By Todd Bradley, DCSportsFan.com
MaxPreps.com
Out of all the teams in the Washington Catholic Athletic League, St. John's may have one of the toughest roads to climb heading into the 2008 season.
The Cadets are without a number of key players from last year's team, including Antwon Bailey, now a freshman. The Cadets lost their starting quarterback in Phil Hawkins, three receivers in Anthony Coleman, C.J. Hammond and Gerald Moore, tight end Connor Sullivan, offensive tackle Korey Neal and three-year starting defensive end Aaron Richardson.
On top of those losses, St. John's will have to play every game on the road while its home field is renovated.
"It'll be a challenge," head coach Joe Patterson said. "But the kids are mentally prepared. We're going to be adapting our offense with the departure of Bailey, but the team will be able to move on."
Phil Hawkins excelled as the team's starting quarterback last year as a sophomore, but he will not be with the team this season because of academic reasons. In his place will be Ed Thomas, a 5-foot-7, 170-pound senior with great speed (4.53 40-yard dash). Thomas would have been the team's feature back, but the departure of Hawkins means he will be needed under center this season.
"It's been a while since he played quarterback," Patterson said. "But he's developing pretty well. We'll have to get away from the I-formation and run a little more out of the shotgun."
If there is one thing for certain, it's that Thomas will be well protected. Although Korey Neal has moved on to Eastern Michigan, the Cadets have one of the strongest lines in the league. Andre Monroe could be the best junior lineman in the league while senior center Nate Luongo will be starting for his third consecutive year.
Pete White, a 6-5, 340-pound senior, will be returning as a four-year starter for St. John's. White has dozens of offers from numerous Division I schools, but he recently narrowed his list to Florida, Miami, Maryland, Tennessee and Oregon. He is regarded as the No. 7 interior offensive line prospect in the nation by Tom Lemming of CBS College Sports.
"I've always liked Maryland. I grew up watching them," White said. "I'm a fan and coach (Tom) Brattan over there I like him a lot. He knows what he's talking about. When I went to camp there, he taught me just like my offensive line coach teaches me now."
The offensive line coach White is referring to is Pat Ward, a former St. John's and University of Maryland lineman who has done an excellent job with the offensive line at St. John's. But even with all the attention White has received the past few years, Patterson isn't worried about where his head is.
"Pete is remarkably focused on St. John's football," Patterson said. "He'll take a few official visits during the season."
In addition to Luongo and White, junior safety Charles Brown will be looked upon to lead the team. Brown has started since his freshman year and will serve as one of the team's captains, and is expected to be a big part of the offense.
Donald Quarles is another player Patterson singled out as being a very important part of the team.
As for scheduling goes, St. John's will travel to Calvert Hall Aug. 30, East St. Louis (Ill.) Sept. 6 and Surrattsville Sept. 13 before opening up league play against Bishop McNamara. East St. Louis is an early favorite to win the Illinois state title.
"Our goal is to always be competitive," Patterson said. "And we need to play a lot better when we get to the playoffs."