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Countdown to Kickoff: Millville

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By Phil Anastasia

Millville

Last year: 6-4 (5-3 in Cape American)
Coach: Jason Durham (29-23 entering sixth season)

Fast fact: Millville is 17-5 since the start of the 2011 season

Opener: Sept. 13 home vs. Atlantic City

Player to watch: Senior two-way tackle Antoine White (pictured). The Penn State recruit as a defensive tackle is the anchor of the Millville defense, a top pass rusher and run defender. He had more than 20 scholarship offers when he committed to Penn State.

Outlook: Millville is a darkhorse contender to win the CAL American and the SJ Group 5 title, too. This team might be just as talented, if not more talented, than the 2011 team that went 11-0 before losing to Pennsauken in the SJ 4 tile game. Leading the way is two-way tackle Antoine White, a Penn State recruit as a DT. White can be a dominating force, especially on the defensive side. Senior MLB Ed Shockley has offers from Monmouth and Bryant. Seniors Keyvon Rivera and Obi Kali are experienced two-way linemen and senior Anthony Stubbs is set for a big season on both sides of the football (TE/FB/LB). On offense, the Thunderbolts have a strong leader in senior quarterback Rob Rivera. Junior running back Rob Ennis ran for 1,503 yards and 18 TDs last season. He could be a major recruit next season. A player to watch is junior RB/WR/DB Ryquell Armstead, a track star who sat out last football season. He could make a major impact for the Thunderbolts.

Schedule: It's tough duty in the CAL American, with no soft spots on the schedule. Millville's opener is key, as AC is rebuilding a bit but well-coached and dangerous. There's an especially tough three-game stretch featuring a visit to St. Joseph (Sept. 28), a visit to Absegami (Oct. 4) and a home game with Holy Spirit (Oct. 18, after a bye). Millville visits Hammonton Nov. 8 on the playoff cutoff. The annual Thanksgiving Day game with Vineland, the oldest public-school rivalry in the state, is home at Wheaton Field on the morning of Nov. 28.

Quote: "We have so many alumni come back to our games, we're determined to play well for them," White said.

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