RHS football players putting in necessary work

By: Sean Moylan
   Although the Robbinsville High varsity football team began its official practices on August 13th, the Ravens have competed in a volunteer summer football program since July 4th.
   "We basically had one-hundred percent participation in the summer program," said Jason Gray, the Robbinsville head varsity football coach.
   That unique dedication and commitment was on display in this past Monday’s practice as the Ravens ran crisp plays with solid formations, both on offense and defense.
   Moreover, one immediately notices the size difference in this year’s group as opposed to last year.
   "The kids are filling out. They went from boys to men," smiled Gray, who is happy to finally have a senior class of football players.
   But age is not the only factor which has made these kids bigger and stronger. Hard work had a lot to do with it. According to Gray his kids are spending a lot more time in the weight room. Moreover, strength and conditioning coach Sean Greig has worked wonders with the team.
   Robbinsville recently joined the South Jersey Independent Youth Football Association. So now the younger kids in the Robbinsville area will have a place to play and learn Coach Gray’s system.
   "It’s good to finally have a true feeder system," added Gray.
   The toughest thing Gray and his staff have had to adjust to this summer are the new state rules concerning practices. Gray had to re-plan his whole training camp to fit into fewer hours of practice. Still things seem to be out working just fine. This year Brandon Taylor, an experienced football coach, has been added to Robbinsville’s coaching staff.
   This season Gray, who coached at Monmouth Regional before taking the Ravens’ head coaching job last season, is designating more authority to all of his assistants (Taylor, offensive coordinator Chris Penna, Rich Gildner, Andrew Patterson and Sean Flynn). Moreover, Robbinsville has a freshmen team of 30 kids this year, who will be coached by Patterson and Flynn.
   Last year Robbinsville shocked everyone by winning two games (it beat Allentown and Bordentown) in its first varsity season ever. Coming in, Gray had been told his team might not win two games until his fifth season. This year, with every major player returning, Robbinsville should be even better.
   Senior Shae Fahey will be a key.
   "He’s our athlete," said Gray of Fahey, who will be used as a flanker and may play some quarterback in shot gun situations.
   Chalie Nocera, Jack and Kevin Burum and Brian Alston have looked good in early practices. Ryan DeAngelis and Matt Hill, who recently came back from a torn ACL injury, are still fighting for the starting quarterback position. On defense, Robbinsville will have a strong linebacking crew in Mark Panes, Matt Roeloffs, Cody Birdsall, Andrew Harvilla and Zach Barby, who all play other positions as well. But those are just a handful of 45 varsity and junior varsity players.
   Robbinsville has worked hard in the off season to make sure it will be something better than a two-win team this season.
   "The kids are happy but definitely not satisfied. They’re very well-conditioned. These kids are running sprints 60 minutes a day," said Gray, whose Ravens should not wear down in the second half like they did in some games last season. "I’m hoping to improve off of last season. Last year was good but I’m trying to get these kids to never be satisfied with just (two wins)."
   In only its second year, Robbinsville is already making great strides toward becoming a winning program.