Training Camp Tour: Wootton Patriots
In many ways the success that Wootton had last year has given them the confidence that they need to become a team that has the potential to dominate this year.
Photo By: Kevin Nunez / GamedayMD.com | VIEW GALLERY
The most critical part of Wootton's success will depend on the overall attitude of the team.
Photo By: Kevin Nunez / GamedayMD.com | VIEW GALLERY
The Patriots have completed their long rebuilding process and the team is returning with a group of young talented players.
Photo By: Kevin Nunez / GamedayMD.com | VIEW GALLERY
ROCKVILLE, MD - As Vince Lombardi once said, "Football is like life - it requires perseverance, self-denial, hard work, sacrifice, dedication and respect for authority." Through out the different seasons there are those football teams that have their periods of greatness then after several years of domination the program is forced to rebuild.
How the team rebuilds during this time will speak volumes as to what kind of program the school will have in the future. Such is the case when it comes to the Wootton Patriots where after a long period of remaining in the basement of the conference the Patriots appear to be on the verge of returning to the dominance that they once had during the early 1990's.
What happened was the Patriots have been through several years of rebuilding under a series of different coaches. Then when head coach Gregg Malling arrived in 2005 he was determined to break the overall atmosphere of loosing that had gripped the program.
After several difficult years he has established a team with the potential of being able to build off their success last season. Where, the Patriots had their first playoff appearance since 1991 and posted a respectable 7-4 record.
Now it appears as if the Patriots could have completed their long rebuilding process, where the team is returning with a group of young talented players. In spite loosing Mike Mooney to the University of Iowa along with senior standouts Stephane Ngoumou and Matt Paris several young players could be able to fill the void that these three have left.
This can be seen when you look at the quarterback position where Wootton has two talented quarterbacks that could easily step in to fill the void, Alex Kelly and Jeff Porter. Combine this with the fact that 6 ft. 205-pound senior Matt Grimm and 6 - 1 180 pound sophomore Curt Brooks are returning at wide receiver who could provide these quarterbacks with some outstanding deep threats that will fill the holes left by Ngoumou as well as Paris.
On defense the Patriots are welcoming back Grimm at linebacker and Nate Baruch on the defensive line. These two standouts from last year will more than likely continue their never ending harassment of the quarterbacks, running backs and wide receivers every week.
5 camp observations
Key seniors have been lost
In spite of the overall success of the Patriots last year, a key weakness that will have to be dealt with is the losses of Mike Mooney, Stephane Ngoumou and Matt Paris. That being said the return of seniors Matt Grimm and rising sophomore Curt Brooks could provide the deep threat that the Patriots need.
The return of senior quarterbacks Alex Kelly and Jeff Porter will give the Patriots solid replacements for Mooney. Furthermore the combination of both Kelly and Porter will give Wootton depth at the quarterback position which is something that many of the top teams in their division do not have. Towards the end of the season this could be a major factor affecting those teams in the post season.
Running game is solid
The Patriots running game appears to be in sound shape lead by 5'9 165 pound Rashawn Morris. Combine the speed and talent of Morris along with the potential deep threat of Grimm / Brooks could mean that Wootton has the potential to wear opponents out with the running game then burn them deep in second half.
Special teams look impressive
Last year Rashawn Morris fined tuned his skills doing both kick and punt returns. Now, he can build off what he learned last year to be able to give the Patriots that unique special teams threat which could be all the difference they need to advance further in the post season this year.
Offensive line could be critical
One key to the Patriots success this year will be the performance of the offensive line, where they are expecting another strong season from standout Nate Baruch. If he has the kind of season like he did last year Baruch could be instrumental in opening up holes on the line that will give Morris the chance to be able to break for numerous long runs on defenses that are becoming wore out by Wootton's potent offensive attack.
Attitude is the most critical element
The most critical part of Wootton's success will depend on the overall attitude of the team. Where they now have the winning attitude that is required to go far in the post season, thanks in part to their playoff appearance last year.
In many ways the success that they had last year has given them the confidence that they need to become a team that has the potential to dominate this year. As coach Greg Malling observed not long ago, "It is a little different having a playoff appearance. The biggest thing is the changing expectations."
