Walker drawing high praise from East Brunswick coaches

For a high school football player to be mentioned in the same sentence as an NFL player, that's usually a pretty high praise to receive.

East Brunswick senior defensive end and fullback Sam Walker has drawn those types of acclaims from his coaching staff.

"He's a prototypical defensive end and I know I have a few guys on my staff that compare him to Jason Adjepong Worilds," said East Brunswick coach Bob Molarz, who coached Worilds, the current Pittsburgh Steeler linebacker, when he was the head coach at Carteret. "He's the same type of player. Has the same abilities, same motor. Just the same makeup as a defensive end."

While Walker may not have the pro potential of Worilds, who went on to star at Virginia Tech, he's someone who's expected to be one of the impact players this season for a Bears team that struggled again last season, going 1-9.

"He's doing real well wherever we put him, and right now he's been our marquee player throughout the course of camp," Molarz said.

Walker transferred to East Brunswick last season from South River, where he played on varsity as a sophomore, and played mainly at defensive tackle and linebacker as those were positions of need for the Bears.

This year Molarz has him back on the edge, the position he played at South River his sophomore year.

"Last year he was an unknown, and he was a good player for us, but we played him out of position," Molarz said. "We had thought all along he would be a good (defensive) end. We had two senior (defensive) ends last year that were pretty good, so I put him in a place of need at the tackle."

Walker is happy to be back at his more natural position, as Molarz says he's been the team's most consistent player throughout camp.

"I played defensive end before when I was (at South River), so it wasn't that hard of a transition for me, but it's better," Walker said. "I feel a lot more comfortable. I get to the quarterback faster and I make better moves than when I was playing linebacker."

With the 186 carries out of the backfield taken last season by the graduated Jon Gerhartz, Walker is also expected to see an increased role offensively at fullback for an East Brunswick offense that only twice exceeded 14 points last season.

"This is the most I've ever run my fullback in preseason ever because of him," Molarz said. "My coaches are saying, 'Hey listen, we might want to give him the ball a little more and put him at tailback.' He could be that effective."

EAST BRUNSWICK

About the Bears

Coach: Bob Molarz, second season (1-9).

Assistants: Andy Steinfeld (defensive coordinator); Chris Kenney (wide receivers, defensive backs); Justin Hornlein (running backs); Brian Cherepski (offesnive line, defensive line); Blair Maginnis (freshmen); Matt Pazinko (freshmen); Allen Grosholz (eighth grade); Tony Alexander (eighth grade).

Stadium: Jay Doyle Field (turf).

Colors: Green and white.

Classification: Central Group V.

Offensive formation: Multiple I.

Defensive formation: 4-3.

Last year (1-9 overall, 1-7 GMC Red): South Brunswick 42-7 (L), Sayreville 42-0 (L), North Brunswick 14-12 (W), Monroe 44-0 (L), Manalapan 42-7 (L), J.P. Stevens 30-20 (L), Edison 41-0 (L), Piscataway 49-7 (L), Montgomery 44-20 (L), Old Bridge 35-6 (L).

2014 schedule: Sept. 12 at Piscataway, 7 p.m.; Sept. 27 at North Brunswick, 1 p.m.; Oct. 2 Edison, 7 p.m.; Oct. 10 at South Brunswick, 7 p.m.; Oct. 17 J.P. Stevens, 7 p.m.; Oct. 25 at Marlboro, 2 p.m.; Oct. 31 Sayreville, 7 p.m.; Nov. 7 Monroe, 7 p.m.; Nov. 27 at Old Bridge, 10 a.m.

RETURNING LEADERS

THE SKINNY

Returning starters: Kevin Hemmings (Sr., 5-11, 190, QB-S); Sam Walker (Sr., 6-0, 225, RB-DE); Joe Chetta (Sr., 6-1, 180, TE-LB); Sean O'Sullivan (Sr., 5-10, 150, WR-LB); Tom Lanzano (Sr., OL-LB); Aaron McSweeney (Sr., 5-10, 165, WR-DB); Joe Pallonetti (Sr., 6-0, 250, OL-DL); Mike Contreras (Sr., 5-7, 160, RB-DB); Brandon Tomori (Sr., 5-7, 141, WR-KR).

Key losses: Jon Gerhartz (RB-DB); Michael Quintin (OL-DL); Kyle Kelliher (DE); Doug Scott (OL); Chris Jones (K-P); Javon Ganzaroli (WR).

Top newcomers: Kyle Wiggins (So., RB-DB); Omar Elshlakany (Jr., OL-DL); Al Fitzpatrick (Jr., RB-DB); Alex Boyko (Jr., K).