Notes From The Field: MHS Football Team Launches Into Training Camp

As the Montclair High School football team prepared for the opening of its training camp on Monday, there were a handful of returning players who figure to have prominent roles this season.

The MHS nickname may be the Mounties but the mascot of the football team is a
bulldog. And for first-year MHS head coach John Fiore, he'll need his players to have as much bite as he does bark.

"We'll be fine," Fiore said with a sly grin, as if he was harboring a secret, when asked about the team's 2010 prospects.

Many outsiders see this as a down year due to the transition from MHS coaching legend Ed Lebida — although Fiore himself is quite an accomplished coach [62-40-1 career record in 10 full seasons]. Add to the fact that the Group IV school only returns nine seniors from last season's 3-7 squad, and not many outside the Furlong Fieldhouse are banking on an immediate return to glory. Within the community it's been a wait-and-see attitude but — for the MHS players themselves — it's been more like "wait and you'll see" because they certainly don't lack for assurance.

One of the more confident players is Khalif Herbin. The all-everything player has been dubbed "Noel Devine, 2.0," as many think he compares favorably to the current West Virginia University running back, who's also a Heisman Trophy candidate. Herbin, also a junior track star and YouTube sensation, runs a legit 4.4 second 40-yard dash and is a jack of all trades athlete who's able to go the distance on every touch. He'll play some quarterback in Fiore's four-wide Run & Shoot spread offense, while contributing as a wide receiver, running back, and kick returner. He'll be especially dangerous as a hybrid pass-run option in the "Wildcat" set.

Herbin is an engaging personality who easily passed Fiore's surprise 12-minute run on Monday — even giving a nonchalant, "yeah, of course", when asked if he ran the required seven laps. He wasn't out of breath immediately following the run but expect for him to leave many Super Essex Conference rivals breathless.

The diminutive Herbin will share time at quarterback with sophomore Nate Crutchfield, who is more a traditional dropback passer. Although he doesn't possess Herbin's quick feet, Crutchfield should still be deft at hitting the open receiver when given the time.

One of the guys assigned to protecting the passer is Julian Pinnock-Odrick. A budding star, he has great bloodlines as his older brother, Jared Odrick, was a 2010 first-round draftee of the Miami Dolphins, by way of Penn State University. Pinnock-Odrick is the key to the offensive line and seems to be taking well to the role as the O-Line linchpin, as he was seen after a recent practice running sprints and working on pass protection techniques with his father.

Fiore had nothing but complimentary things to say about his line leader. "He's certainly one name to keep an eye on," said Fiore. "He's a heck of a kid and leads
a very good O-line as a whole."

Of the remaining 'skill position' players [i.e. running backs and receivers], there's
certainly promise — and perhaps none more than Aamad Bush. The 6'3, 195 wide receiver and safety is a legit Division-I prospect and is fielding many collegiate scholarship offers. A matchup nightmare, if Bush fully recovers from a nagging shoulder injury, he should have a stellar 2010 season.

Fiore also hit the transfer jackpot with cornerback/running back Aubrey Lewis. The
junior transfer could be up for All-State awards if he plays to his potential, according to his new coach. Lewis also has lineage on his side as his granddad's #17 jersey is retired at MHS.

Stephaun Marshall, a linebacker/running back who missed all but two games
last season with a broken ankle, figures to add depth and skill at key spots.

Finally, Otis Wright, who can play linebacker, defensive back, or running back
rounds out this talented bunch of returning players. Fiore said Wight and Bush,
multi-year starters, are "rock steady and the leaders." A skilled ball-hawk and
destructive tackler, Wright is also one of the best wrestlers in the area at 171 pounds.

Fiore said he feels MHS can sneak up on opponents. And besides having the advantage of the unknown, said the facilities is what can set apart a losing program from perennial powers.

"We've definitely gotten stronger [since April] thanks to this great facility, the Furlong Fieldhouse," he praised. "No doubt a special thanks to the Furlong family and everyone who made this possible. They've built an environment that has made it a place these guys can call home and a place they want to be all summer. We start our weight room at 5 o'clock [p.m.] but we have about 50 kids already here by 3 or 4 o'clock. They just gravitate here."

He might have left a "loaded team" back at his alma mater Neptune but once Fiore and his players get accustomed to each other, MHS should gravitate back to the win column regularly.

[Another way to keep tabs on MHS football, which started training camp on Monday, August 16, go to www.montclairmountiesfootball.com]