Coach Holt looking to change the pace for J.P. Stevens

As a veteran assistant who has been around several esteemed head coaches throughout his career, J.P. Stevens first-year coach Bryan Holt is putting his imprint on his team by radically altering that Hawks' offensive approach.

Holt has coached under the likes of Rick Mantz at South Brunswick, Phlip McGuane at South Plainfield, Bill Nyers at Woodbridge, and most recently with Gary Cassio at South Plainfield last season where the Tigers ran one of the most well-balanced offenses throughout the Greater Middlesex Conference.

With playmaking running back Chewy Chukweneke and his 1,656 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns gone with him, J.P. Stevens will go from a no-huddle offense to a slowed-down approach as junior Jay'von Blacknall and sophomore Luke Jacoby were battling for the starting quarterback job in training camp.

"We're going to play at a much slower pace because we have more two-way players than many of the teams that we play," said Holt, whose team faces the likes of perennial GMC powers Piscataway, Sayreville, and South Brunswick on its schedule playing in the rugged Red Division.

The Hawks' most impactful player on either side of the ball could be senior linebacker/wide receiver DeAndre Perkins, who was an All-Red Division linebacker last season but played only sparingly on the offensive side of the ball.

That's projected to change this season as Perkins will be one of several two-way players Holt will be leaning on.

"Offensively, he's someone that's able to really, if you give him the ball in space he's able to make things happen," Holt said. "He's a wide receiver that has running back characteristics."

Perkins, who leads by example, is being recruited by the likes of Temple, Fordham, and Monmouth as J.P. Stevens has a defense built around him that is projected to be the strength of the team.

"He's fearless, a man of few words," Holt said. "His actions speak for him. He sets the tone for the team as soon as we get on the practice field."

Holt plans on letting the defense play fast as it sports several returnees, including Brandon Oliver, Quazir Reddick, and Chris Chukweneke in the secondary and Shawn Edwers, Francois Ballou, and Jared Fraraccio on the defensive line.

And Perkins of course at linebacker where intends to wreak havoc on opposing backfields.

"I like hitting all the time, linebacker is just a good spot for me," Perkins said. "I think it's going to be a great year."

Staff writer Mike Becker: mbecker@mycentraljersey.com

Hawks

Coach: Bryan Holt, first season.

Assistants: Vinny Gioffre (defensive coordinator, quarterbacks); Stephen Bovo Jr. (wide receivers, defensive backs, special teams); Chris Garcia (running backs, outside linebackers, strength and conditioning); Joe Rovito (offensive line, defensive line), Vito Pavese (freshmen); Brian Bigelow (freshmen).

Stadium: John McGowan (turf).

Colors: Green and gold.

Classification: North 2 Group V.

Offensive formation: Spread.

Defensive formation: 4-4.

Last year (4-6 overall, 3-5 GMC Red): Marlboro 27-6 (W), Piscataway 44-6 (L), Sayreville 42-7 (L), North Brunswick 20-7 (W), South Brunswick 42-7 (L), East Brunswick 30-20 (W), Monroe 31-13 (L), Old Bridge 9-0 (W), North Hunterdon 26-21 (L), Edison 12-0 (L).

2014 schedule: Sept. 12 Sayreville, 7 p.m.; Sept. 19 South Brunswick, 7 p.m.; Sept. 27 Monroe 2 p.m.; Oct. 2 at Old Bridge, 7 p.m.; Oct. 10 Piscataway; Oct. 17 at East Brunswick, 7 p.m.; Oct. 24 North Brunswick, 7 p.m.; Nov. 7 Marlboro, 7 p.m.; Nov. 27 at Edison, 10:30 a.m.

RETURNING LEADERS

THE SKINNY

Returning starters: Francois Ballou (Sr., 6-5, 215, WR-DE); Ryan Daly (Sr., 6-4, 230, OL); Jared Fraraccio (Jr., 6-0, 225, OL-DL); Jihaad Garrett (Jr., 6-1, 175, WR); Stephen Susan (Sr., 6-0, 265, OL-DE); Brandon Oliver (Sr., 5-10, 170, WR-DB); Andrew Stevens (Sr., 5-11, 175, TE-LB-LS); Karleek Sutton (Sr., 6-0, 150, WR-DB); Chris Chukwuneke (So., 6-0, 190, RB-OLB, 6-0); Albert Blodgett (Sr., 6-0, 190, DL); Shawn Edwers (Sr., 6-3, 245, TE-DE); Rashiek Harvard (Jr., 5-8, 150, RB-DB); Ahsan Jebran (Sr., 5-10, 190, DL/LB); Deandre Perkins (Sr., 6-1, 190, WR-OLB); Quazir Reddick (Sr., 5-8, 150, DB); Kevin Wu (Jr., 5-11, 205, OL-DL).

Key losses: Josh Alb (OL-DL); Chiebuka Chukwuneke (RB-DB); Michael Fredricks (OL-DL); Joe Johnson (OL-DL); Dylan Marino (RB-LB); Matthew Minor (TE-LB-K).

Top newcomers: Jay'von Blacknall (Jr., 5-7, 165, QB); Brian Chempiel (Jr., 5-10, 190, OL); Matthew Fredericks (Jr., 5-10, 215, OL-DL); Luke Jacobi (So., 6-0, 170, QB); Yahsym Landerway (Sr., 5-10, 165, WR); Ben Mandell (Jr., 6-3, 250, OL); Josh Taylor (Sr., 5-10, 175, WR-DB); Haassan Neal (Sr., 5-11, 260, DL); Marco Santana (Sr., 5-9, 180, LB); Alex Zilli (Jr., 5-10, 190, LB).