GMC Camp Caravan Final Roundup
by WoodbridgeFootball.com / MyCentralJersey.com / NJ.com on 09/01/16
The month of August is over, signaling the end of the 2016 edition of the Greater Middlesex Conference Football Camp Caravan. Since Aug.10, I have traveled more than 600 miles through Middlesex County and I have seen all 24 teams either in practice or in a scrimmage.
There have been practices in helmets, in uppers (helmet and shoulder pads) and full gear. The amount of full contact may have been limited due to a variety of reasons; a scrimmage the day before, a scrimmage the next day, the team is banged up or by NJSIAA design to reduce the amount of live contact during the preseason.
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I can honestly say that our GMC coaches are in the know when it comes to hydration and the emphasis placed on teaching and demonstrating proper tackling technique in an effort to reduce the number of head injuries.
The Carteret at Sayreville scrimmage certainly turned some heads at War Memorial stadium. I gathered from the warm up and the pre-scrimmage interviews that I did with the top Carteret players that they were on a business trip. Their early five-play, offensive goal-line sequence was the catalyst the Ramblers needed to remind everyone that their smash-mouth, in your face style of play is back! They set the tone early and proved that they are force to be reckoned with in the crowded White Division.
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While at J.F. Kennedy’s early morning practice, I liked the emphasis on special teams at any given moment during the practice. When the whistle blew a special team was called out to line up while 30 seconds was being counted down. They even attempted a 50-yard field goal with lefty kicker Gianfranco Tiseo. He had the distance but the kick was a little wide right.
Colonia used multiple tackling circuits that showed creativity and effectiveness. You can see many of the sequences by looking at the videos on Twitter, search @bordenfb4ever #CaravanCOL.
Dunellen’s LSU drill was another excellent drill, teaching kids to get off the block of multiple players while attempting to make the tackle on a garbage can 15-yards away. The player had about 20 seconds to make the tackle.
READ: GMC CAMP CARAVAN ROLLING AT PISCATAWAY
Piscataway’s offensive/defensive line is impressive! I particularly liked their warm up drill that included a takeoff from a three-point stance as the ball stick simulated the snap, running through the ropes and into a blaster with low pad level while exiting and then pushing away a Gillman shiver ball being rolled towards them.
Central Group I Highland Park scrimmaged North 2 Group V J.P. Stevens at Jay Dakelman Stadium on Aug. 29. The Owls looked impressive in the battle of the birds as they blanked the Hawks in game conditions.
The final stop of the GMC Camp Caravan was in Monmouth Junction where South Brunswick scrimmaged Brick. Both head coaches agreed to substitute freely after the first quarter of game conditions. Neither team looked sharp as the heat and the long preseason grind apparently took its toll as several players for both teams were sidelined and in street clothes.
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There are many great players out there but these guys caught my eye:
Deonte Freeman RB/LB, Erick Negron TE/DE (Perth Amboy)
Angelo Golino QB, Justin Taylor LB/TE (Carteret)
Hakim Hamer OL/DL (J.F. Kennedy)
Tristan Weathers DB/WR, Tyler Zawacki OL/DL (Colonia)
Bryce Priester TE/DE (North Brunswick)
Abdel Mohamed OL/DL, Terrell Hagans OL/DL (Piscataway)
Dylan Boynton LB/RB, Ryan O’Shea QB, Nasir Boykins RB/DE (Highland Park)
Dante Negron G/MLB (J.P. Stevens)
Jibril Hagood-Henry QB/FS, Alain Ruiz OL/DL (Dunellen)
Josh Liao QB, Justin Shorter WR/FS (South Brunswick)
I am looking forward to the upcoming season that kicks off on Friday, Sept. 9. I want to thank all the coaches for allowing me access to your practices, scrimmages and top players.
MyCentralJersey.com appreciates your help in promoting your team on a weekly basis throughout the season and we look forward to celebrating your players’ achievements. Don’t forget to get your 2016 Football Preview on Thursday, Sept. 8.
Lastly, I always liked to remind my players that it is not where you start the season, it is where you finish it. Best wishes for a safe and successful 2016!
