Cavaliers under new leadership in 2017

JaQuain Hills returns as the leading receiver for Richland Northeast in 2016.

Overview: In 2016, the Richland Northeast Cavaliers started hot and were a four-overtime, one point loss away from starting the season 5-0, but region losses to to York, Ridge View, and South Pointe dampened the season. A two-point loss to Lancaster ended the season for Richland Northeast without a postseason appearance for the third time in four seasons.

Offensively, the Cavaliers struggled at times, scoring 23 or less points five times, and going 2-3 in those games.

For the most part, the defense fared well. The unit held five opponents to 15 points or less and surrendered only 260.1 total yards per game.

Quarterback: Charles Simons, Josh Boyd

Charles Simons takes the reins of the offense in place of the departed Aloysius Jackson. Head coach Bennett Weigle considers Simons one of the best leaders on the team. The first-year head coach said he will build the offense around the dual threat quarterback’s skill set.

Josh Boyd is the expected back up. He throws the ball well and will see some game action this season.

Javon Hills is a dangerous player on both offense and defense for Richland Northeast.

Weigel said he feels comfortable with both quarterbacks.

Running back: Twontae Wallace

While Weigel said there will be several run- ning backs toting the rock for Richland Northeast this season, Twontae Wallace will be the leader of the group. He will fill the hole left by Tyquandre Davis. He is a hard runner who will also be a leader on the offense.

Wide Receiver: JaQwain Hills, Michael Reynolds

JaQwain Hills and Michael Reynolds give Richland Northeast two big play guys at wide receiver. Hills is a returning starter, while Reynolds returns after taking a year off in 2016.

Offensive Line: Terrance Lokan, Marc Jones

This was an inexperienced group in 2016, but Weigel hopes Terrance Lokan and Marc Jones can anchor a solid unit this season.

Lokan is a big player but is also a hard worker in the weight room. Jones is in his first year as a starter but is also a leader on the team.

Charles Simons steps in as the starting quarterback for Richland Northeast in 2017, replacing Aloysius Jackson.

Defensive Line: Anthony Cleckley, LeVar Deloach

Weigel will have a lot of new faces to choose from to start along the defensive line. Anthony Cleckley will be expected to step in right away.

LeVar Deloach is a big strong young man who will man an inside position along Weigel’s four-man defensive front.

Linebacker: Jaylynn Tarver, Keion Johnson

Jaylynn Tarver got some meaningful snaps in 2016, and Weigel will count on that experience to produce results in 2017.

Keion Johnson also has starting experience. He is a versatile player with the ability to line up along the defensive line.

Secondary: Kelvonte Owens, Jared Moore, Javon Hills

Kelvonte Owens is a senior leader who can play any position in the secondary.

Jared Moore moves to the varsity in 2017 after playing on the junior varsity last year.

Javon Hills returns at cornerback. He can also play on offense.

Kicker/Punter : Selvin Recinos-Tejeda, Edys Gonzales Ramos, Wade Fletcher

Twontae Wallace will be the leading back in the Richland Northeast running back unit.

Selvin Recinos-Tejeda and Edys Gonzales- Ramos are both capable kickers but have to get accustomed to football after coming over from the soccer team.

Wade Fletcher returns in 2017 and provides another option for Weigel in the kicking game.

Final Analysis: For the first time since 1997 Richland Northeast will enter the season with a head coach not named Jay Frye. The 19-year Cavalier coach decided to step down at the end of last year. Filling Frye’s shoes is Weigel, the Cavaliers’ former defensive coordinator.

While Frye did a lot of good things for the Richland Northeast football program, change on some level was probably needed. While the Cavaliers were on the upswing, compared to the three wins posted from 2013 to 2014, they haven’t posted more than six wins in a season since 2011.

Weigle presents an interesting choice to be Frye’s replacement. For one, he spent two years under Frye and has an understanding of what Richland Northeast football is about. At the same time, he enters only his third year with the program and brings new energy.

The 2017 Richland Northeast Cavaliers will take the field with first-year head coach Bennett Weigel at the helm.

What makes Weigel’s job difficult is the region Richland Northeast is in. Last season presented a perfect picture of the challenges the Cavaliers face when they had to go up against York, Ridge View, South Pointe, and Lancaster.

A strong non-region showing was forgotten when the Cavaliers just didn’t have enough to compete against those four teams.

Key Cavaliers

1. Charles Simons- Not only does Simons replace Aloysius Jackson behind center, he also gets to be the first signal caller to run an offense for first-year head coach Bennett Weigel. While Weigel said he will build the offense around Simons’ skill set, there is sure to be an adjustment period for Simons, especially early in the season.

2. Keion Johnson- There are new faces along the defense, especially in the secondary and defensive line. Johnson has experience as a starter in Weigel’s defense. His experience and performance on the field will be valuable as the younger players gain playing time. He will also have to help make up for the graduation of 2016 leading tackler Daquan Holley.

3. Bennett Weigel- Weigel gets the shot to replace longtime head coach Jay Frye. He has the benefit of being a part of Richland Northeast football for the last two years. However, being a first time head coach at a program that won 125 games over the last 19 years presents challenges and questions that cannot be answered until the ball is kicked off in August. To add to his challenges is a tough region featuring defending 4A State Champion South Pointe. The transition period when it comes to on-the-field coaching will have to be quick for Richland Northeast to have success in 2017.

Head Coach:
Bennett Weigle
(1st season)

Offensive Coordinator:
Adam Gamble
Defensive Coordinator:
Jeremy Lane
Associate Head Coach:
Cedric Jones

2016 record: 5-5
2016 playoffs: none

2017 Schedule

Aug. 25 at Swansea
Sept. 1 vs.Spring Valley
Sept. 8 at Lower Richland
Sept. 15 vs. A.C. Flora
Sept. 22 at Airport
Sept. 29 vs. York
Oct. 6 at Lancaster
Oct. 13 vs. Ridge View
Oct. 20 vs. South Pointe
Oct. 27 at Westwood

2016 Regular
Season Stats
Rushing offense 233.3
Passing Offense 99.6
Total Offense 332.9
Total Defense 260.1

2016 Stat leaders
Passing: Aloysius
Jackson, 659 yards
Rushing: Tyquandre
Davis, 789 yards
Receiving: JaQuain Hills,
488 yards
Tackles: Daquan Holley, 85

Points per game:
Richland Northeast: 29.1
Opponents: 23.8

5-year win trend
2012: 6
2013: 1
2014: 2
2015: 6
2016: 5