Tornadoes looking to build on last year’s playoff appearance
There’s a reason second-year coach Greg Hyslop is feeling pretty good about his Trenton High School football team.
Coming off a 6-4 season in which it beat Burlington Township, crushed Allentown and advanced to the playoffs, Trenton will once again be fast, physical and good.
“We lost 20 seniors, but we have guys back who played key roles for us as juniors,” said Hyslop. “We think we will be able to move the ball and play physical, tough defense.”
The starting quarterback is senior Mahsiah McRae, who did get some playing time last year behind Donovan Ford. He will have plenty of weapons to work with, including senior running back and wrestler Messiah Cook.
The Tornadoes also have a dangerous group of wide receivers. In that group are seniors Benjamin Weeks and Brandon Richardson along with junior James Hubbard.
Trenton again has good size along the offensive front and will be anchored there by Shaun Balkcom and senior Hollin Pierce. Balkcom (6-3, 260) is a junior who specializes in pancaking defensive linemen.
“We’ll spread it out and I think we will be able to run the ball well,” said Hyslop, whose team operates mostly out of an I-formation. “Last year I came in late and we had to change our offense as the year went along. This year I think the kids are more comfortable with what we are trying to do.”
Turning to the defense, Trenton has returned virtually its entire defensive line with the likes of Balkcom, Pierce and senior Caleb Spaulding.
The team’s active and physical linebackers include Cook, junior Jaron Encarnacion and Micaias Jimenez. Hubbard is a starting safety and Jazzir Merricks will play one of the corners.
“Merricks is very physical and really got after it during the offseason,” said Hyslop. “The defense is a real good group.”
Translation: Look for more hard-hitting and physical winning football from the Tornadoes.