Junior Curtis Samuel already has scholarship offers from Virginia, Syracuse, UConn and Rutgers. (An Rong Xu)
Erasmus Hall graduated the big two of Wayne Morgan and Shaquell Jackson, elite talents who were program mainstays since their sophomore seasons.
There isn’t panic – in fact, there is a new big two, dynamic juniors Khalil Lewin and Curtis Samuel, both of whom showed glimpses of brilliance last fall.
“Everybody’s got a big brother who goes off to college and the little brother has to look after the family,” E-Hall coach Danny Landberg said. “It will be interesting to see how they do. I’m excited. They’re special.”
The 6-foot-1 Samuel, who already holds scholarship offers from Virginia, Syracuse, UConn and Rutgers despite missing the end of last year with a fractured ankle, will be used in a variety of ways, out of the backfield, as a wide receiver and at safety.
“I got to step up,” Samuel said. “I got to be a role model to the young players that are coming up and improve my game.”
Lewin, a 5-foot-7 speedster, broke out at the end of last season with Samuel and Jackson down, scoring the game-winning touchdown in the PSAL City Championship semifinal victory over Tottenville and made ESPN’s “Sportscenter” Top 10 plays with a memorable 53-yard run in the finals at Yankee Stadium. Penciled in as E-Hall’s every down running back, Lewin already holds an offer from Fordham in addition to loads up high major interest.
E-Hall has a different look from the group that reached Yankee Stadium, site of the championship game, last December. In time, it could be an improved version. Instead of it being’s Morgan’s team, it belongs to everyone, Landberg said.
“Everybody here is a piece to the puzzle,” the coach said. “We’re not depending on one guy to get it done.”
The offense will be more versatile, able to stretch the field with quarterbacks Jonathan Samerson and Matt Domina, a Nazareth transfer.
They will have plenty of options, from Lewin and Samuel to junior receivers Darin Peart and Elijah Davis. Known as a conservative play-caller, Landberg plans to put the ball in the air often.
“It makes people have to worry about more,” he said. “It’s definitely the most balanced [offense] I’ve had. We can throw the ball as much as we can run it.”
Erasmus is also bigger up front, usually a weakness, even if it has already lost a few players to injury. Landberg is high on two-way lineman Rujel Henry and offensive tackle Brian Houston. Linebackers Stephon Rodriguez and Loumell Petion and Peart and Samuel in the secondary key a speedy, ball-hawking defense.
For all the on-field talent and promise, Erasmus is still an unknown in Landberg’s mind. He doesn’t know how this mostly inexperienced group can stand up to the pressure of high expectations and starring roles. Last year’s group went through a lot together to get to Yankee Stadium, overcoming injuries, adversity and disappointing performances.
“We had a good team last year; it will be hard to beat what they were doing,” Landberg said.
The Dutchmen, however, remain confident they have what it takes to not only get back to the Stadium, but leave champions.
“This year,” English said, “we’re going to win it.”