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SPORTS

'Panther Pride' motto starting to catch on

Mike Jago
@MikeJagoSports

Brad Bishop has been a longtime assistant coach for a Perth Amboy High School football team that has struggled in recent years. Now that he has taken the reigns for himself, Bishop aims to change the Panthers' fortunes.

"We want to definitely build on last year," said Bishop, who has big plans for the Panthers' future. "We had one win last year so we want to be more competitive and I just want to have the pride be put back in Perth Amboy football."

Bishop has introduced something rarely seen in high school athletics, as his team must now attend a yearlong study hall, even after their season is over.

The program takes place in Perth Amboy's Learning Center, which was introduced by Perth Amboy principal Nestor Collazo. The tutors consist of faculty members from the school, who help athletes with class work, homework or anything else they might need.

"Everyone is a student athlete," said Bishop. "The one thing I want is for my players to be at a higher level and I want them to be scholar athletes."

The Panthers will rely on one motto, 'Panther Pride,' and they will take that motto as far as it can go.

Bishop has already seen the change in his players, as the Panther Pride motto is started to catch on not only on the team, but in the community as well.

"The kids, the community, and the entire school district is really feeling it," said Bishop. "We want to bring Panther pride back to the community and the school and we want to be competitive. We want to put our name back on the map."

The Panthers have a talented squad that are trying to accomplish that goal, and the six captains that Bishop hand picked to lead his team are certainly ready to the challenge.

Larry Johnson, a senior who is a very versatile athlete and once said he wants to be the President of the United States, is one of the captains that Bishop trusts, and he has already seen a change in his team that differs from seasons past.

"Everything is more hyped up and it's more energetic," said Johnson of his team. "We feed off of coach's energy and he feeds off of us and it's become a situation that we're both benefitting from."

Panther Pride is in full swing, and the team is hungrier than every to get the season going. Johnson, along with other senior captains Albert Thomas and Cameron Crisco, have embraced team camaraderie and love the way things are going so far.

"Panther Pride means that we're a family and we have each other's backs," said Johnson. "It means that we have to take pride in who you are and what you have to do…don't take anything for granted and appreciate it."

The Panthers are ready to start anew, and with that comes lofty goals that the team is ready to take head-on.

"First we want to attack Middletown North on the 12th," said Johnson. "We want to be the first Perth Amboy team to make the playoffs, and finally, we want to come home with a championship."

PERTH AMBOY

About the Panthers

Head coach:Brad Bishop, first season.

Assistants: Channon Johnson (assistant head coach, defensive coordinator); Michael Tita (offensive line); Patrick Ricks (wide receivers, defensive backs, assistant offensive coordinator); Mike Manfre (special teams coordinator); Sean Atkins (linebackers, running backs); Jeremy Rosa (freshman), Anthony Burdier (freshman)

Stadium: Albert G. Waters Stadium (turf).

Colors: White and red

Classification: North 2 Group V.

Offensive formation: Spread.

Defensive formation: 4-3.

Last year: (1-9 overall, 1-7 GMC White): Woodbridge 41-12 (L), Bishop Ahr 34-12 (L), Colonia 40-6 (L), St. Joseph (Met.) 42-3 (L), J.F. Kennedy 44-6 (L), New Brunswick 39-13 (W), Marlboro 14-7 (L), South Plainfield 32-8 (L), Bridgewater-Raritan 35-6 (L), Carteret 33-8 (L).

2014 schedule: Sept. 12 Middletown North, 7 p.m.; Sept. 26 Colonia, 7 p.m.; Oct. 3 at Woodbridge, 7 p.m.; Oct. 10 St. Joseph, 7 p.m.; Oct. 17 at New Brunswick 7 p.m.; Oct. 24 J.F. Kennedy, 7 p.m.; Oct. 31 at South Plainfield, 7p.m.; Nov. 7 at Bishop Ahr, 7 p.m.; Nov. 27 Carteret, 11 a.m.

THE SKINNY

Returning starters: Larry Johnson (Sr., 5-10, 190, SS-RB); Cameron Crisco (Sr., 5-6, 260, LB-OL); Jose Caseras (Jr., 6-2, 260, OL-DL), Chris Hunt (Jr., 5-10, 260, OL-DL); Julio Medina (Sr., 5-11, 185, LB-WR); Markwan White (Sr., 6-6, 200, WR-LB); Shiquan Fullwood (Jr., 6-3, 225, WR-LB); Juan Mateo (Sr., 6-0, 175, OL-DL); Quincy Hannah (Jr., 5-8, 165, WR-DB); Rickel Benjamin (So., 6-0, 245, OL-DL); Chris Marquez (Sr., 6-0, 245, OL-DL); Triston Rock (Sr., 5-9, 155, K-WR-DB); Andrew Lincoln (Sr., 5-8, 160, RB-LB).

Key losses: Dennis Sutton (ATH)

Top newcomers: Albert Thomas (Sr., ATH); Deyonte McMillan (Jr., RB-DB); Jose Aguillar (Jr., WR-DB); Eric Negro (So., OL-DL).