Training Camp Tour: Rockville Rams
The attitude that Kevin Bernot instills in his players is to be relentless, make better plays and never give up on anything.
Photo By: Steve Schowiak / GamedayMD.com | VIEW GALLERY
In spite having a new head coach and losing three key players last year the Rams are returning with a solid core of athletes this year.
Photo By: Steve Schowiak / GamedayMD.com | VIEW GALLERY
Despite all of the strengths that Rockville has this year, the biggest drawback could be that the Rams are still learning the new system and they are facing several out of county opponents such as Leonard Hall Naval Academy.
Photo By: Steve Schowiak / GamedayMD.com | VIEW GALLERY
ROCKVILLE, MD -Football is a game of perseverance, team work and focus; these are just a few of the key ingredients necessary to have success on the field. In the case of the Rockville Rams they are looking to build off of missing the playoffs by just one game last season and posting a 5 - 5 record.
To do this the program is now being ran by first year head coach Kevin Bernot, who is bringing with him the overall success that he learned under Sherwood's Al Thomas where he was a part of helping them win the state title last year.
In spite having a new head coach and loosing three key players last year the Rams are returning with a solid core of athletes this year. Where, they could be fielding the most talented team in years. This depends on how well the Rams respond to the new offensive system that Bernot brings with him.
When asked recently about how the team is adapting to the new offensive system Bernot felt that they were quickly learning the new offense saying, " The team is learning the new system very fast.
It was a little more challenging at first with the different amounts of spreads and shotguns that they did last year. But I feel that this proven system will work off of the team's strengths to make us as successful as possible."
To help him accomplish this the Rams are bringing back at quarterback senior Philip McTighe, sophomore Ruxx Carmines, and junior Chris Brown as the starter.
At wide receiver is Wayne Jackson and at running back is Crusoe Gongbay. The combination of Gonbay's ability to catch and run along with Jackson as just one deep threat is only touching the surface of the overall amount of talent that is returning this year.
On defense the Rams have a solid defensive lineman in Matt Fieller. While the linebackers are being anchored by Robbie Parker, Kevin O'Brien, Brandon Bryant and Julian Parks.
The secondary should be able to cover some of the best receivers in the conference with Wayne Jackson, Josue Gaitan, Phil McTighe, Nate Nolasco and Nick Thomas looking to continue harassing the opposition's secondary every week.
5 Camp Observations
Offense is solid
Despite losing Peter Nalle last year the new offensive system that the Rams are using would require any quarterback to learn the new system, considering this factor makes the departure of Nalles a non issue. Early reports are that starting quarterback Chris Brown has learned the system but still needs improvement.
That being said the strength of Crusoe Gongbay, who rushed for 1,400 yard last year, should offset any potential challenges that the offense could face early in the season. Where, the Rams will focus on using the running game with two backs and the I formation to wear their opponents down, then begin opening up the secondary with the catching ability of Gongbay and Jackson.
Defense could be stingy
The Rams will be running a 3 - 4 defense with variations of the nickel package for those opponents who like to pass. Their solid secondary and linebacker core of Parker, O'Brien, Bryant, Parks, Jackson, Gaitan, McTighe, Nolasco as well as Thomas should be able to keep up with the different offensive schemes that will come their way. Combine this with the talent of Fieller on the defensive line gives the Rams the solid core that they were missing last year.
Special teams can make the difference
Of all the schools in the conference Rockville appears to have arguably the best special teams in with Wayne Jackson and Crusoe Gongbay doing both kick as well as punt returns. While kicker Diego Opazo has a strong enough kicking ability that opponents could be forced to take a knee in the end zone or have poor field position.
New system untested opponents
Despite all of the strengths that Rockville has this year, the biggest drawback could be that the Rams are still learning the new system and they are facing several out of county opponents such as Leonard Hall Naval Academy.
They also will have to play their arch rival Richard Montgomery who is always looking to stir things up with Rockville. If the team can fully understand the new system the talent is there for them to be able to improve off of last year. However, all this will depend on the overall grasp of the offensive system that they are using.
Be relentless, make better plays and never give up on anything
The attitude that Kevin Bernot instills in his players is to be relentless, make better plays and never give up on anything. If the Rams can be able to take this attitude on the field with them and use their talent as well as understanding of the new offense could mean that many opponents will be surprised by what they see. This is the biggest factor that will determine how successful the Ram will be this year.
