The Seaford Blue Jay football team fields four seniors this season. Second year coach Austin Perry said he learned a lot after taking over the team last year.
“It is exciting and we have a full year under our belts. Last year was last minute and now we know what we want to do and take our time and focus on details,” he said.
Vincent Evans III, shown running with the ball last season, returns as Seaford’s quarterback this year. Star file photo
Returning seniors include Dorien Smith, Jose Roaro-Daniels, Michael Paddy, and Khalil Kilgoe, who according to Austin show leadership but added, “we are looking for the leaders of the team to step forward.”
There was a large graduating class that included some key losses in James McNeil, James Schultz, Roman Maddox, Jakob Keglovits, and Tre’Von-Keith Paulson, who broke Lovett Purnell’s 1989 season reception record with 67 his senior year.
Junior quarterback Vincent Evans III returns as quarterback. Evans passed for 1,389 yards and 91 completions, breaking both Seaford records held by Shannon Henry in 1989. Evans also had a new record with 19 touchdown passes last season, passing 13 held by both J.R. Droke (1970) and Henry (1989).
Important key juniors include Noah Keglovits, “he put the work in off season and added 20 pounds of muscle,” said Perry. Perry also said that Kaden Andrews, “matured and also put on over 20 pounds of muscle.”
“They show up before practice and get a workout in. The weight room is huge to us,” said Austin. Sophomore Jahari Ross returns to Seaford, “Jahari is a vocal leader and challenges teammates,” said Austin. Another returning player to the district for his sophomore year is Taishawn Frisby, Jr.
The Blue Jays have a freshmen class with over 11 new players and will field a junior varsity squad led by Coach Andy Lee with assistance of Dan Mangum. Austin said the freshmen players could make an impact on the team, “Justyn Thomas played quarterback this summer for us, he is a receiver, and is ready on the defensive line.” The majority of varsity staff returns including Jamaal Austin, Joe Paleen, Rayce Boyer, Jamont Matthews, James Schultz, and James McNeil.
The returning players, Austin said, know what is expected of them, “They have OL/DL experience and we can focus on the details this year.” Austin said sophomore Jathais Morris is showing leadership on the defensive line, “He goes 100 MPH and is always giving full effort, something you can’t teach and he brings the intensity.”
Seaford will play up in the division against Woodbridge, Laurel, and Winter Mills of Maryland. “It is a challenging schedule and that was on purpose. I want the kids to be battled tested and continue to build on what things are not always easy. We have the talent to play with those teams.”
Additionally, Austin sees Polytech and Indian River as division challenges with many of their players returning this season. Austin said, “Our main focus is one percent better every day and challenge kids to be better on and off the field. To have accountability in school and at the end of the day. These four years are a short portion of life but make a huge impact on their futures.”
Seaford will play away at Woodbridge in the opening game of the season with six home games beginning against Winter Mills on Sept. 13 at Bob Dowd Stadium.
