Collins shines, Leary scrambles, Dobbins scores in scrimmage between South Jersey heavyweights

Shamere Collins wanted to make an early impression.

Mission accomplished.

Twice.

Collins, a senior wide receiver/defensive back, made big plays on the both sides of the football in the first offensive series for each team to highlight St. Augustine Prep's impressive performance Saturday in a scrimmage against Timber Creek.

"It did a lot for my self-confidence," Collins said of his interception and return of around 70 yards that foiled visiting Timber Creek's first offensive series.

In a tightly controlled scrimmage on a hot day, St. Augustine's first team outscored Timber Creek's starters, 14-6.

The scrimmage matched teams that finished No. 1 (Timber Creek) and No. 2 (St. Augustine) in last season's final Top 25 rankings.

The scrimmage also marked the home debut of new St. Augustine coach Pete Lancetta, the former long-time coach at Hammonton.

"I thought we did OK," Lancetta said. "I thought we were physical. I thought our offensive line did a nice job. And we made a couple of plays."

Collins, who has eight scholarship offers from programs such as Villanova, Bucknell, Army, and Fordham, set the tone for the Hermits' performance with a couple of receptions from new quarterback Chris Allen on the first series of the scrimmage.

One of those catches was a 25-yarder that set up Allen's 1-yard sneak for the first TD.

Allen, a 6-foot-1 junior, looked sharp in limited action. St. Augustine also got some strong running from junior Tru Robinson, who gained around 40 yards on six or seven carries and scored on a 2-yard burst.

The scrimmage drew a decent crowd and was the Hermits' first home action after an tumultuous offseason in which former head coach Mark Reardon and his top assistant Charlie Roman resigned and top players such as senior running back Kyle Dobbins (Timber Creek) and senior quarterback Josh Zamot (Holy Spirit) transferred to other schools.

"We had a lot of adversity," Collins said. "We lost our coaches. We lost two big players. People were doubting us. But I think we showed today what we're going to be all about."

Dobbins saw limited action for Timber Creek, as the scrimmage might have featured as much work for the second- and third-strings as for the first, if not more.

Dobbins, a Temple recruit, scored Timber Creek's TD on a 3-yard run, bowling over a would-be tackler at the goal-line.

Timber Creek quarterback Devin Leary, a North Carolina State recruit, broke loose for the Chargers' biggest play, a 40-some-yard scramble that set up Dobbins' touchdown.

"I thought we looked better than in our first scrimmage," Timber Creek coach Rob Hinson said. "I would have liked to get more work for the 'ones.' Our guys were just getting lathered up. But we'll be OK."

Collins led St. Augustine with five interceptions last season. He jumped a route on the Hermits' first defensive series, snatching Leary's pass near the goal-line and returning the football deep into Timber Creek territory.

"That was big," Collins said. "To make that play against Devin Leary, he's the best quarterback in the state. That meant a lot."