Archbishop Carroll @ Maxwell Field, Wildwood, N.J.

Sept. 11, 6 p.m.: Martin Luther King @ Northwest Super Site (Germantown High School)

Sept. 18, 7 p.m.: at Upper Moreland

Sept. 26, 2 p.m.: Saunders Trade (N.Y.) @ Truman

Oct. 03, 3p.m.: Neumann-Goretti @ Truman

Oct. 09, 7 p.m.: Episcopal Academy @ Truman

Oct. 16, 7 p.m.: Lansdale Catholic @ Wissahickon

Oct. 24, 7 p.m.: West Catholic @ Truman

Oct. 31, 7 p.m.: Bishop McDevitt @ Cheltenham

Nov. 26, 10:30 a.m.: at Truman