Football Preview: Severna Park Falcons

Published 08/28/08

COACHING: J.P. Hines enters his 11th season as Severna Park’s head coach. He led the Falcons to a 6-4 record last season, missing the playoffs by one game.

OFFENSE: The Falcons will have to retool their offense considerably. Most noticeably missing is Capital-Gazette Newspapers’ Male Athlete of the Year Pat Morrison, who was recruited to play quarterback at Wagner, but opted to play lacrosse at Maryland. Morrison completed 75 passes for 1,287 yards and nine touchdowns, along with running for 689 yards and eight scores.

Sam Jones will step up and try to fill the void.

“I’d like to think that we’ve got some kids who can come in and not miss a beat,” Hines said. “Pat was an exceptional kid. He was very talented and very gifted as a quarterback. He’ll be missed, especially as a leader. But that’s part of life. That’s part of the game.”

Brandon Noone will take most of the handoffs at running back. He’ll be joined by Anthony Jackson, a healthy Kevin Ferris and Rob Otto.

“Brandon Noone is one that should be All-County if things go as they should,” Hines said. “He should shine.”

Also missing from last year’s Falcons is All-County offensive tackle Kyle Kushner, a three-year starter who started every game in 2007. Zach Karr, Austin Lewis and Ryan Cronin will be Jones’ deep options.

DEFENSE: Morrison will be missed from the defensive side of the ball, too. He was the Falcons’ shutdown defensive back.But Sean Price is back at outside linebacker, where he earned an All-County selection after recording 81.5 tackles – 9.5 for a loss – and 2.5 sacks last season.

“Sean Price is phenomenal,” Hines said. “He had an exceptional year and played really well.”

The coaching staff has been working on new defensive schemes for an experienced unit. Ferris, Jackson, Noone, Lewis and Brenden Shoultz will spend time in the secondary, while Price, Cronin and Ian Canderlaria fill out the linebacking corps.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Sam Jones, Sr., QB, 5-9, 170
Austin Lewis, Sr., WR/DB, 5-10, 174
Zach Karr, Sr., WR/DB, 5-11, 177
Sean Price, Sr., OT, OLB, 6-1, 195
Ian Canderlaria, Sr., OT, MLB, 6-2, 230
Kevin Ferris, Sr., RB/WR/DB, 5-9, 168
Anthony Jackson, Sr., RB/DB, 6-0, 186
Billy Nichols, Sr., OL/DE, 6-1, 211
Tommy Sells, Sr., OL/DL, 5-10, 215
Rob Otto, Jr., RB/LB, 5-11, 183
Brendan Noone, Sr., RB/DB, 5-9, 180
John Marrow, Sr., OL/DE, 6-1, 194
Ryan Cronin, Sr., WR, OLB, 6-0, 176
Brenden Shoultz, Sr., WR/DB, 5-11, 179
Tyler Anderson, Jr., OL/DL, 5-11, 190
Ryan Norton, Jr., K, 5-11, 178
Russell Martin, Jr., OL/LB, 6-0, 190
Sean Willey, Jr., OL/DL, 6-0, 200
Matt Wilkerson, Jr., OL/DL, 6-0, 212

SCHEDULE

Sept. 5, Old Mill, 6:30
Sept. 12, North County, 6:30
Sept. 19, Annapolis, 6:30
Sept. 27, Broadneck, 1
Oct. 3, Glen Burnie, 6:30
Oct. 10, at Meade, 6:30
Oct. 17, Arundel, 6:45
Oct. 24, Southern, 6:30
Oct. 31, South River, 6:30
Nov. 7, Chesapeake, 6:30

2007 RESULTS

Old Mill, L 23-8
Southern, L 7-0
Annapolis, W 42-15
Chesapeake, W 14-12
Glen Burnie, W 31-0
South River, W 20-7
Arundel, L 24-14
North County, W 24-20
Meade, W 46-0
Broadneck, L 13-0

“I think the defense will be great,” Hines said. “We’re going to fly around the football and make things happen. Lots of people are going to do their homework in order to run the ball or throw the ball. We’ve got a lot of quality kids who can play defense.”

SPECIAL TEAMS: Hines liked what he saw from Ryan Norton, who will begin the season as the Falcons’ kicker. Severna Park won two games by four of fewer points last season, including a 14-12 mark against Chesapeake.

“I think you can win two or three games from special teams,” Hines said. “I really do believe that. I think our special teams is going to be good. We’re going to put a lot of emphasis on that.”

OUTLOOK: Hines doesn’t like to think about last season. The Falcons stumbled out of the gate, losing their first two games – to Old Mill and Southern – and only scoring a combined eight points.

Severna Park won six of its next seven games, but was shut out by Broadneck on the season’s final day to quash any hope for the postseason.

“I expect to win and go for a state championship,” Hines said. “We weren’t where we needed to be last year. We just can’t make mental mistakes this year. Mental mistakes killed us last year. I don’t look at the past. I just don’t. Every day is a new day.”

– Compiled by Mike Peters

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