Training camp 101: Washington Township

Coach: Lamont Robinson (first season)

Last season: 4-6, fifth in WJFL American Division.

Lats five seasons: 4-6, 6-4, 2-8, 6-4, 7-3.

Schedule:

9/8: at Hammonton

9/15: Atlantic City

9/22: at Shawnee

9/28: Rancocas Valley

10/13: at Egg Harbor Twp.

10/20: Cherokee

10/27: at Bridgeton

11/3: Kingsway

11/23: at Williamstown

Outlook: It's a new era for one of South Jersey's premier programs as Robinson takes over as just the Minutemen's fourth coach since the late 1960s. Robinson is a former Salem star who played at the University of Oklahoma. He spent the last two seasons as defensive coordinator at Millville, which won the S.J. 5 title in 2016. Robinson takes over a program that was 18-22 over the last four seasons and hasn't won a playoff game since 2011. The Minutemen have some experienced skill-position players in seniors such as running back Colin Meintel (5-9, 170), running back Akennis Yates (5-7, 160) and wide receiver Kazmere Sturgis (5-10, 195) and junior receiver Joe McKillop (5-11, 185). Seniors such as Kenny Cockerill (6-2, 250) and James Honey (6-0, 240) lead the front lines. The defense features experienced athletes such as cornerback Jessie McDermott (5-8, 160) and linebacker Jayshawn Comacho (5-10, 190). Washington Township also has some promising younger players who will need to mature for the team to reach its potential this season.

Post-season prospects: The Minutemen believe they can crash the SJ 5 party in November. "Maybe even bring home that Group 5 state title," Cockerill said. It won't be easy. SJ 5 is a loaded field and Washington Township has a demanding schedule as a member of the WJFL American. But Robinson has invigorated this program with some can-do pep and brings unbridled passion to his new position. "His energy level brings us all up," Meintel said of his new coach.

Schedule analysis: WT has a chance to get out of the gate as the first two games are against teams that are rebuilding a bit as well in Hammonton and Atlantic City. But overall, this is a demanding schedule, with division games against WJFL American foes and a challenging cross-over Sept. 28 vs. visiting Rancocas Valley. The Thanksgiving Day clash with neighboring Williamstown has quickly developed into one of South Jersey's fiercest rivalries.

Player to watch: Meintel isn't a particularly big back and he's not blazing fast but he's a strong, quick, instinctive runner who also can catch passes out of the backfield. He showed a knack for getting in the end zone as a junior and will need to be a consistent playmaker for the Minutemen in 2017.

The last word: "What other people say about us, we let go in one ear and out the other," Cockerill said. "We're ready to set the world on fire."