Hard Work and Dedication Paying off for Lions
By Mike Ready
MIDDLETOWN – The 2014 Middletown North football team has competed in three 7-on-7 tournaments this summer in an effort to accelerate team chemistry on and off the field after losing a number of last season’s top playmakers.
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“Even though we lost a couple of our skill players from last season we’re just so much further along this season than last season with the kids understanding what we’re trying to do,” second-year head coach Steve Bush said. “They know the terminology and understand the system, whereas last season at this time we were just installing our playbook, everything was new and there was a lot of learning. This summer’s 7-on-7 tournaments are more of a challenge to see who will step up against competition and a sharping of their skills.”
In the three all-passing 7-on-7 tournaments this summer including the Monmouth College, Rutgers and Monmouth County - held at Middletown North - tournaments, the Lions have a combined 10-4 record with two third place finishes.
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Sophomore quarterback Donald Glenn, who started as a freshman last season and threw for 1,557 yards and 15 touchdowns - good for fifth in the Shore Conference - is back looking bigger and stronger then ever, with an air of confidence that was sometimes lacking as a young freshman starter. Throughout the three tournaments, he displayed a strong, accurate arm with above average velocity that complimented his on the money decision-making.
“Donald is just going to get better and better,” Bush said. “We didn’t have him last summer and he kind of got thrown into the fire early in the season out of necessity. He stepped in as a freshman and did an outstanding job for us. Now with a full off-season under his belt he has a much better understanding of where the ball should go and recognizing defenses. He’s a talented kid who can make all the throws and is a hard worker who wants to be the best.”
Based on tournament performances, Glenn’s main targets this season appear to be senior tight end Troy Thompson and senior wide out Jordan Pitts. Thompson was a Coaches All-Division pick at strong safety/outside linebacker last season as well as a top target of Glenn’s. Pitts had a solid 2013 season hauling in 24 balls for 341 yards and three touchdowns, as well being a main cog in the defensive backfield.
“Jordon and Troy were really good players for us last year and this year they’re becoming team leaders and better football players,” Glenn said. “They’ve worked real hard in the weight room, in conditioning and on the field, and both are going to be a very good leaders and players for us this year.”
“We’ve all been putting in a lot of extra work and catching a lot of balls,” Thompson said. “Donald’s been making better decisions and we’ve been running better routes. The tournaments have helped get our timing down and I think we’ve really progressed in a lot of different areas.”
“All the receivers have been putting in a lot of work this off-season with Donald,” Pitts said. “We feel like we’re coming together as a group and starting to pick it up. We have a lot of big shoes to fill but as a unit I think we’ll be okay. Coach thinks I can step it up this year and I do too.”
In addition to Pitts and Thompson, seniors Marquise Walston and Keshawn Williams; juniors Josh Gomez, and Matt Harrison and sophomore Brandon Kube all contributed and will be competing for playing time once official practices begin August 11. Junior Kyle Capo, away on a baseball commitment, will also be in the mix at wide receiver.
Because these 7-on-7 tournaments are passing only offenses, they are essentially quarterback/ wide receiver drills. Once the season begins, Middletown North will have the luxury of having 1,000-yard rusher Chad Freshnock returning to its backfield. Freshnock was selected third-team All-Shore last season after gaining 1,056 yards and scoring 11 touchdowns.
“We can always do better and always work harder,” Glenn said. “We always try to get the most out of what we can do. We did okay in the tournaments but we need to get better and work harder.”
“Playing these tournaments gives our guys a lot of reps,” Bush said. “There’s a chance to teach and there’s competition. You get to see who steps up and performs under certain situations and the kids have fun with it. But at the same time it’s a great evaluating tool, and I think we’ve gotten better because of it.”
