With Williams brothers, Irish can rack up points
LAWRENCE >> With a favorable schedule, a strong running game and a host of starters back from last year’s 7-3 season, things are definitely look up for the Notre Dame High School football team.
As the Irish get ready for their season opener against Ewing on Sept. 6, it’s easy to see the team getting off to another very fast start with most of its tougher games slated for later in the year.
“We’re excited,” said first-year coach Sean Clancy, who previously was the team’s associate head coach and offensive coordinator.
“We’ve got a great group coming back; our kids have worked extremely hard. We’ve made a lot of strides on both sides of the ball.”
Notre Dame has a powerhouse running game led by seniors Cortaz and Coleon Williams. Both have received college interest and run the ball hard. Cortaz Williams enters the year with 3,600 rushing yards and is just 283 yards away from breaking the school record.
Those two alone will give Notre Dame one of the most potent offenses in the county, but the team has some other weapons as well.
The new quarterback is junior Jake Renda. He stands 6-5, has a big arm and will also be a force running the ball.
“He’s very versatile,” said Clancy. “He allows us to do a lot of things.”
Furthermore, Notre Dame has a dangerous play-maker in junior Ricky Spruill (205 pounds). “He’s explosive; he’s dynamic,” said Clancy.
In addition to its skill position players, Notre Dame also has two proven returning offensive linemen in seniors Ryan McCabe (6-3, 250) and towering 6-6 tight end Quentin Autrey.
The defense will be a formidable unit as well starting with hard-hitting linebackers Cortaz and Coleon Williams. Senior Sean Vernon has returned as a starting strong safety and Spruill is also a quality defensive back.
In short, Notre Dame has a lot of things in place in a wide variety of positions. With another year in John McKenna’s weight room, the team will also be physically stronger.
Very realistic goals for Notre Dame include a league title, a home playoff game and county bragging rights that could very well be determined in its last two games of the regular season against Nottingham and Trenton.