Mids’ senior class persevered through share of ups, downs

On July 1, 2015, the Naval Academy announced an incoming football recruiting class consisting of 64 players representing 21 states.

On Nov. 17, 2018, Navy will honor the 34 remaining members of that class that made it all the way to Senior Day.

For many of them, such as starting fullback and offensive captain Anthony Gargiulo, this journey actually began in 2014 at the Naval Academy Prep School. Gargiulo and eight other current starters – quarterback Zach Abey, slotback Tre Walker, wide receiver Taylor Jackson, left guard Laurent Njiki, defensive end Jarvis Polu, inside linebacker Hudson Sullivan, safety Juan Hailey and cornerback Jarid Ryan – arrived on the Newport campus from towns all over the country and endured a difficult year just to gain acceptance to the Naval Academy.

Meanwhile, starting safety and defensive captain Sean Williams was among several direct-entry recruits that comprised the freshman class in 2015. Williams was joined by four other current starters – right tackle Andrew Wood, right guard Chris Gesell, inside linebacker Taylor Heflin and kicker Bennett Moehring – in coming straight to Annapolis from high school.

There have been ups and downs along the way, but the 34 seniors that stuck it out will be honored during an emotional pre-game ceremony on Saturday afternoon at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium.

Speaking after practice on Tuesday night, Gargiulo wasn’t sure what to say when asked how he will feel on Senior Day. He will walk onto the home field for the final time while flanked by his parents Sal and Lisa.

“I guess it hasn’t quite hit me yet. I guess it will really hit me when I have to drag my mom and dad off the field and tell them to stop crying because it’s game time,” Gargiulo said with a smile.

Sullivan, Williams and Wood are the only seniors that saw meaningful action in varsity games as freshmen when Navy went 11-2, captured the Commander-inChief’s Trophy and defeated Pittsburgh in the Military Bowl. Walker appeared briefly in one game while Jackson traveled for a few games that season.

Williams will never forget his first collegiate game. It came against Colgate in the season opener at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium and the Tennessee native was a surprise starter, rising to the challenge by making four tackles and breaking up a pass.

“I started at corner against Colgate due to some circumstances,” Williams recalled. “I got an opportunity, it was a great experience and I’ve been riding the wave ever since.”

More members of that class got onto the field as sophomores in 2016 when Navy finished 9-5 after winning the West Division to earn a berth in the American Athletic Conference championship game.

Abey made an unlikely rise at quarterback toward the end of that season due to injuries sustained by Tago Smith and Will Worth, starting the Army-Navy game and the Armed Forces Bowl against Louisiana Tech. Moehring, Polu, Ryan, Sullivan, Williams and Wood also became starters that season. Meanwhile, Hawk, Heflin and Njiki were thrust into backup roles.

Junior year was a roller coaster with Navy getting off to a 5-0 start then losing six of the final seven regular season games. A 49-7 rout of Virginia in the Military Bowl brought a positive conclusion to an otherwise disappointing season that included a second straight loss to archrival Army.

As seniors, the football-playing members of the Naval Academy graduating Class of 2019 have seen the bottom fall out. Navy is mired in the midst of a seven-game losing streak that has dropped the record to 2-8. The Midshipmen are guaranteed just their second losing season since 2003 and will not be hoisting the Commander-in- Chief ’s Trophy or going to a bowl game.

“It’s been a long run. Obviously, I wish we would have ended it differently,” Gargiulo said. “At the same time, I wouldn’t have it any other way. Especially the seniors that I’m going out with, who are the best group of guys I’ve ever met in my life. It feels good to have them by my side.” Saturday, 3:30 p.m. TV: CBS Sports Network Radio: 1090 AM Line: Navy by 6