Perhaps one of the most experienced and talented positions on the field for the Hawks in '09 will be the defensive back group. Head Coach Kevin Callahan's squad returns three out of four starters, including both safeties.
Junior Ken Amsel (Demarest, N.J./Northern Valley Regional) returns for his third year as a starting cornerback for the Hawks, this time as a team captain.
"It was a great honor," said Amsel about being named captain. "I was able to show the guys I'm a leader, I'm committed and it really is a great compliment."
Amsel, who had 47 tackles and led the Hawks with three interceptions a year ago, expects to be more vocal on the field in his new role.
"All of our captains do a great job being vocal, you always hear David (Sinisi) and the others on the field," said Amsel. "On defense, I am going to have to step up my role, going to give my input, get the guys riled up."
The biggest question coming into camp was who will step up to replace all-league cornerback Ayo Falae, who graduated last spring. Junior Mike Avent (Upper Marlboro, Md./Eleanor Roosevelt) has impressed the coaching staff and has been the guy so far. Avent, who primarily returned kicks last season, did see action as a corner and nickel back.
"At corner, Amsel returns as a starter and Avent returns after backing up a year ago," said Callahan. "He [Avent] saw limited action but he worked very hard to improve and he's demonstrated so far in spring ball and camp that he's someone we can be successful with on the field. The backup at corner is something we working toward finding out. We've got some younger guys who have showed some flashes and showed some quality play, but no one behind Kenny and Mike have any game experience so whoever demonstrates they can be reliable will get on the field."
"At the safety position, I think that four guys have shown they can play and have had game experience," said Callahan. "All of those guys have played significant time in games over the past two years, which inherently gives us depth at that position.
Monmouth seems to be all set at the safety position, with the return of starters Jon Stolarz (Andover, N.J./Hopatcong) and Jose Gumbs (Queens, N.Y./Hebron Academy). Gumbs, a sophomore, is one of the most explosive players in the Northeast Conference, earning NEC Defensive Rookie of the Year honors last season after leading the team in tackles with 60 tackles. Stolarz is a two-year starter who has racked up almost 80 tackles in 18 games with eight passes defended.
Juniors Bobby Cole (Jackson, N.J./Jackson Memorial) and Kendall Haley (Olney, Md./Good Counsel) have both played significant time over the past two seasons giving the Hawks solid depth at the position. Haley appeared in 10 games last season recording 25 tackles and a pass breakup. Cole has appeared in 15 games in two seasons with 32 tackles and two defended passes.
"Kendall and all the other returnees look really good this year, they came in with a purpose," said Amsel. "The defensive backs are looking good right now and we just keep working hard. We are all trying to win a conference championship, that's our goal right now."
Sophomore Dorian Evans (Erial, N.J./Timber Creek) is a gifted athlete but has had injury issues that have prevented him from getting on the field with any regularity. Redshirt freshman Alex Muka (Farmingdale, N.J./Colts Neck) has impressed the coaching staff with some positive plays this fall. He joined the Hawks in the spring and is still learning the defensive schemes but has made plays with the first team and broken up a few passes.
The freshman class features some promising players, including Ezra Bynam (Pelham, Mass./Wilbraham Monson), Eddie Jewell (Pelham, Mass./Wilbraham Monson), Elijah Phillips (Willingboro, N.J./Holy Cross) and Jameson Zacharias (Ellicott City, Md./Mt. Hebron). With the lack of depth at the corner position, it will be interesting to see who gets onto the Colgate two-deep at that slot.
Keep tuned in all week to GOMUHAWKS.com for more position by position updates.
