The 2011-12 Crimson Knights are excited to begin another season on the Hilltop. The 2011-12 Knights have a large group of seniors that will help guide the team towards its goal of repeating as New England Champions. The Knights see many players that contributed towards the 2010-11 Championship team return, but also add in some new faces that will help make this team as strong as possible.
Offensively, the Knights return 3 of the 5 starting linemen from the 2010-11 team. Ryan Hamilton ’12, Tucker Gumkowski ’12, and Tyler Fisher ’13 return to help anchor an offensive line that will move the ball down the field. Alex Tuccio ’12, Sadiq Olanrewaju ’13, Elden Baker‘14, Zacch Wooten ’13, and John McCarthy ’12 will help anchor the line and provide great depth. Salisbury also returns both tight ends from last year’s team Herbie May ’12 and Oliver Powers ’12, both of which have great hands and will provide great leadership to the team. After graduating the entire backfield and it’s receiving corps, the Knights see many new faces in the skill positions. Jon Pieterse ’12 will lead the team from under center, while Brandon Hollomon’12 and Anthony McDonnaugh’12 will handle the majority of the running game. Shawahl Abdur-Rahman‘14 and Larry Johnson ’12 will also help in the backfield for the Knights. Catching the ball for the Knights will be Lucas Amato ’13, AJ Carfora ’12, Duane Scott ’13, Spencer Gillis ’12 and Jake Roometua ’12. The Knights have a lot of depth and speed in the receiving corps, which should help make the Knights passing attack very effective.
Defensively, the 2010-11 Knights were an exceptional group, and the 2011-12 group should be no different. The Knights return a lot of familiar faces up front, and added some speed and depth to the secondary. Herbie May ’12, Sadiq Olanrewaju ’13, Ryan Hamilton ’12, Tucker Gumkowski ’12, Tyler Fisher ’13, Zacch Wooten ’13, and Elden Baker‘14will provide a very physical and athletic defensive line. Anthony McDonnaugh’12, Oliver Powers ’12, Thomas Welsh ’13, Larry Johnson ’12, Shawahl Abdur-Rahman ’13, Jake Roometua ’12, and Spencer Gillis ’12 will provide a very solid linebacking corps for the Knights. This group is very athletic and physical, and should help the Knights to stop opposing team’s ground game. In the secondary for the Knights, Lucas Amato ’13, AJ Carfora ’12, BrandonHollomon’12, and Duane Scott ’13 will help to handle the opposing receivers. The defense in whole will work well together to halt opposing offenses throughout the season.
Salisbury has had some very “special’ special teams in recent years, and Patrick Mazeika ’12 is one of the main reasons for that. Mazeika has a tremendous leg, and will handle all of the punting and kicking for the Knights. Mazeika will be a great weapon to have to pin back opposing teams deep in their own territory.
The Knights look forward to your support this season, and hope to see as many of you as possible at the games.